Mexico City Travel Guide: Best Things to See & Do

Mexico City was the last place I visited before the pandemic hit, and several months later I’m still reminiscing about my wonderful trip. This city, so vibrant and full of life, exceeded my already high expectations and made it to the top of my list of favorite places in the world. Hope you find this Mexico City Travel Guide helpful for planning your next trip there.

check out INSTAGRAMMABLE CAFES & RESTAURANTS in MEXICO CITY

mexico city travel guide: where to stay

If you’re visiting Mexico City for the first time, I highly recommend staying in the Condesa or Roma Norte neighborhoods. Either of these areas would serve as a good base for your stay because they’re central, safe, and have tons of restaurants and shops. We rented an Airbnb apartment and had a great experience. Airbnbs are super affordable in Mexico City and you can find very unique and lovely places for any budget. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, here are the ones I would recommend checking out:

Nima Local House Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
Hotel CondesaDF

getting around mexico city

It’s very easy to get around Mexico City:

Use their Metro system – it can take you to all major attractions and it’s the cheapest option.
Use Uber – it will be more expensive, but still cheaper than taking Uber in the US. Just keep in mind that there’s a ton of traffic in Mexico City and sometimes taking an Uber might not be the quickest way to get somewhere.
Walk – Mexico City is a walkable city with lots of attractions and restaurants located close to each other. And you might discover some hidden gems you didn’t expect to find while wandering around the streets.

things to see and do in mexico city

EAT ALL THE FOOD

I’ve published a separate blog post with almost ALL the places we ate in Mexico City. The food scene is simply amazing there, and I didn’t even come close to trying all the spots on my list. You simply can’t go wrong with food in Mexico City – it will taste heavenly whether it’s from a fancy restaurant or a street vendor.

VISIT MUSEO FRIDA KAHLO

Museo Frida Kahlo is probably one of the most popular museums in Mexico City and it’s must-see! The museum is dedicated to the life and works of the famous Mexican artist. The Blue House is where Frida Kahlo was born, spent her childhood, lived with her husband Diego Rivera, and where she eventually died. Visiting this museum will give you a glimpse of Frida’s day-to-day life and all the hardships she had to endure, her relationship with her husband, and the process of creating her outstanding art. This place is popular, so I highly suggest getting tickets online in advance.

EXPLORE COYOACAN

Museo Frida Kahlo is located in the Coyoacan district and you should definitely spend some time wandering around there before or after visiting the museum. It’s such a vibrant neighborhood with so many colorful facades. Make sure to stop by Mercado de Coyoacan – this authentic Mexican market is a great place for grabbing something to eat or getting souvenirs. There are also several other museums that are worth checking out, including the ones dedicated to Leo Trotsky and Diego Rivera.

EXPLORE CENTRO HISTORICO

Centro Historico used to be home to Tenochtitlan, the capital of the mighty Aztec empire until the Spanish settlers came here in the 16th century and destroyed it. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is extremely easy to get around on foot. You can actually find a variety of guided walking tours offered by local guides.

Start exploring from the main square Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world. From there you can make your way to the other points of interests that include:

Museum of Templo Mayor – the remains of the main temple of the Mexica peoples in their capital city of Tenochtitlan
Palacio Nacional – the seat of the federal executive in Mexico
The Metropolitan Cathedral – the largest cathedral in the Americas
Casa de Los Azulejos – one of my favorite buildings that reminded me of Portugal
Palacio Postal – the most gorgeous post office I’ve seen!
Paseo Madero – a pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants

Mexico City Travel Guide: Best Things to See & Do

PALACIO BELLAS ARTES

Palacio Bellas Artes is a cultural hub of Mexico City that contains two theaters, a few important murals on display, and a rotating architectural exhibition inside. It is also one of the most iconic buildings in Mexico City which looks stunning from all angles and resembles a white-domed wedding cake. But the best view of the building is actually from the Sear’s coffee shop across the street. Head up to the top floor, order a cup of coffee, and enjoy the magnificent views.

EXPLORE ROMA NORTE AND CONDESA

Roma and Condesa are the trendiest neighborhoods in Mexico City with a TON of amazing restaurants, cocktail bars, boutique hotels, and shops. We spent hours and hours wandering around the beautiful streets, spotting cute vintage cars, and unique facades.

things to know before going to mexico city

BRING CASH. Even though the majority of places accept credit cards, there will definitely be times when cash is needed, for example when you visit local markets or get churros from a street cart.
TIPPING is common in Mexico City, the going rate is 10-15%.
SAFETY. Mexico has a reputation for being a dangerous place. While there are some parts of the country you shouldn’t visit, Mexico City is not one of them. I got A LOT of questions asking whether it’s safe to travel to Mexico City and the answer is YES – it’s as safe as any other big city.