Discover 13 must-do things to do in Mexico City

Visit Mexico City: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Mexico? Discover the must-sees of a city conducive to crush!

Summary

1. The Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo
2. Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
3. The Templo Mayor
4. The National Palace
5. The Palace of Fine Arts
6. Xochimilco Floating Gardens
7. Teotihuacan
8. National Museum of Anthropology
9. The Frida Kahlo Museum (The Frida Kahlo Museum)
10. Gastronomy
11. Mexico City Markets
12. Wrestling
13. Six Flags Park
How to go to Mexico?
Where to stay in Mexico City?

Mexico City, atypical and overflowing with folklore, invites visitors to get lost in its colorful streets full of surprises. A must-see destination in Central America, Mexico’s capital is one of the greatest cities in the world, home to awe-inspiring sights and a terrific arts and culinary scene. Here you will find museums, archaeological sites, historical monuments and bustling markets, enough to satisfy everyone.

Ready to visit Mexico City? Here are the top 13 things to do in this colorful city.

1. The Plaza de la Constitución or Zócalo

Photo credit: Flickr – Eutopia Mexicor

Considered one of the largest squares in the world, the Plaza de la Constitución is located in the historic center of Mexico City. Bordered by the Palacio Nacional , the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City and by large colonnaded buildings, a huge Mexican flag can be seen flying proudly. The Zócalo is the place where various events, festivals and demonstrations take place. You also come across street vendors offering small objects bearing the image of Frida Kahlo . A great place to start your exploration of the city.

2. Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Photo credit: Flickr – Alejandro Juarez

Located on the north side of the Zócalo, this huge cathedral was built over a period of 250 years and has been a World Heritage Site since 1987. Rich in its mix of architectural styles, it knows how to attract attention. If his leaning look appeals to you, don’t panic! Like many buildings in the historic center of Mexico City, built on marshy ground, it slowly sinks into the ground. A lead wire in the nave even indicates the inclination of the building. An engineering project was undertaken in the 1990s to salvage the building and ensure that it sinks evenly.

3. The Templo Mayor

Photo credit: Flickr – Riccardo Maria Mantero

Buried for centuries, this extraordinary site was revealed to all in 1978 during the construction of the new city of Mexico. It was workers who first made an extraordinary discovery: an enormous stone disc (3.25 meters in diameter) on which a sculpted bas-relief represented Coyolxauhqui – the goddess of the moon among the Aztecs – dismembered. The large-scale archaeological excavations that followed unearthed more than 7000 objects and part of the enormous Templo Mayor , an important religious structure from the time of Tenochtitlan. Opt for a walking tour of this vestige that has stood the test of time.

4. The National Palace

Also on the Zócalo, the Palacio Nacional is the seat of the federal executive power in Mexico. It houses the Federal Treasury and the National Archives. Inside, you can admire several murals by famous painter Diego Rivera depicting thousands of years of Mexican history.

5. The Palace of Fine Arts

Photo credit: Flickr – Rajesh Pamnani

This grandiose theatre, initially planned to commemorate the centenary of Mexican independence in 1910, was finally completed only in 1934. A place of opera, dance and theatre, the Palace of Fine Arts is above all a masterpiece neoclassical and new art work where splendid murals are exhibited. Explore the art deco interior of the Palace, frequently hosting small exhibitions. For a great view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes , grab a coffee at the Sears department store across the street.

6. Xochimilco Floating Gardens

Want a haven of peace away from the hustle and bustle of a bustling city? Do not hesitate to visit the floating gardens of Xochimilco . Embark on one of the colorful boats ( trajineras ) and let yourself be guided through the canals where music, gastronomy and cheerfulness await you. An ideal place to spend the morning and picnic on site.

7. Teotihuacan

48 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, we find the city of Teotihuacan ( “place where the gods are created” ), a large complex of pre-Columbian pyramids. This is undoubtedly the obligatory stop to make in Mexico City. The “city of the gods”, a huge city occupied from the year 200 BC until the year 800 AD, had a population of 200,000 at its peak. Its influence was such that it was felt throughout Mesoamerica. Admire the Templo de Quetzalcóatl , walk along the Avenue of the Dead, climb the famous Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.

8. National Museum of Anthropology

Photo credit: Flickr – Kefith

Located in the woods of Chapultepec, the Museo Nacional de Antropología is one of the jewels of Mexican history. Divided into twenty-three themed rooms, it contains the most impressive collection of Mesoamerican artifacts in the world. If you choose to visit this fantastic museum, find the archaeological sector on the ground floor where twelve rooms chronologically transcribe the settlement of the region until the advent of the Aztecs. Upstairs, several ethnological exhibitions are offered.

9. The Frida Kahlo Museum (The Frida Kahlo Museum)

Photo credit: Flickr – Aldar Adame

The Casa Azul or Frida-Kahlo Museum, nestled in the heart of Coyoacan, was the family home of the famous artist and wife of the painter Diego Rivera where she lived with him for the last 14 years of his life. Their home, decorated in Mexican style, gives you a glimpse into the private life of these eccentric artists. Take advantage of being in Coyoacan to visit the historic center of this suburb of Mexico City which has kept the atmosphere of a village.

10. Gastronomy

Mexico still has a ton of great surprises in store for you. Among them, a gastronomy of madness – placed in the immaterial cultural heritage of UNESCO – which delights the palates. Go to puestos – street vendors – and test the street food by tasting a taco , a burrito , chorizo or quesadillas .
For heartier dishes, head for fondas . These affordable traditional restaurants with a family atmosphere, serve complete menus including the comida corrida consisting of a soup, a main course based on rice and red beans and a dessert.

11. Mexico City Markets

Photo credit: Flickr – Lucy Nieto

Once your appetite is satisfied, visit the famous mercados in Mexico City . Pass by that of Sonora , a daily market famous for its ceramics of all kinds. There are also medicinal plants, shamans and healers. That of Ciudadela , also daily, is recognized for its colorful local crafts. A little less crowded, the Handicrafts and Mexican Curiosities Market is a must-stop in Mexico City. Here you can find textiles, furniture, silver crafts and other oddities.

12. Wrestling

Photo credit: Flickr – Phil King

For total immersion, if there is one thing to do in Mexico City, it is to attend a Lucha libre fight. Mexican wrestling assimilated to wrestling, it is practiced in arenas vibrating with fervor. More than a sport, Lucha libre is a show where the protagonists fight masked and dressed in extravagant outfits where rhinestones and sequins are part of the game.

13. Six Flags Park

Photo credit: Flickr – Victor Pineda

Want to fill up on adrenaline? Direction one of the largest amusement parks in Latin America: Six Flags . Perfect for spending the day with the family, you will discover a space divided into several universes: Mexican, Polynesian, French, the DC Comics universe and much more.