The Best Things to Do in Mexico City and Why You Should Visit Now

WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF

PUBLISHED JUNE 2023 • 5 min read

Follow 5 Reasons to Visit® on Google News for the latest travel articles, guides & tips

Built on the ruins of an ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Americas, and is a respected art capital. Colonial architecture, iconic artwork, spicy cuisine, and a rich cultural heritage offer visitors an endless array of activities that will satisfy any appetite.

It’s a city of contrasts, a place where you’ll find street vendors and world-class fine dining on the same block. Its sophisticated hotels, grand public parks, boulevards, and chic shopping streets rival those of Europe. There’s no way you can see, taste, and do all you’ll want to in one visit. But don’t worry, it’s a place that gets deep under your skin. You’ll be back!

Palacio de Bellas Artes 

The Palacio de Bellas Artes aka the Palace of Fine Arts, is a prominent cultural center that has hosted momentous events in music, theatre, opera, dance and literature—as well as hosting painting, sculpture and photography exhibitions. Also known as the “Cathedral of Art in Mexico,” this stunning white and gold building is located next to Alameda Central Park, on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City. The building features murals that were executed by some of Mexico’s finest artists, including Diego Rivera’s famous El hombre en el cruce de caminos (Man at the Crossroads) piece, Jose Clemente Orozco’s La katharsis (Catharsis) piece depicting the conflict between humankind’s ‘social’ and ‘natural’ aspects, to David Alfaro Siqueiros’ three-part La neuva democracia (New Democracy) piece, as well as exhibition halls for sculpture and painting.

Palacio de Bellas Artes is also home to the National Museum of Architecture, and the 7Bellas Artes Theater—featuring a stained-glass curtain depicting the Valle de México. Based on a design by Mexican painter Gerardo Murillo, this piece was assembled by New York jeweler Tiffany & Co from close to a million pieces of colored stained-glass. The Bellas Artes Theatre is the stage for the Ballet Folklórico de México, seasonal opera and symphony performances.

Xochimilco (Where the Flowers Grow)

These famous canals of Xochimilco, the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs. Colorful gondola-like boats take visitors on cruises while food vendors, artisans and mariachi bands float past. The atmosphere is festive, especially on weekends, and you can also visit the eerie, purportedly haunted Island of the Dolls—eek!

Hop aboard a colorful gondola and sail down the Aztec-built canals of Xochimilco. Historically, Xochimilco was a lake where the Aztecs started building manmade chinampas (artificial fields) that have now overtaken the lake and left a canal system behind. These chinampas, created for farming a thousand years ago, are layers on layers of manmade “rafts.”  When a raft sunk, the farmers tied another raft to the same location, until that raft sunk and the cycle continued. Now, the once “Floating Gardens of Xochimilco” sits firmly affixed to the bottom of the lake.

Booking.com

Bosque de Chapultepec

Bosque de Chapultepec sits on around 1,700-acres of land and is home to several museums, including the highly sought after Museo National de Antropología, the Jardín Botánico (botanical garden), the Mexico City Zoo, a large lake and is home to, Castillo de Chapultepec—the only castle in the Americas ever occupied by European royalty.

Apart from the castle, Bosque de Chapultepec is also home to the Cárcamo de Dolores, the Fuente de Tláloc; Diego Rivera’s massive tiled fountain, the Niños Heroes Monument, and the baths of Moctezuma; a historical monument built in the 15th century and was used as a type of spa bath, a place for breeding exotic fish, and as a place to store water collected from nearby springs. Finish your day off at the Audiorama section of Bosque de Chapultepec—in this area, lined with colorful benches, you will be one with nature while immersing yourself in a sound bath.

La Casa Azul & The Anahuacalli

La Casa Azul, also known as the Blue House for the structures cobalt-blue walls, was Frida Kahlo’s private universe—spending most of her life here, first with her family, then at Diego Rivera’s side. The Casa Azul and its gardens have displayed paintings by both Frida and Diego, folk art, pre-Colombian sculptures, photos, documents, books and furnishings that were part of the ambience that inspired Frida to create.

Throughout Diego Rivera’s life, he assembled an impeccable collection of pre-Hispanic pieces and wanted the building housing this pieces to also be an inhabitable piece of art. In 1941 Diego began the Anahuacalli, a construction blending modern art and pre-Colombian aesthetic. Land was acquired in the lava field created by the Xitle volcano. Today, the Anahuacalli houses more than 45,000 pieces, with 2,000 permanent displays.

La Lagunilla Market

If you’re longing for a unique shopping experience, head to one of the city’s largest market, La Lagunilla Market, a traditional public market in Mexico City. This quirky Sunday street market has roots set in the pre-Hispanic period, when people would convene to sell and trade. While here you can enjoy a massive selection of shopping opportunities, antiques and furniture are quite common, but you'll also find custom Mexican crafts designed by local artists.

Vintage items are at the heart of the indoor portion of this flea market, and the vendors are always happy to talk about their history with you. If you head outside, you'll find yourself in the portion of the market focused on clothing and accessories. Watches and jewelry have an impactful presence here, with some custom-made by local artisans and designers. You can find food options here as well!

Bottom Line

No trip to the “City of Palaces” would be complete without a quick stop for churros at Churrería El Moro. This widely-known bakery considered the best churros in Mexico City. Aeroméxico offers daily, direct flights in the United States from Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Boston, and other major airports.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

Booking.com

Advertiser disclosure & editorial note