There are several places to visit in Mexico City, which offers a vibrant mix of history and culture. The Zocalo, the city’s main square, is surrounded by landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Step back in time at Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple located in the heart of the city. If you are an art enthusiast, you will love the colourful murals of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo’s iconic Blue House. The city features one of the largest urban parks in the world, several museums, a castle, and serene walking paths.
10 Places To Visit In Mexico City
The list contains popular places to visit in Mexico City to explore on your next trip to this historically rich city.
1. Zocalo
Photo: Eric Zone / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Zocalo is the birthplace of the country’s constitution and is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Mexico. It is also known as the Constitution Square, which is the beating heart of Mexico country, where the 1st Constitution was proclaimed. The Constitution Square measures around two hundred and forty metres in each direction and is one of the largest squares to exist. In the earlier days, the square was used for a variety of purposes, which included being used as a bullfighting arena and markets. Currently, it is being used as a platform for hosting festivals, parades, etc.
Location: Centre of Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 8 km
2. National Museum Of Anthropology
Photo: Gary Todd / Wikimedia Commons
The National Museum of Anthropology is located within Chapultepec Park and is one of its kind among the tourist places in Mexico. While entering the museum, a giant monolithic figure is placed at its entrance. The National Museum of Anthropology was constructed around 1964 and has contemporary architecture. It houses magnificent art treasures that originated from the extinct civilisation of the Indian subcontinent and is said to be a national treasure. Here, many ancient artefacts related to anthropology and archaeology can be seen. Some of the well-known artefacts here are the Aztec statue of Xochipilli and the Aztec sunstone.
Location: Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 16 km
3. Templo Mayor
Photo: Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons
Several prominent historic sites have been unearthed and put on display in recent years in Mexico City. In Tenochtitlan (an Aztec city), the Templo Mayor was among the prominent temples. The first remnants of it were found around 1978, and it was a finely sculpted round disc. The weight of the round disc is around eight and a half tons and is more than three metres in diameter. On further excavation, many more structures, such as the summit platform of an earlier pyramid with well-preserved temple walls, were found.
Location: 8 Seminario Street, Downtown, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 8 km
4. The Palace Of Fine Arts
Photo: Xavier Quetzalcoatl Contreras Castillo / Wikimedia Commons
Palacio de Bellas Artes or The Palace of Fine Arts, is known to be an architectural gem and is among the must-visit Mexico tourist places. This marble building’s construction was influenced by Art Deco and Art Nouveau. Many visitors visit this place to witness the impressive murals made by famous artists such as Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente. The Palace of Fine Arts was opened to the public in 1934. It is said that the building was so heavy that it sank more than four metres even after multiple efforts to lighten it by removing a few parts of its dome.
Location: Near the Central Avenue, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 11 km
5. Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust / Wikimedia Commons
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the Northern Hemisphere. Having this on your Mexico tourist places list is a must if you are into architecture and history. It was built as a part of the old Aztec Temple precinct. Construction of this grey-coloured sandstone and gigantic basalt structure began around 1525. The cathedral’s interior showcases a mingling of various styles, with particular highlights being the carved Altar of the Kings. The cathedral has two massive twisted columns, and the facade showcases the Boroque architectural style.
Location: Zocalo’s north side, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 8 km
6. The National Palace
Photo: Diego Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
The National Palace is built on the top of an Aztec palace. However, over the years, the palace has been enlarged and keeps being mentioned in the Mexico tourist places list. The Palace has many notable features, such as the freedom bell rung on September 15th, 1810, at the start of the War of Independence. On each anniversary of that event, the bell is rung. Many beautiful rooms are in the palace, which are laid around its 14 courtyards. It also houses the impressive murals made by the well-known artist Diego Rivera.
Location: Main Square of Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 8 km
7. Chapultepec Park
Photo: EneasMx / Wikimedia Commons
Chapultepec Park is the largest park in the city and is spread over an area of four kilometres. It is said that in 1200 CE, the Aztecs settled in the city, and there is a legend that they laid out the park in the early 15th century. The rock formation on which the park is centred is called Chapultepec Hill, which became a summer residence of the Aztec rulers. Amenities such as public restrooms, etc., are available. The park is known to have some famous monuments and is pet-friendly. You can visit this place to enjoy a picnic with your loved ones and stroll through the place.
Location: Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 17 km
8. Paseo De La Reforma
Photo: México en Fotos, A.C. / Wikimedia Commons
Paseo de La Reforma is an avenue that you will find on many lists of must-visit places for Mexico trips. It is known for its stretch from the famous Chapultepec Park to the streets of Avenida Benito Juarez. This impressive boulevard widens to sixty metres and has a green strip in its centre. In its middle, there are monuments dedicated to numerous national heroes. It is now known for being an entertainment and shopping hotspot. This avenue was laid out during the reign of Emperor Maximilian and is currently home to several important attractions.
Location: Near Chapultepec Park, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 18 km
9. National History Museum
Photo: ProtoplasmaKid / Wikimedia Commons
Among various places to see in Mexico City, the National History Museum is the most iconic. It is housed in the Chapultepec Castle, which was built around the eighteenth century CE. The museum opened its door to the public in 1944 and is home to an impressive collection of pre-Columbian material. It has a vast range of exhibits illustrating the history of Mexico since the Spanish conquest. The apartments that Maximilian and his wife occupied contain European furniture and are decorated in neoclassical style.
Location: Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 17 km
10. Frida Kahlo Museum
Photo: Anagoria / Wikimedia Commons
The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known by the name Blue Museum, is located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Mexico City. The museum has some personal items related to Frida Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, as it used to be her house (birthplace). This art museum was built in 1957 and has a variety of artworks from Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and some of the other artists. The items that you can see in the museum are the couple’s Mexican folk art, photographs, pre-Hispanic antiques, personal items, and more.
Location: Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
Distance From The Mexico City International Airport: 15 km
The list highlights some of the places to visit in Mexico City, offering a blend of history, art, and culture. You can start your exploration journey from the ancient ruins of Templo Mayor to the vibrant streets of Coyoacan. Whether exploring Chapultepec Park or admiring iconic murals, Mexico City has something for everyone. Plan a trip with TripXL and immerse yourself in the charm of this unforgettable capital city.
Cover Photo: John Cafazza / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only