7 days in Mexico City

Day by day

1. Day 1: Zócalo and Metropolitan Cathedral

   Zócalo and Metropolitan Cathedral, then Plaza Garibaldi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Zócalo

      Centro Histórico · 30 minutes · free.

   2. Late morning

      Metropolitan Cathedral

      Centro Histórico · 45 minutes · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tacos al pastor

      Taquerías across the city, from long-established El Huequito in the Centro to late-night stands in Roma and Condesa; look for a busy trompo.

   4. Evening

      Plaza Garibaldi

      Agree the price per song before the band starts, and use an app-based ride to get there and back at night.

2. Day 2: Templo Mayor and National Palace murals

   Templo Mayor and National Palace murals, then Torre Latinoamericana in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Templo Mayor

      Centro Histórico · 2 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      National Palace murals

      Centro Histórico · 1 hour · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chilaquiles

      Cafés, fondas and market stalls across the city; Roma and Condesa cafés serve elaborate versions.

   4. Evening

      Torre Latinoamericana

      Go on a clear morning after overnight rain, when the volcanoes may be visible, or at dusk to watch the city lights come on.

3. Day 3: Palacio de Bellas Artes and Mercado de San Juan

   Palacio de Bellas Artes and Mercado de San Juan, then Lucha libre at Arena México in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Palacio de Bellas Artes

      Centro Histórico · 1.5 hours · low cost. Book performances of the Ballet Folklórico de México in the main theatre in advance through the official box office.

   2. Late morning

      Mercado de San Juan

      Centro Histórico · 1 hour · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tamales and atole

      Street stands outside Metro stations and on corners in the early morning.

   4. Evening

      Lucha libre at Arena México

      Buy a mask from the stalls outside, and use an app-based ride to and from the arena, which is in a rough neighbourhood at night.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Teotihuacan

   About 1 hour by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from Terminal Autobuses del Norte, or an organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Teotihuacan

      About 1 hour by bus (Bus from Terminal Autobuses del Norte, or an organised tour); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Teotihuacan

      Arrive at opening to avoid the midday sun, or see it at dawn from a hot-air balloon.

   3. Evening

      Back in Mexico City

      Dinner: try Tlacoyos.

5. Day 5: National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle

   National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle, then Roma Norte in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Museum of Anthropology

      Chapultepec · Half a day · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Chapultepec Castle

      Chapultepec · 2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tlacoyos

      Women's griddle stands in markets and near Metro stations, especially in the Centro and Coyoacán.

   4. Evening

      Roma Norte

      Cocktail bars, mezcalerías and small clubs around Álvaro Obregón and Colima streets.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Puebla and Cholula

   About 2 hours by bus each way. Getting there: Bus from TAPO or Terminal Norte.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Puebla and Cholula

      About 2 hours by bus (Bus from TAPO or Terminal Norte); about 130 km.

   2. Day

      Puebla and Cholula

      Neighbouring Cholula has the largest pyramid by volume in the world, now a grass-covered hill topped by a church.

   3. Evening

      Back in Mexico City

      Dinner: try Quesadillas.

7. Day 7: Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) and Coyoacán centre

   Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) and Coyoacán centre, then Condesa in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)

      Coyoacán · 1.5 hours · mid-priced. Tickets are sold online for timed slots and often sell out days ahead; book as soon as your dates are fixed.

   2. Late morning

      Coyoacán centre

      Coyoacán · 2–3 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Quesadillas

      Market fondas and street stalls across the city.

   4. Evening

      Condesa

      Bars and pavement terraces along Tamaulipas, Michoacán and Avenida Amsterdam.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) and Lucha libre at Arena México before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 7 nights, Centro Histórico keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Roma Norte ($$$) suits food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–23 hours of visiting over 7 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Mexico City
• 2 days in Mexico City
• 3 days in Mexico City
• 4 days in Mexico City
• 5 days in Mexico City

Questions travellers ask