Free things to do · Mexico City · Mexico
11 free things to do in Mexico City
Mexico City without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Mexico City without paying an entry fee: Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace murals and Plaza Garibaldi are all free. The Zócalo, the cathedral, the Basilica, Chapultepec Park, Museo Soumaya, Biblioteca Vasconcelos and Ciudad Universitaria are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- June
Free sights and experiences
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Centro Histórico
1.Zócalo
For the best view, have a drink on one of the hotel rooftop terraces overlooking the square around sunset.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Centro Histórico
2.Metropolitan Cathedral
Ask at the entrance about bell-tower tours, which are sometimes available and give views over the Zócalo.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Iconic
Palace · Centro Histórico
3.National Palace murals
Public access to the murals has varied in recent years; check before you go and bring your passport or photo ID.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- History
- Free
- Iconic
Landmark · Centro Histórico
4.Plaza Garibaldi
Agree the price per song before the band starts, and use an app-based ride to get there and back at night.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Coyoacán
5.Coyoacán centre
Come on a weekend afternoon for the atmosphere, then have churros and hot chocolate on the square.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Kids
- Couples
- History
Museum · Polanco
6.Museo Soumaya
Cross the plaza to Museo Jumex for contemporary art afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · Gustavo A. Madero
7.Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Climb Tepeyac Hill behind the basilica for chapels and views; avoid 12 December unless you want to join millions of pilgrims.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Architecture · Buenavista
8.Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Climb to the upper walkways for the best view along the hanging stacks.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · Coyoacán
9.Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM)
Take Metrobús Line 1 down Avenida Insurgentes, and add the MUAC contemporary art museum on campus.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Market · Centro Histórico
10.Mercado de San Juan
Go late morning on a weekday and ask a stallholder to put together a tasting plate.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Street · Juárez and Reforma
11.Paseo de la Reforma and the Ángel
Rent an Ecobici bike and join the Sunday car-free ride from the Ángel towards the Centro.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Architecture
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Histórico | Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace murals, Plaza Garibaldi and Mercado de San Juan | 30 minutes + 45 minutes + 1 hour + 1–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Coyoacán | Coyoacán centre and Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM) | 2–3 hours + 2 hours |
| Polanco | Museo Soumaya | 1.5 hours |
| Gustavo A. Madero | Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe | 1.5–2 hours |
| Buenavista | Biblioteca Vasconcelos | 1 hour |
| Juárez and Reforma | Paseo de la Reforma and the Ángel | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Centro Histórico
Templo Mayor
Visit the museum after the ruins; its scale models help make sense of the layers you have just walked over.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Architecture · Centro Histórico
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Combine it with the Torre Latinoamericana's observation deck across the street for a view down onto the palace's domes.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Museum · Chapultepec
National Museum of Anthropology
Head straight to the Mexica (Aztec) hall at the back of the ground floor before groups arrive, and allow at least half a day.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Kids
Experience · Doctores
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Iconic
- Kids
Castle · Chapultepec
Chapultepec Castle
Arrive early at weekends, when the park fills with families; the walk up the hill from the park entrance takes about 15 minutes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Kids
More ways to save
- The Zócalo, the cathedral, the Basilica, Chapultepec Park, Museo Soumaya, Biblioteca Vasconcelos and Ciudad Universitaria are free.
- Eat a comida corrida set lunch at a fonda for a full meal at a fraction of restaurant prices.
- The Metro and Metrobús cost very little; use them by day and ride-hailing at night.
- Withdraw pesos from ATMs inside banks or shopping centres, and decline 'conversion' to your home currency on card terminals.
- Carry small notes and coins for markets, street food and tips; many stalls cannot change large bills.
- Prices rise sharply around Día de Muertos and big events, so book early or travel outside those dates.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Mexico City expensive to visit?
Mexico City is affordable for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Mexico City?
Zócalo: For the best view, have a drink on one of the hotel rooftop terraces overlooking the square around sunset.