How many days · Mexico City · Mexico
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ulisesmorales, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Mexico City, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the Centro Histórico, the Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec, Coyoacán and the Casa Azul, and a day trip to Teotihuacan. Five days adds Xochimilco, Roma and Condesa's food scene, lucha libre and Polanco's museums; a week leaves room for Puebla or Taxco.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 11 h (Dec) to 13.3 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and National Palace murals |
| 2 days | Rushed | National Palace murals, Palacio de Bellas Artes and National Museum of Anthropology |
| 3 days | Good | Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul), Xochimilco canals and Lucha libre at Arena México |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Teotihuacan |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Teotihuacan and Puebla and Cholula |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Mexico City add up to roughly 18–22 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are National Museum of Anthropology (Half a day), Xochimilco canals (2–3 hours) and Lucha libre at Arena México (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Zócalo | 30 minutes | Centro Histórico |
| Metropolitan Cathedral | 45 minutes | Centro Histórico |
| Templo Mayor | 2 hours | Centro Histórico |
| National Palace murals | 1 hour | Centro Histórico |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes | 1.5 hours | Centro Histórico |
| National Museum of Anthropology | Half a day | Chapultepec |
| Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) | 1.5 hours | Coyoacán |
| Xochimilco canals | 2–3 hours | Xochimilco |
| Lucha libre at Arena México | 2–3 hours | Doctores |
| Plaza Garibaldi | 1–2 hours | Centro Histórico |
| Torre Latinoamericana | 1 hour | Centro Histórico |
| Chapultepec Castle | 2 hours | Chapultepec |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Zócalo and Metropolitan Cathedral |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for National Museum of Anthropology |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Teotihuacan and Puebla and Cholula |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.3 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Mexico City with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Cancún | About 1,295 km | 7 days |
| Havana | About 1,784 km | 4 days |
| Buenos Aires | About 7,392 km | 5 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Mexico City?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the Centro Histórico, the Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec, Coyoacán and the Casa Azul, and a day trip to Teotihuacan. Five days adds Xochimilco, Roma and Condesa's food scene, lucha libre and Polanco's museums; a week leaves room for Puebla or Taxco.
+Is a week too long in Mexico City?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Teotihuacan and Puebla and Cholula.