One day in Mexico City

Day by day

1. Day 1: Zócalo and Metropolitan Cathedral

   Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor and National Palace murals, then Lucha libre at Arena México in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Zócalo

      For the best view, have a drink on one of the hotel rooftop terraces overlooking the square around sunset. Allow 30 minutes.

   2. Late morning

      Metropolitan Cathedral

      Ask at the entrance about bell-tower tours, which are sometimes available and give views over the Zócalo. Allow 45 minutes.

   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. Afternoon

      Templo Mayor

      Visit the museum after the ruins; its scale models help make sense of the layers you have just walked over. Allow 2 hours.

   5. Late afternoon

      National Palace murals

      Public access to the murals has varied in recent years; check before you go and bring your passport or photo ID. Allow 1 hour.

   6. 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.

Before you go

• Lucha libre at Arena México: Buy tickets at the arena box office or through official sellers; a guided outing is an easy option for first-timers.

If it rains

• Swap in Palacio de Bellas Artes (Centro Histórico): Combine it with the Torre Latinoamericana's observation deck across the street for a view down onto the palace's domes.
• Swap in National Museum of Anthropology (Chapultepec): Head straight to the Mexica (Aztec) hall at the back of the ground floor before groups arrive, and allow at least half a day.
• Swap in Museo Soumaya (Polanco): Cross the plaza to Museo Jumex for contemporary art afterwards.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 6–7 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Metro. The Metro's colour-coded lines reach the Centro, Chapultepec, Coyoacán and the bus terminals for a very low flat fare, but carriages are packed at rush hour.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Mexico City
• 3 days in Mexico City
• 4 days in Mexico City
• 5 days in Mexico City
• 7 days in Mexico City

Questions travellers ask