10 things to see & do in Mexico City

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson

Mexico's capital is mind-bogglingly massive, which is why we've come to the rescue with the ultimate guide to Mexico City's top landmarks, neighbourhoods and cultural hotspots.

Top tip? Even if you're making a beeline for other destinations in Mexico, make sure you squeeze in a visit to this cultural melting pot, famous for its food scene, museums and beautiful urban parks. Not forgetting the tequila, of course.

Getting to Mexico City: find great value deals with Love Holidays*, which offers flight and hotel packages or affordable flight-only fares.

Visit the National Museum of Anthropology

Say hello to one of the world's most spectacular museums. The 600,000 exhibits at the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology), in the heart of Chapultepec Park, aren't just housed in halls, but in the lush gardens.

The museum's open-air courtyard has a towering inverted fountain, a 30-metre column from which water cascades onto the ground below.

The focus is firmly on pre-Hispanic civilisations and highlights include the 23-tonne Aztec Sun Stone, carved by Aztecs in the 1400s, and the various ancient sculptures, including some used to store the hearts of sacrificed warriors.

Explore its neighbourhoods

Don't be afraid to explore Mexico City's vibrant neighbourhoods. Take Juárez. Once one of the city's grittier areas, Juárez has recently undergone a spectacular transformation.

Highlights include Joe Gelato, where Italy-trained gelato expert Jose Luis Cervantes serves up weird and wonderful gelato flavours such as sea urchin and mezcal. Meanwhile, Masala y Maíz, specialises in Mexican-Indian fusion cuisine (sounds weird but it works, honestly).

The there's Condesa. This is, without a doubt, Mexico City's coolest neighbourhood (although insiders predict Juárez is stealing its crown). Roma is famous for its Art Deco buildings, many of which now house some of the city's finest restaurants.

Hang out in Parque México

This is one of Mexico City's most spectacular parks, and you'll find it in Condesa. Head here to join impromptu salsa masterclasses held on its leafy lawns, for sumptuous picnics by one of its beautiful duck ponds, or to marvel at the sheer number of dogs; don't be surprised to see professional dog walkers wrangling large groups of canine companions.

Take some time out next to the Foro Lindbergh, the park's central plaza. Its pièce de résistance is Fuente de los Cántaros, (Fountain of the Pitchers).

The statue, which depicts a woman carrying two pitchers of water, is the work of the late José María Fernández Urbina, one of Mexico's most famous artists (after Frida, obviously).

Fawn over Frida

There are numerous places where you can pay tribute to Mexico's most famous artist, the late Frida Kahlo. Mexico City's top Frida Kahlo spots include La Casa Azul, Frida's former home and now a museum filled with artwork by Frida and her partner Diego Rivera. There's also a treasure trove of personal artefacts.

Next up is the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, in the sky-blue building, which Frida once lived in with Diego. Don't miss Diego's studio, filled with his famous papier-mâché figures.

Heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Get your flights and accommodation booked as early as possible to avoid disappointment, whichever host city you're planning to visit.

Visit Teotihuacán

This UNESCO-listed ancient Aztec city of Teotihuacán is 31 m / 50 km north of Mexico City's centre, but it's more than worth the effort. Book a guided tour as transport from Mexico City will be included, and most include lunch and an additional activity such as mezcal tasting.

The site, which dates back to 300BCE, is huge, and you'll need at least a couple of hours to explore it. The largest structure is the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest structures built during pre-Colombian times.

It's located opposite the Pyramid of the Moon, which, despite its smaller size, shouldn't be overlooked.

Cruise along the Xochimilco canals

This ancient, UNESCO-listed network of canals provides a fantastic opportunity to see locals at play. Grab a picnic and board one of the brightly coloured trajineras (gondolas) that weave their way along the canals.

Locals celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and graduations by hiring not only a boat but a mariachi band, and the entire place feels like one huge (albeit chaotic) party.

One of the weirdest spots you'll pass is undoubtedly La Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls), where hundreds of cobweb-covered dolls hang from tree branches.

Legend has it they were placed there by resident Juli&aaucte;n Santana Barrera, who believed they'd ward off the spirit of a girl who drowned in the canal.

Toast Mexico with some mezcal

Top of your list should be Mis Mezcales in Roma, which is run by Omar Trejo, an (English-speaking) expert on all things agave. The speciality here is rare types of mezcal, and Omar will happily take the time to talk you through the different varieties.

For fantastic mezcal-based cocktails, consider nearby Limantour, which recently ranked sixth in the World's 50 Best Bars awards. We recommend the Pastor Mezcal cocktail, inspired by taco al pastor, one of Mexico City's most popular street foods.

Finally, for the ultimate mezcal masterclass, it's got to be the Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal (Museum of Tequila and Mezcal), which has a huge rooftop bar and hundreds of exhibits relating to Mexico's favourite spirits. You'll find it in Centro, close to the Plaza Garibaldi, famous for its roaming troupes of mariachi musicians.

Mexican food beyond tacos

Holidays are all about great food, and Mexican cuisine is about so much more than tacos and burritos (although the ones you'll find here are the best in the world).

Other neighbourhoods worthy of any foodie's radar include Roma, which has some of the city's swankiest restaurants, including Rosetta, founded by chef Elena Reygadas, a former recipient of the World's 50 Best Restaurants' Best Latin America's Best Female Chef award. Short on time? Stop by the restaurant's bakery and grab one of her legendary guava rolls.

On a budget? You'll find fresh tamales (stuffed corn or banana leaves) sold on almost every street corner, while other wallet-friendly delicacies include tlacoyo (corn tortillas filled with pork crackling or cheese) and chapulines, or salted, roasted grasshoppers; they're delicious.

Visit Zócalo Square

Don't be surprised if this square looks familiar; it was the backdrop for the spectacular opening scene in the James Bond movie Spectre. A fun fact: prior to the film, there was no such thing as the 'Day of the Dead' procession, which takes place at the start of the movie.

Afterwards, Mexico City's tourist board decided to capitalise on the publicity by creating one (although the decision to allow banks to sponsor floats was controversial, to say the least).

That said, this remains one of the city's most spectacular spots. One of the world's largest squares, it's where you'll find the city's stunning Catedral Metropolitana.

If you can stomach the early start, get there for 8 am, when the Mexican army raises the country's flag. If you miss it, head there for 6 pm when it's lowered.

Climate in Mexico City

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
22°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Mexico City22
24°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Mexico City24
26°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Mexico City26
27°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Mexico City27
27°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Mexico City27
25°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Mexico City25
24°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Mexico City24
24°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Mexico City24
23°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Mexico City23
23°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Mexico City23
23°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Mexico City23
22°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Mexico City22
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
2 days with some rainfall in January in Mexico City2
1 day with some rainfall in February in Mexico City1
3 days with some rainfall in March in Mexico City3
6 days with some rainfall in April in Mexico City6
10 days with some rainfall in May in Mexico City10
15 days with some rainfall in June in Mexico City15
20 days with some rainfall in July in Mexico City20
19 days with some rainfall in August in Mexico City19
16 days with some rainfall in September in Mexico City16
8 days with some rainfall in October in Mexico City8
4 days with some rainfall in November in Mexico City4
2 days with some rainfall in December in Mexico City2

The above guide shows the climate in Mexico City. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Mexico.

Ready to discover Mexico City? See all the latest offers on flights and hotels, or flights only, with Love Holidays.

More about Mexico City

Mexico City by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel writer who loves getting off the beaten path. Specialising in adventure travel, she often covers outdoor activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking and scuba diving. Tamara's work features regularly in newspapers such as The Telegraph and The Independent along with numerous travel websites.

Posted in: Central America City North America

Back to top

Explore holiday destinations

More holidays

Save with latest deals & discounts

More deals

Airport parking

More parking

Airport lounges

More lounges

Related posts

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^