If you love culture, and history, wandering around beautiful neighborhoods, and trying delicious food, then you’re going to fall in love with Mexico City. The capital of Mexico is a huge city with a ton to offer tourists regarding experiences and sightseeing, so it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to decide what to start with. Since spending a week here, I’ve been constantly dreaming of returning — that’s how amazing it is, and how much there is to do. Here’s what to add to your Mexico City bucket list and what you won’t want to miss.
This Mexico City bucket list was written by Tess from Tess the Traveler.
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10 Mexico City Bucket List Activities
Zócalo Square & Templo Mayor
Mexico City is full of diverse neighborhoods that are perfect for walking around and exploring. But among its best areas is Centro, Mexico City’s downtown. Its historic center in particular is full of sightseeing, and ways to get a taste of Mexico City’s extensive history and culture. If possible, begin your time in Mexico City here. And there’s no better place to start than in the Zócalo.
The Zócalo, a square also referred to as the Plaza de la Constitución, is not only full of sightseeing, but it’s extremely historically significant, as well. It’s actually the site of an Aztec temple, known as Templo Mayor, which dates back to the 1300s. The area was actually once the capital of the Aztec empire, and here, you can explore the archaeological site and onsite museum for 100 pesos. Stopping here is a non-negotiable for your time in the Zócalo.
Apart from Templo Mayor, the area has a number of other historic sites, including the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, which is said to be the first cathedral built in the Americas. Be sure to spend some time wandering around and admiring the beautiful architecture, stopping at the food stalls, and experiencing the rest of Centro, one of Mexico City’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Mexico City’s Cuisine
Travelers who love sampling local cuisines will find that there are few better places to visit than Mexico City, which has slowly earned itself a reputation as one of the world’s best food cities. Using a blend of Indigenous ingredients cooking techniques and Spanish influences, an entire trip could be dedicated solely to exploring Mexico City’s rich food scene.
Throughout the city, you can find amazing food ranging from street food to fine dining. From slow-cooked barbacoa tacos, topped with cilantro, raw onion, salsa, and a squeeze of lime, to al pastor, slowly roasted pork descending from Middle Eastern shawarma, Mexico City’s food is on a whole other level. As a huge city, it’s also a great place to try foods from other regions of Mexico, such as mole, a sauce that is made with a combination of chiles, chocolate, and other seasonings.
Casa Azul
Frida Kahlo has become not only a legend in Mexico but across the world. Born and raised in Coyoacan, Mexico City, visiting the former home of the iconic artist is a must-do. Known as the “Blue House” or “Casa Azul,” today it is a museum and a dedication to Kahlo. Also referred to as Museo Frida Kahlo, you can see lots of art, both by Kahlo and by her husband, Diego Rivera, along with artifacts, furniture, personal objects, and more, here.
Not only is the home and backyard garden beautiful, but the entire experience offers an intimate look into Kahlo’s life and a better understanding of the woman behind some of Mexico’s most iconic art. General admission is currently $320 Mexican pesos, and like most museums in the city, Casa Azul is closed on Mondays.
Chapultepec Park
This massive park is known as one of the world’s largest urban parks, and the biggest in Latin America, so you can be sure that there’s plenty to do here. Like many sites in Mexico City, its history also dates back centuries, with the name “Chapultepec,” meaning “grasshopper hill,” in Nahuatl, the language of the Toltecs, who once had a sacred altar here. You could spend hours here without seeing it all.
Go paddle-boarding or canoeing at one of the park’s lakes, or just spend some time walking around and enjoying the scenery. There are plenty of sculptures, fountains, and even events like markets or concerts during the weekends to keep you entertained. The park also houses nine different museums, numerous gardens, and even a castle.
Today Chapultepec Castle is home to the National Museum of History, but over the years has served as a residence, a military academy, and even a political prison.
Anthropology Museum
Mexico City has more than 150 museums, all of which offer something different to visitors, but there’s no doubt that one of its best is the Anthropology Museum, or the Museo Nacional de Antropología, which you can find within Chapultepec Park. If you appreciate art or history, this is a true bucket list-worthy museum and something you can’t miss while in Mexico City.
This massive museum has the largest collection of ancient Mexican art in the world, and you could easily spend hours here checking out its extensive exhibits. Exhibits span across Mexico, from Teotihuacan culture, the Toltecs, Mexica culture, Oaxaca culture, and much more, making it one of the best places to visit if you really want to dive into Indigenous Mexican history.
Since it is so huge, don’t expect to see everything in one visit — but it’s such a cool place to visit, you’ll definitely want to return. General admission is $100 Mexican pesos, or free on Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens
At one point in time, Xochimilco, a neighborhood in southern Mexico City, was all wetlands and a lake. As a result, the Xochimilca people created a system, known as chinampa, in which they used rafts to create floating gardens for agriculture.
Today, they’re more human-made islands with remaining canals, and they’re also one of the best places to visit in Mexico City. Here, you can rent a trajinera, a colorful, traditional boat, that will take you through the canals, often with music, drinks, and food, as well. Travelers looking for a fun, party atmosphere, shouldn’t miss a visit to Xochimilco’s floating gardens.
The easiest way to visit Xochimilco is to go on a tour, so you don’t need to figure out the logistics. Many tour options also include a visit to Coyoacan, and Frida Kahlo’s former home, too.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
With gorgeous architecture and murals by famous Mexican artists, this beloved museum and cultural center is also a must on your Mexico City bucket list. Even if you only have 1 day in Mexico City, you should not skip visiting this place. Using art nouveau and art deco styles, and with a distinct marble façade, it’s not only one of the best buildings in Mexico City, but it’s also one of the best places to see amazing art. In particular, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, Diego Rivera, and José Clemente Orozco, each have impressive murals throughout the museum.
Apart from its artwork, Bellas Artes is also a great place to see live performances, from opera to ballet folklórico, to orchestral shows. It’s considered one of Mexico’s most important cultural centers and is a recognized UNESCO artistic monument.
Entry is 95 Mexican pesos, and admission is free on Sundays, but keep in mind that it will be most crowded on this day.
Torre Latinoamericana
This observation deck has 360-degree panoramic views of the city below. When it was constructed in the 1950s, it was Latin America’s tallest building. Although that’s no longer the case, it’s still a highlight in Mexico City for its amazing views.
Located in Centro, the tower stands in the place of what many believe was once a zoo belonging to Moctezuma II, an Aztec emperor. The 182-meter-tall building’s other claim to fame is that it was also the first skyscraper to be built in an extremely high seismic zone. It has since survived three major earthquakes, thanks to its use of Aztec construction methods.
Apart from its viewpoint on the 44th floor, there are also a couple of museums that you can check out here, such as the Mexico City Museum (admission is included in your ticket to the 44th-floor viewpoint), and the Bicentennial Museum, which has an additional fee of $20 Mexican pesos. Admission to the viewpoint is 220 Mexican pesos.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Less than an hour outside of the city is one of Mexico’s top bucket list activities. Once one of the biggest cities in North America, the Teotihuacan pyramids were built between the 1st and the 7th centuries A.D. Not much is known about Teotihuacan’s origins, or why it began to decline and was eventually abandoned around 550 to 600 AD. They were then discovered in the 1400s by the Aztecs, who named the pyramids Teotihuacan, or “the place where the gods were born.”
To visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is made up of several plazas and pyramids, including the third largest in the world, the Pyramid of the Sun, you can either go on a tour or on your own. Admission is 90 Mexican pesos.
To make the activity even more memorable, you can even go on a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids. This is typically done first thing in the morning, and you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Mexico City.
Visit Mexico City’s Markets
Spending some time at one of Mexico City’s markets is not only a great place to get some food and a souvenir, but it’s also just one of the best places to soak in some local culture. Bring some cash and your own bag. And keep in mind that haggling is not customary here.
The city is home to around 400 public markets, but a few highlights include Mercado de Coyoacán, which is especially beloved for its food stalls. If you’re looking for anything from textiles to ceramics, to jewelry, toys, or even furniture, La Ciudadela in Centro is your best bet. Mercado de Jamaica is another noteworthy one. It’s a flower market that’s open 24 hours a day.
Mexico City Bucket List: Final Thoughts
Mexico City is such an amazing place with so much to do, and these Mexico City bucket list activities are just the beginning of what this city has to offer. Spending at least a week in Mexico City will really allow you to get a great overview of the city. There’s so much to do, you could even spend weeks without seeing everything. With that said, regardless of how much or how little time you have to spend here, Mexico City has so much culture, history, and charm that you’re definitely going to want to return again and again.
Don’t forget to save this Mexico City bucket list for your next trip!
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