Things to Visit in Mexico City: Aztec Ruins and Street Tacos
A ground-level guide to Mexico City covering Aztec ruins at Templo Mayor, Chapultepec Castle, the floating gardens of Xochimilco, world-class museums, and the best street food from tacos al pastor to tamales across the city's neighborhoods.
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Historic Center (Centro Histórico)
Stand in the Zócalo, one of the world's largest public squares
The Zócalo measures 240 by 240 meters (nearly 14 acres) and is the beating heart of the city. On weekday mornings, a flag-lowering ceremony with military guards takes place at 6 PM. The Metropolitan Cathedral on the north side took 240 years to build.
Enter the Metropolitan Cathedral and see the sinking floor (it tilts visibly)
Walk through the National Palace to see the Diego Rivera murals (free, bring ID)
Explore the Templo Mayor ruins and museum
This Aztec temple was buried under colonial buildings until workers discovered it by accident in 1978. Entry costs 90 MXN ($5 USD). The museum houses over 7,000 artifacts including the massive 8-ton Coyolxauhqui stone disk.
Rent the audio guide for 70 MXN — the site layout is hard to understand without context
Walk down Calle Madero, the pedestrian-only shopping street
This 500-meter cobblestone street connects the Zócalo to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Stop inside the Sanborns building (House of Tiles) for the Orozco mural on the staircase — entry to the lobby is free.
See a performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
This Art Nouveau/Art Deco building is worth visiting for the architecture alone. Gallery admission is 85 MXN ($5 USD). Ballet Folklórico performances happen Wednesday and Sunday, with tickets starting at 300 MXN ($17 USD).
Chapultepec and Museums
Visit Chapultepec Castle on the hilltop
The only royal castle in the Americas, built in 1785, sits atop a 2,200-meter hill inside the park. Entry costs 90 MXN ($5 USD). The 20-minute uphill walk from the park entrance is steep — go early to beat the heat and the crowds.
Walk through the castle terrace for panoramic views of Paseo de la Reforma
Spend a half-day at the National Museum of Anthropology
This is the largest museum in the Americas, with 23 exhibit halls spread across 8 hectares. Entry costs 90 MXN ($5 USD). The Aztec Sun Stone (Calendar Stone) is in Room 7. Most visitors spend 3-4 hours and still only see half.
Start on the right side with the Maya and Aztec halls — they have the most iconic pieces
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school groups that arrive by 11 AM
Walk through Bosque de Chapultepec (the park itself)
At 686 hectares (1,695 acres), Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in the Western Hemisphere — about twice the size of Central Park. The first section has a lake with paddleboats for 55 MXN per 30 minutes.
Visit the Museo de Arte Moderno
This modern art museum inside Chapultepec Park holds works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo. Entry costs 85 MXN ($5 USD). The sculpture garden outside is free and peaceful on weekday afternoons.
Coyoacán and Southern Neighborhoods
Tour the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
Frida's cobalt-blue childhood home in Coyoacán is the most visited museum in Mexico City. Tickets cost 270 MXN ($16 USD) and must be bought online in advance — same-day walk-ups are not available. Book at least 2 weeks ahead.
Add the 50 MXN photography permit if you want to take photos inside
Wander through the Coyoacán neighborhood and market
The Mercado de Coyoacán is open daily and has tostadas, quesadillas, and fresh juices for 30-60 MXN ($2-4 USD) per plate. The main plaza, Jardín Centenario, has outdoor cafés and street performers on weekends.
Try a tostada de tinga (shredded chicken in chipotle sauce) at the market
Take a trajinera boat through Xochimilco's floating gardens
Colorful flat-bottomed boats cruise the ancient Aztec canals (originally built in the 1300s). A full boat fits 15-20 people and costs 500-800 MXN ($30-45 USD) per hour. Vendors in smaller boats sell food, drinks, and live mariachi music alongside you.
Go on a weekday to avoid Saturday crowds — weekends get packed by noon
Bring your own drinks and snacks to save money on the floating vendors
Visit the UNAM campus (Ciudad Universitaria)
The UNAM main campus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with murals by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Juan O'Gorman on building facades. The Central Library's mosaic mural covers all 4 walls of the 10-story tower. Free to walk the campus grounds.
Roma, Condesa, and Polanco
Walk the tree-lined streets of Colonia Roma
Roma Norte between Álvaro Obregón and Orizaba streets has the densest cluster of independent coffee shops, bookstores, and galleries. Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings line the streets — look up at the facades above the storefronts.
Stop at Plaza Río de Janeiro to see the Fountain of David replica
Walk the circular streets of La Condesa
Condesa is built on two former horse-racing tracks, giving its streets a distinctive oval layout. Parque México in the center has a 1920s Art Deco fountain and a running path. Amsterdam Avenue forms a 1.5-km oval loop popular with joggers.
Browse the high-end shops along Avenida Presidente Masaryk in Polanco
Polanco's main boulevard has luxury retail, upscale restaurants, and the Soumaya Museum (free admission). The cylindrical Soumaya building houses over 66,000 artworks including 380 Rodin sculptures — the largest Rodin collection outside France.
Street Food and Markets
Eat tacos al pastor from a street stand with a vertical spit
Look for stands with a tall rotating trompo (spit) of marinated pork. Tacos cost 15-25 MXN ($1-1.50 USD) each. The al pastor style came from Lebanese immigrants who brought shawarma to Mexico in the early 1900s. Order 4-5 tacos per person.
Ask for piña (pineapple) sliced off the top of the spit onto your taco
Try tamales from a morning street vendor
Tamales vendors set up near Metro stations between 7-10 AM on weekday mornings. A single tamal costs 15-20 MXN ($1 USD). Green (salsa verde with chicken) and red (salsa roja with pork) are the most common. Order a tamal inside a bolillo roll — the 'guajolota' — for the full local breakfast experience.
Browse Mercado de San Juan for exotic meats and imported goods
This gourmet market near the Centro Histórico is where chefs shop. Stalls sell escamoles (ant larvae), chapulines (grasshoppers), and crocodile meat alongside imported cheeses and wines. Prepared tostadas with exotic toppings run 80-150 MXN ($5-9 USD).
Eat elote (grilled corn) or esquites (corn in a cup) from a street cart
Both cost 25-40 MXN ($1.50-2.50 USD). Elote is a full cob coated in mayo, chili powder, lime, and cotija cheese. Esquites are the same toppings on corn kernels in a cup — easier to eat while walking. Carts appear in parks and plazas from late afternoon onward.
Drink pulque at a traditional pulquería
Pulque is a fermented agave sap drink that predates tequila by 1,000+ years. It has a slightly sour, milky taste and about 5-6% alcohol. A liter costs 40-70 MXN ($2-4 USD). Curado (flavored) varieties — guava, oat, mango — are easier for first-timers.
Practical Tips for Getting Around
Get a rechargeable Metro card at any station
The Metro costs 5 MXN ($0.30 USD) per ride — one of the cheapest subway systems in the world. It has 12 lines and 195 stations. Rush hours (7-9 AM and 5-8 PM) are extremely crowded; the first 2 cars on some lines are reserved for women and children.
Use ride-hailing apps for neighborhoods not on the Metro
Rides within the central city cost 50-120 MXN ($3-7 USD) depending on distance and traffic. Traffic peaks between 5-9 PM and can double travel times. A 5-km ride that takes 10 minutes at midday can take 40+ minutes during rush hour.
Carry small bills and coins for street food and transit
Most street vendors and small shops don't accept cards or break large bills. ATMs inside bank branches (not standalone kiosks) offer the best exchange rates. Withdraw in amounts ending in 50 to get smaller denomination bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Mexico City?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including historic center (centro histórico), chapultepec and museums, coyoacán and southern neighborhoods at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Mexico City?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Mexico City?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Mexico City?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Mexico City?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.