I could have easily spent weeks exploring Mexico City, and even then I wouldn’t have seen everything. A city this big, has a lot to offer obviously. Museums, green spaces, culture, art, food. Each neighborhood has a different feel. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or much longer, these are some of my favorite things to do in Mexico City.
these are some of the fun Things to do in Mexico City
Visit the Saturday Market in San Ángel
If you’re in Mexico City on a Saturday, don’t miss the Saturday Art Market (Bazar Sábado) in San Ángel. Think paintings, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and home décor. Part of the market is outside on the cobblestone streets, while another section is inside a historic building. Don’t forget to bring some cash in case you are planning on buying some things.
San Ángel itself is a lovely neighborhood in Mexico City, so don’t just visit the market and leave. Wander through the quiet streets, admire the surroundings and make your way to the Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, where the famous artists once lived and worked.
Visit One (or Several) of Mexico City’s 200+ Museums
With more than 200 museums, Mexico City is one of the cities with the most museums in the world. Visiting all of them sounds like a fun challenge, right? I definitely tried my best and managed to see quite a few.
No matter your interests, there’s probably a museum for you. Art, history, anthropology, design, photography, architecture… the options are endless. So when you are thinking of things to do in Mexico City, make sure to leave some time for at least a couple of museums. Here you can read more about my favorite museums in Mexico City.
Explore the Streets of Coyoacán
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Mexico City was colorful Coyoacán. It’s full of lively plazas, local markets, little cafés, bookstores and beautiful streets that are perfect for wandering around.
Coyoacán is known as the neighborhood where Frida Kahlo lived for much of her life, and you can visit her famous Casa Azul if you book tickets in advance. But even if you skip the museum, the neighborhood itself is worth exploring. It has a slower pace than many other parts of the city and feels almost like a small town tucked inside one of the biggest cities in the world.
Take a Day Trip to Teotihuacán
If you want to learn more about Mexico’s history, make time for a day trip to Teotihuacán. It’s located just outside Mexico City and is one of the country’s most important archaeological sites. I was really happy that I booked a guided tour to Teotihuacán. Our guide shared so much knowledge about the history, culture and significance of the ancient city that I would have completely missed on my own.
Seeing the pyramids in person was impressive. They’re one of those places you know exists, but standing right in front of them is something else. It felt really special, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.
Stroll Through Chapultepec Park
Chapultepec Park is one of the largest city parks in the world and a great place to escape the busy streets of Mexico City for a while. Don’t be surprised if you see lots of people walking around with colorful monkey toys on their heads. They’re sometimes filled with water, and people spray each other as part of a playful tradition, especially on weekends.
The park itself is huge, with lakes, museums, walking paths and plenty of green space. I do have to admit that some of the areas with lots of food stalls and vendors felt a little hectic for me. But because the park is so big, it’s easy to find quieter corners too.
Visit UNAM’s Cultural Campus
My friend really wanted to visit the Espacio Escultórico in the south of Mexico City, and I’m so glad we did. While we were there, we decided to explore more of the UNAM campus, including its museums and libraries.
UNAM is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its impressive architecture, public art and cultural spaces. If you’re making the trip down there, I’d definitely recommend combining a few places into one visit. There isn’t a huge amount nearby, so take your time and enjoy everything this campus has to offer.
the Architecture of Luis Barragán
Mexico City and incredible architecture go hand in hand. One of the country’s most influential architects was Luis Barragán, who won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1980. His work is known for its bold colors, natural light and peaceful spaces. You can visit several of his buildings, but make sure to book your tour/visits well in advance. I visited Casa Gilardi, which is still privately owned and lived in today.
Try the Street Food (Obviously)
Do I really need to put “try the street food” in a list with things to do in Mexico City? Probably not. I’m pretty sure it’s already at the top of most people’s lists, and minds. No matter where you go, you’ll find countless food stalls selling everything from tacos and tamales to fresh fruit, churros and aguas frescas.
Some days I had things I specifically wanted to try, while other days I followed whatever smelled and looked good. Being vegetarian made it a little more challenging at times, but I was surprised by how many delicious options I found. In my list with favorite restaurants in Mexico City, I also mention some of the street food vendors I tried. And they all have veggie options.
Wander Around the Historic Center
Don’t miss out on Mexico City’s historic center. I stayed here for a few nights and especially loved the quiet mornings, when the streets were still waking up and I could walk around before grabbing breakfast.
Make sure to visit El Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, and step inside the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral right next to it. For one of the best views over the city, head up the Torre Latinoamericana. You can also visit the Templo Mayor, the archaeological remains of the ancient Aztec capital that once stood here. Besides the major landmarks, the Historic Center is also home to plenty of interesting museums and beautiful historic buildings.
Relax at Parque México
Mexico City has lots of green spaces, but one of my favorites was Parque México in the Condesa neighborhood. It’s the kind of park where people come to read a book, walk their dogs, play football, dance, exercise or simply enjoy being outside. It has such a relaxed atmosphere, and I loved coming here while I was staying in Condesa! The perfect place to relax.
Explore the Canals of Xochimilco
Sadly, I didn’t make time to visit Xochimilco, but it would be one of my first stops if I returned to Mexico City. Xochimilco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its colorful trajineras. Trajineras are traditional flat-bottomed boats that float through a network of canals. These canals are the remains of an ancient lake system that once surrounded the Aztec capital. An impressive piece of work (that I wish i saw with my own eyes).
Watch a Lucha Libre Match
One evening, some people from my hostel invited me to join them for a Lucha Libre match. We bought our tickets through Ticketmaster and sat in the upper ring, which still gave us a great view.
Lucha Libre is Mexico’s famous style of professional wrestling, known for its colorful masks, dramatic performances and enthusiastic crowds (lots of things were being yelled from the crowds). Even if wrestling isn’t normally your thing, I’d still recommend going. Friday nights are considered one of the best times to experience a match, as they often feature the biggest events and liveliest crowds.
Spend an Afternoon at Casa Wabi SABINO 336
Art and architecture come together at Casa Wabi SABINO 336, a contemporary art space designed by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach. You’ll need to reserve your visit in advance, after which you’re free to walk through the beautiful building and explore the exhibitions. There’s also a lovely café that’s perfect for taking a break.
Casa Wabi is located a little outside the neighborhoods where most tourists spend their time, but I actually loved that. It gave us the chance to explore another part of Mexico City that we probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise.
Visit the Vasconcelos Library
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into that famous scene from Interstellar? Head to the Biblioteca Vasconcelos. This enormous modern library is filled with bookshelves stretching across multiple floors. Even if you’re not planning to read a book, it’s worth visiting just to admire the architecture. Besides its huge collection of books, you’ll also find exhibitions, reading spaces and a beautiful botanical garden surrounding the building.
I hope these recommendations help in case you were wondering what to do in Mexico City. The answer is just: a lot. A lot for everyone. That’s why I enjoyed it so much. It overwhelmed me as well, for sure. Did I miss out on some of the fun things to do in Mexico City? For sure. Did I do things other people might haven’t? Also for sure.
Loved it. Would 100% come back.
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