Visit Mexico City Guide
Things To Do In Mexico City
The list of things to do in Mexico City is long enough to be useless, so this one is built the other way round: twenty places that earn the hours they take, grouped by the district you would walk them in, each with the price its own ticket office charges and the day it closes. Filter by district with the chips, sort by what matters to you, and every number matches a pin on the map. Prices read on the venues' own sites on 30 August 2026.
Quick answer What not to miss, what it costs, and what closes when
Four places carry a first visit to Mexico City: the National Museum of Anthropology, Teotihuacán, the Centro Histórico around the Zócalo, and Coyoacán with Xochimilco. Everything else on this page is an addition to those, not a substitute for them.
Key takeaways
- The federal museums and zones — Anthropology, Teotihuacán, Chapultepec Castle, Templo Mayor — all charge MX$210 to a foreign visitor and MX$105 to nationals and residents
- The two that need planning rather than money: Casa Azul, sold online only, and Xochimilco, where the official rate is MX$750 an hour for the whole boat
- Free, any day: the Basílica de Guadalupe, the Museo Soumaya, the Zócalo itself and the murals in the Palacio Nacional with a passport at the door
- Almost everything here closes on Monday except Teotihuacán, the Basílica and the Soumaya — the Monday page has the full list, and the tickets index has the prices side by side
- The whole trip around this list — days, costs and closures — is on the Mexico City city guide
The Twenty, Grouped By District And Numbered To The Map
Sort by rating, price or time needed with the chips, or filter to the district you are staying in. Prices are the official adult rate for a non-resident foreign visitor, read on each venue's own site on 30 August 2026; where a venue does not publish a price, the card says so rather than guessing.
Centro Histórico
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Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral
Squarefrom Free1 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The main square of the Aztec capital, then of New Spain, now of Mexico — with the cathedral on its north side and the flag raised and lowered by the army each day.
Tip: Come at 08:00 for the flag ceremony and an empty square.
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Templo Mayor
Ruins + museumfrom MX$2102 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The Mexica great temple, excavated in the middle of the colonial city after an electricity crew found a monolith in 1978.
Tip: Closed Mondays; the museum behind the ruins is the better half.
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Palacio Nacional and the Rivera murals
Muralsfrom Free1 hbook-ahead tier 2 of 3
Diego Rivera's stairway mural of the whole of Mexican history, inside the president's working palace.
Tip: Free with a passport or ID; access closes without notice, so ask at the gate before you queue.
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Palacio de Bellas Artes
Museum + theatrefrom MX$951.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Marble outside, Art Deco inside, with murals by Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros and Tamayo upstairs and the Ballet Folklórico on the stage.
Tip: The museum is free on Sundays to everyone — the only free Sunday in this guide that includes foreign visitors.
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Torre Latinoamericana viewpoint
Viewpointfrom MX$22045 minbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The 44th-floor deck of the 1956 tower that survived the earthquakes, looking straight down on Bellas Artes.
Tip: Open 09:00–22:00 every day of the year; late afternoon has the light. Price read on the operator's own ticket page.
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Mercado de San Juan and the Centro's food streets
Marketfrom Free to walk1.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The market cooks and traders buy from, and the streets of taquerías around Calle Independencia.
Tip: A guided food walk is the shortcut if the menus are unfamiliar.
Chapultepec
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National Museum of Anthropology
Museumfrom MX$2103 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Twenty-three halls, the Sun Stone, the Olmec heads and Pakal's tomb — the one museum nobody regrets.
Tip: Three hours minimum, and it closes on Mondays.
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Chapultepec Castle
Castlefrom MX$2102 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
An emperor's apartments and a president's residence on a rock above the park, with a terrace down Reforma.
Tip: Do it before the museum: it closes an hour earlier, at 17:00.
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Museo Tamayo and the Museum of Modern Art
Museumsfrom Own tickets1.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Two smaller collections on the same park path between the castle and the Anthropology Museum.
Tip: Worth it only if you have a full park day.
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Bosque de Chapultepec, first section
Parkfrom Free1 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Lake, boats, food stalls and shade — the part of the city that is open on a Monday when its museums are not.
Tip: The park train covers the first section for MX$40, Tue–Sun.
Coyoacán and the south
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Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
House museumfrom MX$3201 hbook-ahead tier 3 of 3
The house she was born and died in, with the studio, the bed and the wardrobe opened in 2004.
Tip: No box office at all — buy the timed ticket online days ahead.
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Coyoacán: plaza, market, Casa Kahlo
Districtfrom Free3 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
A village inside the city: two plazas, a covered market of tostada counters, and the second Kahlo house on Aguayo.
Tip: Casa Kahlo opens Wednesday to Monday — it covers the Monday the Casa Azul is shut.
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Xochimilco canals
Boatsfrom MX$750 per boat, per hour3 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The last working fragment of the Aztec lake, poled between chinampa gardens on a painted trajinera.
Tip: The rate is per boat for up to 18 people — going as a group is what makes it cheap.
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Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli
Museumfrom See museum1.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Rivera's volcanic-stone temple for his pre-Hispanic collection, sold with the Casa Azul as one route.
Tip: Tue–Sun 11:00–17:30; a quiet hour after the crowds of Coyoacán.
Out of the city
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Teotihuacán
Archaeological zonefrom MX$210Half a daybook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Two pyramids on a two-kilometre avenue, an hour north-east, open every day of the year.
Tip: Give it the Monday — the site ignores the city's closing day.
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Basílica de Guadalupe
Shrinefrom Free1.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The most visited Catholic shrine outside Rome, open daily 06:00 to 21:00, free.
Tip: On the way back from Teotihuacán if you are driving or on a tour that includes it.
Polanco and Nuevo Polanco
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Museo Soumaya
Museumfrom Free1.5 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
A silver-tiled hull holding a private collection from Rodin to Rivera, free and open every day of the year.
Tip: One of the very few things open on a Monday, and it costs nothing.
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Polanco
Districtfrom Free to walk2 hbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
The expensive, quiet end of the city, next to the park and its museums, and where the restaurant lists are.
Tip: Book the famous tables weeks ahead or eat at the counters instead.
Roma, Condesa and after dark
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Lucha libre at Arena México
Showfrom See operator3 hbook-ahead tier 2 of 3
CMLL fights Tuesday at 19:30, Friday at 20:30 and Sunday at 17:00 in a 1950s arena in Colonia Doctores.
Tip: CMLL publishes days but not prices; a guided evening includes the ticket and the neighbourhood.
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Roma Norte and Condesa
Districtfrom Free to walkAn eveningbook-ahead tier 1 of 3
Tree-lined streets, Art Deco blocks and most of the restaurants and bars a visitor will actually use.
Tip: Walk Amsterdam, the ring road built on a racetrack, at dusk.
Numbers match the list — tap a pin for the guide.
If You Only Have A Morning, A Day Or A Week
The same twenty places sorted by the hours you actually have, using our routings — none of these venues publishes a suggested visit length. Costs are entries only, at foreign-visitor prices.
| You have | Do this | Cost | Why this order |
|---|---|---|---|
| One morning | Zócalo, Templo Mayor, cathedral, Bellas Artes from the outside | MX$210 | Everything is within eight blocks and opens by 09:00 |
| One full day | Centro in the morning, Anthropology after lunch | MX$420 | The museum closes at 18:00, the Centro does not close at all |
| Two days | Add Chapultepec Castle and the park | MX$630 | Castle first at 09:00, museum after — the castle shuts at 17:00 |
| Three days | Add Coyoacán, the Casa Azul and Xochimilco | MX$950 plus the boat | The south is a whole day and the boats run late |
| Four days or more | Add Teotihuacán on the Monday and a lucha libre night | MX$1,160 plus the show | Monday is when the museums close and the pyramids do not |
Day-by-day versions with the hours filled in are on one day, two days and three days.
Guided Versions Of The Above
Where a guide, transport or a ticket allocation is the actual product. Prices in US dollars as listed on 30 August 2026.
from $27.01
Mexico City: Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
Three hours on foot through the Zócalo, Bellas Artes and the streets between them, with the history attached.
Check Availability
from $68
Mexico City: Teotihuacan Early Access Tour & Optional Lunch
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
Early access at the gate before the coaches arrive, with transport from the centre and a licensed guide.
Check Availability
from $41.51
Xochimilco: Traditional Boat Sightseeing Tour, Culture and Fun.
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
A place on a shared trajinera with a guide, instead of negotiating a MX$750 boat at the embarcadero.
Check Availability
from $65
Mexico City: Mexican Evening, Lucha Libre and Tequila
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
Ringside evening at the lucha libre with tequila and a guide who explains the rules and the theatre.
Check Availability
from $88.10
Mexico City: Old Town Food Tour of 7 Tastings & Secret Dish
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
Seven tastings through the Centro Histórico, ending with you able to order for yourself.
Check Availability
from $32
Mexico City: Frida Kahlo Museum or Casa Kahlo Entry Ticket
Listing details checked 2026-08-30
Timed entry to the Casa Azul with a digital guide — the museum sells no tickets at the door, so this is a slot as much as a…
Check AvailabilityWhat Not To Miss, If You Miss Everything Else
Four places, in the order a first visit should take them, and the reason each one is on the short list.
The Anthropology Museum, because it makes everything else in the country legible — you will understand Teotihuacán, the Templo Mayor and half the objects in every other museum after three hours here. Teotihuacán, because a city of 100,000 people that was already ancient when the Mexica found it is an hour away and open every day. The Centro Histórico, because the Aztec temple, the colonial cathedral and the president's palace are stacked on one square. And Coyoacán with Xochimilco, because it is the only day that is not about monuments at all. Those four are also where the independent Mexico City guide starts a first visit.
What is missable, honestly: the Torre Latinoamericana if you have already seen the city from the castle terrace; the Anahuacalli unless Rivera interests you specifically; and any tour that promises Teotihuacán, the Basílica and Tlatelolco in a single day, which gives you two hours at the pyramids and a long coach ride.
What Is Free, And What Only Looks Free
Six things that cost nothing, and one rule that trips visitors up every week.
Free every open day: the Zócalo and the cathedral, the murals in the Palacio Nacional with a passport at the door, the Basílica de Guadalupe from 06:00 to 21:00, the Museo Soumaya 365 days a year, Chapultepec park, and the streets of Coyoacán and Roma. The Palacio de Bellas Artes museum is free on Sundays to everyone, which is the exception worth planning for.
The rule that trips people up: at INAH's federal museums and archaeological zones — Anthropology, the castle, the Templo Mayor, Teotihuacán — Sunday is free for Mexican nationals and foreign residents only. A visiting foreigner pays MX$210 on a Sunday and shares the rooms with the biggest crowd of the week. Students and teachers with a current credential, children under 13 and visitors with disabilities go free any day, whatever their nationality; those are the exemptions a visitor can actually use.
The Closing Days That Shape The Week
One table settles most of the scheduling on this page.
Almost everything in this list closes on Monday, and the exceptions are what a Monday is for.
| Place | Closed | Open | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology, castle, Templo Mayor | Mondays | Tue–Sun 09:00 | All three are INAH; all three MX$210 |
| Museo Frida Kahlo | Mondays + five holidays | Tue, Thu–Sun 10:00; Wed 11:00 | Online tickets only |
| Museo Casa Kahlo | Tuesdays | Wed–Mon 09:00–19:00 | The Monday answer in Coyoacán |
| Palacio de Bellas Artes museum | Mondays | Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 | Free on Sundays to everyone |
| Teotihuacán | Nothing stated | Daily 08:00–17:00 | Last entry 16:30 |
| Basílica de Guadalupe | Nothing stated | Daily 06:00–21:00 | Free |
| Museo Soumaya | Nothing stated | Daily 10:30–18:30 | Free |
The full calendar, including the public holidays that close the federal museums outright, is on what opens on a Monday.
The Twenty On One Map
Numbered to the list above, so you can see which of them share a district and which need their own day.
Turn The List Into Days
Each of these takes the twenty above and puts them in an order with hours attached.
Where to stay
Which district puts you closest to the half of this list you care about.
Roma, Centro, Polanco, CoyoacánThings To Do In Mexico City: Questions
What should I not miss in Mexico City?
Four things, in this order: the Anthropology Museum, Teotihuacán, the Zócalo with the Templo Mayor, and a day in Coyoacán with Xochimilco. Everything else on this page is an addition to those four. The reasoning is above.
Is 3 days enough in Mexico City?
Three days covers the Centro, Chapultepec and the south, and leaves out Teotihuacán unless you sacrifice the castle. Four is the working minimum for a first visit, which is why the three-day itinerary ends with the pyramids as an optional fourth. The table above shows what each length of stay gives up.
What are the free things to do in Mexico City?
The Zócalo and cathedral, the Rivera murals in the Palacio Nacional with ID, the Basílica de Guadalupe, the Museo Soumaya every day of the year, Chapultepec park, and the Bellas Artes museum on Sundays. Note that the free Sunday at INAH museums applies to Mexican nationals and residents only — the detail is above.
What is open in Mexico City on a Monday?
Teotihuacán, the Basílica de Guadalupe, the Museo Soumaya, Museo Casa Kahlo in Coyoacán, the parks and the streets. Closed: Anthropology, Chapultepec Castle, the Templo Mayor, the Casa Azul and Bellas Artes. The full calendar has the holidays too.
Is sightseeing here expensive?
By European standards, no: MX$210, about US$12.35, at the federal museums and archaeological zones, MX$95 at Bellas Artes, free at the Soumaya. The outlier is the Casa Azul at MX$320 for an hour in a small house. The tickets index compares gate prices with platform prices for every one of them.
Is Mexico City friendly to Americans?
In the practical sense the question usually means: yes. Americans are by a wide margin the largest group of foreign visitors here, English is spoken at the main museums and in Polanco, Roma and Condesa, and US cards work in restaurants and shops. Two caveats that have nothing to do with hospitality: the US State Department keeps Mexico City at Level 2, exercise increased caution — the same level as Paris or London — with the detail on our safety page; and the two-tier museum pricing means a US passport pays MX$210 where a resident pays MX$105, which is a rule about residency rather than about you.
The City On Film
Three walk-throughs that give the scale of the districts before you decide which ones get your days.
Mexico City travel guide 2026
A route through the main districts at street level.
Video: Martijn Around The WorldMexico City tips for first timers
Thirty practical points about transport, money and altitude.
Video: Happy to WanderHow to travel CDMX
How the Metro and the app cars actually work day to day.
Video: Wanderlust WellmanVideos load from YouTube only when you press play.
Page last reviewed 2026-08-30. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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