Mexico City

Museo Nacional de Antropología

National Anthropological Museum

One of the top anthropology museums in the world. This enormous complex highlights the development and cultures of Mexico's many indigenous peoples from thousands of years ago to today, and is full to the brim with ancient artifacts and artwork. Also, the museum itself is famous for its architecture. It is possible to spend days here to see everything – allocate two hours at the very least, prioritize your specific interests, and be sure not to miss the Aztec sun stone in the big room at the end of the plaza. Interpretive signage is underwhelming and mostly in Spanish - you'll enjoy the museum more if you go just to enjoy the ancient artwork rather than to get a history lesson. Bags must be checked; personal photography is permitted (no flash or tripods). If possible it is best to avoid visiting on Sundays, when it is usually mobbed. There is a restaurant on-site.

Tue-Sun 09:00-19:00 · Adult M$210, Mexican citizens and residents M$105 (ID required); seniors over 60, children under 13, teachers: free; free on Sundays for Mexican citizens and residents · Entry 90 MXN · Wheelchair accessible

Museo Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo Museum

Also known as La Casa Azul, this walled hacienda painted brilliant indigo blue, is where the much-revered Mexican artist spent the last years of her life. Admission includes access to the courtyard, a small series of galleries with ever-changing displays, and the historical portion of the house, which has been preserved from the days when Kahlo was alive. A small snack bar and museum shop are also on the premises, and lectures are given periodically. An iPod tour can be taken for an extra fee and if you'd like to take pictures or videos, an extra fee of M$30 will be assessed. Tickets tend to sell out a week (or more!) in advance, so if you really want to visit this site, reserve your ticket online early.

Tue 10:00-17:45, Wed 11:00-17:45, Thu-Sun 10:00-17:45 · M$320 (foreign adults), M$160 (Mexican nationals/residents), M$60 (students/teachers), M$30 (children/seniors); weekends: M$267.50 (adults), M$128.40 (Mexican nationals/residents), M$48.15 (students/teachers), M$21.50 (children/seniors), free (children under 6) · Wheelchair accessible

Palacio Nacional

National Palace

The palace in its current form began construction in 1693 and served as the Palace of the Viceroy of New Spain until the Mexican War of Independence, when it became the executive seat of the President (though today it is no longer his official residence). The walls inside the palace display murals by Diego Rivera depicting the history of Mexico from the pre-Columbian age to the Mexican Revolution. You can also visit the Recinto Legislativo, a replica of the first Mexican Congress, and tour the home of Benito Juárez. Tours in English are free; ask for one at the information desk across the street. It’s strongly recommended to get there early in the day, and you’ll likely be given a reserved time to return later that afternoon.

Daily 09:00-17:00 · Free admission with photo ID (national driver's license is acceptable)

Luis Barragán House and Studio

Casa Luis Barragán

The home and studio of the famed Mexican architect Luis Barragán has been turned into a museum dedicated to his life and work. The house looks plain from the outside, but inside it opens up and exemplifies Barragan's modernist design philosophy of integrating light, and nature with open, aesthetically pleasing spaces and surfaces to create a serene and functional living space for humans. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mon-Fri 11:00 - 17:00, Sat Sun 11:00-14:00 · M$400 adults, M$300 Mexican citizens, M$200 students · Heritage listed

Catedral Metropolitana de México

Metropolitan Cathedral

The largest cathedral in the American continent. Designed by Claudio de Arcinieaga, construction started in 1537 and lasted for 250 years. Be sure to check out the side chapels where parishioners leave offerings for the various saints. For a bird's-eye view of the plaza, you can take a 40-minute tour (Spanish language only) of the upper levels and bell towers of the cathedral (M$12).

Daily 07:00-19:00 · Free · Limited wheelchair access

Museo Nacional de Arte

MUNAL / National Art Museum

Housed in the former Palace of Telecommunications, this beautiful Porfirian-style building was built in 1904 by architect Silvio Contri. The museum presents a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures from the 16th century through the early 20th century, including a large number of very early Mexican paintings. The museum is famous for its enormous and ostentatiously decorated Reception Hall and for its Patio de los Leones, which houses much of its sculpture collection. The museum is very large with over 3,000 objects on display. It often hosts temporary exhibits on special subjects. Allow at least a half day to fully explore its many galleries.

Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:30 · Adult M$95; children under 13, people with disabilities, students with a valid ID: free; photography permit (no flash or tripod) M$5, video permit (no tripod or lighting) M$30

Monumento a la Revolución

Unveiled in 1938, this striking monument honors the heroes of the Mexican Revolution, including Pancho Villa, Francisco Madero, and Lázaro Cárdenas, whose tombs are housed within. Originally intended as a legislative chamber, construction was halted by the Revolution itself and later repurposed as a symbol of Mexican independence and resilience. Visitors can take a glass elevator to the 65m-high Paseo Linternilla, a lookout platform with a spiral staircase offering panoramic city views (not suitable for young children). A 360-degree observation deck is accessible without an all-access pass.

Built 1938

Templo Mayor

The site of the main Aztec temple of Tenochtitlan, it was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors in 1521, who then promptly erected the Cathedral roughly over it – but not quite. Centuries later, nearly completely forgotten, its actual location was discovered by accident in 1978 when electrical workers found a piece of a large stone disc depicting the goddess Coyolxauhqui. This set off a few furious years of archaeological digging, resulting in a rather surprising (and extremely significant) discovery that nested underneath the original Aztec temple was six distinct smaller, older temples. You can see each layer walking through the dig site.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 · M$59, free for children under 12 and students with valid ID

Palacio de Iturbide

Palacio de Cultura Banamex / Palace of Iturbide

One of the oldest buildings in town, built in the late 16th century, it was first home to the local nobility and later the residence of Mexican Emperor Agustin de Iturbide. The building is owned today by the Cultural Trust of Banco Nacional de Mexico, the Mexican branch of Citibank.

Daily 10:00-19:00 · Free · Wi-Fi

Castillo de Chapultepec y Museo Nacional de Historia (MNH)

Chapultepec Castle

The imposing castle on top of the hill calls to visitors. Over its history, it has been the home of the Spanish Viceroys, a military college, a scene of historic battle during the Mexican-American War, the palace of Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlotta, the national observatory, and the presidential palace. It is now a museum. You can walk about 1 km up the winding hill road, or take the tram that departs every twenty minutes for M$13. There are two parts to the museum: the Alcazar (with the exhibits on the life of its former residents – the emperor and the presidents), and the Castillo (now the Museum of National History). Both are decorated with remarkable murals depicting the nation's and the site's history. Don't miss the Roman-style gardens and observatory on the roof of the Alcazar. The castle also boasts a fine view of Mexico City and its surroundings. While visiting the site, you can leave your bag in the locker room for a fee near the entry to the site (at the bottom of the hill). Storing your bag is mandatory if it contains any food, and you will need to empty your water bottle at the top.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 · Adult M$210, Mexican citizens and residents M$105 (ID required); seniors over 60, children under 13, teachers: free; free on Sundays for Mexican citizens and residents; video camera and flash photography is not permitted

Museo de la Ciudad de México

Museum of the City of Mexico

This museum presents the history of the city in an 18th-century mansion; the building is possibly more interesting than the contents. It is believed that a conquistador's house used to be on the site, as evidenced by the southwest cornerstone of an Aztec serpent head likely taken from the Templo Mayor.

Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00 · M$29 (adults), M$14.50 (students/teachers/INAPAM members); free on W

Palacio de Minería

Palace of Mining

Formerly the Mining College, this building dated from 1792 features an old library and a chapel. It serves as venue for the yearly Mexico City Book Fair.

Guided tours on Sat Sun 11:00 and13:00 · M$30

Sanborns

Casa de los Azulejos

This department store and restaurant is housed in the former residency of the Counts of the Valley of Orizaba. Revolutionist Emiliano Zapata had breakfast here during his entrance to Mexico City in September 1916. This was the first store of the Mexican Sanborns chain, founded by the Sanborn brothers, American immigrants in Mexico City and later sold to Walgreens in 1946 and then to Grupo Carso in 1985. There are more than 100 Sanborns stores in the country today.

Daily

Teatro de la Ciudad

Esperanza Iris

Historic theatre that was built to resemble La Scala in Milan. It is a huge theatre with stacks of balcony levels looking onto the stage below. The best seats are on the 1st balcony level (better than main level seats). The theatre hosts a range of performances, many plays, but also dance, music, and other forms.

Limited wheelchair access

Academía de San Carlos

Museo Nacional de San Carlos / Academy of San Carlos

Housed in a building dated 1785 that was conceived as the Royal Academy of Beaux Arts. It is administered by the National University and features permanent and temporary painting collections. This is the oldest arts academy in the Americas and has trained large number of Mexico's most famous artists. Today, the academy is part of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) and only graduate courses are taught in the historic centro.

Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00

Templo de San Francisco

This church was started in the 16th century and completed in the 19th century; it was built in the grounds of the zoo of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma.

Fuente de la Diana Cazadora

Diana the Huntress Fountain

This fountain by Fernando Olaquibel was originally known as 'The Archer'. It depicts the beautiful Diana Cazadora aiming her arrow at infinity.

Monumento a los Niños Héroes

Monument to the Heroic Cadets

This impressive white marble monument stands at the entrance to Chapultepec Park in front of the Castillo. It honors six youths who gave their lives defending the stronghold from US troops in 1847. In the most dramatic telling of the legend, a cadet jumped to his death wrapped in the Mexican flag rather than surrendering to the American troops.

Free

Zona Arquelógica Tlatelolco

Tlatelolco Archaeological Site

The temple, like Tenochtitlan's Templo Mayor, was built in several layers and is now the site of continuing archaeological exploration; it occupies the largest amount of area, on the north and west side of the plaza. If you're not around for the tour, you can guide yourself along the path (complete with English plaques) that takes you through the ruins, which deposits you in front of the Church of Santiago, on the east side of the plaza.

Daily English language tours at 13:00 · Free

Museo del Dolores de Cárcamo

Dolores Carcamo Museum

Small museum housed in a historic waterworks building, it houses a famous mural by Diego Rivera that could be considered a work of sculpture because part of it is a 3-dimensional bust while part of it is a tile mosaic mural covered by water.

Tue-Sun 12:00-15:00, closed Mon · Wheelchair accessible

Monumento a Cuauhtémoc

Monument to Cuauhtémoc

Bust of Cuauhtémoc, the Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan from 1520 to 1521 is displayed proudly.

Museo Nacional de la Revolución

Located beneath the Monumento a la Revolución, this museum chronicles Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1857 to 1920, covering the struggle for human rights and the establishment of the post-revolutionary government. Exhibits include artifacts, documents, and multimedia displays, though all explanatory text is in Spanish. Housed in the monument’s basement, it offers a compelling look at the era’s key figures and events.

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat Sun 09:00-19:00 · M$100 · Wheelchair accessible · Entry 40.00 MXN

Museo de la Caricatura

Caricature Museum

Depicting the history of Mexican cartoons (political and amusing cartoons).

Daily 10:00-18:00 · M$20 (adults), M$10 (students/teachers)

Barrio Chino

Chinatown

Two pedestrian-only blocks of this street, where much of the city's Chinese community lived in the early 1900s, are full of Chinese restaurants and stores.

Museo Archivo de la Fotografia

Housed in the historic 16th-century Casa de las Ajaracas, it is a rare survivor on a street that has seen other historic structures knocked down to explore the Templo Mayor site. The museum is home to a huge collection of historical photographs from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, documenting the constantly changing cityscape of Mexico City.

Tue-Sun 10:00 - 17:00, closed Mon

Museo Kaluz

Eclectic art museum that straddles the line between traditional artistic styles and the worlds of modern and contemporary art. The museum focuses on works that reflect the history and changing cultural values of Mexico City, a unique collection in a city crowded with outstanding arts venues. The museum itself is housed in a historic building, originally the Hospedería de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, but known to generations of Mexicans as the Hotel Cortes, the building was extensively restored and updated prior to the opening of Museo Kaluz in 2021. Roof top terrace with peaceful gardens and a popular cafe.

Wed-Mon 10:00 - 18:00, closed Tue · M$90 (foreigners), M$60 (Mexican citizens) · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Cafe el Popular

Long-time fixture in the heart of downtown. Traditional homemade Mexican food including fresh baked breads, though the restaurant is historically Chinese and once served hybrid Mexicanized Chinese dishes. The place is known for its coffee and of course is a dependable source of good, hearty food when the midnight munchies strike.

Daily 24 hours · M$150+ · Outdoor seating

Casa Gilardi

Outstanding house tour that will appeal to anyone interested in modern architecture. The house was designed by world famous architect Luis Barragan (whose nearby home and studio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Casa Gilardi is one of Barragan's signature projects, a private home that incorporates his concepts of human livability, integration with nature, and his bold use of brilliant colors and juxtaposed shapes. Reservations must be made in advance (can be done on the web site) and the house is open only for scheduled times. Tours are guided in small groups for an intimate, unrushed experience.

Mon-Sat 10:00-14:00 (reservations required) · M$700

Hacienda de los Morales

Historic and cultural space that operates as a traditional Mexican restaurant specializing in brunch, but with a spectacular dinner menu as well. Set in a large historic hacienda dating from the mid 16th century, the opulent estate features several spacious dining rooms, along with event halls and an outdoor garden. The hacienda originally operated as an agricultural estate growing olives and mulberries. As the city grew, lands were sold and developed to become Polanco, though the great house remained as a residence of the Morales family until the 1960s when it was restored to its current form as a luxury restaurant and event space. The restaurant is particularly popular for Sunday brunch, accompanied by live Mexican music. It also hosts special events such as a traditional Christmas dinner and a New Years Eve dinner with dancing and a live orchestra. It is an opulent slice of genuine history and an experience: like having dinner with one of the old Spanish dons.

08:00 - 12:00 (breakfast), 13:00 - 00:00 (dinner) · M$300-400

Museo de Historia Natural y Cultura Ambiental

Museum of Natural History

Exhibits a history of evolution, with dinosaurs, whales, viruses, bugs, plants, human organs and more. If it's natural, it's here.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 · M$23 adults; M$11 teachers, students, children 3-12; free for seniors, disabled, children under 3; free admission on Tuesday