Palacio de Bellas Artes lit up at night in Mexico City

🇲🇽 Mexico · CDMX

Mexico City (CDMX): what to see, where to stay, 2026 tips

Aztec Zócalo, the Anthropology Museum, Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán and street tacos: how to tackle Mexico City, a megalopolis at 2,240 m, in 4 or 5 days.

📍 See 📅 When to go 🗺️ Itinerary

Mexico City (CDMX) at a glance

Population

9.2M (22M metro)

Airport

MEX

Altitude

2,240 m

Budget / day

€45-250

Flight Paris

~11h30 direct

Time diff

-7h winter, -8h summer

Current climate

Best season

Photo : Matthias Mullie / Unsplash

In brief

Mexico City (CDMX) in brief

1

Book the Casa Azul 7 to 10 days ahead

The Frida Kahlo Museum sells out more than a week in advance, with timed entry. 320-350 MXN depending on the day, ticket bundled with the Anahuacalli Museum. Official website only.
2

Factor in the altitude for the first 2 days

At 2,240 m, getting winded on stairs is normal. Hydrate, go easy on the alcohol the first evening, save Teotihuacán for day 3.
3

Anthropology: the best-spent half-day in town

210 MXN (~€10) since January 2026. Sun Stone, Mexica hall, Pakal's tomb: 3 hours minimum. Closed Mondays, like most museums in the city.
4

Uber and Didi over street taxis

Rides at 60-150 MXN around the center, tracked car, no haggling. Hailing cabs on the street remains a bad idea at night, especially around nightlife areas.
5

Tacos: aim for the busy puestos

The test: a line of locals and a taquero who never stops. Suadero or al pastor at 15-25 MXN apiece. Red salsa = hot, green = very hot. Taste before you pour.

Must-see

What to see in Mexico City?

★ #1 📍

Zócalo & historic center

One of the world's largest squares, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional (Diego Rivera murals). The Aztec, then colonial, heart of the country.

⏱ Half-day 💰 Free Must-see

★ #2 📍

National Museum of Anthropology

The country's greatest museum: Sun Stone, Coatlicue, the Maya hall. 210 MXN since 2026, closed Mondays.

⏱ 3-4 h 💰 210 MXN Must-see

★ #3 📍

Teotihuacán

The Sun and Moon pyramids 50 km away. 210 MXN entry, bus from Terminal Norte (~2 h round trip) or a tour with a sunrise balloon flight.

⏱ Full day 💰 210 MXN + transport Major site

★ #4 📍

Coyoacán & Frida Kahlo Museum

A village inside the city: small plazas, a market, churros. The Casa Azul (320-350 MXN) books out a week ahead.

⏱ Half-day 💰 320-350 MXN Book online

★ #5 📍

Bosque & Castillo de Chapultepec

The capital's green lung, twice the size of Central Park. The hilltop castle has the best view down Paseo de la Reforma.

⏱ 2-3 h 💰 ~100-210 MXN castle View

★ #6 📍

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Orange Art Deco dome and murals by Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros. Perfect view from the Sears café across the street.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 ~100 MXN museum Architecture

★ #7 📍

Xochimilco trajineras

Painted boats on the Aztec canals, mariachis and micheladas. Official rate 600-750 MXN per hour per boat, to split.

⏱ Half-day 💰 600-750 MXN/h per boat Atmosphere

★ #8 📍

Templo Mayor

The foundations of the great Aztec temple, excavated next to the cathedral. Adjoining museum with the Tlaltecuhtli monolith.

⏱ 1h30 💰 ~100-210 MXN Aztec

★ #9 📍

Lucha libre at Arena México

Mexican wrestling on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Masks, beer and a roaring crowd. Tickets 200-800 MXN at the box office.

⏱ Evening 💰 200-800 MXN Experience

★ #10 📍

Basilica of Guadalupe

The most visited shrine in the Americas. The old basilica leans like Pisa; the new one holds Juan Diego's tilma.

⏱ 2 h 💰 Free Pilgrimage

Choose your district

Where to stay in Mexico City?

Roma Norte

The district of specialty coffee, bookshops and Art Nouveau facades. The best base for a first visit. €60-120/night.

★ Recommended

Condesa

Parque México and Parque España, shaded avenues, terraces. More residential than Roma, just as walkable. €60-130/night.

Greenery

Centro Histórico

Sleep between the Zócalo and Bellas Artes, courtyard hotels from €35. Lively by day, emptier at night: plan on Ubers to go out.

Budget

Polanco

The upscale address: luxury boutiques, Pujol and the Museo Soumaya. Polished but sanitized. €120-250/night.

Chic

Coyoacán

Village feel in the south, 30-40 min from the center by metro or Uber. Guesthouses from €40. For slower trips.

Village

Getting around

Getting around Mexico City

🚇

Metro

5 MXN per ride, dense and fast outside rush hours (avoid 7-9am and 6-8pm, packed cars). Rechargeable Movilidad Integrada card, 15 MXN.

🚕

Uber / Didi

The go-to for evening rides and outlying districts. 60-150 MXN around the center, in-app payment. Safer than hailing a cab.

🚌

Metrobús

Dedicated-lane buses on the main axes (Insurgentes, Reforma). 6 MXN with the same card as the metro. Line 7 runs down Reforma past the monuments.

🚲

Ecobici

Bike share across Roma, Condesa and the center. 1-day pass ~118 MXN. On Sunday mornings Reforma closes to cars: the perfect time.

Climate & crowds

When to visit Mexico City?

Ideal Fair Avoid

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cool dry season

Nov to Feb · 6-23°C, dry · Ideal: crisp skies, chilly evenings (pack a jacket). Día de Muertos in early November

Dry spring

Mar to Apr · 10-27°C, dry · Ideal: jacarandas bloom in March, gentle warmth before the rains

Rainy season

May to Sep · 12-26°C, showers · Decent: near-daily late-afternoon storms, clear mornings, the city turns green

End of rains

October · 10-23°C, drying · Ideal: dry weather returns, Día de Muertos build-up everywhere

How much

Mexico City budget (per day)

Backpacker

€45

per day

🏨 Hostel in Roma or Centro: €18
🍽️ Tacos, comida corrida, markets: €12
🚇 Metro + 1-2 Ubers: €5
🎫 1-2 museums a day: €10

Recommended

Comfort

€110

per day

🏨 Boutique hotel Roma/Condesa: €70
🍽️ Restaurants + 1 standout table: €25
🚕 Ubers at will
🎫 Museums, Xochimilco, lucha libre

Premium

€280

per day

🏨 5* in Polanco or on Reforma: €200
🍽️ Pujol, Quintonil, Contramar: €60
🚖 Private driver
🎫 Teotihuacán balloon flight, private tours

Our tested itinerary

Mexico City in 3 days

Day-by-day program.

Day 1: historic center

9am Zócalo, cathedral, Palacio Nacional murals
11:30am Templo Mayor and its museum
2pm Lunch at Café de Tacuba or tacos on Calle Madero
4pm Palacio de Bellas Artes + Torre Latino viewpoint
8pm Dinner in Roma Norte, finish in a mezcalería

Day 2: Chapultepec and the south

9am National Museum of Anthropology (a packed 3 hours)
1pm Lunch in Condesa, break at Parque México
3:30pm Coyoacán: pre-booked Casa Azul, plazas, El Jarocho churros
8pm Lucha libre at Arena México (Tue/Fri/Sun)

Day 3: Teotihuacán and Xochimilco

7am Early start for Teotihuacán (Terminal Norte bus or tour)
9am Avenue of the Dead, Sun and Moon pyramids
1pm Back in town, late lunch in Roma
4pm Trajinera ride in Xochimilco, micheladas on the canals
8pm Farewell tacos al pastor at El Vilsito or Orinoco

Detailed itinerary →

Around

Day trips from Mexico City

📍

Teotihuacán

1 h away · Sun and Moon pyramids, dawn balloon flights

📍

Puebla & Cholula

2 h away · Azulejos, mole poblano and the world's widest pyramid

📍

Taxco

2h30 away · Silver town clinging to the mountain, white lanes

📍

Oaxaca

5h30 by road or 1 h by air · Food, mezcal and Monte Albán

FAQ

Mexico City (CDMX) FAQ

Is Mexico City dangerous for travelers? +

Less than its reputation suggests. Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán and the tourist core are fine to walk by day. Useful precautions: Uber rather than street cabs at night, phone out of sight in the metro, no reason to wander the northern and eastern districts. The main real risk is pickpocketing at rush hour.

How many days do you need in Mexico City? +

Three full days for the center, Anthropology, Coyoacán and Teotihuacán. Four to five let you add Xochimilco, all of Chapultepec and a proper food crawl. The city deserves more than a stopover: it's one of the cultural capitals of the continent.

Is the altitude a problem in Mexico City? +

At 2,240 m, most visitors just feel more winded than usual and sometimes sleep poorly the first two nights. Drink more water than usual, limit alcohol on arrival and schedule the big walks (Teotihuacán) from day 3. Travelers with heart conditions should check with a doctor before flying.

Do you need to book the Frida Kahlo Museum in advance? +

Yes, it's the one museum in town that truly requires it: slots sell out 7 to 10 days ahead, more in high season. Book on the official website (320-350 MXN depending on the day, Anahuacalli included). Without a ticket, all you'll photograph is the blue facade.

Can you drink tap water in Mexico City? +

No. Bottled water or a filter bottle for the whole stay, including tooth-brushing if your stomach is sensitive. In restaurants, ice and raw vegetables at established places are generally fine.

How do you get to Teotihuacán on your own? +

Bus from Terminal del Norte (Autobuses del Norte metro stop), departures every 20-30 min from 6am, about 60-70 MXN each way, 1 h ride. Arrive at opening (9am): the site is crushed by sun and tour groups from 11am. Entry 210 MXN; hat and water are non-negotiable, there is no shade.

Which neighborhoods should you avoid staying in? +

Tepito and Doctores aren't hotel districts, so the question won't come up. In practice, the real mistake is sleeping next to the airport to save time: you lose the atmosphere, and at night everything happens in Roma, Condesa or the center.

Do you need a visa for Mexico? +

No for EU citizens: up to 180 days visa-free. On air arrival, immigration issues the digital FMM (keep the QR-code receipt). See our [Mexico entry guide](/en/destinations/mexico/practical/visa-mexico/) for details and other nationalities.