20 Top Sights In Mexico City
Mexico City is filled with sights, smells, sounds, and influences that are unlike anywhere in the world. The sparking lights at night seem to transform the energy from the city into a celebration of life. When you walk through the parks and plazas, you see families and friends play and love. Visiting Mexico City is a wonderfully fulfilling experience. You will retain beautiful and meaningful memories to take with you throughout life.
Visiting Mexico City can be extremely chaotic with roughly 21.6 million people living in and around the city. There are certain areas that are full of hustle and bustle and some green spaces to relax. Mexico City is the perfect place to visit and explore for a long weekend. Here is a list of 20 spots to check out when visiting Mexico City.
Mexico City has a bad reputation for being dangerous. Just be mindful of your surroundings. I did not have any trouble or worries while visiting. For more information on staying safe while traveling check out my other blog Safety is #1.
All the areas listed I have personally visited and I will give you the pros and cons of each location. I will include an anxiety scale for each area from 1 being relaxing and 10 being hectic. As well as the average amount of time that I spent at each location. For more information on How to Manage Fear and Anxiety While Traveling.
#1 Zocalo
This area is one of the biggest public squares in the world. It is surrounded by some of Mexico’s most historic landmarks. When visiting they usually have live indigenous dancers surrounded by local shamans burning different incenses. It is a great spot to visit and get a feel of the different traditions of the Mexican people.
Depending on the day of the week, it can get very busy with tourists and people walking around everywhere. Commuting by car to get there can get very congested at times.
Anxiety rating 6
Average time 30 minutes to 1 hour
#2 Catedral Metropolitana
This massive church has a lot to offer. Just looking at this structure can be overwhelming. It is the biggest church in Latin America. It is a perfect spot for reflection and some beautiful pictures. The architecture is a melting pot of periods due to it taking three centuries to complete.
When you step inside its huge interior it seems to go on and on. The church is filled with beautiful works of art, sculptures, and furniture. The best way to really take in everything is by taking a seat and feel the energy all around you. It is very powerful, no matter what your religious belief might be. The gold glittering all around you, the smell of the old stained wood, the cold marble pillars and the light shining through the high windows. It is truly breathtaking.
Make sure you are wearing the proper clothing when visiting this church (no strappy tops or short shorts). It is an active church with people practicing their faiths, so be respectful and kind.
Anxiety rating 2
Average time 30 minutes to 1 hour
#3 Templo Mayor
This uncovered Aztec temple complex seems to lay in the strangest of places. It is downtown in the heart of Mexico City. Surrounding it is newer constructed buildings that make this historical landmark seem so out of place. It is a must-see. You are able to walk through the real structure and see all of the different stages of construction.
At the back of the site is a large museum filled with some amazing artifacts and filled with further information about the people who lived there before. Going through all the temples and taking the time to study the museum can be a bit overwhelming. So I would recommend taking your time, take some wonderful pictures and just try to image what life was like when these temples were flourishing and bustling with life. Take breaks as you are exploring to regroup all you have seen and move on.
Anxiety rating 6
Average time 1-2 hours
#4 Palacio de Bellas Artes
The building’s architecture is breathtaking. Take a complete walk around the entire building and try to notice all of the little decorative details that are waiting for you. I would suggest seeing this building during the day and come back at night when the plaza is full of people and the building is lit up with beautiful colors. It feels like a different location during the day vs night.
When stepping inside you will be bombarded with shining Italian marble. Once you head up the massive staircase to the next level you will be awed by the massive murals filled with meaning from the era they were created and exploding with color. There are some murals that are so huge it will take you a fair amount of time just to begin to see what the artist was trying to tell you. It is a magnificent collection of art and an amazing building. This is another location perfect for photos. It can get pretty busy if you go on weekends so be prepared for lines, try and arrive earlier for a more intimate experience.
Anxiety rating 4
Average time 1 hour
#5 El Moro
Make sure you stop off here for a real Mexican treat. They are a renowned churrería open 24 hours for churros and hot chocolate. This location has been serving customers since 1935. A churro is a classic Mexican treat that is dough piped into deep-fried goodness, covered with sugar and cinnamon. Don’t forget to order one of their hot chocolates to go along with it. This place is so tasty I had to make a special trip to it TWICE! The only cons are they do get pretty busy and the tables fill up quickly.
Anxiety rating 2
Average time 30 minutes 
#6 Bosque de Chapultepec
This was one of my favorite sites visiting Mexico City. This humongous park has so much to offer everyone. There were vendors selling goods and food. Lakes with paddle boat rental, perfect for a romantic afternoon. It felt so fresh breathing in the air with the lush landscape. The sounds of the birds overhead were calming and inviting. This location is perfect for personal reflection, a romantic stroll with a loved one, or the whole family. I would recommend just exploring and see where the park takes you. Numbers 7-9 are places to visit inside the park.
Anxiety rating 2
Average time 2-3 hours
#7 Castillo de Chapultepec
This is the only site I was not able to go into and see. I visited on a holiday weekend and the line to buy tickets was about 100 deep and wrapped down and around the main path. I would recommend getting there early to be able to get into the castle and enjoy all the history.
#8 Audiorama
Nestled in the Bosque de Chapultepec is a beautiful natural auditorium surrounded by trees and greenery. It was so calming walking into this space. The moment you stepped through the gate, all the sounds of the city seemed to disappear. A flute and guitar duo playing calming notes. I couldn’t help but take a seat and close my eyes while listening to the music flowing out of the instruments. It took me away to a beautiful place, all my stress and worries were gone. The live music is usually on the weekends. They also offered free books to read while enjoying the music. Make a little stop while visiting, you will be happy you did.
Anxiety rating 1
Average time 30 minutes to 1 hour
#9 Calzada de Los Poetas
This pathway was a great find and unique. The path is lined with bustles of long-gone poets. When you take a closer look each bustle had a poem written by the particular artist next to it. It was very moving to try to imagine what life was like for them and what drove them to write the words before you.
Anxiety rating 2
Average time 30 minutes
#10 La Pozoleria
This is a cute little restaurant not far from Bosque de Chapultepec. After your long stroll at the park, you are going to work up an apatite for some tasty food. This restaurant specializes in pozole, a type of Mexican soup. It consists of hominy, meat, shredded cabbage, onions, radishes, and lime.
Anxiety rating 3
Average time 30 minutes
#11 Plaza Garibaldi
The sounds of mariachi music are distinct and recognized from around the world. The woman being serenaded from below by the mariachi is a scene we have seen in movies and read in stories. This music dates back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time around the countrysides of Mexico. Nowadays you can hear different types of mariachi music that have developed over the years. If you check out Plaza Garibaldi you can enjoy the very best in Mexico. The plaza is surrounded by restaurants and bars. The mariachis will walk around asking if you would like them to play a tune for a few pesos. Check this out during the day. At night this area becomes a little questionable and feels a little unsafe.
Anxiety rating 8
Average time 30 minutes to 1 hour
#12 Arena Coliseo
This was honestly one of the most fun things that I did when visiting Mexico. Going to see a Lucha Libre match was a highlight of my trip. The energy of the room. The overall fun and just being in the moment. Screaming for your wrestler to win and yelling boo at the bad guy. I think everyone should check out a live Lucha Libre match when visiting Mexico City.
Anxiety rating 7
Average time 2 hours
#13 Teotihuacan
These ancient pyramids are extremely humbling when seen in person. The massive structures were built by hand one stone at a time. I would recommend taking a tour group to go out to the pyramids. It relieves a lot of stress and worries by busing you to and from the site. By using a tour group the guide will show each pyramid and tell you the history of the people and the purpose of the structures. The tour group I used and highly recommend is called Amigo’s Tours.
There is a lot of walking and climbing up stairs involved so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. While visiting this location I actually injured myself so make sure you pay attention to all the uneven ground. Check out my other blog called Common Injuries and Illnesses While Traveling for more information. Come first thing in the morning before the major tourist rush so you can really enjoy and experience this massive accomplishment. Also, be prepared to be bombarded by local people trying to sell you trinkets nonstop the entire time you are there. That is one of the reasons I put the anxiety rating up to a 7.
Anxiety rating 7
Average time 3 hours
#14 Museo Frida Kahlo/Casa Azul
Such a moving and talented woman. Frida Kahlo touched my heart and soul. Visiting her home and seeing where she loved, played, fought and created moved me. I found myself crying in public just by looking at the paintings she created of her accident as a young girl. That incident forever changed her life. All the pain she went through is expressed in her art. Like her love-hate relationship with Diego Rivera. You can really feel her spirit in that home. Even the gardens in the courtyard were beautiful. The only con was when I arrived in the late morning the people at the museum stated that all the tickets for the day had been sold out, so arrive early. You can also buy them online beforehand on their website.
Anxiety rating 6
Average time 2 hours
#15 Coyoacan
A quaint neighborhood filled with locals and tourists. I really enjoyed visiting this area. It was filled with plazas, old churches, colorful homes, restaurants, artists, vendors, and parks. It does get a little busy with people filling the sidewalks so it can cause some anxiety getting around. But once you reach the open areas it does not feel as confined. The center is easily walkable from Frida Kahlo’s house. Numbers 16-20 are all located in Coyoacan.
Anxiety rating 8
Average time 1-2 hours
#16 Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
This church has an old charm that was built in the 16th century. You walk into the building and instantly you feel a calmness that washes over you. The lighting inside the church is just so, that all the elaborate gold alters have a sparkle that seems alive. The overhead paintings are done with care and love. You know that the artist who created all of these pieces did it with undying faith and love.
Anxiety rating 2
Average time 15-30 minutes
#17 Indoor Craft Bazaar
This huge bazaar is perfect for picking up those souvenirs. They have everything you can think of to buy. It is two stories tall and filled to the brim. You can find it across the street from Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. The only warning is it is extremely busy and hard to navigate around. When shopping most of the shops only accept cash, only a few credit cards. Don’t forget to wheel and deal with the vendors for a better price than what they originally tell you. You can usually talk them down 15-30 percent.
Anxiety rating 8
Average time 1 hour
#18 Plaza de la Conchita
This cute square is perfect for an afternoon stroll. It is shaded by trees to keep you cool on a hot day. It is lined with artists selling their artwork. Pick up one and support the local art community.
Anxiety rating 5
Average time 30 minutes
#19 Plaza Hidalgo
The plaza is perfect for families, they often have performers to keep everyone entertained. In the center is a bandstand with live music. There is also plenty of seating to relax and take in all that is going on around you. It overlooks the church of San Juan Bautista.
Anxiety rating 3
Average time 30 minutes
#20 Jardin Centenario
This is another perfect park to stroll around and take pictures. It is surrounded by numerous colonial buildings and in the center is an iconic coyote fountain.
Anxiety rating 3
Average time 30 minutes
