Mexico City: Facts, photos and tips about the capital of Mexico

The Palace of Fine Arts is the symbol of Mexico City

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City trip to Mexico City

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mexico City has almost countless sights to offer: must-sees include the Palace of Fine Arts, the historic center and the famous Aztec calendar in the Anthropological Museum. But even those who shy away from the cultural program will find what their heart desires in the capital: cafes, restaurants, colorful markets, busy streets with modern skyscrapers and peaceful, extensive parks are waiting to be discovered. In Mexico City, everyone will find what they are looking for.

Historic center of Mexico City: Plaza de la Constitución Zócalo with Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace

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cities • Hauptstadt • Mexico • Mexico City • Sights Mexico City

Sightseeing & Attractions Mexico City

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10 things you can experience in Mexico City

1. Start your tour at Zócalo Square in the historic center
2. There, visit the great Metropolitana Cathedral, the murals of the National Palace and the remains of the Templo Mayor
3. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the main artery, Paseo de la Reforma
4. Discover a symbol of Mexico: the Palace of Fine Arts
5. Stroll through Alameda Central or Chapultepec Park
6. See the famous Aztec calendar and other historical treasures in the National Museum of Anthropology
7. Treat yourself to the view from the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper
8. Eat typically Mexican at La Casa de Toño
9. Ride colorful boats in the canal system of the Xochimilco district
10. Take a trip to the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon in Teotihuacàn

The Sun Pyramid of Teotihuacán is only about 1 hour away from Mexico City and is a popular excursion destination

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Photo Gallery Mexico City

cities • Hauptstadt • Mexico • Mexico City • Sights Mexico City

Sightseeing in Mexico City

The main attractions in two routes

1) The historic center of Mexico City

Of course, a visit to the historic center of Mexico City should not be missed on any visit. If you're traveling on your own, it's best to use the metro and walk the rest of the way. If you don't like taking the metro, you can alternatively use a hop-on hop-off bus.

1. Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo), National Palace, Templo Mayor, Metropolitan Cathedral

There is a metro stop at the Palacio National, which is an ideal starting point for your tour through the historic center. There you will find the first four sights: Constitution Square is the central square of Mexico City and is also called the Zócalo. In the immediate vicinity you will find the National Palace with its impressive murals, the Templo Mayor (remains of the large Aztec temple of Tenochtitlán) and the large Metropolitan Cathedral.

2. Lunch break: Mexican food

If you are hungry after so many impressions, then the typical Mexican restaurant La Casa de Tono is a good option for a stop. Tip from locals: simple, tasty and cheap with typical Mexican dishes.

3. Footpath with photo stops

On the way to the Torre Latinoamericana, two interesting buildings from the 18th century invite you to take a quick photo stop: the Citibanamex Culture Palace is a Mexican baroque palace and the Casa de los Azulejos is a house with a blue and white tiled facade.

4. Torre Latinoamericana viewpoint

Then enjoy the 360° view on the 44th floor of the Torre Latinoamericana skyscraper. The Museo de la Ciudad y de la Torre tells the story of the skyscraper and is located on the 38th floor. Entry to the museum is included in the admission ticket to the viewing point.

5. Palace of Fine Arts

After your bird's-eye view of the skyscraper, the crowning finale is the Palace of Fine Arts, the landmark of Mexico City. The “Bellas Artes” metro station will take you back home.

Tip: Additional museum visit

Haven't seen enough yet? The Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico is just a few blocks from the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo). The large museum is a must if you are interested in the history of Mexico City. It is also located in the former palace: insights into the interior of the impressive building are included in the museum visit.

Alternatively, art lovers can visit the Museo Nacional de Arte. This large exhibition of Mexican art is located just a few meters from the Palace of Fine Arts.

Ideas: Additional tours & tickets

Most of Mexico City's attractions can easily be explored on your own. Additional program items with a local guide promise new perspectives and first-hand information about the culture, country and people. Perhaps you would also like to experience the infamous Mexican wrestling?

2) The Chapultepec circuit with park, castle & museum

The Bosque de Chapultepec is located southwest of the historic center and is the largest green area in Mexico City. Around 4 square kilometers of green space invite you to stroll and linger. Famous attractions such as the Anthropological Museum are also nearby.

1. Ceremonial Dance & Anthropological Museum

In the park in front of the Museo Nacional de Antropologia you will find the Voladores de Papantla. Wearing traditional clothing, they perform a ceremonial dance in which five men climb a 20-meter-high pole. They represent the sun and the four winds. Four men tie a rope around their stomachs and let themselves circle down to the earth upside down. The dance is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Anthropological Museum exhibits the culture of the Maya, the Aztecs and the Zapotecs, as well as contemporary indigenous culture in Mexico. The famous Aztec sun stone (also called the calendar stone) can also be seen. The collection is huge, so if you are genuinely interested in historical culture you should definitely allow enough time.

2. Chapultepec Park

After so many historical impressions and exciting exhibits, a walk through Chapultepec Park is the ideal contrast. Relax in the green oasis of Mexico. You can first fortify yourself with street food at small street stalls near the Anthropological Museum. Lakes, fountains, sculptures, Aztec ruins, the botanical garden, a free zoo, various museums and the impressive Chapultepec Castle await you in the park.

3. Chapultepec Castle

The Chapultepec Castle on the summit of Chapultepec is another highlight of Mexico City. The castle dates back to the 18th century and was converted into an imperial residence in the 19th century. After the fall of the Second Empire, Chapultepec Castle was the official seat of government for the presidents of Mexico. The Museo Nacional de Historia within the castle can be visited and offers insights into the interior of the magnificent building. The “Chapultepec” metro station will take you back home.

Tip: Additional program

Haven't seen enough yet? As an additional program, you can take a look at the lively main traffic artery, Paseo de la Reforma. It is located very close by. A popular photo subject is the Angel of Independence, which stands on a column in the roundabout and towers in front of the modern skyscrapers of Mexico City. Alternatively, the Museo Jardin del Aqua is a nice additional attraction.

Ideas: Additional tours & tickets

To keep track of large museums, a guided tour is sometimes worth its weight in gold. But a local guide also helps you gain new insights beyond the usual tourist routes and delve deeper into the unique flair of Mexico City.

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Mexico City City Trip

Experience famous outskirts of the capital

If you spend several days in Mexico City, you should also treat yourself to a detour to more remote parts of the city: for example, to Xochimilco or Coyoácan. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and experience the unique atmosphere of the Day of the Dead in Mixquic.

1) The floating gardens of Xochimilco

During the colonial period, Xochimilco was the breadbasket of Mexico City and is known for its "floating gardens". The famous canals of Xochimilco are the remains of an old Aztec irrigation system. The artificial islands were used for agricultural cultivation. Today, life pulsates there in a festival atmosphere. Tourist offers around the typical colorful boats, trips to the doll island, but also a quiet kayak trip in the morning await you. Xochimilco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2) The artists’ quarter of Coyoácan

Coyoácan already existed as a town in the 14th century and was the first city in New Spain in 1521 (after the conquest and destruction of Tenochtitlan by the Spanish). In the meantime, Mexico City has incorporated Coyoácan and so the “place of the coyotes” became the dreamy colonial artists' district of Mexico City.

3) The Day of the Dead in Mixquic

San Andrés Mixquic is located on the southeastern outskirts of Mexico City. The small town in the capital district is famous for the unique atmosphere on the Day of the Dead. Death masks, candlelight, flowers and local altars honor the deceased. The residents go from the monastery to the cemetery in a procession. You can experience the unusual festival from October 31st to November 2nd.

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Sights Mexico City Surroundings

Great day trips around Mexico City

a) Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon of Teotihuacán

The pyramid city of Teotihuacán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. For the Aztecs, this was the place where the world was created. The largest step pyramid is the famous Pyramid of the Sun.

You should not miss this main attraction if you are in Mexico City. Teotihuacán is only about 50 kilometers (about 1 hour by car) from Mexico City and can also be reached by bus. A very special experience is a hot air balloon flight with a view of the pyramids.

b) Statues by Tula de Allende

The statues of Tula de Allende (about 85 kilometers from Mexico City, 1,5 hours by car) are absolutely worth seeing and are far less well known among tourists than other sights.

c) Cacahuamilpa Caves

140 kilometers, about 2,25 hours by car

d) Neighbouring city of Puebla

130 kilometers, about 2,5 hours by car

e) The Tolantongo Caves

200 kilometers away, about 4 hours by car

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History of Mexico City

Where does the name Mexico come from?

The name of Mexico City has its origins in the language of the Aztecs. The Aztecs were also called Mexicas. Mexitli was also a god of war. The Aztecs built their capital on an island in Lake Texoco, the Lake of the Moon. They called the island Metzlixicictlico, Center of the Moon. Their capital Tenochtitlan was built there.

Metzli means moon
xictlii means navel or center
co means place

The Spanish found the word Metzlixicictlico too complicated and later simplified it to Mexico. Hence the name Mexico City. The state of Mexico was eventually named after the capital.

How did the national flag of Mexico come about?

The war of independence against Spanish colonial rule lasted from 1810 to 1812. Mexico has been independent since then. The Mexican flag has three vertical stripes in the colors green, white and red. The coat of arms of Mexico is in the middle.

Green stands for independence
White stands for religion
Red stands for unity

The coat of arms of Mexico shows an eagle with a snake in its beak standing on a cactus. The origin of the coat of arms goes back to the ancient Aztecs. Legend has it that the Aztecs left their homeland and looked for a new place to live. Their god gave them a sign: they should look for a lake on which an eagle with a snake in its beak was sitting on a cactus on a rock. A new city was to be built there. And so it happened - the Aztecs built their new capital Tenochtitlán on the island in Lake Texoco in the Valley of Mexico.

Why is Mexico City sinking?

The capital of Mexico was built on the muddy bottom of a dried-up lake. The groundwater level is sinking and with it the ground on which Mexico City was built. In 2014, Der Spiegel reported on satellite measurements showing that parts of Mexico City are sinking by around 30 centimeters per year. In 2024, Focus already reported that the global metropolis is sinking by around 50 centimeters every year.

The uncontrolled growth of the capital is leading to massive overuse of groundwater reserves. In addition, the effects of climate change are causing the groundwater level to fall. The subsidence not only causes damage to buildings, but also causes pipes to burst, which puts an additional strain on the capital's water supply. The subsidence is particularly visible in old, heavy buildings: the original entrance to some churches is already below the sidewalk. There is now fear of a "Day Zero" when Mexico City's water supply could collapse completely.

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Crime in Mexico City

Is Mexico City dangerous for tourists?

Before we get all the information, we always felt safe in Mexico City. It is of course possible to stroll through Mexico City in a relaxed manner, take the subway and experience the bustling metropolis as an individual tourist without being robbed or threatened. Nevertheless, like any big city, Mexico City naturally offers plenty of opportunities for pickpockets and petty criminals. It is always a good idea to be cautious and to appear safe but inconspicuous. If you are looking for a positive example, read the AgeTM article: "Honesty instead of crime in Mexico City - a positive experience."

Tepito, the most dangerous neighborhood in Mexico City

However, various districts in Mexico City are known for a greatly increased incidence of street crime. Tourists should simply avoid these notorious districts. For example, the Tepito district is considered the most dangerous district in Mexico City. Since this district is directly adjacent to the popular tourist district of El Zócalo in the historic center, it is useful to know this. Tepito is a poor district with around 50.000 inhabitants and a bazaar where you can buy not only bargains but also contraband, weapons and drugs. Among YouTubers, a walk through Tepito is considered a tourist test of courage. Whether such excursions make sense is debatable. The Federal Foreign Office also warns against visiting non-tourist districts of Mexico City. Most districts with well-known sights, however, can be visited without any problems.

Rules of conduct for a safe visit to Mexico City

• Do not wear expensive clothes or accessories that attract attention
• Radiate security and yet remain alert and cautious
• Pay more attention to your valuables in crowds (e.g. the subway)
• Avoid known “bad” neighborhoods (e.g. Tepito)
• If you want to visit non-tourist areas, never at night

The most dangerous cities in Mexico

Of the twenty-five most dangerous cities in the world in 2023, thirteen are in Mexico. However, Mexico City is not one of them. Instead, Colima, Ciudad Obregón, Zamora, Manzanillo, Tijuana, Zacatecas, Juárez, Celaya, Cuernavaca, Acapulco, Uruapan, Irapuato and León are listed. Source: https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/982322/umfrage/staedte-mit-den-meisten-mordfaellen-pro-100000-einwohner-weltweit/#statisticContainer

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Where is Mexico City located? Route planning: Mexico City map

What is the weather like in Mexico City?

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Source for: Mexico City, capital of Mexico