City guide · Mexico
Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, as well as the most populous city in North America.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, as well as the most populous city in North America. It is one of the world's leading cultural and financial centers and, according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network's 2024 ranking, is classified as an Alpha world city.
Located in the Valley of Mexico on the high Mexican Central Plateau, the city sits at an altitude of 2,240 meters. It is divided into 16 boroughs, or alcaldías, which are further subdivided into neighborhoods, or colonias.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Mexico City without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of Landmarks.
- Skip if
- Skip Mexico City if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Mexico City.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Mexico City with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Mexico City, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Mexico City trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Landmarks
Walk Landmarks in Mexico City. Start at Plaza de la Bellas Artes, then Plaza de la Constitución and Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México. Stay on foot.
Plaza de la Bellas Artes · Plaza de la Constitución · Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México · Angel de la Independencia · …
- 2
Landmarks
Walk Landmarks in Mexico City. Start at Cineteca Nacional, then Torre Latinoamericana and National Museum of Anthropology. Stay on foot.
Cineteca Nacional · Torre Latinoamericana · National Museum of Anthropology · Plaza de las Tres Culturas · …
- 3
Museums
Walk Museums in Mexico City. Start at José Luis Cuevas Museum, then National History Museum in Chapultepec's Castle and Papalote Children's Museum. Stay on foot.
José Luis Cuevas Museum · National History Museum in Chapultepec's Castle · Papalote Children's Museum · Universum · …
- 4
Museums
Walk Museums in Mexico City. Start at Templo Mayor Museum (Zocalo), then San Carlos Museum and National Art Museum. Stay on foot.
Templo Mayor Museum (Zocalo) · San Carlos Museum · National Art Museum · Frida Kahlo Museum · …
- 5
Day trip toward Teotihuacan
Leave Mexico City for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Teotihuacan · Desert of the Lions · Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Landmarks
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Plaza de la Bellas Artes, Plaza de la Constitución, Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México on foot.
Museums
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want National Museum of Anthropology, Plaza de las Tres Culturas, Museum of Modern Art on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Mexico City works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Mexico City is a huge place, but driving is definitely not a way to see it even if tourist attractions are scattered throughout the city. There are several public transport options. * The city government operates the Metro and Metrobús bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which are cheap and reliable but can be very crowded during rush hour. It also operates a light rail line, RTP bus system and electric trolleybuses.
- Public transit from MEX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
thumb|right|250px|Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City/Zona Rosa|Zona Rosa The greater Mexico City metropolitan area is one of the world's largest and the largest city in North America, with 22 million people living in the metropolitan area in 2020. It sits in the Valley of Mexico.
It is shaped roughly like an oval of about 60 km by 40 km with large parts of it built on the dry bed of Lake Texcoco, and surrounded on three sides by tall mountains and volcanoes such as the Ajusco, the Popocatepetl and the Iztaccihuatl. Mexico City proper (with an estimated population of 9.2 million) is the country's capital, and since 2016 has been a "federal entity" with the same powers as the states of Mexico, though still separate from the states.
Get in
: Main article: Benito Juárez International Airport Most travellers arrive to Mexico City by air, to Benito Juárez International Airport, located in the eastern part of the city. This is the most convenient airport to most parts of the Mexico City area.
From the airport, downtown hotels can be as close as 15 minutes by taxi if traffic is light (which it rarely is). A bus terminal inside the airport makes for easy connections to nearby cities.
Get around
Mexico City is a huge place, but driving is definitely not a way to see it even if tourist attractions are scattered throughout the city. There are several public transport options. * The city government operates the Metro and Metrobús bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which are cheap and reliable but can be very crowded during rush hour.
It also operates a light rail line, RTP bus system and electric trolleybuses.
Stay safe
Despite its reputation, travel in Mexico City is generally safe and most people find it surprisingly non-threatening. Areas around the historic center and other places where tourists usually go are generally well-lit and patrolled in the early evening.
Much of your travel within the city will be done via public transportation or walking. Most people in Mexico City are quite hospitable and some will speak English, and people who work for hotels and other hospitality-oriented businesses will always help.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Mexico City.