Mexico City 10-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Plaza de la Bellas Artes

   Commonly known as Palace of Fine Arts or Cathedral of Arts in Mexico, host of art events and art exhibitions, along with a number of enormous murals including Diego Rivera's El hombre controlador del universo and Jorge González Camarena's Liberación.

2. Stop 2

   Plaza de la Constitución

   Commonly known as Zócalo, it is one of the largest squares in the world, surrounded by historic buildings, including the City Hall and the Cathedral.

3. Stop 3

   Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México

   Next to El Zocalo in the city center. The biggest cathedral in the Americas. Containing many altars, its principal altar is made from solid gold.

4. Stop 4

   Angel de la Independencia

   A monument in Reforma Avenue that celebrates Mexico's independence in 1810.

5. Stop 5

   Basílica de Guadalupe

   Catholicism's holiest place in the Americas, and the destination of pilgrims from all over the world, especially during the yearly celebration on the 12th of December. It is the shrine that guards the poncho of Juan Diego that contains the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and is in the northernmost part of the city.

Eat · Barracuda Diner: Barracuda Diner listed on OpenStreetMap near the walking centre.

1. Stop 1

   Ciudad Universitaria

   The main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Located on Insurgentes Sur Avenue, it is one of the world's largest universities, with more than 270,000 students every semester. In 2007 it was declared a unesco

2. Stop 2

   Coyoacán

   Historic Colonial Arts district which was home to Frida Kahlo, Leon Trotsky, and Diego Rivera, among others.

3. Stop 3

   Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi

   The square is surrounded by cafés and restaurants much favored by tourists, and in these and in the square itself groups of musicians play folk music. Most of these groups are "mariachis" from Jalisco, dressed in Charro costume and playing trumpets, violins, guitars and the guitarrón or bass guitar.

4. Stop 4

   Paseo de la Reforma

   A 12 km long grand avenue built for the Emperor Maximilian's wife in the 19th century. Its name commemorates the liberal reforms of Mexican President Benito Juarez.

5. Stop 5

   Cineteca Nacional

   It was the first to screen art films, and is known for its forums, retrospectives and homages. It has four screening rooms, a video and a film library, as well as a cafeteria.

Eat · La Biela: La Biela listed on OpenStreetMap near the walking centre.

1. Stop 1

   Torre Latinoamericana

   For stunning views of the city. Its central location, height (183 m or 597 ft; 45 stories), and history make it one of Mexico City's most important landmarks.

2. Stop 2

   National Museum of Anthropology

   One of the best museums worldwide over, it was built in late 1960s and designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. Notice the huge, impressive fountain in the courtyard. It gathers the best collection of sculptures, jewels and handcrafts from ancient Mexican cultures, and could take many hours to see everything. They also have interesting international special exhibits.

3. Stop 3

   Plaza de las Tres Culturas

   Examples of modern, colonial, and pre-Columbian architecture, all around one square.

4. Stop 4

   Museum of Modern Art

   Here you will find paintings from Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo, as well as a sculpture garden.

5. Stop 5

   Dolores Olmedo Museum

   An art philanthropist left her former home, the grand Hacienda La Noria, as a museum featuring the works of her friend Diego Rivera. At least 137 of his works are displayed here, as are 25 paintings of Frida Kahlo. The premises also feature beautiful gardens full of peacocks and a weird species of Aztec dog. However, the museum is under renovation and is sched to reopen sometime in 2026.

Eat · Wings Puerto Aereo: Wings Puerto Aereo listed on OpenStreetMap near the walking centre.

1. Stop 1

   Fine Arts Palace Museum

   A concert hall and an arts center, it houses some of Mexico's finest murals and the Art Deco interior is worth seeing alone.

2. Stop 2

   Museo Soumaya

   A private museum and collection of many well-known European artists, including an extensive selection of works by Auguste Rodin.

3. Stop 3

   Rufino Tamayo Museum

   The Museo Rufino Tamayo, dedicated to the Mexican artist of the same name, may refer to:Museo Rufino Tamayo, Mexico City Museo Rufino Tamayo, Oaxaca

4. Stop 4

   José Luis Cuevas Museum

   Opened in 1992 and is filled with about 1,000 paintings, drawings, and sculptures from notorious artist, Jose Cuevas.

5. Stop 5

   National History Museum in Chapultepec's Castle

   The Museum's nineteen rooms contain, in addition to a collection of pre-Columbian material and reproductions of old manuscripts, a vast range of exhibits illustrating the history of Mexico since the Spanish conquest.

Eat · Sal y Dulce Artesanos: Sal y Dulce Artesanos listed on OpenStreetMap near the walking centre.

1. Stop 1

   Papalote Children's Museum

   If you've got kids, they'll love it! Bright, colorful, and filled with educational experiences for children of all ages.

2. Stop 2

   Universum

   A science museum maintained by UNAM, the largest university in Latin America. Take some time to wander around the Campus.

3. Stop 3

   Casa Mural Diego Rivera

   Contains murals of acclaimed artist, Diego Rivera.

4. Stop 4

   National Palace (Zocalo)

   You can see some impressive Diego Rivera frescoes.

5. Stop 5

   San Idelfonso Museum

   There are some of Orozco's best frescoes. The temporary exhibitions are usually very good.

Eat · Neutral Cafe: Neutral Cafe listed on OpenStreetMap near the walking centre.

1. Stop 1

   Franz Meyer Museum

   Display the collections of Franz Mayer, it holds Mexico's largest decorative art collection and also hosts temporary exhibits in the fields of design and photography.

2. Stop 2

   Mexico City's Museum

   Great place to learn about Mexico City's eclectic history.

3. Stop 3

   Templo Mayor Museum (Zocalo)

   Contains the ruins and last remnants of the Aztec empire. attached to the huge archeological site where the foundations of the temple were accidentally found in the 1970s.

4. Stop 4

   San Carlos Museum

   The San Carlos Museum holds some of Mexico's best paintings and exhibit 15th and 16th century paintings.

5. Stop 5

   National Art Museum

   The National Art Museum, houses a rich collection of Mexican art ranging from the 16th to the first half of the 20th centuries.

Eat · Vips: Cuisine: mexican.

1. Stop 1

   Frida Kahlo Museum

   The former house of the painter since she was born to her death, and full of some of her works, and many of her personal artifacts.

2. Stop 2

   Anahuacalli Museum

   An impressive modern representation of Mayan architecture, it houses Diego Rivera’s collection of Aztec and other precolumbian cultures' sculptures.

3. Stop 3

   Leon Trotsky Museum

   This was the house where Trotsky lived in exile during the last 1.5 years of his life, and was murdered by one of Stalin's agents. Guided tours are provided by members of the Workers/ Revolutionary Party.

Eat · O'Xacobeo: Centro Gallego de México Cuisine: spanish.

1. Stop 1

   Teotihuacan

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Desert of the Lions

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.

1. Stop 1

   Desert of the Lions

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

2. Stop 2

   Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

3. Stop 3

   Puebla

   Listed as a next stop from Mexico City. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

Eat · Eat near the station before you leave. Plan dinner back in Mexico City.

1. Stop 1

   Wise Men's day

   Most Mexican kids receive toys from the Three Wise Men (Reyes Magos). This is a celebration that pays homage to the aforementioned Bible story. To celebrate it the family gather to eat the "Rosca de Reyes", a sort of bundt cake filled with plastic baby Jesus figures. Traditionally, people who get a figure in their slice of cake are expected to host a feast with tamales on Candelaria Day, February 2. The surroundings of the Alameda Central park are filled with costumed Reyes Magos on the days leading to January 6.

2. Stop 2

   Art Week

   Each year in February, the world of contemporary art focuses on Mexico City's Art Week when parties, celebrations, special gallery exhibitions and myriad galas take place throughout the city. The event takes place at the same time as two other major art events, ZsONA MACO, and Feria Material as well as numerous other events at galleries and museums throughout the city.

3. Stop 3

   Independence Day "Yell"

   In the evening, the President of the country (or the city mayor) salutes the crowds from the presidential balcony in the National Palace in the Constitution Square (Zocalo) and shouts the famous "Viva Mexico". The Zocalo (and the rest of the city) is decorated with ornaments and lights. This is an incredible expression of Mexican patriotism combined with a party mood. Expect big crowds with a big revelery. If you want smaller crowds, the squares at the center of every borough usually host similar celebrations.

4. Stop 4

   Independence Parade

   In the morning, there is a military parade that runs across Paseo de la Reforma, turns right at Juarez Avenue which later becomes Madero Street and ends at the Zocalo. 15,000 to 30,000 soldiers of the Mexican Army, Navy and Air Force march through the streets displaying its equipment and weapons.

Eat · Go back to a place that already worked.