Visiting Mexico City for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

The Centro Historico (Historic Center) is one of few places in the world where you feel the weight of many centuries of civilizations layered on top of each other. The massive Zocolo sprawls out in front of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the first major (de)construction projects undertaken by the Spanish colonists.

Just behind that are the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the premier Aztec religious and political site that the Spanish destroyed to build their cathedral. Nowadays, you can see remnants of three major stages of Mexican history in one place: the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern republic.

Markets are a way of life in Mexico City. Beginners should head to the Mercado de Coyoacán, a relaxed space near the Frida Kahlo Museum, where you can try tropical fruits and fresh quesadillas (as well as buy some Frida souvenirs). If you’re somewhat market savvy, head to La Merced Market, a bustling center of commerce near the Historic Center.

Market experts should opt for the magnificent Central de Abastos, which covers nearly the entire Iztapalapa borough, far from the center. It’s intimidating in scale, but seeing it come alive early in the morning to serve the city’s many mouths is an unmatched experience. A food tour can give you insider information and help you best explore the city’s food markets as a whole.

The ancient city of Teotihuacan, technically situated in the neighboring State of Mexico, is largely a mystery to archeologists. In fact, even the name itself comes from the Aztec language, as we don’t know what the inhabitants of the ancient civilization who once lived there called themselves. The pyramids are a reminder of the centuries of complex civilization that existed in the Valley of Mexico before colonialism.

Embrace the mystery and see the site from above on a hot-air balloon ride, during which you might be able to catch a sight of modern Mexico City itself in the distance.

The Frida Kahlo Museum—housed in the artist’s “Casa Azul,” or Blue House—is at the top of many travelers’ must-visit lists, so make sure to pre-book tickets. But you should also consider seeing two other museums related to Frida and her lover, Diego Rivera. Start with the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Studio-Museum, which is less busy than the Casa Azul, and located in a fascinating pair of buildings designed by the couple’s friend Juan O’Gorman.

Then, head south to see the Anahuacalli Museum, an imposing monument built of volcanic rock. It was designed by Diego and completed after his death to house his pre-Hispanic artifact collection.

Youth culture is going strong in Mexico City, and there are bars and hangouts for every subculture you can imagine, from punks to metalheads to bookworms. Get your feet wet with a concert at 316centro, which often features experimental local acts. Alternatively, check out the headquarters of Radio Nopal, an independent radio station that spotlights local talent and is a hangout for musicians and DJs.

Casa Tomada in the Condesa neighborhood regularly hosts literary events, many of which are bilingual. Finally, you can spend time with the feminists and punks at the Insurgentes metro station, where a youth market supports local artists, anarchists, and activists of all stripes.

Some of the best things to do in Mexico City happen at night. Visit the nearly century-old Salon Los Angeles, near the historic Plaza de Tres Culturas and the massive Tlatelolco housing development. (Just be aware that the dance hall is only open Tuesdays and Sundays.)

For those less inclined to show off their moves, try a traditional pulqueria, where the pre-Hispanic drink pulque is the star of the show. Alternatively, opt for a traditional cantina, such as Los Cuates in the Narvarte neighborhood, where multiple courses of food are included for free with a minimum order of drinks. All these options will bring old-world charm to your first visit to Mexico City.

The National Museum of Anthropology is one of the best and largest of its kind in the world, with a massive footprint that does justice to the centuries of diverse history in Mesoamerica. You really can spend a whole day here; while most visitors head straight for the Aztec room, take your time with the incredible artifacts of cultures whose names you may not even know, or explore it on a cultural tour.

Make sure to explore the upstairs level (which many visitors tend to skip). It focuses on the ethnography of the Indigenous peoples who call the region home. Plus, it’s all set in an incredible building, designed in the 1960s, that’s centered around a courtyard with a large umbrella-style cantilevered roof.

The home to one of the world’s largest universities, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), University City really does feel like a city all in itself. There’s plenty to do here, shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of students. Visit the University Museum of Contemporary Art (MUAC) or walk through the concrete Espacio Escultórico.

Tour the colorful mosaic murals decorating the Central Library and other major buildings that inspire the pursuit of knowledge before catching a match at the stadium for the UNAM Pumas, the professional soccer team connected to the university. You can also tie in a visit to Xochimilco or Coyoacán to see other highlights in the south of the city.

As much as food markets define the city and the ecosystems that drive it, there's another type of market that's a key Mexico City attraction you shouldn't miss. The rough-and-tumble Lagunilla Market on Sundays is a wonderland of antiques, rarities, and curiosities. Not everything you see is as it’s marketed, of course, but that’s part of the fun: digging through fakes to find the one gem that makes the trip worthwhile.

Even if you aren’t as interested in clothes or antiques, you can enjoy ordering a massive michelada—that’s a huge beer with sauces and spices, a salty rim, and lime juice—and explore the market while sipping it.

Mexico City is massive in so many ways, but even a lot of locals don’t know that there’s a volcano within the boundaries of the city itself. Ajusco is no small peak, either. It stands at 12,894 feet (3,930 meters), well above where many people start feeling the effects of high altitude.

It’s a serious climb, but the reward makes the exertion (and lack of oxygen) worth it. From the peak, you should be able to catch a great view of the expansive metropolis stretching below you. But even if the clouds or pollution ruin that for you, there’s a quesadilla waiting for you at the canteen at the trailhead below.