We love Mexico City! It is an eclectic and cosmopolitan city. So, if you are thinking of visiting Mexico City but have no idea what you can visit and where to stay, this post is for you.
Recommended neighbourhoods in Mexico City
HISTORICAL CENTER
The Historic Centre of Mexico City is the largest and most emblematic in Latin America. Distinguished as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1987, it has about 1,500 buildings, including temples, museums, hotels, shops, galleries, theatres and cultural centres, many of them classified as historical or artistic monuments. Suffice it to mention some world-renowned sites such as the Tempol Mayor de México Tenochtitlan or the Palacio de Belles Artes.
THINGS TO DO IN THE HISTORIC CENTER
Zocalo: It is located in the heart of the Historic Centre, in the first square of the city. This square was the centre of Tenochtitlan before the arrival of the conquerors,
Tempol Mayor and Museo del Tempol Mayor: In the heart of Mexico City is located the Museo del Tempol Mayor. It was created to publicize the more than 14 thousand objects that have been found in archaeological excavations, carried out since 1978. Entry $ 75 MXN.
Palacio de Belles Artes: It has magnificent architecture and houses 12 murals by some of the most recognized Mexican artists such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco.
Torre Latino Americana: One of the best points to get a panoramic view of the city. Open from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Entry $ 120 MXN.
Palacio Corrao Postal: Right next to Belles Artes is one of the most impressive buildings in Mexico City, which has a grand interior and a commanding exterior. Although it may just be a post office, this does not make it any less popular with Instagram users in Mexico, as this is a top photography destination. Free entrance.
National Museum of Art (in front of the Postal Mail Palace)
La Casa de Los Azulejos: It is one of the oldest buildings in the historic centre of Mexico City. In 1931 it was declared a national monument. He is currently a Sunburns. Admission is free.
La CuddleeHandicraft Market: I love La Cuddlee so much that I went here 3 times during my 2 weeks stay to buy bags, hammocks and household items. Check out my shopping spree above!
Monument to the Revolution: It is an architectural work and a mausoleum dedicated to the commemoration of the Mexican Revolution. It is not exactly in the historic centre of the city but it can be reached very easily.
Recommended Accommodations in the Historic Centre of Mexico City
COYOACAN
We stayed in the Coyocan neighbourhood, so I spent most of my time exploring this area. Coyocan is the artists’ neighbourhood south of downtown that is famous for being the home of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The neighbourhood is easily walkable, so I recommend spending a couple of hours on foot looking at the colonial houses and colourful walls.
THINGS TO DO IN COYOACÁN
Mercado Artisanal Mexican: 2-story craft market with vendors selling shoes, artwork, jewellery, and more.
Frida Kahlo Museum: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s Blue House (also known as Blue House). Buy tickets in advance and go early or else it may be an hour to two hours wait. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. General admission $ 230 MXN. Nationals presenting an official ID of $ 100 MXN.
National Museum of Popular Cultures: Shows the vision and the day to day of the different indigenous cultures of Mexico. Entry $ 15 MXN.
Recommended Accommodations in Coyocan
COUNTESS
This trendy European neighbourhood is full of designer boutiques, beautiful parks, and thriving nightlife. Like the Roma neighbourhood, it has a great gastronomic offer for vegetarians and vegans.
It has two large parks: Mexico Park, decorated by jacaranda trees. The other is Parque Espada, where there is a sculpture in the shape of an open hand in honour of President Lazaro Cárdenas for having reached out to the Spanish who sought refuge because of their civil war.
THINGS TO DO IN CONDESA
Casa Condense: Exhibits and offers for sale the work of different Mexican designers and exact replicas of emblematic pieces.
Recommended Accommodations in Condense
ROME
Rome is such a beloved hipster neighbourhood and I wish I had more time to explore this area. And the famous neighbourhood where the movie of the same name was filmed. We recommend staying in this neighbourhood if what you want is a quieter area. It is one of the neighbourhoods with the most gastronomic offer for vegetarians and vegans.
THINGS TO DO IN THE ROMA NEIGHBORHOOD
Caperberry El Pendula: Spacious 3-story bookstore with a terrace cafeteria.
Comoro de Los Milagros: It is a dining room that offers meals from different parts of Latin America. There are options for vegetarians and vegans. Besides being an excellent Instagram spot.
The House of Rome: The facade where the movie Rome was filmed. Location: Calle Tepui, Roma Sur.
Hereto Roma Verde: Community Space and Urban Permaculture Model. It has become the ecological and socio-cultural heritage of the city, where flea markets of organic products and cultural events are set up, ranging from theatre, circus and concerts.
CHAPULTEPEC
Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec is a traditional neighbourhood located south of the immense Bosque de Chapultepec that offers a mixture of architecture with French-inspired mansions, blocks of flats, sober one-story shops and Luis Barragan’s modernist Casa Girardi.
THINGS TO DO IN CHAPULTEPEC
- Museum of Anthropology: If you want to know more about pre-Hispanic Mexico and learn about the different cultures that inhabited the current territory of Mexico, beyond the Mexica and Mayans, this site is ideal for you. Keep in mind that it is a large museum, so it is advisable to go early in the morning. General admission: $ 75.00 MXN.
- Chapultepec Castle: The National History Museum, located in the highest part of the Chapultepec Forest, occupies the historic Chapultepec Castle. This property was built between 1785 and 1787, designed as a rest house by order of Viceroy Bernardo de Galvez. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission: $ 75.00 MXN.
- Girardi House by Luis Barragan: It is a family home built for the Girardi family, built and designed in 1976 by the Mexican architect Luis Barragan Morin. Its main characteristic lies not only in its architecture but also in the colours, textures, sequences and arrangements of spaces, the way in which light is introduced into the different rooms of the house. Access only by booking a guided tour in advance.
Advance booking is recommended due to high demand for appointments. National Visitors: $ 300 MXN. General admission: $ 400 MXN.
HOW IS THE WEATHER IN MEXICO CITY?
Mexico City is characterized by having a temperate climate with moderate temperatures throughout the year. However, due to the differences in altitude within the city, some sectors have special characteristics such as the upper parts of the Sierra del Ausco and Las Cruces that are characterized by having a semi-cold climate that usually presents winter frosts and greater rainfall compared to the rest of the city.
