What to do today in Mexico City

The Historic Center is the heart of where Mexico City was born and expanded, built literally on the ruins of ancient Tenochtitlán. Its nerve center is the Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world. Surrounding it are buildings of immense historical and political significance, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose construction took nearly three centuries and blends various architectural styles, and the National Palace, the current seat of the executive branch and home to some of Diego Rivera’s most famous murals. Just a few meters away lies the Templo Mayor archaeological site, which displays the foundations of the most important building for the Mexica people.

When visiting this area, expect crowds, lots of noise, street vendors, and a frenetic pace, as it is the busiest part of the city. Walking along the Madero pedestrian street is quite an experience that will take you past shops, colonial churches, and ancient palaces. It’s a place where you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet and walking, but every corner offers an incredible photo opportunity or a new museum to discover. Dining options range from classic terraces overlooking the Zócalo to traditional taquerías on nearby streets.

Paseo de la Reforma is Mexico City’s most iconic and elegant avenue, originally designed during the Second Mexican Empire to connect Chapultepec Castle with the National Palace. Along its length stand monuments that tell the country’s history, but none is as iconic as the Independence Column, crowned by the gold-plated bronze sculpture of the Winged Victory, popularly known as “The Angel.” This monument is not only a visual landmark but also a mausoleum housing the remains of insurgent heroes and the definitive gathering place for national celebrations, social protests, and large-scale parades.

The experience of strolling along its wide sidewalks under the shade of ash and jacaranda trees offers a cosmopolitan perspective, with cyclists riding along the bike lanes and tourists photographing the sculptures that adorn each median. El Ángel, with its golden glow, dominates the landscape and serves as the heart of this thoroughfare, a place that transforms radically from the hustle and bustle of the workday to spectacular architectural lighting at night. It’s definitely the place to start when you’re looking for things to do today in Mexico City!

The Templo Mayor Museum, located in the heart of the Historic Center, is the most impressive testament to the grandeur of ancient Tenochtitlán. Following the chance discovery of the Coyolxauhqui monolith in 1978, excavations began that revealed the successive construction phases of the twin pyramid dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. The tour begins at the archaeological site, where visitors walk along walkways that offer views of the temples, the serpent-headed altars, and the remains of the original floor of the sacred enclosure—all in the shadow of the Metropolitan Cathedral, creating an architectural contrast unique in the world.

The site museum, designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, houses more than 14,000 objects recovered during the excavations, organized into eight galleries that explain the worldview, trade, and ritual life of the Mexicas. Among its most notable pieces are the monolith of Tlaltecuhtli (the deity of the earth), funerary urns, and a vast collection of offerings ranging from fine gold jewelry to biological remains of exotic animals brought from every corner of the empire. It is a place where Mexico’s ancient history feels alive, offering insight into the religious complexity and military might of the civilization that founded the city on the lake.

Chapultepec Forest is an urban oasis twice the size of New York’s Central Park. At the top of Chapulín Hill, in the First Section of the forest, stands the majestic Chapultepec Castle. This site is unique in the Americas, as it was designed as a royal residence and housed Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife Charlotte in the 19th century, and later several Mexican presidents. Today it is home to the National History Museum.

To reach the castle, you’ll need to prepare for an uphill walk up a tree-lined ramp, which requires a bit of physical effort but is totally worth it. Once at the top, you’ll find spacious terraces with checkerboard-patterned floors, meticulously manicured gardens, and what are likely the best panoramic views of Paseo de la Reforma and the city skyline. Walking through its halls is like traveling back in time, as it preserves the original royal furnishings and features impressive murals that depict key episodes in Mexican history.

The site is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; admission is free on Sundays.

Located in Chapultepec Forest, this museum is a masterpiece of modern Mexican architecture designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. Its central courtyard, famous for “El Paraguas” (a monumental fountain supporting a concrete roof), serves as the entrance to the 22 galleries that tell the story of Mexico’s indigenous peoples. Here you’ll find the Stone of the Sun, known worldwide as the Aztec Calendar, as well as the colossal Mayan heads and the reconstruction of Pakal’s tomb, making it the largest and most important site of its kind in Latin America.

Walking through its corridors is like immersing yourself in the worldview of Mesoamerican civilizations, with jade, obsidian, and ceramic pieces of stunning technical beauty.

Remember that you can visit it Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of the UNAM, is a jewel of modern architecture and urban planning that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Built on a bed of volcanic rock in the southern part of the city, it stands out for the artistic integration of its buildings, where muralists such as Juan O’Gorman, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Diego Rivera captured Mexico’s history on monumental facades. Its iconic Central Library, covered in mosaics of colored stones, is considered one of the largest and most significant works of art of the 20th century in the country.

The campus is not just an educational center, but a vast cultural and recreational space that includes the University Olympic Stadium, the Sculpture Garden, and the University Cultural Center. Walking through “Las Islas,” the large green esplanade in the heart of CU, allows you to observe the vibrant student life intertwined with the avant-garde design of the 1950s. It is a place that exudes freedom and knowledge, also offering trails through the volcanic rock of the Pedregal Ecological Reserve that contrast nature with functionalist architecture.

Located in the picturesque neighborhood of Coyoacán, the Blue House is the private world where Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died. The intense blue of its exterior walls is iconic and hints at an interior filled with color, folk art, and personal mementos of the painter and her husband, Diego Rivera. The museum preserves the spaces exactly as Frida left them: her studio with her brushes and easel, the kitchen, and the bedroom where she spent much of her time due to her health problems, with the mirror on the ceiling that allowed her to paint herself.

The tour is a deeply moving experience that reveals Frida’s duality: her physical pain and her immense joy of living. The central gardens feature tropical vegetation and pre-Hispanic artifacts, creating an oasis of peace in the heart of the city. In addition to her most famous paintings, the museum displays a collection of her traditional dresses and medical corsets—pieces that have become global symbols of identity and resilience.

You can visit from Tuesday to Sunday, but keep in mind that tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to get yours in advance.

Xochimilco, located south of the city, is the last living remnant of the extensive system of lakes and canals upon which the Aztecs built their empire. It is world-famous for its chinampas (artificial islands created for farming) and, above all, for the colorful trajineras, wooden boats adorned with floral arches and women’s names. This agricultural and water system is so historically and culturally significant that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The experience here is thoroughly folkloric, noisy, and joyful. When you rent a trajinera, you’ll be gently propelled through the canals while other boats approach to offer you everything from grilled corn, tacos, and beer to blankets and flowers. You’ll also see trajineras filled with mariachis or norteño bands offering to play live songs for a fee. It’s a place you’ll enjoy much more if you go in a group to split the costs and join the party on the water. Haggling at the docks is common, so it’s a good idea to check the official rates before you arrive.

The Salón Tenampa, located in the legendary Plaza Garibaldi, is the birthplace of mariachi in the capital and a temple of Mexican popular culture since 1925. Its walls, adorned with murals of icons from the golden age of Mexican cinema such as Pedro Infante and Chavela Vargas, tell the story of a city that comes alive through ranchera music and tequila. It is the quintessential spot to enjoy pomegranate punch—its signature drink—while various mariachi groups approach the tables to perform the classics that have given Mexico its identity throughout the world.

The atmosphere at Tenampa is that of an endless party that blends nostalgia with collective joy. Amid the sound of trumpets and the buzz of diners, traditional dishes like birria and Jalisco-style antojitos are served, keeping alive the legacy of its founder, Juan Hernández Ibarra. It’s a place where you need to arrive ready to sing and socialize, as the close proximity of the tables and the folklore-filled atmosphere invite you to immerse yourself in an authentically Mexican experience that hasn’t changed location in over a century.

Hours: Sunday through Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 AM; Thursday through Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

This site is Mexico’s most important pilgrimage destination and one of the most visited globally. The complex includes the Old Basilica, built in the Baroque style and notably leaning due to the muddy ground, and the New Basilica, a modern circular building designed to accommodate thousands of worshippers and allow the original ayate of Juan Diego to be seen from any vantage point. The faith that permeates this place is palpable, especially on December 12, when millions of people arrive to sing to the Virgin.

Beyond its religious fervor, Tepeyac Hill offers beautiful gardens and historic chapels with a spectacular view of the city’s northern skyline. The Basilica Museum is also a must-see, housing an impressive collection of New Spanish art and ex-votos (small paintings expressing gratitude for miracles). It is a space where colonial history, modern architecture, and the deepest traditions of the Mexican people come together.

The Soumaya Museum is a futuristic architectural masterpiece clad in 16,000 aluminum hexagons, making it the visual icon of the Nuevo Polanco neighborhood. Inside, the private collection of the Carlos Slim Foundation offers a journey through six centuries of art, featuring the largest collection of Rodin works outside of France, masterpieces by European artists such as Dalí and El Greco, and Mexican art from various periods. The interior design is equally impressive, featuring a circular ramp that allows visitors to move between floors without steps until reaching the spectacular upper hall, bathed in natural light. The museum is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Just a few steps from the museum lies Polanco, the city’s most exclusive neighborhood. Presidente Masaryk Avenue is the center of luxury, lined with international high-fashion boutiques and Mexico’s most prestigious restaurants. Strolling through Polanco offers a first-world experience, with immaculate parks like Lincoln Park and a sophisticated nightlife that attracts the local elite and international visitors seeking haute cuisine and design.

Become a judge for a day in this immersive trial where the audience (that’s right, you!) decides the defendant’s fate. During the performance, you’ll analyze the evidence and hear the testimonies of the case: from love triangles that end in a high-profile murder to AI errors where no one seems to be at fault.

All based on moral dilemmas that will leave you thinking about the case long after you’ve reached your final verdict.

There are things you have to experience at least once in your life, and Candlelight is one of them. These are live concerts held at various iconic locations throughout the city… by candlelight. And in the case of Mexico City, some of those venues are El Cantoral or Chapultepec Castle (among many others). Evenings where professional musicians perform tributes to artists and genres of all kinds in their most classic format.

Keep reading to find out about upcoming events.

A new sports oasis in Mexico City! Enjoy four indoor padel courts, where you can play during the day and also at night, thanks to their professional lighting.

They’re fully equipped so you can set up a game and play any day of the week. The courts are surrounded by brand-new fences and glass panels.

Once you’re done playing, there are green spaces, a lovely terrace, and Marbella Café, an open-air spot to eat, have coffee, or relax.

There is no doubt that the Palacio de Bellas Artes is a must-see for any tourist and an icon for every Mexican. This Art Deco cultural venue captivates everyone who strolls through the Historic Center of Mexico City.

Now pay close attention, because we’re going to tell you a secret that almost no one knows! Bellas Artes offers free guided tours.

The tour lasts about 90 minutes and takes you through the main performance hall, the glass curtain featuring an image of volcanoes, the stage, the dressing rooms, the makeup and costume area, the Apollo stained-glass window with the Muses of the Arts, the official boxes, and the terraces of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Remember that you can visit this architectural gem, as well as explore its museum, Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free on Sundays.

Don’t deny it: we’re all fans of the “Ajolopesos.” The latest design of the $50 bill caused a sensation, and many people have decided to keep them because of the image of the axolotl on the front.

The best part is that the axolotl that posed for the bill lives in Mexico City, and you can visit it. Her name is Gorda, and she lives in Axolotitlán, a museum dedicated to axolotls. In addition to meeting her, you’ll learn about the care these little creatures require and the ecosystem in which they live.

Remember that you can visit it Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This legendary neighborhood in Mexico City is not only known for its churches, museums, gardens, and monuments, but also for its delicious cuisine. If you’re in Coyoacán, don’t miss the chance to eat at one of these restaurants. You’ll get to try: pizzas, pasta, Mexican food, and more.