Top 10 Things to Do in Mexico City (2026)
Mexico City is one of those rare destinations that truly has everything — world-class museums, unforgettable food, historic neighborhoods, jaw-dropping architecture, and experiences you simply can’t have anywhere else.
After spending extended time living in and exploring the city, these are the 10 things we always recommend to friends, first-time visitors, and LGBTQ+ travelers who want the perfect mix of culture, beauty, and iconic moments.
After spending extended time living in and exploring the city, these are the 10 things we always recommend to friends, first-time visitors, and LGBTQ+ travelers who want the perfect mix of culture, beauty, and iconic moments.
MEXICO CITY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Planning your trip to Mexico City? These travel tools and services will save you money and make your visit stress-free:
🌟 Pro tip – Some links on this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our travels and helping us create more content like this!
Planning your trip to Mexico City? These travel tools and services will save you money and make your visit stress-free:
- Travel Insurance – Don’t leave home without it! SafetyWing offers super affordable travel insurance with straightforward pricing and flexible extensions—even if your trip is already underway. Protect yourself from unexpected medical expenses and travel mishaps while you explore Mexico City and beyond.
- Hotel Discounts – Score unbeatable deals with Booking.com, our preferred website to book hotels when traveling in Mexico. Create a free account to instantly unlock savings of 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide. You’ll also find member perks like free breakfast, early check-in, or even surprise room upgrades—perfect for elevating your stay.
- Tours & Experiences – Book unforgettable adventures in Mexico City with Viator. Whether you're exploring the Frida Kahlo Museum or taking flight in a hot air balloon over Teotihuacán's pyramids, Viator makes exploring the city easy and fun.
🌟 Pro tip – Some links on this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our travels and helping us create more content like this!
1. Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
Also known as Casa Azul, this iconic cobalt-blue home in Coyoacán was where Frida Kahlo lived, loved, and created some of her most powerful work.
Inside, you’ll find original paintings, personal belongings, and deeply intimate spaces that reveal Frida’s life, health struggles, and creative spirit. Tickets sell out days in advance, and lines can be long — so we strongly recommend a skip-the-line guided tour.
🌟 Pro tip – Combine your visit with a stroll around Coyoacán’s leafy plazas and cafés.
2. Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Teotihuacán Pyramids (Must-Do)
This is hands-down the most unforgettable experience in Mexico City. Your day starts before sunrise with hotel pickup and transportation to Teotihuacán, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas. As the balloons lift off, you’ll float silently above the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, watching the Valley of Mexico glow in golden morning light.
Dozens of colorful balloons fill the sky at once, creating a moment that’s peaceful, dramatic, and surprisingly romantic. After landing, enjoy a celebratory glass of sparkling wine and breakfast, with the option to explore the ruins on foot or return directly to the city — transportation included either way.
This is the single best thing to do in Mexico City. Don’t skip it.
3. Stand in Awe at the Palace of Fine Arts
Often called Mexico’s “Cathedral of Art,” this Art Nouveau and Neoclassical masterpiece is breathtaking inside and out.
Step inside to admire the soaring Art Deco interior and iconic murals by Diego Rivera and other Mexican masters. For one of the best free views in the city, head across the street to the Sears building café and look straight onto the palace’s domed roof.
4. Explore the Zócalo & Historic Center
The Zócalo is the heart of Mexico City — massive, historic, and buzzing with life.
Here you’ll find the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and layers of history spanning from Aztec ruins to Spanish colonial architecture. Film lovers will also recognize the square from the opening scene of Spectre.
This area is best explored slowly, with time for museums, street food, and people-watching.
5. Discover the Soumaya Museum
With its futuristic silver exterior made of 16,000 hexagonal tiles, the Soumaya Museum is a work of art before you even step inside.
Admission is completely free, and the collection includes over 66,000 works — including pieces by Rodin, Degas, and Dalí. It’s one of the city’s best cultural surprises.
6. Spend an Afternoon in Polanco
Think upscale shopping, chic cafés, tree-lined streets, and excellent people-watching.
Start near Parque Lincoln, grab coffee on a terrace, then wander Avenida Presidente Masaryk, Mexico’s answer to Rodeo Drive. It’s polished, stylish, and a fun contrast to grittier parts of the city.
7. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology
This is one of the greatest museums in the world. From the iconic Aztec Sun Stone to immersive exhibits on indigenous cultures, you could easily spend half a day here. Don’t miss the central courtyard and its dramatic umbrella waterfall — one of the museum’s defining features.
🌟 Pro tip – If you’re short on time, prioritize the Mexica and Teotihuacán halls.
8. Walk (or Bike) Through Chapultepec Park
One of the largest urban parks on the planet, Chapultepec is Mexico City’s green lung.
You’ll find lakes, museums, jogging paths, and the Chapultepec Castle, perched high above the city. It’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon between sightseeing stops.
9. See the Angel of Independence
Standing proudly on Paseo de la Reforma, El Ángel is one of Mexico City’s most recognizable landmarks.
It’s also where Mexico City Pride begins every June, making it an especially meaningful stop for LGBTQ+ travelers. Visit during the day for photos, then again at night when it’s beautifully lit.
10. Wander Roma & Condesa (Our Favorite Neighborhoods)
If you could only explore one area of Mexico City, make it Roma and Condesa.
Expect leafy streets, Art Deco buildings, street art, boutique shops, sidewalk cafés, and some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. It’s also our favorite area to stay, and where Mexico City truly feels livable.
🌟 Pro tip – Ready to plan your trip? Check out top Mexico City hotels, book stress-free tours to the Frida Kahlo Museum and Teotihuacán on Viator, and don’t forget travel insurance with SafetyWing for peace of mind while exploring Mexico's capital city.
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