Must Visit Places in Mexico City As a Tourist (Including Map)

Where are the must visit places in Mexico City as a tourist? You came to the write blog post. This is a blog post for people who are visiting Mexico City the first time.

It is like you cannot not go see Big Ben if you are visiting London, or Time Square in New York. There are also few places to visit in Mexico City that you should not miss.

Table of Contents

Anthropology Museum

If you have only one day in Mexico City, I recommend Anthropology museum. This is a must visit places in Mexico City as a tourist.

It was one of the most unique museum I’ve been around the world.

If you are staying in Juarez (Read my related post on choosing accommodation location), you don’t need to take a metro.

But if you are taking the metro, you get off at Chapulepec (Line 1) or Auditorio (Line 7).

The museum focuses on Mayan culture, and felt very different compared to the museums I have been in Europe.

The museum feels like you are entering a jungle or some scene in Tomb Raider (not that Tomb Raider was based in Mexico, but the vibe is).

You can find more info here.

The lady at the information desk explained very well, but she said if you are just skimming, focus on Room 5, 7, 10.

One thing you should remember is the line is super long.

The ticket is no 90 pesos.

You have to line up to buy the ticket, and then wait on another line to enter.

If you are not into lining too much, you can pay 175 peso for fast-track.

Buy Anthropology Museum Ticket

Chapultepec Park

After Anthropology museum, walk down Chapultepec park.

I mean you can enjoy the scenery and stuff, but the reason you need to walk the park is cause of all kinds of street food.

Focus especially on Ave. Grutas.

It is like the street foods in Coney Island. You get all kinds of street food from Chicharron to fried cricket which was actually tasty.

Chapultepec Castle

We didn’t go in cause the line was insane, but Chapultepec Castle seemed like a place to go.

Same as Anthropology museum, it is 90 peso to enter.

Museo Soumaya

If you are looking for things to do for free in Mexico City, Museo Soumaya is good. It is not far from Anthropology museum, but not walking distance.

Though it is mostly European arts, they have Mexican arts well.

The Angel of Independence

Best Street Tacos Mexico City according to My Mexican FriendsIf you picked your accommodation in Roma or Juarez, you will always pass by the Angel of Independence.

It is like the Trafalgar Square in London or the Statue of Liberty in NYC.

The reason I mention this is on the weekends, it becomes a bike only street and it is great to bike around and explore.

You can easily rent a bike like Santander or City bike.

Coyoacan Market and The Town

The second thing you should do is to visit Coyoacan Market.

It is like the Borough market in London. And it really feels like you are experiencing Mexico.

You can buy all your gifts and souvenirs from this market. Also, great place for lunch (I’ll tell you why you need to get lunch here).

After walk down to Plaza Coyoacan.

They have cute restaurants and cafes here. There is also a famous cathedral called, Parroquia San Juan Bautista.

Magical Xochimilco Trajineras

If you are going to Coyoacan market, you have to go to the magical Xochimilco Trajineras and go on a boat tour.

Basically it is like going to Coyoacan market on the way to Magical Xochimilco Trajineras.

You can easily do it all in one day. If you go with a tour, they will even include the Frida museum which is next to Coyoacan market.

Some of my friends who have been to Frida Museum didn’t like it, so we decided to skip it.

Like the gondola ride in Venice, Itay, you have also rent the whole boat at Xochimilco.

It is 600 Pesos.

We could have gone to a forum and gather more people, but we just decided to rent it ourselves.

The reason this trip was so fun was cause we were able to bring our own alcohol and drink. It was such a party and tranquillising at the same time.

If you need some snacks, there are boats that has coated apples to grilled corns. But more importantly, they have mariachi bands on a boat where they connect the boats and make it a even bigger party lol.

TIPS on getting to Xochimilco :

They don’t have card machines, so you have to bring cash (600 pesos for the boat + 1,000 pesos for snacks like corns and mariachi bands)
Prepare your snacks and alcohol and water
There is only one bathroom during the boat trip, so make sure you empty your bladder before getting on (also 5 peso to use the bathroom, make sure to bring coins as well)
If you are not going with a big group, it might be cheaper and better to go on a group tour (which you can also make new freiends)
Our uber costed to Coyoacan Market 200 pesos, Coyoacan market to Xochimilco 150 pesos, Xochimilco back to Roma (Mexico City) 400 pesos

Check out different tours of Coyoacan Market / Xochimilco

Zocalo Central

Zocalo Central is the second biggest square in the world. Apparently it used to be lake, but during Spanish occupation, they made it into a square.

If you are visiting Zocalo central, there are few places you should visit.

I made a list with the map.

You can also check the map below. And it gives more detail, but I think those three attractions are enough (in my opinion).

I think it is a place to visit if it is your first time in CDMX like me.

But I don’t know. It wasn’t that special. So unless you have a bit more time to spend, I don’t think it is a must.

San Juan Teotihuacan

If you have time and want to go outside of CDMX, San Juan Teotihuacan is a great place. Like you saw at Anthropology museum, you can go see the pryamids. Also, there are few other attractions you can visit as a day trip :

San Juan Teotihuacan : Mexican Pyramids. You can check all the pics Here.
Tolantongo : famous spring half man-made and half natural. It became famous cause it is very instagrammable. You can check the pics here.
Iztaccihuatl : Great for people who like trekking.

Check All the Tours