Mexico City is a fascinating destination with a blend of old and modern attractions, and I was lucky enough to spend a mad four days in this diverse city during Day of the Dead celebrations over Halloween.

Despite the rumours and backpacker tales of big bad Mexico City being a grotty, dangerous and drug-fueled city, I had a right blast and most importantly, live to tell the tale!

I had gotten enough recommendations NOT to brave it and stay near the coast but I persevered and bought the plane ticket anyway. I was travelling solo, by the way. Which made it a touch more terrifying. Luckily, my friends I had made in Guatemala were joining me as we didn’t want to miss the infamous Day of the Dead celebrations in October.

During the course of four days I had a chance to explore some exciting colourful markets, barter for textiles and euphoric threads, get lost in the many streets and weird alleyways of the old city, visit the parks and canals, gawp at Mexican art and eat my way through many many tacos al pastor.

For a first time explorer to Mexico City these are my top ten places to visit:

1. ZOCALO

Start your main exploring from the Zócalo – Mexico City’s central square where you will see the grand Cathedral Metropolitana.

Some Interesting Facts:

– The official name of this square is the Plaza de la Constitucion, but it’s commonly called the Zocalo.

-This Zocalo is one of the largest public squares in the world, at 830 x 500 feet.

-It is an important gathering place, used for festivals, cultural events, and demonstrations. In fact, this is where the famous Day of the Dead carnival march takes place in October, inspired from the 2016 James Bond movie.

Address: Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico, 0601 Mexico City.

2. PALACIO NACIONAL

The National Palace (Palacio Nacional) is a long grand government building that takes up the East side of the Zocalo and houses the federal treasury and national archives. The main attraction here is artist Diego Rivera’s murals depicting thousands of years of Mexican history.

Address: Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06066 Mexico City.

3. PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES

The Palacio de bellas artes is Mexico City’s Palace of Fine Arts. I stumbled across this beauty on a mad hunt to buy a GoPro for my Central America adventures.  I love walking, getting lost and findest the most random shops, alleyways and markets, I definitely think the best way to discover Mexico City’s historical sights is on foot.

Wander the main high street West from the Zocalo down … and you will not miss it!

Address: Av. Juárez, Centro Histórico, 06050 Mexico City.

4. CENTRAL MARKET

Spend some time wandering the streets South East from the Zocalo towards this giant market. I came across the most weirdest things in here…  dam right weird Porn videos to vegetables, plastic toys, spices, underwear, and more.

Address: Área Federal Central de Abastos, Mexico City.

5. CHAPULTEPEC PARK

Who would have known Mexico City has so many parks! This sprawling city park is INSANE!

It’s on another level (bigger than London’s Hyde Park) nearly 1,700 acres and features several lakes, forested land, a Zoo, many museums, and even the residence of the President of Mexico. This park also includes Chapultepec Castle, which serves as the National History Museum.

Chapultepec park is located about three miles (5 km) west of the Mexico City Zocalo. You can get there easily by public transportation (Metro: Take Line 1 to Chapultepec Station) or on the Turibus.)

6. MUSEO NACIONAL DE ANTROPOLOGIA

The National Museum of Anthropology is a national museum of Mexico. It is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico, containing the most impressive collection of Mesoamerican artefacts!

Located in Chapultepec Park, this museum is a must! (Being the unorganised tourist and scatty backpacker I am, sadly I didn’t get time to visit this, however, I heard many brilliant things from everyone else and seriously regret not going!)

There is a hall dedicated to each of the cultural regions of Mesoamerica and the upstairs rooms have ethnological exhibits. I could easily spend a full day here (hence why didn’t have time!)

It is advised you dedicate at least a few hours, and don’t miss the Aztec exhibit with the famous Sun Stone or “Aztec Calendar.”

ADDRESS: Paseo de la Reforma & Calzada Gandhi | Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560, Mexico City.

7. EL BAZAR SABADO 

This is Mexico City’s best flee market! Saturdays merchants come from all over Mexico to sell their wares.

Here you can find a wide range of antiques and folk art, books and jewellery, beautiful handcraft and then even a nice breakfast in Saks restaurant.

Read about my Top 5 clothing and accessories markets in Mexico City here.

You must visit on Saturday for the inside market to be open.

ADDRESS: Plaza San Jacinto 11 | 12 Y 13 Mexico City.

How to get to San Angel & Bazar Sabado: Take the Metrobus down Insurgentes Sur to the “La Bombilla” stop. Disembark & go left across the street; continue straight, walking up Avenida La Paz. Cross another busy street (Avenida Revolucion) & walk up Madero to Plaza San Jacinto. There’s a tiny coffee shop almost immediately on your right when you hit the plaza, in the event you arrive early & need a coffee/cappuccino to kick-start your day.

8. MUSEO FRIDA KAHLO

With so much happening in the centre of the city, the south is often neglected. The Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán (also known as the Blue House because of the structure’s cobalt-blue walls) is a historic house museum and art museum dedicated to the life and work of my favourite Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Be prepared to wait long ass queues. Leave early! I went during the Halloween holidays (Day of the Dead) so queues were extra long because a beautiful alter had been created for Freida Kahlo. I couldn’t really get a good snap of it as photo permissions inside the house were $20 (wtf!).

In Coyoacán’s ‘Blue House’, Frida Kahlo’s house has been preserved intact. There are some amazing cubist pieces of Diego Riviera her late husband’s work, including a stunning painting of a watermelon (my favourite!), engraved Viva la vida. The artistic couple were famous for not only creating but collecting popular Mexican artwork and Hispanic art pieces.

The best place to see Rivera’s and Kahlo’s paintings, is farther south in Xochimilco, at the Museo Dolores Olmedo, in a former hacienda belonging to Diego Rivera’s last patroness.

ADDRESS: Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Mexico City.

9. XOCHIMILCO

Xochimilco is most famed for its unique transportation, of course, is the trajinera, the colourful, hand-decorated boats that ply the canals that date to pre-Hispanic times.

I was lucky enough to be guided by a lovely Mexican friend of mine called Art, who I met through Couchsurfing. Art took a bunch of us from the metro station all the way there. Getting to Xochimilco from other parts of Mexico City is allll part of the fun (see below)…especially during the Day Of The Dead festivities, where the majority of people (like myself) head down to the canals for an eery boat trip to visit the Island of Dolls after dark.

Click here for tips on celebrating Halloween in Mexico City during Day of the Dead.

Aside from trips to creepy islands of dolls, I heard Xochimilco is best enjoyed on a peaceful Sunday floating down the canals and listening to Mariachi bands play on floating platforms down the canals.

Note: Mexico City is HUGE. (and COLD). Plan what you want to see and bring a hoody wherever you go!

To get to Xochimilco: Take the Metro Line 2 (blue line) to Tasqueña and catch the light rail, called Tren Ligero to Xochimilco at the end of the line. Arrows on small blue signs will lead you the short distance to the pier where you can hire a trajinera.

10. TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS

One place I seriously regret not seeing 🙁 

The mysterious Teotihuacán Pyramids were built around 100 BC. It’s meant to be amazing, and there is a well-known pyramid of the sun that is one of the largest pyramids in the world. Unfortunately, I had zero time left to explore them as the journey is more than an hour out of the city.

Honestly, GO! Take an entire day to explore.

You can read information on how to get there here. 

What are your top 10 places to visit in Mexico City?

Have you visited Mexico during Day of the Dead?

Did I miss something?  I’d love to know!

 ☼

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