Mexico City 1 week itinerary

In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know for an exciting week long trip to Mexico City, Mexico. This post will include:

1. Best practices when traveling in Mexico
2. Where to Stay
3. Day by Day itinerary

All of the advice provided is based on my own personal experiences traveling in Mexico City.

Best practices when traveling in Mexico

• Always be aware of your surroundings, don’t carry excessive cash, and try to pay with cash in most venues. Credit/debit card cloning can be a problem in some establishments. The emergency number in Mexico is the same as in the US, 911.
• Usually the easiest and safest way to travel in Mexico City is via Uber, Didi, or walking. Avoid using taxis off the street, many of them are not regulated. Some hotels and public places (like the airport) have site taxis which are safe to use.
• Most museums in Mexico City are closed on Mondays and on holidays, so always double check hours before heading out. One museum that isn’t explicitly in this itinerary but could be a good option if others are closed is the Museo Jumex. It’s free and the architecture is incredible. It has a wide assortment of art and is open on Mondays.  

Where to stay in Mexico City

The main neighborhoods that tourists stay in when visiting Mexico City are called Roma and Condesa. They are next to each other, and are quite safe while offering great access to all the public transit.

When I was in Mexico City, I stayed at the lovely Casa Bis, right in the heart of Condesa and highly recommend it for comfort and location! It’s about $100 USD/night, but if you are looking for something cheaper (dorm style), try Casa Pancha nearby, or for something higher end/splurgy, Nokal Exclusive Stay is an exceptional choice.

Day 1 – Landmarks and delicious food

Enjoy coffee at Hule, a cute coffee shop in Condesa (Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm​, Sat/Sun: 10am-8pm). Take a drink to go with you and start a long walk to the Angel of Independence. You’ll get a chance to explore a few different cute neighborhoods along the way. Then head back to where you started by walking or Uber and grab lunch at Chilpa (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-6p.m., Sat/Sun: 9am-5pm), followed by lounging in the Parque Mexico. Here you can enjoy street performers, families with children, birds in the trees, dogs in the dog park, and the many beautiful fountains. Walking along Avenue Mexico and Amsterdam will allow you to do a complete loop around the neighborhood. This loop was actually used for horse races in the past! If you are still hungry for dessert, you can grab some churros from Churreria El Moro (Everyday 8am-11pm). Grab dinner at the delicious Amaya. Reservations should be made in advance here. Before or after, you can walk over to the Monument to the Revolution which is beautifully lit up at night (and is also impressive during the day!).

If you have a free afternoon or evening, I would suggest booking a food tour. It’s a great way to experience the culture of Mexico in a safe environment, while learning more about what locals love.

Day 2 – Historical Center

Why it’s worth visiting: These attractions are in the city center, and both boast of amazing colonial architecture and a blend of Mexican culture. It is a place where you can see street performers, buy goods, and get a taste for the current metropolitan Mexican culture and visit many museums. There’s a lot of ground to cover so get up earlier to cover everything mentioned below!

Arrive at Palacio de Bellas Artes (Tues-Sun 10am-5:30pm, closed Monday) and admire the beauty both from the outside and also in art deco interiors which is visible from the lobby. I don’t suggest paying for a ticket as the exhibit is not quite worth it.

When you’re done, walk down Madero Corridor (otherwise known as walking down Francisco I. Madero Avenue), which is the main tourist drag where eventually you’ll arrive at the Zocalo, which is famous for holding many protests and serving as a large gathering place for the city. Take a photo of the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is Latin America’s oldest and largest. 

Then, spend a view hours visiting the Templo Mayor museum (Tues-Sun 9am-5pm, Closed Monday), which is an incredible site of ancient Mexica ruins. Grab a quick bite to eat at any of the eateries in the vicinity. One good option is El Mayor (Daily 9am-6:30pm) which has views of the Cathedral.

After lunch, make your way to the Murales de la Secretaria de Educacion (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm) . This is an often overlooked site because it’s technically a working government building, but it’s free and it has an absolutely incredible 3 stories of Diego Rivera murals. Because it closes at 5pm, make sure to get there by no later than 4pm to give yourself enough time to see all the murals!

In the evening, you’re probably pretty beat after this jam packed day, so take a load off at Cantina La Reforma. Here you can get a truly authentic Mexico City experience with free tapas as long as you order a few drinks. There is usually some free entertainment as well. However, being able to speak a little Spanish will go a long way here. You can also grab some street food nearby in the Chinatown area.

Day 3 – Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) + Anthropology Museum

Why its worth visiting: Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City is the only castle to house royalty in North America. It was built in 1785 and has seen its share of history, from a royal residence to execution plots, to a military academy. Its architecture and gardens are stunning. It also oversees a large part of the city.

The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, art, and culture. The museum houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts, including the famous Aztec Calendar Stone and the Olmec colossal heads. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, featuring murals by renowned artist Diego Rivera. 

It’s best to start at the Anthropology museum (Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, Closed Monday) because it takes longer to see.

Grab some lunch from one of the street vendors in the park, and then walk over to Chapultepec Castle (Tues – Sun 9am-5pm, Closed Mondays). If you are too tired to tour it, just enjoying the views from the top and sitting in the gardens could be a fun experience.

Grab dinner at Rosetta for some Mexican fine dining. Reservations are required in advance and are recommended to be made at least 1-2 months prior to arrival, and can be made here.

Day 4 – Pyramides de Teotihuacan (Pyramids of Teotihuacan)

Why it’s worth visiting: These are the oldest known pyramids in the Northern hemisphere. They date back to the Olmec culture, one that is previous to the Aztecs. At one time it was a bustling city, and the pyramids and several structures remain.The pyramids, particularly the Sun pyramid is very imposing. It has the same base width as the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

Visiting the Pyramids requires either a car, driver, or organized tour. I suggest an organized tour so that you learn the history and don’t have to hassle with the logistics. Tours like this one are a great option to avoid the crowds. If you’re feeling very adventurous, you can also opt for a tour that includes a hot air balloon ride (very popular in the early morning at the pyramids). Visiting the pyramids is a full day excursion usually, so make sure to pick up some snacks at a local market for breakfast and to hold you over until lunch. Most tours include lunch and if not, there are some restaurants at the site itself.

Day 5 – Frida Kahlo Museum, Xochimilco and Pulque

In the morning, head to the famous Frida Kahlo House / Casa Azul (Closed Mon, Tues 10am-6pm, Wed 11am-6pm, Thurs-Sun 10am-6pm). You absolutely need to make an advanced reservation for this museum – one of the few in Mexico City that requires it. Consider getting tickets a few weeks in advance to get the time you want (timed entry required). They can be purchased from this site. Frida Kahlo lived and died here with her husband, Diego Rivera. 

You can grab lunch from one of the many vendors in the Coyoacan Market, while also buying any gifts you might want for friends and family back home.

In the afternoon, check out Xochimilco Ecological Park (Tues-Sun 6am-6pm, closed Mon). You can just show up and book a boat to take you through the canals. There are usually drinks and food available for purchase as well if you want an afternoon snack. While this is a pretty touristy activity, it’s also a ton of fun.

Grab a quick and casual dinner at Orinoco Taqueria (Tues/Wed 1pm-3:30am, Thurs 1p -4am, Fri/Sat 1pm-5am, Sun 1pm-3:30am) followed by salsa dancing/live music and drinking pulque, a Mexican specialty, at Pulqueria los insurgentes.

If you have a spare evening, consider a Lucha Libre show.

If I had one more day in Mexico City…

I would do another day trip, this time to the beautiful hot springs of Tolantango. It’s a journey but if you’ve read this blog before you know I love hot spring adventures. This is a full day experience so remember to bring some snacks and get a good night sleep the night before.