The Perfect Weekend in Mexico City (3, 4, 5 Day Itineraries)

Are you planning a trip to Mexico City but only have a few days? Since the city is so large, you might think there’s no way to see very much in a weekend in Mexico City. But you absolutely can! If you plan strategically and stay in the area closest to the majority of the things you want to do you can see quite a lot.

And while I always recommend spending more than just a weekend in the city if possible, a Mexico City weekend is a good way to get your feet wet in one of the biggest and best cities on the planet. Here’s how to do it plus a bonus 3, 4 and 5 day bonus itinerary.

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Why Everyone Needs a Weekend in Mexico City

I fell in love with Mexico City when I was 15 on a high school Spanish class field trip. As someone born in Alabama, I was instantly fascinated with the city and the new things I was seeing. Back home, I’m positive I drove everyone crazy talking about Mexico all the time. And here I am, all these years later still talking about it.

Mexico City is still one of my favorite cities. Located almost in the center of the country, Mexico City is home to approximately 22 million people. It’s the capital of Mexico and is a melting pot of people, cultures and history and is unlike any other city in the western hemisphere. It’s a place everyone should visit at least once.

To get the most out of your weekend in Mexico City, be realistic about what you can see and do in your limited time. Don’t try to cram too much in. Mexico City is full of surprises and its streets are made for exploring. Set aside some time for just wandering around and taking photos.

Mexico City Weekend – Where to Stay

Mexico City traffic is a beast to say the least but if you choose to stay in the neighborhood close to most of the things you want to do, this will maximize your time. That way you can walk and cut down on the time you spend sitting in traffic or waiting for rides.

From affordable to upscale, Mexico City has no shortage of charming neighborhoods and hotels but for a short weekend in Mexico City – or if it’s your first time – I recommend staying in the historic center. This is where Mexico City’s largest town square or plaza, called the Zocalo, is located.

This area if very safe and very pedestrian friendly. It’s easy to walk around, shop, people watch and just enjoy the many of popular things to do to in Mexico City – which can all be found within just a a few blocks.

Southerner Says: it’s also easy to access the Mexico City metro train from here. I personally have only been on the train a couple of times so unfortunately I can’t give much advice.

Just a couple of blocks from the Zocalo, Hotel Catedral is a convenient, mid-range priced option (average $65USD) in the historic center. The hotel is close enough to the action but tucked far enough away to avoid some of the noise and crowds.

Hotel Catedral’s street facing rooms have small balconies and the ones in the rear have views of the top of the cathedral and the other historic buildings in the area. The bathrooms are a nice size and even have bathtubs. Something you don’t see very often in Mexico.

A generous complimentary breakfast is included with your stay. Breakfast in Mexico is not your usual doughy waffles and fake eggs that you get in the states. It’s a meal with real eggs, chilaquiles and fresh squeezed juices.

Plus, there’s no need to worry if you don’t speak Spanish since the hotel has English speaking staff and a concierge to assist with your stay. Since I was there last, they’ve updated the rooms and added an outdoor terrace for dining.

Weekend in Mexico City – Day 1

Morning – I’ll say it over and over again – the best way to really get to know a city is by walking and wandering around. Once you arrive to Mexico City and check into the hotel, hit the ground running – literally – by taking a free guided walking tour of the historic center.

The tour last about two hours and is available in Spanish and English. Also, it may be free but don’t forget to tip your guide. There are also plenty of other organized tours. I’ve linked to some 5 star experiences below.

If you prefer to do your own thing, it’s super easy to create a walking tour. With so much to do around the Zocalo, it’s easy to make your own plan. I made a Google Map at the bottom of the page with all the activities in this article. Also my Things to do in Mexico City list is another good resource, especially for first-timers.

The biggest standout in the Zocalo is the Metropolitan Cathedral, so start your weekend in Mexico there. It’s the oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America. As you walk around it, you’ll notice the different architecture styles since it’s been expanded over the years.

And if the building seems to be a little off kilter, that’s because it is. Mexico City was built on a lake and some of the building sink a little bit every year.

Southerner Says: Because it’s an active place of worship, be sure to dress modestly and maintain a respectful attitude during your visit.

From the Cathedral, move on to the Templo Mayor, the site of Ancient Aztec ruins. When the Spaniards conquered Tenochtitlan, as the city was called back then, they wanted to erase all traces of the Aztecs, so they built everything on top of the Aztec city.

Historians knew about this but didn’t really do anything about about it until in the 1970’s, when some workers made a major discovery. Since then, there’s been ongoing excavation in the area. Now visitors can see the the remnants of the old city via a series of walkways through the ruins and a small onsite museum.

Take advantage of your location and grab lunch on the go from one of the many food carts around the Zocalo. Street food was born in Mexico City and it’s everywhere! You have to give it a try for a true Mexico City experience. You’ll find everything from tacos to elotes, sopes and hamburgers, literally anytime of the day. However, start slow. Don’t overdo it on your first day while acclimating to a new country and higher elevation.

Afternoon – Still in the historic center, visit the nearby National Palace and Museum. The physical site of the palace is where rulers have governed since the Aztecs and it’s currently used for many ceremonial functions. The balcony is the location where the president commemorates Mexico’s call to war and rebellion against Spain every September 15th. Inside the palace you’ll find a museum filled with art and wall frescoes by famous Mexican painter Diego Rivera.

Once you leave the palace, head west on Calle 16 de Septiembre, where you’ll pass by maybe the most beautiful hotel in the city, the Gran Hotel de Ciudad Mexico. Have a peek at the amazing ceilings and architecture that have been featured in movies and television. You don’t have to stay long but it is one of the highlights in the historic center.

If you aren’t quite ready for dinner yet but want a little something to nosh on, walk over a couple of blocks to La Opera, one of the oldest bars in Mexico City. Opened by two French brothers in 1876, the rich and famous have been dining and drinking there for years. Even Pacho Villa was a loyal customer and supposedly there’s even a bullet hole to prove it.

When ordering a drink in Mexico City, it’s customary to serve “una botana”, or a bite of something to eat. Kind of like tapas or a small appetizer. What qualifies as a botana varies from place to place. The last time I was at La Opera, it was refried beans with chips.

Leaving the bar, continue west on 16 de Septiembre until you get to Calle Lazaro Cardenas, then head north to see the gorgeous la Casa de Azulejos. Azulejo means tile in Spanish – which is fitting since the entire exterior of the “house” is covered with incredible tiles from the Mexican state of Puebla.

What once was a private home is now owned by Grupo Sanborns, a chain of Mexican department stores. In addition to the Sanborns store inside, Casa de Azulejos has a restaurant inside the beautiful stained glass covered courtyard.

If you feel more casual there’s also counter service in the back. But don’t worry – they offer the same delicious dishes you get in the main dining room served on their signature blue and white china. Get the enchiladas suizas. You won’t be sorry. The restaurant also offers a rooftop with great views of the city.

Evening – After a full day of walking, give your feet a much deserved break by taking a tour of the city on a Turibus. This fun double-decker bus is a fantastic way to see more of the city on your weekend in Mexico City. If you wait until dark for the tour you get to see the city lit up. It’s a completely different perspective from how it looks in the daytime.

The Turibus offers several routes to choose from, but the route that includes La Reforma, Mexico City’s wide main road through the downtown, is ideal for viewing all the illuminated monuments and statues along the route. Tickets can be purchased in person in the historic center at the kiosk by the cathedral or you can purchase them online here.

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Once the tour is over, if you’re still up for some fun, tucked away behind an unassuming door is Zinco Jazz Club – the perfect cozy place for a cocktail to wind down. Located in an old bank, Zinco is more speakeasy than club. After you enter, you’ll head down some steps into the bar to what previously was the bank’s vault.

With a variety of handcrafted cocktails on the menu – I ordered a mezcalini – made with mezcal and tamarind – it was smoky and sweet – a prefect end to a great day. Reservations are recommended at Zinco especially on Friday or Saturday nights. There’s no cover charge unless there’s a special event or band. Check their website for the musical lineup.

Weekend in Mexico City – Day 2

Morning – Day two of your weekend in Mexico City kicks off after a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Make sure you have your walking shoes on. It’s reported that Mexico City has upwards of 150 museums so today’s agenda includes a couple of them. Even if you aren’t a person that normally visits museums, you’re sure to find something that interests you.

For a stunner on the inside and out, check out Museo Soumaya at Plaza Carzo. It’s ideal if you don’t want to spend a lot of time indoors because the archquetecture on the outside is as good as the activities and what’s inside.

Founded by one of Mexico’s richest businessman for his wife, the museum is uniquely shaped and its six stories is covered in 16,000 aluminum tiles. You literally could spend all day just taking photos of it from the different angles.

Museo Soumaya has permanent and temporary art exhibits and an ever changing rotation of shows. The last time I there, they was a interactive musical featuring traditional Mexican dance and dress. Best of all, the museum is free to enter.

For a mid-morning or lunch time snack, stop off for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and churros at Mexico City’s most famous churrería – el Moro. There are several locations throughout the city but the store in Polanco in right on the way to the next stop.

Afternoon – Spend the afternoon visiting the most beautiful green space in the city, Chapultepec Park or the “lungs of Mexico City”, a city notorious for smog and pollution.

Chapultepec Park is one of the largest parks in Mexico. Its forested, green areas offer a break from the hardness and concrete of the city. Inside the park, you’ll find a zoo, the opulent Chapultepec Castle, more museums, botanical gardens, public art, restaurants and so much more.

My favorite museum in the park is the Museum of Anthropology. It contains the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art and features exhibits and information about all of the people that have inhabited Mexico City. It’s a definite must see on a weekend in Mexico City to understand and learn more about this incredible city.

However, my favorite thing in the park isn’t the museum. It’s a hidden in plain site feature that many people miss. Diego Rivera’s El Agua, Origen de la Vida or Water, Origin of Life is a sculpture of the Aztec god of rain named Tlaloc and an underwater mural located at the site of one of the city’s water system hydraulic structures at the Dolores Cárcamo Museum.

The water system that supplies the city is one of the largest manmade water supply systems in the world and is the source of water to many residents in Mexico City and other zones in Mexico. The idea of adding art at this site was to commemorate the work and highlight the importance of water that is literally the origin of life.

To add even more “art”, in 2010, when the sculpture needed some work done on it, artist Ariel Guzik made a sound box that uses the white noise produced from the water in the fountain, the sound of wind and the sun’s movements to create a sound interpretation of those three elements.

For more info about the park, check out my friend Cassie’s article about the sculpture and Chapultepec Park here.

Southerner Says: there’s a restaurant built into the evening itinerary below but If you prefer to eat in the park, Del Bosque is a lovely restaurant on one of Chapultepec’s lakes.

Evening – Return to the historic center in time for dinner. Just a few blocks from your hotel and the Zocalo is Cafe de Tacuba. This timeless Mexico City restaurant has been serving traditional Mexican food since 1912. It’s a beautiful space to enjoy a typical Mexican meal after a busy day.

Next, you can’t have a weekend in Mexico City without visiting one of the prettiest buildings in Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes. In fact, you’ve probably already seen photos of it online or on Instagram.

The Palace of Fine Arts is the cultural center in Mexico City and the inside features more art by Diego Rivera and others. Additionally the palace has seasonal events and programs, with one of the most popular being the long running Ballet Folklorico.

This beautifully produced show tells the story of the Mexica and indigenous people of Mexico. Full of music, dances and exotic costumes – it’s an amazing production.

For a nightcap and a stunning view of the city, make one last stop of the day at the Mirador Torre Latinoamerica. This iconic tower was once the tallest building in Mexico City. Even though there are taller building now, because of its location, the Latin-American Tower still has one of the most impressive views in all the city.

There are a couple of options to get to the top. For entrance to the viewing deck on the 44th floor only, tickets can be purchased for just that activity. However, the best way to enjoy the views take advantage of the restaurant on the 41st floor or the bar on the 40th where guests can dine and drink in without a ticket. Reservations are required.

Weekend in Mexico City – Day 3 (Bonus)

Since a three days in Mexico City is even better than just a weekend, here are my recommendations for what to do in that time. Note that museums are closed on Monday and many Mexican holidays fall on Monday so planning is important.

Day 3 – After spending two days in the city, why not head out of town and visit what in my opinion is the most impressive archeological site in Mexico – the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Located approximately 25 miles from the city, in the state of Mexico, Teotihuacan tops my list of things to do near Mexico City and is a perfect add on to a weekend in Mexico City.

Teotihuacan is one of the most architecturally significant finds in all of Mexico and is the largest pre-Columbian city. Because of its importance, it’s also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city has many structures and small pyramids but the star is the stunning Pyramid of the Sun, the largest of the structures found at Teotihuacan. It’s the third largest pyramid in the world.

Way back when, on my first trip to Mexico City, there was hardly anything else in the area but the pyramids. So much has changed in recent years. More tourists means more attractions and more things to do around the site. Personally I don’t think it’s necessary to add anything to such a amazing place but visitors who want more, have the opportunity to see the pyramids from above on a hot air balloon ride.

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To make a day of it, visit the small town of San Juan Teotihuacan. This small town has plenty of shopping and is a great stop to take a break for lunch or dinner after visiting the pyramids.

A nearby restaurant I highly recommend is La Gruta. In Spanish, gruta means grotto or cave. This unique restaurant is in a one of the caves in the area. It’s gorgeous and one of the most special dining experiences I’ve ever had. Plus, the corn cake dessert was delicious.

If you plan to visit Teotihuacan on a day trip from Mexico City, you could go by bus, organized tour or even Uber. Of course, if you have a car, you can also drive. To travel by bus, check out bus schedules by downloading the Rome 2 Rio app. This app is one of the 5 essential apps I use when I travel to Mexico. Or book a tour via Viator.

Visiting the pyramids can be done as a half day excursion if you leave early but I recommend an all day outing. The site is very large and involves a lot of walking so make sure you wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated and put on sunscreen.

More Weekend in Mexico City Ideas

If you find yourself in Mexico City for a few more days, here’s some other things I recommend:

• Day 4 – explore the Coyoacán neighborhood and visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House.
• Day 5 – visit some of the markets around the city or take boat ride at the floating gardens of Xochimilco. My friend Cassie has an excellent article about visiting Xochimilco too.

My Final Thoughts on a Weekend in Mexico City

One thing for certain is there’s always something to do in Mexico City and in the historic center especially. Throughout the year and seasons, you’ll find special events and activities not to mention plenty of street entertainment and music.

Since Mexico City is so large and there’s so much to do, you might feel pressured to pack a lot into your trip. And that’s highly understandable. However, fight that feeling a bit and make some time to just walk around and enjoy and soak it all up. I’m betting you’ll fall in love with Mexico City as much as I did.

See you on the road!