Planning a trip to Mexico City? You could easily spend months there and not see it all. But sadly most of us are short on time and vacation days. Here’s how to maximize a 4 day trip to Mexico City. Note on planning: Check the hours of any of the museums below before you go. Almost all of the museums are closed on Mondays and on national holidays.

For more information on what to expect when planning your trip, check out my overview here.

Day 1

Assuming you arrived last night, or (god forbid) ended up on a red eye, you should start off the day with a leisurely morning exploring your neighborhood. See what cafes are open for breakfast - eggs, pasteries, and a good cup of coffee will be standard. Or, well the hell, you’re on vacation - get churros for breakfast! You’ll find them both in bakeries and from sidewalk vendors. As mentioned in my overview, you’ll find Mexico City residents are less likely to speak English, and will assume you speak Spanish. Don’t let that dissuade you though! Waiters or store workers are happy to help out with a combination of pointing, gesturing, and smiles. After breakfast, take a walk down to the local plaza to get a feel for the area. A lot of neighborhoods in Mexico City have great street art to see and photograph.

Eventually make your way by Metro, Uber, or walking to the Centro area, which has most of the governmental buildings. It’s also going to be the most touristy part of the city. From the Zocalo with its massive Mexican flag, get in line to visit the (free) National Palace. After showing an ID and checking your bag, you’re able to follow signs to see some impressively large Diego Rivera murals. There’s also exhibits on the history of Mexico from its Independence up through the present. Nearby the Palace is the massive, historic Cathedral which towers over the Zocalo. Definitely stop in to admire the 500-year old structure and its artwork. The structure was damaged in the 2017 earthquake, so its spires are currently under renovation. However, once that’s finished, they’ll start leading tours up to the roof again.

The cathedral’s stones used be part of the adjacent Templo Mayor, one of the original pyramids of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan that stood where modern Mexico City is now. Ruins of the temple and other buildings run along the north side of the Zocalo. There’s an observation deck, and path that takes you along the side of the run. The Templo Mayor museum has more in-depth displays of the site, and allows you to walk through more of the ruins. I would actually skip the museum there if you’re short on time (It’s 80 pesos Tuesday - Saturday, free on Sundays). There are many other options along this itinerary to learn more about the Aztecs and the temples. If you’re in the mood for more murals, walk a few blocks up to visit the Ministry of Education. You’ll have to leave an ID at the door, but otherwise it’s free and you’re able to wander the buildings to see impressive and detailed murals done by River, Siquieros, as well as a few modern artists.

While you’re going around the Centro area, you may notice some of the buildings look a little off-kilter. This is because Mexico City is, in fact, sinking. Much of the city was built on a filled-in lake, and that ground is getting compressed and sinking. It’s a problem all over the city, but you will notice it the most here due to the age of the buildings.

That evening, venture out to the trendy districts Roma Norte or Condesa for dinner to enjoy some of the amazing local Mexican (non-touristy) cuisine. Some of the most in demand chefs and restaurants can be found here. The website Eater has a great guide on some of the places for foodies to check out. I also recommend the pozole at El Beso Huasteco in Roma, which is massive and delicious. The restaurant itself has a great vibe, and does have English language menus for the Spanish-challenged.

Day 2

Now that you’ve gotten your bearings, get a cab, uber, or take the train on an adventure down even farther south to Xochimilco. If you’re an art fan, be sure to first hit up the Dolores Olmedo Museum to see a large collection of early 20th century artwork done by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and more. After the museum, or skipping the museum, head down to the docks for the most unique Mexican experience, a ride on the canals on a trajinera (one of the highlights of my own trip). These colorful boats are pushed by hand, Venice-style, while Mexicans bring food and drink along to have a floating party. Forgot food? Don’t worry about it. There are plenty of floating vendors who will sell you quesadillas, tacos, and sweets from passing boats. You have the option of an hourly trip, a visit to the floating gardens, or a longer trip to the Isla de las Muñecas - Yes, the Island of the Creepy Dolls. If you’re traveling solo, I’d recommend going with a group, both to save money and also as it’s a better experience with a group. Both Viator and Airbnb offer outings on the boats, some with pickups around the city.

Read more about getting to Xochimilco and taking a boat out to the Island of the Creepy Dolls here

Day 3

Have a relaxing morning after yesterday’s adventures, and head down to beautiful Coyoacan to experience the feeling of old colonial Mexico City. Here there are cobblestones, pink houses, and the well-trod tourist site of the Frida Kahlo Museum, aka The Blue House. If you’re a Frida fan, arrive early (or better yet, buy in advance) to avoid some of the line. To be honest, if you’re not a Frida fan, you can probably skip the in favor of some churros in the picturesque plaza at Coyoacan. Do take a swing through the Coyocan Market while you’re there to get a taste of the crowded stalls and bargain hunting of Mexican markets.

After lunch, head up to see the world-renowned Anthropology Museum within Chapultepec Park. This massive museum tells the story of Mexico’s Indigenous communities from the Stone Age through the present day. They have vast holdings of artifacts from the Aztecs, Olmecs, Maya, and many more. One could easily spend a full day there. Luckily it’s open until 7pm (closed Mondays), and has a pretty decent cafe within it to help fortify you with some caffeine and snacks. Start on the lower level to your right. You’ll travel through time from room to room, seeing artifacts and exhibits on ancient civilizations and their cultures as they developed. The lesser-visited second floor shows the Indigenous communities of today and their mix of Indian, Spanish, and other influences.  

Day 4

On your last full, day, wake up early for a sunrise tour of the pyramids of Teotihuacan. It’s only about an hour north of the city, though feels like you’re in a very different world. Yes it’s touristy, but it’s also spectacular. While it’s often assumed (at least by me) that it was an Aztec site, it actually pre-dates them by several centuries. No one’s sure who the city’s founders were. They do know that it was a fairly diverse city, with a variety of ethnic groups making their home in different complexes. The city was abandoned by 900 AD, possibly sooner. When you arrive, you’ll first go through the ticketing area flanked by food and souvenir vendors. From there, you walk north along a grand walkway past several temples (most of which can be climbed), plazas, and more. The largest temple is the Pyramid of the Sun. If you’re able to, definitely climb the 248 steps to the peak. An emptier site, and emptier stair climbs, are good reasons for the early morning tour. It’s also more bearable weather-wise, as there is no shade at Teotihuacan and the sun can be quite punishing!

The site can be viewed on your own, as you can catch a bus from the city several times a day or take an uber for a fairly reasonable price. You can hire a guide from the front entrance who will give you a rundown the layout and history of the different buildings. If you’re nervous though, tours are a good option, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re traveling solo. Tours are fairly inexpensive. There’s something nice about sitting back and letting someone else handle the planning, driving, and schedule. Plus, it’s a great way to chat with other travelers about your Mexico experiences! While it should only be about a 5-6 hour tour, make sure to check with your tour operator on what time you’ll be heading back, especially if you want to make plans for the evening. Most tours combine the pyramid tour with about  2-3 other stops for lunch, tequila tastings, and souvenir buying. Traffic and hotel dropoffs can also add an unpredictable amount of time.

Tours:

Get Your Guide

Airbnb Experiences

Viator Early Morning Pyramid Tour

Once you’re back, enjoy one more delicious meal and delicious cocktail before packing up to leave the next day!

Hope you enjoyed this suggested itinerary! You may also like My 6-Day Mexico City Itinerary or my Mexico City Overview.

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