Stories · Mexico
A weekend in Mexico City
Told the way I’d tell a friend, step by step.
Mexico City is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 2 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · The icons
Early in the morning, I make my way to Chapultepec Castle. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (89,302 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Late morning, meet me at El Mirador. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around CDMX: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
After lunch, head to Monumento a Santiago Xicoténcatl. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
To end the day, it’s Museo Nacional de Antropología. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.8 out of 5 across 92,656 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mexico City does the rest.
Day 2 · Fresh air
In the morning, meet me at Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (188,481 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Then, it’s Monumento a la Raza. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, CDMX is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, it’s Plaza de las Tres Culturas. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. 4.6 out of 5 across 16,508 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, head to Estatua de Pedro Infante. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Mexico City is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Museo Soumaya, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor Museum, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Constitution Plaza and Latin American Tower Viewpoint. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where Mexico City begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.