Mexico City

Find out what makes Mexico’s capital city pulse by exploring its lively neighborhoods, expansive parks, museums and ancient ruins.

Although most of the world knows it as Mexico City, this high-energy metropolis, home to millions, is officially known as Ciudad de Mexico (or CDMX). Over the past two centuries it was known as DF, Distrito Federal. Sprawling across the Valley of Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico is the Mexican capital city’s broader district, encompassing one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world by population. Explore the 16 different delegaciones (boroughs), from the colonial landmarks of Centro Histórico to the ancient Aztec canals of Xochimilco and the immense urban park of Chapultepec.

Delve into revitalized neighborhoods brimming with boutiques, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs and stumble across former colonial towns like San Angel, Coyoacán and Tlalpan, standing like islands amid the modern developments. Pick a couple of delegaciones and get to know the distinctive neighborhoods in each. Centro Histórico is a great place to discover the city’s historic heart. Wander this elegant colonial area and look for landmarks such as the Plaza de la Constitucion or Zócalo as it is also known, the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) and the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts).

Visit Chapultepec Park to find the city’s zoo, the former imperial palace, a collection of museums and an amusement park. Learn about the city’s pre-Hispanic heritage at Templo Mayor, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlán Museum and the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology). Hear live mariachi music at Plaza Garibaldi.

While in Ciudad de Mexico, take the opportunity to see some of the most notable Catholic buildings in the Americas, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral or Basilica of Guadalupe. Coyoacán is a historic arts district that was home to painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Look for La Casa Azul (The Blue House), Kahlo’s childhood home and where she spent much of her life. It’s now the Museo Frida Kahlo. Head to Estadio Azteca to watch a soccer match in one of the world’s biggest stadiums and Arena Mexico to experience the excitement of a traditional lucha libre wrestling match.

Torre Mayor is a sky-scraping tower that offers views across the sprawling city to the distant mountains. Explore outside the city to see Teotihuacán, a network of ancient Nahuatl pyramids and temples.

Ciudad de Mexico is in the center of Mexico. Travel between delegaciones on the city’s comprehensive public transit network or by taxi. Fly into Benito Juarez International Airport or catch a Greyhound bus from the United States.

Explore the best attractions in Mexico City
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Admire the intriguing design of this famous entertainment venue and listen to the delightful tones of Mexico’s largest musical instrument.
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Near the upscale Polanco neighborhood, this unusually shaped museum holds some of the best displays of modern European art in Mexico.
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Explore this important archeological site that has ruins that date back hundreds of years and offers a unique glimpse into an ancient civilization.
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Admire the work of esteemed Mexican artists and explore temporary exhibitions that take you on a journey through Mexican culture. 
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Appreciate the art in everyday objects through the eyes of a part-time collector for 50 years. Some of these treasures are astonishingly beautiful.
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After the unlikely change from a tobacco factory to a prison, this building has evolved to a library surrounded by arts, dance and handicrafts.
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Pretty churches, a lively Saturday bazaar and several relaxing parks highlight a peaceful stroll through one of the loveliest areas of Mexico City.
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Stand next to one of the world’s tallest triumphal arches at a major crossroad in the heart of Mexico City’s historical center.
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Learn about the fascinating and sometimes violent history of the city and country you are about to explore.
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Explore Mexican history through government-sanctioned artworks from the 1920s in this museum that was once a boys’ school.
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A sad but heroic moment of Mexico’s past has been commemorated forever with this monument to Mexican heroes of the Mexican-American War.
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In Mexico City’s historical center, this beautiful park is a great spot to bring the family for a moment of relaxation between sightseeing excursions.
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Mexico’s patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, is believed to have appeared on the site of this church, making it an important pilgrimage site for many Catholics.
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Explore this opulent former home of Mexican royalty, perched high above the city, and learn about the history of Mexico. 
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See one of the world’s largest and most famous soccer stadiums, the host to two historic FIFA World Cup championships.
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At more than 400 years old, this cathedral is a spectacular icon of colonial architectural and Roman Catholic history in the Americas.
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Appreciate an intriguing homage to Mexico’s most famous artistic couple at this fascinating museum set in the house studios where they once worked and resided.
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Understand the creative mind of one of Mexico’s most well-known artists when you explore her home from childhood through adulthood.
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One of the world's finest archaeological museums is home to thousands of artefacts, including Mayan tombstones and an Aztec calendar.
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Stroll across this large university known for its cutting-edge research, cultural entertainment, brilliant art and modernist architecture.
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This historic cultural hub is home to some of the most fascinating architecture and artwork in Mexico City.
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Learn about centuries of Mexican history and marvel at a remarkable collection of murals by Diego Rivera at Mexico City’s national palace. 
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For more than a century, this eclectic and beautiful building has marked the cultural center of Mexico City and met the postal needs of its residents.
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Following the tradition of ancient Aztecs, this zoo near the center of the city conserves exotic animal species.
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Learn about three Mexican cultures and their clashes and overlaps in this archaeological site near the heart of Mexico City.
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Explore part of an ancient Aztec city that was hidden underground for 400 years.
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Gaze upon this tall and majestic structure that symbolizes for the whole nation’s citizens the country’s long struggle for independence.
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This is the heart of Mexico City with wide-ranging architecture, cultural events and a lively arts scene.
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See the excitement and theater of Mexico’s lucha libre at this arena hosting high-flying masked wrestlers.
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Wander through the salons, bedrooms, halls and landings of this hilltop former royal residence to see exhibits of historical artifacts.
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Be serenaded by mariachi band members dressed in brightly colored costumes and visit a museum dedicated to tequila at this lively square. 
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Like the Champs Elysées in Paris, this famous wide avenue provides a distinctive elegance to the historic plan of this huge global city.