Itinerary

Five days in Mexico City

Inspiration for your next adventure

Murals and markets, pyramids at sunrise, a trajinera on the canals of Xochimilco and the best tacos of your life. Five days in one of the world's great food cities, with your favorite people.

Who this is for

A group of friends who want one base, great food, and an easy mix of culture and fun, with nobody stuck doing the planning. Some of you want murals, some want mezcal, and everyone wants tacos.

The shape of the trip

Where you sleep, and the rhythm of the days

Roma Norte or Condesa, 4 nights

One big early morning at the pyramids, one big night at the wrestling, and one big dinner, a tasting menu booked well ahead. Everything else is neighborhoods, markets and long lunches. The splurge is that dinner.

Where to go and what to eat

The places

01
Roma Norte and Condesa
Your base, and the best place to walk: jacaranda-lined streets, Art Deco buildings, very good coffee and Parque México in between. Save some time for the design studios in Roma. The city sits at about 7,350 feet, so drink plenty of water and go gently on the first night's mezcal.
02
The historic center
Start in the Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the world, where the ruins of the Templo Mayor lie beside the cathedral. The Palacio de Bellas Artes hides murals behind its Art Nouveau facade. Diego Rivera's famous cycle at the Palacio Nacional opens only for limited guided visits, so we confirm access close to your dates. In the evening, a street food tour through the taquerías, ending with tacos al pastor carved from the spit.
03
Teotihuacan, and lucha libre
Rise before dawn for a hot-air balloon over the pyramids, about an hour from the city, with a licensed operator we have vetted. Once you land, walk the Avenue of the Dead between the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. That night, go to lucha libre at Arena México, where masked wrestlers fly and the crowd is half the show. It runs on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights, so we build the pyramid day around it.
04
Coyoacán and Xochimilco
The Casa Azul, the blue house where Frida Kahlo was born and died, sells tickets online and sells out. Have tostadas at the Coyoacán market, then spend the afternoon on a brightly painted trajinera on the canals of Xochimilco, with mariachis floating by for hire.
05
Chapultepec
The Museo Nacional de Antropología is the one museum we would not skip. Give it at least two hours, and see the Aztec Sun Stone. The airport is close to the city, so this works as a last morning.

My take on Mexico City

To truly experience Mexico City, a vibrant, culture-packed destination that is an absolute paradise for foodies, a few smart choices will set you up for success. Kick off your journey early with a street food tour so you know exactly what to order for the rest of your trip, and balance those casual bites with a reservation at one of the city's world-class tasting menu restaurants (book well ahead!). When it comes to iconic sites like Casa Azul, grab your tickets the very day you book your flights, as they sell out fast, and experience the ancient pyramids by walking the grand Avenue of the Dead at Teotihuacán.

Make sure to leave plenty of time for the world-class National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec, giving yourself at least two hours to explore highlights like the famous Aztec Sun Stone. Renting a colorful, painted trajinera to float along the historic canals of Xochimilco is a classic, vibrant experience, and because the airport is so close to the city center, fitting in a final museum morning or a last great meal works seamlessly on your departure day. Along the way, keep practical tips in mind: pace yourself at the city's high altitude, use ride-hailing apps like Uber rather than hailing street cabs, and always carry a bit of cash for neighborhood taco stands.

My take

Worth it, and what to skip

Worth it

A street food tour early in the trip. You will know exactly what to order for the rest of it.
Casa Azul tickets the day you book flights. They sell out.
A tasting menu at one of the city's great restaurants. Book it well ahead.

Skip it

Mondays for museums. The Casa Azul and the anthropology museum both close.
Climbing the pyramids. They are closed to climbers. The Avenue of the Dead is the way to see them.