Mexico City in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you plan to visit Mexico City for a short stay, getting to know it in depth might seem too much like mission impossible. However, if you have a detailed tour and follow an orderly itinerary, you may be able to discover the attractions that make Mexico City famous as one of Latin America's most important global cities.

Some of the best things to do in Mexico City during a 4-day visit include visiting the Palace of Fine Arts, touring the historic district, hiking through Coyoacán, seeing the Frida Kahlo Museum, discovering Mexico City's nightlife at the Tenampa Salon and marvelling at the Aztec Stadium. Are you ready for an adventure?

Mexico City is a very large city, so the ideal way to visit the city in a few days is to divide the tour by geographical zones. For the first day, I suggest a tour of the main sites of the historic centre, which contains many of the most significant attractions of the Mexican capital.

Visit the Palace of Fine Arts

If you're looking for an enriching cultural experience in the heart of Mexico City, a visit to the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes is a must. This building, with its neoclassical and art nouveau architecture, is a living testament to Mexico's artistic and cultural legacy. You can get there on Metro lines 2 and 3 and on buses lines 7B, 7C and 15A.

One of the greatest treasures housed in the palace are the murals of Diego Rivera. As you walk through the corridors and galleries of the palace, you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the author's works. From Man at the Crossroads to Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Central Alameda, each mural tells a captivating story.

However, this palace is much more than a museum; it is a tribute to human creativity and a window into the soul of Mexico. There you can also enjoy a varied cultural programme that includes opera, ballet, music and temporary exhibitions of renowned national and international artists, which is why it is often recommended in the best Mexico City tours.

Visit the Templo Mayor Museum

To continue learning about Mexican culture, the next step of the itinerary will include a visit to the Templo Mayor Museum. This exhibition, located in what was once the great Tenochtitlán, will give you the opportunity to explore the depths of the culture of the ancient Mexica.

This museum, located five blocks away from the Palace of Fine Arts, houses a collection of artefacts and objects from the archaeological excavations of this sacred site. Here you can also discover the structure of the Templo Mayor itself. This monumental work was the epicentre of the ancient city.

The history of the Templo Mayor spans centuries of construction, reconstruction and transformation. Originally built in the 14th century, this temple was dedicated to the deities Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, symbolising the duality of sun and rain.

Visit the Zócalo

If you want to get to know the historic centre of Mexico, you cannot leave out El Zócalo, the immense main square that is usually the starting point that will allow you to get to know centuries of cultural and architectural legacy. This will be the next stop after the Plaza Mayor and from its esplanade you will be able to discover the façade of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

From El Zócalo you will also be able to see the imposing size of the National Palace, which marks the starting point of the Federal District as a global city, since it was here that the Spanish conquistadors first established control of the continent.

If you want to know all the secrets of El Zócalo and the surrounding buildings, you can choose to participate in a guided tour through the centre of Mexico City. An ideal option for you to delve even deeper into the historical past and legacy of each of the places you pass through.

Take in the views of the city from the Torre Latinoamericana

On the evening of the first day, I suggest you rise above the hustle and bustle of Mexico City to take in the panoramic views from the Torre Latinoamericana. This building, an icon of the city skyline, will offer you a unique and captivating perspective, especially if you plan to visit Mexico City in the summer, when the skies are usually clear.

From the top of the tower you will be able to discover the urban mosaic that encompasses modern skyscrapers, historic squares and crowded streets. The view from the Zócalo will connect you to Mexico's rich history from a different perspective. From El Zócalo you can reach the tower in a 10-minute walk down five streets or take the Metro line 2.

From the tower, you can also see Reforma Avenue, which is flanked by iconic monuments, such as the Angel of Independence monument. If you are planning to visit Mexico City during the high season, it is advisable to buy tickets to the Torre Latinoamericana observation deck in advance.

Once you've seen the historic centre of Mexico City, the second day will take you on a tour of the city's surroundings, including a visit to one of the world's most important stadiums, a guided tour of Mexico's Venice and a stop at the Basilica of Guadalupe.

Visit the Azteca Stadium

If you're a football fan, a visit to the Azteca Stadium will allow you to soak up the history and passion of the game. And if you are not, you will still be able to discover this emblematic venue, which is much more than just a stadium; it is a sports temple where legendary moments in World Cups have been lived.

The best alternative to get to know it is to opt for a guided tour, which will give you a tour of the dressing rooms, the press room, the stands and the playing field. The best way to get to the Azteca Stadium is by bus lines 17A, 17C, 17D, 17E, 17H and the Taxqueña-Valle de San Lorenzo branch of the long distance bus.

Visit the canals of Xochimilco

To get the most out of your trip through the south of Mexico City, I suggest you visit the canals of Xochimilco. This river tour will immerse you in the culture and daily life of pre-Hispanic Mexico.

On board the iconic trajineras, boats decorated with colours and flowers, you will embark on a tour that evokes the pre-Hispanic and colonial history of the region. You can choose to go on your own or join a guided tour. One way or the other, you will be able to cross the intricate canals, surrounded by the exuberant vegetation that characterises Xochimilco.

In these tours you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals. Whether as a couple, with friends or as a family, this trajinera experience will allow you to explore a quiet and picturesque side of Mexico City that is worth discovering. From the Aztec State, you can reach Xochimilco on the 24B bus and the Salto del Agua-Cuemanco branch of the long-distance bus, a journey of approximately 25 minutes.

Visit the Basilica of Guadalupe

If you want to get a real taste of Mexican idiosyncrasy, a visit to the Basilica of Guadalupe is a must. This iconic church is an epicentre of Marian devotion, as it is believed that the Virgin of Guadalupe, considered the patron saint of Mexico, appeared here in 1531.

The architecture of the Old Basilica exhibits a combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles, and houses the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The New Basilica is notable for its modern design and distinctive inverted shell shape. The sanctuary of this site also houses a rich collection of religious art.

If you plan to visit Mexico City in December, you can also take part in the patron saint festivities. From Xochimilco, you can reach the basilica on Metro lines 1, 2 and 3 and on the Taxqueña-Valle de San Lorenzo branch of the long-distance bus, which you should combine with Metro lines 2 and 3 for the final stretch.

The itinerary of the third day will take you through two of Mexico City's main neighbourhoods: Coyoacán and Garibaldi. There you can visit typical attractions of the capital such as the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Tenampa Salon.

Lose yourself in the streets of Coyoacán

Getting lost in the picturesque streets of Coyoacán is like entering an enchanted world full of history, culture and vitality. This bohemian neighbourhood invites you to explore its cobblestone streets and soak up the colonial architecture mixed with modernity. The best alternative to get to the neighbourhood is to take trolley lines 1 and 7.

Coyoacán's main square is the centre of activities in the neighbourhood. Surrounded by historic buildings, this square is a space where locals and visitors gather to enjoy the outdoors. In the surrounding area you can participate in some of the best gastronomic tours in Mexico City.

In Coyoacán, one of Mexico City's best neighbourhoods, you can delve into the very essence of Mexican culture and discover the daily life of a community that prides itself on its history and creativity.

Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum

Still in Coyoacán, you can't miss one of the neighbourhood's main attractions, which is the Frida Kahlo Museum. La Casa Azul, as this place is known, will take you on a journey through the eyes and mind of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. Here, Frida Kahlo was born, lived and created much of her work.

La Casa Azul is a sanctuary that reveals Frida Kahlo's life and legacy through her paintings, personal objects and everyday details. Located about four blocks from Coyoacán's main square, you can explore the rooms where Frida lived and worked.

Considered one of Mexico City's finest museums, this exhibition is a moving tribute and a testament to her impact on art and culture. The changing exhibitions and permanent collections allow visitors to delve into different aspects of his life and work, as well as the influence he had on other artists.

Discover Mexico's nightlife at the Tenampa Salon

To close the third day in Mexico City I suggest you discover the city's nightlife at the iconic Salón Tenampa. Located in front of Plaza Garibaldi, this lounge is a temple of traditional Mexican music, as well as offering one of the best things to do at night in Mexico City.

The atmosphere of the Salón Tenampa is a fusion of tradition and modernity, where the notes of mariachi music echo in the air and the aromas of Mexican gastronomy intoxicate the senses. Here you can enjoy, at the same time, live performances by renowned mariachi groups and the best tequila in the capital.

The décor and architecture of the Salón Tenampa evoke the golden age of Mexican music and the artists who have passed through its doors over the years. The walls adorned with photographs and memorabilia tell stories of celebrities, artists and music lovers who have found inspiration and joy here. From Coyoacán you can reach the Tenampa on the L1 bus and the long-distance bus on the Taxqueña-Bosques branch.

For your last day in Mexico City, I suggest a tour of the most traditional part of Mexico, which includes the Chapultepec Woods and the popular National Museum of Anthropology.

Tour Chapultepec Castle

A tour of Chapultepec Castle will allow you to delve into the history, architecture and splendour of Mexico. Located at the top of Chapultepec Hill, this castle has witnessed centuries of historical events and has been the scene of important moments in the country's history. You can reach it on the city's tourist bus or make a stop during one of the best bike tours in Mexico City.

The castle's architecture is an amalgam of styles that reflect the influence of different historical periods. The site is also home to the National Museum of History, which tells the story of Mexico from pre-Hispanic times to the Revolution.

Visit the National Museum of Anthropology

On the fringes of Chapultepec Forest, a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology will allow you to immerse yourself in a journey through the cultures and diversity of Mexico. This museum houses a large collection of pre-Hispanic art exhibits.

One of the museum's most emblematic pieces is the Coatlicue Monolith, a sculpture representing the Aztec goddess of earth and fertility. Other treasures include the Sun Stone and the Penacho de Moctezuma, an intricate feathered creation symbolising the high Aztec hierarchy. You can reach the museum by a 20-minute walk through the forest or by bus on lines 18B, 18C and 18D and Metro lines 1 and 7, which run along Chapultepec.

Say goodbye to Mexico City with a view of the Angel of Independence at night

One of the best ways to say goodbye to Mexico City, if there is such a thing, is to see the Angel of Independence lit up at night, in one of the best night-time activities in Mexico City. Located on Paseo de la Reforma, this iconic monument rises amidst the traffic and lights of the city as a symbol of freedom and sovereignty.

Erected to commemorate the centenary of Mexico's Independence, this monument is a tribute to the heroes and fighters who helped forge the nation. From the National Museum of Anthropology, you can reach the monument by Metro line 7 and bus line 18A.

The combination of its presence and the surrounding lights creates a poetic and solemn atmosphere that invites contemplation and reflection. Saying goodbye to Mexico City with the image of this monument glowing in the night is an unforgettable way to take away a piece of the essence and spirit of the capital.