For this new article about Mexico (my other articles on Mexico are right here), I am taking you on a little tour of the country’s capital, Mexico City and its surroundings, which was also the final stop of our trip. People say Mexico City is an electric city, especially because it is one of the largest megalopolises in the world with some 20 million inhabitants…
I admit I was a little afraid of our time in this gigantic city, but in fact, like the rest of my fears about visiting Mexico for that matter, they totally disappeared once we arrived. I didn’t feel unsafe at all in Mexico, and I really wanted to discover more about this city. Yes, because in the end, we only stayed 3 days (and not even full days) in Mexico City, and that is obviously too little to properly explore a city of this size.
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Table of Contents
A day trip with Mexique Découverte
First of all, the French-speaking travel agency Mexique Découverte has been established in Mexico for several years and offers French tourists high-quality custom tours or excursions all over the country. If you are going to Mexico, don’t hesitate to contact them and ask for a quote (it’s free!). So, my favorite photographer and I were lucky enough to experience a day trip with them, and especially with our great French-speaking guide Paco, in Mexico City and its surroundings.
Our itinerary in Mexico City:
Having breakfast with a view
What better than to have breakfast on top of the beautiful terrace of the Zocalo Central hotel with a stunning view of the Templo Mayor archaeological zone and the Cathedral.
Zocalo Central Hotel Balcon Del Zocalo Avenida Cinco De Mayo 61, Mexico 06000
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Visiting the Templo Mayor
This open-air archaeological site showcases the ruins of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan (destroyed by Hernan Cortes and his men) and the remains of the Templo Mayor pyramid. It is a very interesting visit that helps one imagine what the magnificent Aztec city, which impressed the Spaniards so much, must have looked like. One also better understands the origins of the city and can appreciate all its historical richness. It also allows one to realize the soft nature of the soil in Mexico City, which we must remember was built on a lake, as the Aztec city was a lacustrine city, a sort of Venice of Latin America.
Templo Mayor Seminario 8, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06060 Ciudad de México Link to book a visit
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Visiting the Palacio Nacional
This building, constructed in the 17th century, was the residence of Spanish viceroys and is today the Presidential Palace. One can also admire the magnificent wall frescoes by the artist Diego Rivera (who was also the husband of Frida Kahlo).
Palacio Nacional
Metro Zocalo
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm (except when the President is present, in which case the Palace is closed)
The tip: admission is free upon presentation of an ID_
Visiting the Catedral Metropolitana
It is on this site that the first church of New Spain was built in 1524. The current building was completed in the 19th century, and you must absolutely go to admire the sumptuous gilded wooden altarpiece, a Churrigueresque masterpiece (Spanish Baroque characterized by ornamental abundance), which took 20 years of work to complete!
Catedral Metropolitana Metro Zocalo Open every day from 8am to 8pm Free admission
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Our itinerary in the surroundings of Mexico City:
Visiting Teotihuacán
Obviously, if you go to Mexico City, you will surely have been told that you absolutely must visit the archaeological site of Teotihuacán. It’s absolutely true! I don’t say that because I am an archaeologist by training, but just because it’s an incredible site and it would be a shame to be so close without setting foot there. A little additional information: the site is located 48 km from the capital, so you have to go by bus or by taxi.
To make a long story short, the history of this ancient city (between 100 BC and 700 AD), miraculously preserved from Spanish destruction, is absolutely fascinating, and its early desertion remains very mysterious… But one cannot remain unmoved while climbing (painfully) the steps of the Pyramid of the Moon and that of the Sun (the largest on the site with its 65m height) and admiring the superb view one has at the summit.
Some recommendations for making the most of your visit:
- Do not forget to take water and a hat for your excursion (otherwise watch out for sunstroke!), because there is no shade on the site to protect you from the sun. Also bring good walking shoes; the site is just very, very, very large.
- To appreciate the visit, I advise you to either have a guide (like us; we will never thank Paco enough for all his explanations) or to equip yourself with a good paper guidebook, because you risk both not understanding the subtleties and the interest of the site, but also not seeing some magical and hidden corners…
- If you want to spend the whole day on the site (which is quite possible, and a half-day is really the minimum), you have plenty of restaurants all around the site that compete for tourists (it’s quite funny to see, by the way). But contrary to what I thought, we ate quite well there (don’t hesitate to take a look at my Mexican food tour).
Teotihuacán
Open every day from 9am to 5pm
Price: $64_
Visiting the National Museum of Anthropology
If you are a fan of pre-Columbian archaeology (and even if you aren’t, actually), you must absolutely make a stop at the museum during your time in Mexico City. All the most beautiful archaeological pieces from excavations of the many (and magnificent!) Mexican sites (like Teotihuacán) are exhibited there. It really is a must-do to better understand the very rich history of the different pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico. Plus, the entrance price is really very cheap, so there is no reason to miss out!
National Museum of Anthropology Av Paseo de la Reforma & Calzada Gandhi S/N, Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México Price: $100 MX pesos Link to book a visit
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Where to sleep in Mexico City?
During my short stay in Mexico City, we slept at the Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa. This hotel is well located in a really safe area of the city. The establishment, with 79 rooms and a very colorful atmosphere, is modern and designed well, and it’s a good accommodation option at a very reasonable price for a short visit to the capital of Mexico. Breakfast is served buffet-style at the back of the central lobby, and another very good point: it is included in the room rate. If you ask, they can even bring some more local specialties from the kitchen.
Our room:
Spacious and colorful, I liked the design of the room and especially the practical side with quite a bit of space to store and put down one’s things, especially one’s suitcase, because many hotels don’t think about this detail…
The little extras: free Wi-Fi internet access and a little hot drinks corner available all day and in the evening!
Ibis Styles Mexico Zona Rosa
Liverpool 115 A Col. Juarez, Distrito Federal, 06600 Ciudad de Mexico
Price starting from €68 per night
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I hope that with all this I will have made you want to discover Mexico and its capital, and if you also have your own tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find below all my articles on my trip to Mexico in September/October 2016:
⇒ All my articles on Mexico
⇒ All my reviews of Mexican restaurants in Paris
MY STOPS IN MEXICO
⇒ Practical information for traveling to Mexico
⇒ Mexico City
⇒ Puebla
⇒ Mexican food tour
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use
