Historic Center (Centro Historico)

Historic Center (Centro Historico)

Historic Center (Centro Historico)
4.5
Historic Sites • Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
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The designated location of many of Mexico's older colonial structures.
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The area
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Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
The beating heart of the city lies within Centro Histórico, the vast expanse of historical buildings and monuments that are a must when exploring Mexico City. Places such as the Museo Biblioteca Palacio Postal, Casa de los Azulejos and Palacio de Bellas Artes are the perfect eye candy for anyone seeking to admire arts and architecture. Don't forget to visit the wide variety of markets and plazas where any vintage item, handicrafts and jewelry characteristic of each state in Mexico can be found on Sundays. Admire majestic views of the city from the Monumento a la Revolución and Torre Latinoamericana, and round out the experience with restaurants of all cuisines nearby.
How to get there
  • Bellas Artes • 3 min walk
  • San Juan de Letrán • 5 min walk
See what other travelers are saying
  • TravelerAndrew
    Boston, Massachusetts113 contributions
    So Much To Do!
    While some people may prefer to stay in other neighborhoods like La Roma or La Condesa, the Centro Historico is, well, centrally located beyond belief. You can simply walk to dozens of museums, there is a multitude of restaurants, food vendors, and entertainment, and any place you'd like to travel to that is not quite within walking distance is a 10-15 minute car ride away. You could simply stay in the Historic Center for your entire trip and feel like you did and seen enough (although, of course, I would recommend going to other neighborhoods and day trips outside the city as well). My only knock on the Centro Historico is that it is (understandably) densely populated and has a lot of loud music and performers in the evening. So if staying in this neighborhood is not for you, you'll still end up spending a lot of time here!
    Visited December 2022
    Written December 28, 2022
  • Chris B
    Boise, Idaho683 contributions
    Best place to stay
    We got an airbnb for seven nights two blocks away from Zocalo. We visited seven different districts in Mexico City. We’re happy that we stayed in the historic center. You can walk to so many different places, enjoy so many places to eat, and just do what the locals do. We never felt unsafe in any of the streets we were in. Of course we didn’t put ourselves in a situation that was not good. Being in the center of the city you can branch off to visit so many different places. Recommend you take Uber. They are half the prices of the taxis and so much cleaner. We must’ve taken over 35 Uber trips. So inexpensive. The average was four dollars per ride.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 5, 2020
  • Laura Wald
    San Francisco, California4 contributions
    Must Visit: So Such To See.
    We toured the Centro Historico with Jorge Mendoza, an excellent and very knowledgeable and entertaining guide with reasonable prices and great service. There is so much to see in the city center, from incredible murals to gorgeous Aztec dancing to beautiful architecture. So much history in those streets, going back millenia!! The ruins are incredible and really worth learning about. You can reach Jorge to hire him for your visit to Mexico City at jorgemendozaturismo@live.com. I recommend him highly.
    Visited October 2022
    Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
3,614 reviews
Excellent
2,394
Very good
988
Average
195
Poor
30
Terrible
7

Totallyhonestlady
11 contributions
Nov 2019
This arwa of course isa not to be missed. It;s a very easy self walking tour. On Mondays some of the things are closed so plan ahead. We jumped into their Cultural, Center it's along the main drag....it's like a museum where there are three floors of crafts from local artists.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hassan H
Dubai, United Arab Emirates2,204 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
The historical district is a must to enjoy in Mexico city.
Many different and beautiful architectures everywhere and ever corner. Lots of walking paths with big numbers of shopping and dining options.
You can as well enjoy big number of live shows and musics around with fantastic Mexican rituals near the main square and the cathedral.
Without visiting the historical centre, don't count your visit to Mexico city as you are really missing huge enjoyment in this beautiful district.

Highly recommended
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

datamath
Mexico City, Mexico71 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Our historic center has been witness to the evolution of the Mexican culture from its early days. You can visit the Templo Mayor, which is the birthplace of the Aztecs. In the very same place you will see the main buildings constructed after the Spanish conquered the Aztecs. You can also see the evolution of the Mexican independence (the dolores bell is on the Palacio Nacional balcony). Finally you will get to see our 21st century Mexico, full of life and movement. An incredible blend hard to find elsewhere.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joseph K
81 contributions
Jan 2020
From my point of view, the Historic Center is the Main Attraction of Mexico City. The main landmarks: Main Cathedral, Tenochtitlan/Mayor Temple, Cathedral of San Domingo, National/Presidential Palace, huge Main Plaza of Zocalo, Palace of Education. Here you can find the tickets for the main attractions, and for hop on tourist buses. I liked to relax and to have tasty dinner at the Templo Major Restaurant, with the views of Cathedral and Tenochtitlan
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alfonso S
4 contributions
Nov 2019
Walking in central México City (Centro Histórico) is very wonderful. You visit the baement of the great piramids made by the aztecs, also the palaces of the wealthy people during colonial times, churches and a magnificient cathedral. Also you can visit many museums. The city has more than 200. Also you can go to concerts, folclorical dances, etc. Many excelent restaurant do have lunch.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LHOVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,015 contributions
Jan 2020
Mexican Version of Tiananmen Square (Beijing) or Red Square (Moscow). Needs at least 3 or 4 Hours and you still can't finish it. Highlights would be the Temple Mayor, the Cathedral, the National Palace and Arts Museum. Good luck and enjoy!
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

George S
Miami Beach, FL1,086 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
This is the place to visit if you come to Mexico City for the first time. Sure, there are more upscale neighborhoods to stroll in but if you want to see the history, culture and the soul of a city and nation you must spend some time in this area. Among sites to visit, you must start with the Zocalo, the central square. There is also the Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Templo Major, Bellas Artes and other museums. I would also recommend a visit (or better still, a stay in ) to the Gran Hotel- beautiful interior. The area is great for its architecture, shopping and dining. Cannot be missed!
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Harper C
San Francisco, CA238 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
Yes it is touristy, in that the shops are for tourists and you’ll find international brands here and ice cream shops on every block. But, you need to visit at least once. I highly recommend. Guided tour (I took a free one with Estacion Mexico *****) to learn about the architectural influences, the how and why of these European style buildings and the ancient ruins under your feet. It will help you appreciate the rest of the city and the history of Mexico City.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mbellastyle
Boston, MA1,208 contributions
May 2019
I enjoyed the beautiful plaza around the cathedral. Enjoy a day visiting the cathedral, museum, shops, and restaurants. The square is beautiful and makes a great backdrop. There are huge colorful tented area in the center with beautiful flowers. A great place to sit and people watch.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,149 contributions
Mar 2022
Unlike new and stylish Polanco, the Centro Historico is the older and more historic part of CDMX. It does not have the nightlife of neighborhoods like Polanco, Condesa or Roma Norte, but it is packed with so many sights of historical significance. This is where the Zocolo is found, the second largest public square in the world, and it is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace and Templo Mayor which is a museum dedicated to the Aztec Civilization and contains the ruins of the Aztec pyramid that once that stood here. You can stroll along the always busy and lively pedestrianized Ave Francisco Madero to the Alameda Central Park and the adjacent Palacio de Bellas Artes. The Torre Latino and its observation deck can also be found here. Along with all this is great shopping, resturants and numerous street vendors and authentic taquerias.
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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