Explore Mexico City
Mexico City Tourism: Plan Your Trip to Mexico City
Essential Mexico City



Exploring Mexico City’s design scene
- Museo Casa Luis Barragan198The former home of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragan is a must-see. With its clean lines and vibrant colors (fuschia, mustard, deep blue), the house is a time capsule from the 1940s. It’s amazing to witness how Barragan’s mastery of light and shadow evokes a sense of nostalgia and connection with nature—I could really feel it. I also loved the interconnected courtyards, gardens, and reflecting pools. Tickets go quickly, so book in advance.
- Chapultepec Castle10,854It’s a bit of a hike up to the Castillo de Chapultepec, but it’s worth it for the stunning neoclassical and European-style architecture—and some of the best views in the city. Make sure to go inside, too. The interior is lavishly decorated with period furniture, artwork, and historic artifacts. I also love wandering through the surrounding park; it’s the world’s largest urban green space.
- La Lagunilla Market74This weekly market, which takes place on Sunday mornings, has great food and clothing, but I really come for the antiques. You can find some real gems, from large taxidermied bears and Pre-Hispanic artifacts to mid-century furniture and records, and more. My latest score was a pair of vintage Christian Dior sunglasses. Brush up on your Spanish ahead of time so you can haggle for a good deal.
- Mercado de Jamaica69This renowned flower market is the place for event planners and flower lovers from around the world. It’s always bustling and full of bright colors and bold fragrances. Although the flowers are the main attraction, there’s also a fantastic selection of food. In addition to fresh blooms, I always pick up some wild mushrooms, unique spices, and grilled corn when I visit.
- AGO Projects1AGO Projects is a stunningly curated exhibition space and an incubator for new and established design talent in Mexico. It’s an awesome place to go for ideas and to see what’s hot on the design scene. A recent show by OHLA Studio and Eusebio mixed artisan traditions with functional objects like chairs and tables, using neutral colors, glazes, and bronze-toned lighting. It was so cool that it inspired me to upgrade my apartment.
- Fundación MARSO0 reviewsHoused in a beautiful, turn-of-the-century mansion in the East Juarez neighborhood, Fundacíon MARSO is a contemporary art exhibition space that hosts working artists. Currently, there’s a spectacular display of hand-made pieces by ceramicist Perla Valtierra. She works with natural clay and local artisans and you can feel the essence of Mexican ancestral pottery in her work.
- OMR6A contemporary art gallery in Roma Norte, OMR should be on every design lover’s list. It’s quite avant garde, with a nice mix of emerging and established artists. I come here every time I’m in Mexico City, and even plan trips around their cool event schedule. Add yourself to their email list to get notified of workshops, lectures, film screenings, and more.
- Chic by Accident0 reviewsChic By Accident is a super stylish vintage furniture boutique that’s really fun to browse—owner and designer Emmanuel Picaul has a truly incredible eye for antique treasures. Last time I visited, I fell in love with a large Olmecan stone head, a brilliant mid-century desk with artisan candles on top, and what looked like a Barragan glass sphere.
Explore Mexico City by interest
Mexico City on a dime
If you’re feeling fancy-ish
Street-art spotting
Nighttime adventures
Flavor-packed food tours
For the love of Frida
Design-lover’s dream
The sounds of the city
Gardens and greenery
At the mercado
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Mexico City



In the words of those who've been there before ...



What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
Mexico City is served by Benito Juarez International Airport, best known as Mexico City International airport.
Bus:
Mexico City has four long-distance bus terminals that serve the north, east, south, and west parts of the capital. ADO, Autovias, and Primera Plus service destinations throughout Mexico.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Mexico City from overseas, see if you need a visa using this website.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer: Summer is one of the nicest times to visit. December is very bad for traffic till the holidays when the city is empty but many places close. Mexico City is a good year-round destination. Other than late April / early May, it never gets really hot and things always cool down later. Weather is never too cold - a sweater will suffice even on the worst morning in January as it will warm later. There is always something going on — just avoid Easter week and Christmas week as too many places close down.
For more information on Mexico City’s weather and when to go, check out some tips here.
Metro
Mexico City’s comprehensive metro system has 195 stations spread across 14 lines; its a cost-effective and convenient way to avoid traffic above ground. For more information on routes, see here.
Bus
There are three main types of buses in Mexico City: Pesero, Metrobus, and Trolebus. Buses run from early morning until late night, after which you’ll need to take a taxi.
Bike
Though Mexico City doesn’t have a dedicated cycle route, bikes are available to hire for free from a kiosk on the west side of Catedral Metropolitana.
Taxis and rideshare
Taxis in Mexico City are generally inexpensive and easy to flag down on the street—ensure that you only use registered cabs that display a sticker in the front window. Rideshare apps such as Uber are available.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Mexico City, which include: