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The Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City

No. 54 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Mexico City

Mexico

A vast, high-altitude capital of Aztec ruins, murals, world-class museums and superb food.

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Photo: لا روسا, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Mexico City is No. 54 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Mexico's capital stands at about 2,240 metres on the site of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, and its historic centre and the canals of Xochimilco are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1987.

It is one of the world's great cultural capitals, with superb museums and murals, leafy neighbourhoods such as Roma and Condesa, and a celebrated food scene, from street tacos to fine dining.

The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan
The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan. Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Best time to go

October to May is the dry season, with sunny days and cool nights. Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations take place around 1 and 2 November.

June to September is the rainy season, usually with afternoon showers.

Top sights

  • 1

    Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral

    The vast main square is overlooked by the cathedral, the largest in Latin America.

  • 2

    Templo Mayor

    The excavated remains of the Aztecs' great temple, with a museum of finds, next to the Zócalo.

  • 3

    Palacio de Bellas Artes

    The marble Art Nouveau and Art Deco palace has murals by Diego Rivera and others.

  • 4

    Museo Nacional de Antropología In our Top 100 Museums

    One of the world's great museums of ancient civilisations, home to the Aztec Sun Stone.

  • 5

    Chapultepec Castle In our Top 100 Museums

    A hilltop castle in Chapultepec Park, home to the National Museum of History.

  • 6

    Frida Kahlo Museum

    The Casa Azul in Coyoacán, where Frida Kahlo was born and lived. Tickets sell out, so book online.

  • 7

    Xochimilco

    Ride a colourful trajinera boat along the canals, past floating food and music.

  • 8

    Teotihuacan

    The ancient city with the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, about 50 km north-east, makes an easy day trip.

Getting there

Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is about 5 km east of the centre. Use authorised airport taxis, ride-hailing or Metrobús Line 4.

Long-distance buses run from the city's four main bus terminals to the rest of Mexico.

Getting around

The Metro is extensive and very cheap but crowded at rush hour. Metrobús lines run on dedicated lanes.

Ride-hailing apps are inexpensive and convenient, especially at night.

Practical tips

Currency
Mexican peso (MXN). Cards are widely accepted; carry cash for markets, street food and small shops.
Language
Spanish. English is spoken in hotels and some restaurants.
Health
Take it easy for the first day, as the altitude can tire you. Drink bottled or filtered water.
Safety
Stay alert in crowded places and at night, and use ride-hailing apps or authorised taxis. The emergency number is 911.
Visa & entry
Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, EU countries, Japan and many others do not need a visa for a tourist visit. Check the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
Power
120 V, 60 Hz; plug types A and B.

Official information: Secretaría de Turismo de la Ciudad de México (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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