Three Days in Mexico City: My Guide on the Best Things to See

Somehow, Mexico City manages to sneak under the radar for many tourists. Maybe it’s because people are scared away by reports of crime throughout Mexico or maybe people just don’t realize how many amazing things there are to see here. Whatever the reason, Mexico City is definitely an underrated gem of a city.

We spent three days in Mexico City before heading to a resort in Los Cabos to relax for a few days. After my time there, I can definitely say you should make it a priority to visit Mexico City one day.

Mexico City has so much to see from world class museums featuring Mexico’s pre-Columbian history to palatial architecture spread throughout the city. And don’t even get me started on the delicious food! Keep scrolling to find out everything to do with three days in Mexico City!

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Highlights to See with Three Days in Mexico City

National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología)

I’m starting things off with the top thing to do with three days in Mexico City. The National Museum of Anthropology Museum is easily one of the world’s top history museums. It tells the story of Mexico’s many different cultures in superb detail with more than enough historical artifacts to satisfy anyone’s interest level.

After purchasing tickets and walking through the main lobby, you enter the large central courtyard of the museum. Your eyes will almost certainly be immediately drawn to El Paraguas, the large fountain in the middle of the courtyard.

The museum’s various exhibits surround this water feature. Starting with the exhibit closest to you on the right, the museum generally goes in chronological order starting with the first people to migrate to Mexico from Asia. Going counterclockwise from here, exhibits focus on the different Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, Mayans and Zapotecs.

All in all, it’s an incredible museum with so many excellent things to see. Of all the things in this guide, I think it’s the one you absolutely cannot miss.

Templo Mayor Ruins and Museum (Museo del Templo Mayor)

The Templo Mayor Museum is one of the other must-see museums when spending three days in Mexico City. This museum is divided into two sections: one is laid out like a traditional museum while the other has you walking through the actual ruins of Templo Mayor.

Templo Mayor was the main temple of Tenochtitlan before both it and the surrounding city were destroyed by Spain in the 16th century. Its ruins were rediscovered in 1933 and then gradually uncovered throughout the rest of the century. Artifacts found during excavations are on display in the museum.

While the museum has many interesting objects and provides a good history of Templo Mayor, the highlight is walking around the ruins. The size of the temple is impressive enough, but you can also see some interesting carvings and sculptures among the ruined walls. This is also a good spot to view the Metropolitan Cathedral.

There is a surprising amount still to see in the museum. I was surprised at just how extensive it was. It consists of several floor with different exhibits either featuring certain parts of the temple or the history of the Aztec peoples.

However, the information presented along with the interesting exhibits was only moderately helpful in understanding the displays. Large objects had English translations, but many of the smaller objects only had Spanish placards. It’s understandable since it’s a Spanish-speaking country, but it is something to be aware of.

After you’re done in Templo Mayor, take time to explore the rest of Centro Histórico. This historic heart of Mexico City is filled with many of Mexico City’s oldest and most impressive buildings.

Chapultepec Castle (Castille de Chapultepec)

If I had to pick three must-see things to see in Mexico City, it would be the National Museum of Anthropology, Templo Mayor and then this, Chapultepec Castle.

Chapultepec Castle sits atop the largest hill in Chapultepec Park, giving its former residents and modern-day visitors grand views of the surrounding area. This location also means it’s a bit of a hike up to the castle itself. Be prepared if it’s a hot day.

The castle has served multiple purposes since its construction began in 1785, including the residence of the Spanish viceroy, a gunpowder warehouse, a military academy, a royal palace, and now a national museum. With a visit to Chapultepec Castle, you can learn all about these different parts of its and Mexico’s history in the National History Museum contained within.

Chapultepec Castle has lots of interesting things to see, but don’t expect to understand much of it if you aren’t able to read Spanish. That’s not a complaint. Again, it’s a Spanish-speaking nation, so it is what it is. It did kind of seem like there were spaces where English translations would have been, but these spaces were empty during our visit.

My favorite part of Chapultepec Castle was the opportunity to tour several of the palace rooms and gardens used by Emperor Maximilian I in the 1860s. The various rooms are quite ornate and explanations come with English translations.

Folk Art Museum (Museo de Arte Popular)

The Folk Art Museum is filled with exhibits detailing Mexico’s rich artistic history. And yet, it’s a bit of a secret compared to many other of Mexico City’s various art galleries and museums. Despite that, it was one of my favorite stops during our three days in Mexico City.

It has several different sections with different themes. Within each section you can find more detailed exhibits to get a closer look at areas that interest you. A couple of my favorites featured the Day of the Dead, devil imagery and mythological creatures.

The best part of the Folk Art Museum is that you don’t really have to know much about Mexican art or history to appreciate it. Each exhibit is put together very well with more than enough objects to keep you interested and just enough information to fill in the gaps without being exhausting.

And if nothing else, it’s air conditioned and uncrowded, so it’s a nice escape from the heat and crowds.

The House of Tiles (La Casa de los Azuelos)

Tucked somewhat indiscreetly in Mexico City’s Centro Histórico is The House of Tiles. This building was originally built in the 16th century as a palace for the counts of the Valle de Orizaba.

But that’s not why you should visit here with three days in Mexico City. Most people make it a point to visit the house of Blue Tiles to see its exquisite blue tiles. These tiles line the outside of the building and are just pleasant to look at. They also make for a lovely photo op.

Don’t forget to head inside to extend your visit to The House of Tiles. Inside is a huge atrium-style restaurant filled with Art Deco flourishes and a large mural by José Clemente Orozco. You can also get the opportunity to ride in a rickety, turn-of-the-century elevator that makes stopping inside worth a couple minutes by itself.

Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)

Accentuating the northern end of Mexico City’s Zócalo is the capital’s Metropolitan Cathedral. Both the inside and outside of this grand building will make you feel as if you’re walking through a European capital. (This likely won’t be the only time you’ll feel this way in Mexico City.)

The Metropolitan Cathedral is perhaps most striking when viewed from the Zócalo. Besides the gigantic Mexican flag in the middle of the square, the cathedral’s facade and belltowers are the highlight of the space. It has some interesting features when viewed up close, but I think it’s at its best from afar.

I found the interior to be a bit underwhelming relative to what I was expecting based on how impressive its exterior was. Nevertheless, having seen many European Catholic and Anglican cathedrals, it was interesting to see one in a Spanish style.

That said, the many side chapels and small connected church are very ornate and worth spending some time to see. Unfortunately, the smaller church had a service going on so I wasn’t able to see its altar.

Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec)

Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of Anthropology are both contained within the much larger Chapultepec Park. In fact, this park is Mexico City’s biggest park and is well worth a bit of wander around to get away from the capital’s busy streets. It’s also a nice spot to rest after doing the National Museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec Castle or one of the several other museums found within the park.

Besides the museums, Chapultepec Park has plenty to keep you busy. One of the highlights is the grand Monument to the Boy Heroes, officially titled the Altar to the Homeland. This large monument pays tribute to five young soldiers and their instructor who fought to the death during the Battle of Chapultepec between Mexico and America in 1847 rather than retreat.

Other things to see and do include paddleboating around the lake, searching out the park’s many fountains and sculptures, seeing Aztec ruins and much more. You’ll also find plenty of food and souvenir stands as you wander around.

Keep in mind that the park is divided into three sections, with the First Section being the one most people visit. This section is where the castle and many of the park’s other popular attractions are located. It’s important to know this because the First Section is also the only part of the park closed on Mondays.

Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of Mexico City’s most iconic buildings. Like so much else in Mexico City, this palatial building seems like it was picked up out of some European city and dropped right in the middle of Mexico City.

Begun in 1904 but not completed till 1934 due to political upheavals in Mexico and construction concerns, the Palace of Fine Arts was originally designed to commemorate Mexico’s independence. This grand building is still in use as one of Mexico City’s foremost performance arts centers.

Easily the highlight of the Palace of Fine Arts is its exterior. It’s an absolutely magnificent building that warrants several minutes of admiration. From its Art Nouveu domes to its Neoclassical columns, everything about this building is impressive. Take your time wandering around the small gardens in the front of the building to take in the view from every angle.

You can enter the building for free to walk around its ground floor to see some of its Art Deco finishes and a couple tiny exhibits on the building’s history. For a fee, you can go to the upper floors where you can see different murals, including some by famed artists Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco. On the top floor is an additional museum with exhibits covering Mexican architecture.

Walk Around the Roma and La Condesa Neighborhoods

The Roma and La Condesa neighborhoods are two of Mexico City’s most popular residential areas. These two neighborhoods contain all sorts of things for visitors with three days in Mexico City to see, but they’re also just nice places to take a stroll to admire all the pretty buildings and quiet side streets.

Parque España and Parque México are two smaller parks in La Condesa that visitors should check out. If you’re just wandering around this neighborhood, you’re likely to just stumble upon these two parks.

Parque España is nice in that it feels like more of a park that locals frequent. It’s fairly small and easy to walk through in a short amount of time. Parque México has more to see with my highlights being the fountains and a large plaza where it looks like performances are held.

These two neighborhoods are also where you can find many of Mexico City’s hottest restaurants and bars. You won’t have to walk too far before you stumble upon a place looking to whet your appetite.

Places to Eat and Drink with Three Days in Mexico City

We usually stay away from chain restaurants while traveling. Taquería Orinoco came highly recommended in one of the guidebooks we used to plan our trip, so we decided to give it a try, and I’m glad we did. It actually ended up being my favorite taco place of the ones we tried. The inside was pretty generic, but don’t let that put you off. These tacos were incredible and the different sauces they came with were also top notch.

If Taquería Orinoco weren’t so good, Taquería El Greco would be my top recommendation for tacos in Mexico City. Fortunately, if you’re spending three days in Mexico City, you can easily try both places. This small spot specializes in doneraky tacos, which uses a different of type marinade on their al pastor meat than what you normally get. Whatever they do, they do it well! It’s a bit of a small spot, so be prepared to wait a bit. You may also want to refuse a seat inside unless you’re okay with smelling like grilled meat for the next few days.

Traditional cantinas are a popular thing to see when in Mexico City, and El Tío Pepe is no exception. El Tío Pepe is one of the more highly rated cantinas in Mexico City, but that doesn’t mean it’s touristy or crowded. During our visit, El Tío Pepe couldn’t have been further from either of those things. It only had a handful of other people, and most of those people seemed like locals. The bar itself felt like stepping back in time with its gorgeous bar top and old timey lights and decor. Definitely check this place out if you’re looking for a drink in a unique spot.

Taquería Los Cocuyos is an unassuming taco stand in Centro Histórico, but it’s a must-try if you’re in an adventurous mood. This taco stand offers all sorts of meat varieties that you almost certainly won’t see at your local Mexican restaurant back in the states. A few of the more unique things on the menu include tongue, brain, eyes, and beef cheek. We both went with the tongue, which was deliciously tender!

It may surprise some to learn that Mexico City is annually host to some of the best bars in the world. One of these, Baltra Bar, has routinely made these lists over the past few years. The inside is everything I want from a good bar: friendly bartenders who know when to chat and when to step away, a varied menu with lots of unique drinks, good music, low lights, and a range of available seating from outdoor tables to couches and bar stools. I don’t know how they figure out these best-of lists, but Baltra Bar is certainly an excellent bar.

Café de Tacuba is a fun option for a meal near Centro Histórico. My favorite part of this restaurant was the interior design and decorations. It has a very traditional feel with gorgeous Mexican tilework and painted walls. The servers all wear showy traditional outfits, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be there to hear mariachis serenade the restaurant. My meal was good, but it wasn’t anything special. Michelle’s beef mole was delicious, though, so I think it may have just been what I ordered.

Taquería Orinoco wasn’t the only chain we frequented during our three days in Mexico City. We also decided to give Churrería El Moro a try on our last night while walking by Parque México on our way back to our hotel. I’m not a huge churro fan (it’s just fried dough and I’ll die on this hill), but for what they are, these ones are pretty good. The Mexican hot chocolate, though? That was decadent and delicious! Beware: this particular Churrería El Moro is a popular spot, so if you’re coming by for dessert after dinner, expect a wait. You can find this restaurant at several other spots throughout Mexico City.

Where to Stay with Three Days in Mexico City

I recommend staying in either the Roma or La Condesa neighborhoods. Despite being popular neighborhoods in Mexico City, they both have plenty of quieter areas that offer tourists relaxing places to stay. They also have some of Mexico City’s top restaurants and bars, so you won’t have far to go for dinner or a nightcap.

To that end, Hotel Villa Condesa is a very nice option to consider for your three days in Mexico City. It’s located on a sleepy, tree-lined road in La Condesa, well within walking distance to neighborhood parks and restaurants. This location is also nice because it’s very quiet whether you’re coming back for an afternoon nap or trying to get a good night’s sleep.

Our room was well equipped with a big comfortable bed, an antique armoire, a large bathroom and a floor fan that kept the room cool. We also had an included balcony with seating overlooking the adjacent road. Despite overlooking the road, the balcony is lined with vines and flowers to make it relatively private.

Water bottles were provided daily, but it would have been nice to have access to more water since we both go through quite a bit of water each day. My only other complaint about the room was that the step to get into the shower is pretty big. It does have a step stool, which we both needed despite having long legs.

The rest of the hotel is quite nice, too. It has a shared upper balcony and a public open-air sitting area next to the reception desk. Guests staying at Hotel Villa Condesa also get an included breakfast from the small attached restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico City

Is Mexico City safe?

Like anywhere else, Mexico City is safe as long as you take necessary precautions and don’t engage in any risky behavior. Yes, Mexico has high crime rates, but tourists are generally safe. If you avoid walking alone at night and keep your belongings secured, you should be fine. Another way to stay safe is to use Ubers. Besides being incredibly cheap, they’re also a safer alternative to taxis.

Will I get sick in Mexico City?

Quite possibly, unfortunately. Mexico’s sanitation standards aren’t as high as in America and the types of parasites you can be exposed to are different from what you’re used to at home. For these two reasons, getting sick is common. Here are a few tips to help avoid this: only drink bottled water, use bottled water when brushing your teeth, and don’t eat from stands that look sketchy or have no one else frequenting them.

Is Mexico City expensive?

Compared to many other places around the world, Mexico City is very inexpensive. Compared to other places in Mexico, it is more expensive. Still, we were shocked at how little we paid for most things during our three days in Mexico City. Also, make sure to keep pesos handy as not everywhere accepts credit cards.

What is the weather like in Mexico City?

Because Mexico City sits 7,350 feet above sea level, it actually has a pretty comfortable climate despite being so near the equator. Its hottest months are from April to June, but it still only averages around 80 degrees during those months. At its coldest, averages don’t dip below 70 degrees. It can get pretty cold at night, though, so be prepared for that. The rainiest time of the year is from June to August.

Do I need to learn Spanish?

No, but knowing some common words and phrases will be helpful. Not everyone speaks English and a lot of those who do, don’t speak great English. Knowing some common phrases should be enough to get by. On the other hand, information in museums is often only in Spanish. If you want to learn about everything you’re seeing, you better start studying Spanish now!

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