What to do in the historic center of Mexico City

The historic center of Mexico City is one of the most visited tourist sites in the CDMX.

Neither a day nor a week would be enough to get to know it all; however, here I will tell you what is most important, what are the activities you cannot miss and the places you should visit in the Historic Center of Mexico City.

And if you want to know what it’s like and what you can do in the CDMX, I recommend you watch our video and read on.

Best things to do in Downtown Mexico City

These are the best activities to do in the zocalo of the CDMX

Now that you know this little secret of the Free Tour, let’s get back to talking about the places you should visit.

Visiting the Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most important artistic exhibition venues in the country. Its architecture is beautiful and worthy of admiration. I bet you’ll spend several minutes contemplating it.

To enter the theater you need to go on the days indicated:

From Tuesday to Thursday at 1:00 pm and at 1:25 pm there are short tours to know the inside of the enclosure.

You may also come across temporary exhibitions that are worth considering.

The Latin American Tower

The Torre Latinoamericana is a skyscraper in the historic center with its observation deck and Miralto restaurant.

The only bad thing is that going up to the lookout point is expensive and, for me personally, the price seems to me.

Visiting the Templo Mayor in downtown Mexico City

A museum dedicated to what was the great Tenochtitlan, which today is our historic center.

The museum has 8 rooms, a lot of pre-Hispanic objects and is located in one of the corners of the zocalo of the city.

Taste Mexican sweets at Dulceria Celaya

If you like sweets, you can’t miss this place. Dulcería Celaya is a Mexican candy store with more than 100 years of history. Consider it the temple of Mexican sweets and get ready to taste our most traditional sweets.

Visit Don Porfirio Café

Mexico City Zocalo

Also known as the Plaza de la Constitución, it is an important square in the historic center of the CDMX where cultural and artistic events are frequently held.

Apart from the various attractions around it, if you are lucky enough, you will be able to enjoy a surprise or an event that is taking place.

Museum of Memory and Tolerance Downtown CDMX

A very interesting museum that seeks to transmit tolerance and non-violence as well as the importance of human rights.

The museum is super interesting and covers topics such as German concentration camps, genocides and discrimination that exists in the world.

Interesting, important and recommended.

Garibaldi

Garibaldi is the place for mariachis. Although the area is dangerous, going to Garibaldi square is one of the activities to do in the historic center of Mexico City because you can enjoy the typical songs of the famous mariachis.

The mezcal museum is also located there. A museum that teaches us about a very characteristic Mexican alcoholic beverage

The Metropolitan Cathedral in the Zocalo of Mexico City

This Cathedral, located in the Zócalo, is a precinct with a construction that lasted approximately 250 years.

The place is beautiful, the decorations and architecture show a detailed work that is worth admiring.

National Palace

The Palcio Nacional is one of the most important political buildings in our country and that is why it is one of the places to visit in downtown Mexico City. You can enter to see the beautiful murals of Diego Rivera and to hear the history of the place; however, it is important to know that in order to do so you need to schedule your visit.

Churros el Moro

Churros are super Mexican and the best place to eat them is at Churros el Moro, if there is something you have to do downtown is to go to this legendary place that has not been able to take away the position of the best churros.

Chinatown

Visit the smallest Chinatown in the world, it won’t take you long and it’s a place where you can get quite particular products.

It also has some restaurants that are a good option to eat.

Take the Free Tour of Downtown Mexico City

We have a surprise for you, if you want to know more about downtown Mexico City there is a Free Tour that few know about.

We highly recommend it because we believe it is better to get to know the city with someone who can explain it to you rather than just wandering around. If you are interested you can check it here

Wait! it’s almost free, the thing is that the guide works according to tips so the tour will cost you what you consider it’s worth.

This tour is short, it is in the morning and it is not as complete as the paid tour; however, it is still an excellent option.

Other things to do in the zocalo of cdmx

MUNAL

The National Museum of Arts is another tourist attraction in downtown Mexico City that may be interesting to visit. For all art lovers this museum will be very attractive.

Postal Palace

It is one of the most emblematic establishments in Mexico and another of the sites worth visiting just to admire its construction and architecture.

And well if you want to send a letter to someone or mail you can also do it.

Franz Mayer Museum

The place is one of the most important art museums in Mexico in terms of decorative arts, it has several important collections so it is highly recommended for those who enjoy art.

There are several places and activities that can be enjoyed in the center. Although we have already mentioned those that are the most important touristically speaking, these may also be of interest to you:

• La Frikiplaza
• La pastelería la ideal
• El Bazar de la India
• Museo de la Tortura
• Conocer el museo de economía MIDE

Activities in the Historic Center

Tour of the historic center of Mexico City in 1 day:

If you want to tour downtown Mexico City on your own, we have concluded that if you only have one day to enjoy it, these are the places to visit and the things you should do:

First stop: Breakfast at the Casa de los Azulejos or at the Tacuba café.

Second stop: Visiting the Palacio de Bellas Artes

Third Stop: Buy Mexican candies at the Celaya candy store.

Fourth stop: The Zócalo of Mexico City

Fifth stop: The Metropolitan Cathedral

Sixth Stop: Visit the Templo Mayor (Great Temple)

Seventh Stop: To end the day you have to finish it at Churros el Moro with some delicious churros.

Here is a good itinerary for the historic center of the CDMX.

If you are going to do it on your own, remember to research the places well to make the experience more enriching or use one of the excursions I suggested above, otherwise you are just going to walk around and you will not understand what you are seeing.

Where to Stay

After evaluating hotels in the historic center of Mexico City, we have decided that these are the hotels we recommend:

Other tourist attractions in the CDMX