Guidebook for Ciudad de México

Marco
Guidebook for Ciudad de México

Sightseeing

The main square is among the world's three largest. To the east is the National Palace, containing the offices of the Presidency and Diego Rivera's mural entitled: Epic Of The Mexican People.
795 locals recommend
Zócalo
S/N P.za de la Constitución
795 locals recommend
The main square is among the world's three largest. To the east is the National Palace, containing the offices of the Presidency and Diego Rivera's mural entitled: Epic Of The Mexican People.
Was for years de exclusive realm of the elite and fenced off to the masses. Today it throbs with pedestrian traffic around fountains and status.
338 locals recommend
Alameda Central
s/n Avenida Hidalgo
338 locals recommend
Was for years de exclusive realm of the elite and fenced off to the masses. Today it throbs with pedestrian traffic around fountains and status.
Located on Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, this building is a golden a golden jewel in the Historic Center. It was constructed between 1902 and 1907 by Adamo Boari. Open Tue-Fri 9am 6pm, Sat &Su 10am-3pm
99 locals recommend
Postal Palace
1 Calle de Tacuba
99 locals recommend
Located on Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, this building is a golden a golden jewel in the Historic Center. It was constructed between 1902 and 1907 by Adamo Boari. Open Tue-Fri 9am 6pm, Sat &Su 10am-3pm
This historic landmark features an Art Nouveau lobby with a 1908 spectacular Tiffany stained-glass ceiling. It will transport you back in time to the Belle Époque era.
41 locals recommend
Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
82 16 de Septiembre
41 locals recommend
This historic landmark features an Art Nouveau lobby with a 1908 spectacular Tiffany stained-glass ceiling. It will transport you back in time to the Belle Époque era.
Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Cathedral's construction was started in the 16th century but was not completed until 1813.
269 locals recommend
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
S/N P.za de la Constitución
269 locals recommend
Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Cathedral's construction was started in the 16th century but was not completed until 1813.
Built in 1938, the massive copper domed Art Deco monument serves as a mausoleum to the heroes of the 1910 Revolution, including Pancho Villa. It also house the National Museum of the Revolution.
445 locals recommend
Monument to the Revolution
s/n Pl. de la República
445 locals recommend
Built in 1938, the massive copper domed Art Deco monument serves as a mausoleum to the heroes of the 1910 Revolution, including Pancho Villa. It also house the National Museum of the Revolution.

Arts & Culture

At the city's famed "mariachi square" bands take request while waiting to be hired for a serenade. Visit the Tequila & Mezcal Museum and the Salón Tenampa, a bustling cantina and cultural landmark.
193 locals recommend
Garibaldi Plaza
193 locals recommend
At the city's famed "mariachi square" bands take request while waiting to be hired for a serenade. Visit the Tequila & Mezcal Museum and the Salón Tenampa, a bustling cantina and cultural landmark.
México's principal opera house is an architectural masterpiece inside out. The interiors are a beautiful blend of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. Ticket office opens Mon-Sat 11am- 7pm, Sun 10am-7pm
680 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
S/N Av. Juárez
680 locals recommend
México's principal opera house is an architectural masterpiece inside out. The interiors are a beautiful blend of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. Ticket office opens Mon-Sat 11am- 7pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Dating from the 18th century, this former Jesuit college is an important showcase of early Mexican mural art, especially by Orozco. It also hosts major exhibits. Open 10am. to 5:30 p.m (& free) Tues
103 locals recommend
Former College of San Ildefonso
16 Justo Sierra
103 locals recommend
Dating from the 18th century, this former Jesuit college is an important showcase of early Mexican mural art, especially by Orozco. It also hosts major exhibits. Open 10am. to 5:30 p.m (& free) Tues
A wonderful showcase for Mexico’s overwhelming variety of handicrafts, the MAP is a “must see”. In the museum shop you can find alebrijes, ceramic, textiles, jewelry and more. Open Tue-Sun 10am to 6pm
168 locals recommend
Museo de Arte Popular
11 Revillagigedo
168 locals recommend
A wonderful showcase for Mexico’s overwhelming variety of handicrafts, the MAP is a “must see”. In the museum shop you can find alebrijes, ceramic, textiles, jewelry and more. Open Tue-Sun 10am to 6pm
The National Art Museum features art from pre-Hispanic to modern times displayed in a magnificent turnof-the-century building. Open Tue-Sun 10am to 5:30pm.
300 locals recommend
Museo Nacional de Artes
8 Calle de Tacuba
300 locals recommend
The National Art Museum features art from pre-Hispanic to modern times displayed in a magnificent turnof-the-century building. Open Tue-Sun 10am to 5:30pm.
A 16th-century convent showcasing Cuevas’ collection of paintings by 20th-century Latin American artists, works by the master himself, and irreverent caricatures of Cuevas by fellow artists.
16 locals recommend
Jose Luis Cuevas Museum
13 La Academia
16 locals recommend
A 16th-century convent showcasing Cuevas’ collection of paintings by 20th-century Latin American artists, works by the master himself, and irreverent caricatures of Cuevas by fellow artists.
A space dedicated to the promotion of tolerance, non-violence and human rights. The genocides perpetrated during the 20th century are represented here. Open Tue-Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm.
227 locals recommend
Memory and Tolerance Museum
8 Av. Juárez
227 locals recommend
A space dedicated to the promotion of tolerance, non-violence and human rights. The genocides perpetrated during the 20th century are represented here. Open Tue-Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm.
This colonial building houses an exhibition hall, a cafe and a shop dedicated to Mexican design and handmade work. Here you'll find furniture, textiles, masks and more. Open Tue-Sun 10am a 5pm.
22 locals recommend
MUMEDI
74 Av Francisco I. Madero
22 locals recommend
This colonial building houses an exhibition hall, a cafe and a shop dedicated to Mexican design and handmade work. Here you'll find furniture, textiles, masks and more. Open Tue-Sun 10am a 5pm.

Everything Else

One of the city’s most colorful handicrafts markets, with stalls and workshops built around a central courtyard.
369 locals recommend
Ciudadela Park
José María Morelos
369 locals recommend
One of the city’s most colorful handicrafts markets, with stalls and workshops built around a central courtyard.
At Rayon near Reforma, is a permanent indoor market that hosts an outdoor flea market every Sunday.
24 locals recommend
Lagunilla
24 locals recommend
At Rayon near Reforma, is a permanent indoor market that hosts an outdoor flea market every Sunday.
Off the northeast corner of the Zocalo stand the ruins of the Great Temple, destroyed by the conquistadores, who used the debris to build the cathedral. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
418 locals recommend
Templo Mayor Museum
8 Seminario
418 locals recommend
Off the northeast corner of the Zocalo stand the ruins of the Great Temple, destroyed by the conquistadores, who used the debris to build the cathedral. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shopping

Located in the former palace of the Count of Miravalle, the Downtown Hotel has quickly become a cultural reference point due to the many shops featuring Mexican products that adorn its facilities.
57 locals recommend
DOWNTOWN MEXICO
30 Isabel La Católica
57 locals recommend
Located in the former palace of the Count of Miravalle, the Downtown Hotel has quickly become a cultural reference point due to the many shops featuring Mexican products that adorn its facilities.
Facing the main square, this shop carries handicrafts and has a top-floor terrace restaurant (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
Arte Mexicano para el Mundo
11 Calle Monte de Piedad
Facing the main square, this shop carries handicrafts and has a top-floor terrace restaurant (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Food Scene

In my opinion, the best suadero tacos in the city. It's kind of an speakeasy place. Ask for the fried intestine taco and the tongue, they're very good too.
36 locals recommend
Los Cocuyos
59 Calle de Bolívar
36 locals recommend
In my opinion, the best suadero tacos in the city. It's kind of an speakeasy place. Ask for the fried intestine taco and the tongue, they're very good too.
Housed in the famed House of Tiles, this spot offers a picturesque setting for Mexican favorites and American-style comfort food. Hand-painted walls, the old-fashioned soda fountain, or top-floor bar
111 locals recommend
The House of Tiles
4 Av Francisco I. Madero
111 locals recommend
Housed in the famed House of Tiles, this spot offers a picturesque setting for Mexican favorites and American-style comfort food. Hand-painted walls, the old-fashioned soda fountain, or top-floor bar
Handpainted tile walls make this restaurant one of the Historic Center’s most picturesque. Serving traditional Mexican cuisine since 1912. Popular for lunch on weekends.
192 locals recommend
Cafe De Tacuba
28 Calle de Tacuba
192 locals recommend
Handpainted tile walls make this restaurant one of the Historic Center’s most picturesque. Serving traditional Mexican cuisine since 1912. Popular for lunch on weekends.
In business since 1860, it claims to be the city’s very first restaurant. Specialties include chiles en nogada, and pollo ranchero a la nata. Piano and violin duet.
49 locals recommend
Hostería de Santo Domingo
72 Belisario Domínguez
49 locals recommend
In business since 1860, it claims to be the city’s very first restaurant. Specialties include chiles en nogada, and pollo ranchero a la nata. Piano and violin duet.
Created by Juan Pablo Ballesteros, this is the place where the design is front and center. Stone walls, a ceiling decorated with hanging ropes and lamps made of teq shot glasses create the atmosphere
104 locals recommend
Limosneros
3 Ignacio Allende
104 locals recommend
Created by Juan Pablo Ballesteros, this is the place where the design is front and center. Stone walls, a ceiling decorated with hanging ropes and lamps made of teq shot glasses create the atmosphere
The best seafood place in the city. Star with the tuna tostadas, then order the "Pescado a la talla" and finish with the fig cake or the meringue with strawberries.
338 locals recommend
Contramar
200 Calle de Durango
338 locals recommend
The best seafood place in the city. Star with the tuna tostadas, then order the "Pescado a la talla" and finish with the fig cake or the meringue with strawberries.
More than a restaurant, Tetetlán is a cultural centre and an architectural gem, housed in the former stables of Casa Pedregal by Luís Barragán, Mexico's greatest architect. As famed for it's design (think glass floor over an ancient lava field) as its dishes, Tetetlán is quintessentially Mexican but contemporary. The light fixtures and the floating zigzag stairs are truly arresting. So is the food: traditional Mexican with herbaceous salads, sopes (maize patties), tamales, earthy stews and a focus on indigenous ingredients. It's all served in an open kitchen on volcano tableware.
18 locals recommend
Tetetlán
180 - B Av. de Las Fuentes
18 locals recommend
More than a restaurant, Tetetlán is a cultural centre and an architectural gem, housed in the former stables of Casa Pedregal by Luís Barragán, Mexico's greatest architect. As famed for it's design (think glass floor over an ancient lava field) as its dishes, Tetetlán is quintessentially Mexican but contemporary. The light fixtures and the floating zigzag stairs are truly arresting. So is the food: traditional Mexican with herbaceous salads, sopes (maize patties), tamales, earthy stews and a focus on indigenous ingredients. It's all served in an open kitchen on volcano tableware.
This classic cantina is known for both its food and the merry day-drinking. The speciality here is "chamorro", an entire, meltingly tender pork shank slowly simmered in its own fat. Order a "cazuela" (stew) of chorizo bubbling in cider to start and then a chamorro (just one for the table), plus guacamole, onion and coriander, hot tortillas and a fiery salsa for DIY tacos. Colonia Doctores is the name of the neighbourhood, and it get its name from it's concentration of hospitals, and streets dedicated to famous physicians, so chances are you'll be dinning next to more than a few doctors throwing back tequilas in their whites -though helpfully after their shifts.
8 locals recommend
El Sella
210 Dr. Balmis
8 locals recommend
This classic cantina is known for both its food and the merry day-drinking. The speciality here is "chamorro", an entire, meltingly tender pork shank slowly simmered in its own fat. Order a "cazuela" (stew) of chorizo bubbling in cider to start and then a chamorro (just one for the table), plus guacamole, onion and coriander, hot tortillas and a fiery salsa for DIY tacos. Colonia Doctores is the name of the neighbourhood, and it get its name from it's concentration of hospitals, and streets dedicated to famous physicians, so chances are you'll be dinning next to more than a few doctors throwing back tequilas in their whites -though helpfully after their shifts.
Sitting atop crowd-favourite taquería "El Parnita" is Páramo, a large, covered rooftop laced with festoon lightning and packed with tables. This restaurant-bar has a decidedly party atmosphere, as young well-to-dos knock back mezcal and gin and tonics, priming for a night out. But there's super food too, including hearty plates of seared tuna tacos with avocado, sticks of fried ginger and jabalí (wild pig) braised to suppleness in dark beer. Best of all, the large dishes which feed three or four people- can be ordered as tacos. Sang a table on the weekend if you can, when music industry cognoscenti descend and take the party up a notch.
95 locals recommend
Páramo
84 Av. Yucatan
95 locals recommend
Sitting atop crowd-favourite taquería "El Parnita" is Páramo, a large, covered rooftop laced with festoon lightning and packed with tables. This restaurant-bar has a decidedly party atmosphere, as young well-to-dos knock back mezcal and gin and tonics, priming for a night out. But there's super food too, including hearty plates of seared tuna tacos with avocado, sticks of fried ginger and jabalí (wild pig) braised to suppleness in dark beer. Best of all, the large dishes which feed three or four people- can be ordered as tacos. Sang a table on the weekend if you can, when music industry cognoscenti descend and take the party up a notch.
El Hidalguense is the place to go for barbacoa (Mexican barbecue): lamb rubbed simply, wrapped in maguey leaves and smoke-roasted in a pit. The meat is cooked in the nearby state of Hidalgo (hence teh restaurant's name) because Mexico City doesn't have the huge fire pits necessary; the maguey leaves ensure the freshness in transit. The smoky meat is ordered by weight (a half-kilo serves four), wrapped in tortillas and served with salsas, coriander, onion and cheese. Open Fridays and weekends.
49 locals recommend
El Hidalguense
155 Campeche
49 locals recommend
El Hidalguense is the place to go for barbacoa (Mexican barbecue): lamb rubbed simply, wrapped in maguey leaves and smoke-roasted in a pit. The meat is cooked in the nearby state of Hidalgo (hence teh restaurant's name) because Mexico City doesn't have the huge fire pits necessary; the maguey leaves ensure the freshness in transit. The smoky meat is ordered by weight (a half-kilo serves four), wrapped in tortillas and served with salsas, coriander, onion and cheese. Open Fridays and weekends.
It's all gut-busting deliciousness at this taquería (there are several branches, including one in Centro). There's normally a queue around the block to grab a simple, folding chair at one of the bright , beer-branded card-tables but don't worry, it moves quickly. A cualdron of oil turns out fluffy, golden orb of prawn, smoked marlin, batter-fried jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese, and any other possible combination of the salient ingredients. Whatever you choose, it will be chopped to bits, smacked onto a doubled-up tortilla and handed over less than 30 seconds after frying (the cellophane on the plates is part of the experience). Two tacos is more than sufficient.
135 locals recommend
El Pescadito
38 C. Atlixco
135 locals recommend
It's all gut-busting deliciousness at this taquería (there are several branches, including one in Centro). There's normally a queue around the block to grab a simple, folding chair at one of the bright , beer-branded card-tables but don't worry, it moves quickly. A cualdron of oil turns out fluffy, golden orb of prawn, smoked marlin, batter-fried jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese, and any other possible combination of the salient ingredients. Whatever you choose, it will be chopped to bits, smacked onto a doubled-up tortilla and handed over less than 30 seconds after frying (the cellophane on the plates is part of the experience). Two tacos is more than sufficient.
One of my favorites! Kura is a notable addition to the Japanese restaurant faction in Mexico City, where sushi abounds but izakayas are still rare. Here you can enjoy hearty donburi (rice bowl dishes), ramen good enough to rival Tokyo, yakitori of grilled baby octopus and plates of sashimi. Chef Takeya Matsumoto, originally from Kanagawa, has many years of experience in Mexico, and pays special attention to the sushi. He uses only the most pristine fish and shellfish, including chocolate clams from Baja California.
108 locals recommend
Kura
378 Colima
108 locals recommend
One of my favorites! Kura is a notable addition to the Japanese restaurant faction in Mexico City, where sushi abounds but izakayas are still rare. Here you can enjoy hearty donburi (rice bowl dishes), ramen good enough to rival Tokyo, yakitori of grilled baby octopus and plates of sashimi. Chef Takeya Matsumoto, originally from Kanagawa, has many years of experience in Mexico, and pays special attention to the sushi. He uses only the most pristine fish and shellfish, including chocolate clams from Baja California.

Drinks & Nightlife

A former bank vault-turnedjazz club. Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler when it opened as one of the “25 exciting new nightspots” in the world. For a calendar of events, visit www.zincojazz.com
100 locals recommend
Zinco Jazz Club
20 Calle de Motolinia
100 locals recommend
A former bank vault-turnedjazz club. Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler when it opened as one of the “25 exciting new nightspots” in the world. For a calendar of events, visit www.zincojazz.com
Founded in 1925, this bustling cantina and cultural landmark features roving mariachi bands playing all at once. Open 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.
64 locals recommend
Salón Tenampa
12 Pl. Garibaldi
64 locals recommend
Founded in 1925, this bustling cantina and cultural landmark features roving mariachi bands playing all at once. Open 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Speakeasy. Hidden and without a sign, this is the spot for those seeking a cozy little bar with soft lightning. It has a large menu of mezcal. Open Tue & Wed 3pm-1:30am, Thu-Sat 3pm to 2:30am
125 locals recommend
Bósforo
31 Luis Moya
125 locals recommend
Speakeasy. Hidden and without a sign, this is the spot for those seeking a cozy little bar with soft lightning. It has a large menu of mezcal. Open Tue & Wed 3pm-1:30am, Thu-Sat 3pm to 2:30am