Mexico City in 3 days

Trip at a glance

Your first day

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: The historic center and Garibaldi

The Aztec and colonial center on foot, a market lunch, Bellas Artes and the view from the Torre Latinoamericana, then mariachis on Plaza Garibaldi.

Check the weekday. Templo Mayor is closed on Mondays. Palacio de Bellas Artes is closed on Mondays.

1
9:00 AMZócaloStart in the main square before it gets busy.About 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk 2 min
2
9:30 AMMetropolitan CathedralLook for how the floor and walls lean: the city is slowly sinking into the old lakebed.About 1 hour here
Free to visit
Walk 3 min
3
10:30 AMTemplo MayorAllow two hours for the ruins and the museum. Closed on Mondays.About 2 hours here
Foreign visitors: MX$210 (about $11) · Mexican nationals: MX$105 (about $6)
Official fees: INAHLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 20 min, partly along Madero
4
12:45 PMMercado de San JuanLunch at the counters: plates of cheese and cured ham, seafood, and grasshoppers for the curious.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 10 min
5
2:15 PMPalacio de Bellas ArtesSee the murals on the upper floors, then stroll the Alameda Central park next door.About 2 hours 45 min here
Entry: MX$95 (about $5) · Free on Sundays
Official fees: INBALLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 5 min
6
5:00 PMOptionalTorre LatinoamericanaGo up near sunset to watch the city light up below.About 1 hour 15 min here
Adult observation deck: MX$220 (about $12) · Observation deck and floor 38 museum included.
Official fees: Mirador Torre LatinoLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 10 min up Eje Central, or take a ride-hail
7
6:30 PMPlaza GaribaldiMariachi bands play for hire around the square; have pozole in the San Camilito market, and ride-hail back after dark.
Free to visit

Before you go

Book these aheadFrida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) (day 3): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Plan around MondaysMost museums on this plan close on Mondays, so start the trip on another day.
Take ride-hailing at nightRide-hailing apps are widely used and easy to track; use them after dark instead of hailing taxis on the street.
Get a transit cardBuy a rechargeable card at a Metro or Metrobús station: the Metrobús does not take cash.
Carry small billsMarkets, street stalls and mariachis want pesos in cash, and change can be short. In restaurants, tip about 10 to 15 percent.
Go slowly the first dayThe city sits high on a plateau: drink plenty of water and take stairs and hills slowly at first.
Drink bottled waterDon't drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hotels provide.

Where to stay for this plan

Stay in Roma Norte or Condesa: Chapultepec is next door, and the Centro and Coyoacán are a short ride away.

Hotels in Mexico City

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Plan not yet checked. Confirm fees and opening hours before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.