Mexico City, with a population of 20 million people, is one of the biggest and most interesting cities in the world. Due to its sheer size, the list of Mexico City tourist attractions offers something for every type of traveller. Whether one seeks to savour real Mexican cuisine, gaze at ancient archeological wonders, visit the wide range of Mexico City museums, or simply immerse oneself in a melting pot of cultural and architectural diversity, a vacation in Mexico City has it all.
Mexico City, called Tenochtitlan by its original inhabitants, was built by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island in a valley in Central Mexico. The Valley of Mexico City is located in a high plateau at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. As the Aztec empire expanded, the lake of Texcoco, on which Tenochtitlan was located, was drained and wooden structures called “floating gardens” were built over the lake to grow crops.
In 1521, the Spanish Army laid siege and destroyed most of the city, which was rebuilt according to Spanish standards. Travelers planning a vacation in Mexico City can expect to see a vibrant mixture of different architectural styles, ranging from subterranean Aztec temples to Spanish colonial churches and modern financial centers.
A vacation in Mexico City offers visitors the chance to experience different types of architectural styles in a bustling and dynamic city and, after that, to relax in day trips to archeological ruins, towns, or natural parks. The city also offers a wide range of dining options and a vibrant nightlife.
Teotihuacán, one of the largest archeological sites in Latin America, is about an hour’s drive North of Mexico City. The site consists of a large avenue, called the Avenue of the Death, which is sided by small temples believed to be burial mounds. At one end of the avenue lies the Pyramid of the Moon and at the other, the Pyramid of the Sun. The latter is believed to be the second tallest pyramid in the world, and climbing it can be a grueling but exhilarating experience. The view that can be seen from either of the two pyramids makes the archeological site of Teotihuacán one of the top Mexico City tourist attractions. Travelers who wish to avoid huge tourist masses at the site should avoid visiting Teotihuacán on Sundays.
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The Historic Center of Mexico City, known as “the Zocalo", is the perfect place to see three very different types of architectural styles. Buried underground, the Templo Mayor, is an ancient Aztec ceremonial temple that was discovered during the excavation phase of the Mexico City subway construction. A few hundred meters away from the Templo Mayor lies the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most beautiful colonial cathedrals in Mexico. A vacation in Mexico City also demands travelers to visit the observation deck of the Torre Lationamericana, the tallest building in Mexico. At night, from the top of the tower, one can see an endless sea of lights that seems to go as far as the horizon, giving travelers an idea of the immense size of Mexico City.
Located in the Southern part of the city, the canals of Xochimilco are considered one of the most traditional Mexico City tourist attractions. Visitors can board wooden boats, called trajineras, along the many canals of Xochimilco. The water may not look too clean, but the colorfully painted boats, along with the music played by mariachis on adjacent trajineras, and the mandatory beer or tequila drink, make these canals one of the must-see Mexico City attractions.
The picturesque neighborhood of Coyoacán, located in South-Center Mexico City, is best described as an old, tree-covered, colonial town with cobble-stone trees surrounded by a massive city. Coyoacán used to be a town on the outskirts of Mexico City, but was eventually swallowed by the growing metropolis. This part of the city boasts beautiful colonial buildings, including old churches, plazas, as well as food and arts markets. The nearby parks of San Angel become a great arts and crafts market on Saturdays, offering a wide range of jewellery, paintings, traditional handcrafts, and Mexican snacks. Considering its old-town charm, Coyoacan is one of the most culturally rich Mexico City tourist Attractions.
Museum lovers planning a vacation in Mexico City should definitely visit the National Museum of Anthropology. One of the most famous Mexico City museums, it displays a huge number of pre-Hispanic artifacts, including the famous Aztec Sun Calendar, and depicts the culture and traditions of Mesoamerican societies. The Templo Mayor Museum and the Anahuacalli Museum, built in the form of a huge pyramid, both boast a large number of pre-Hispanic artifacts.
Fans of Frida Kahlo’s art and life can visit the Coyoacán house where she lived with her muralist husband, Diego Rivera, for more than 20 years. The colorful and excentric house features some of Frida Kahlo’s artwork, as well as her possesions. Located near Xochimilco, the Dolores Olmedo Museum features perhaps the largest collection of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Paintings. Admirers of murals should also visit the National University (UNAM) campus, featuring massive murals decorating the facades of many of the University’s buildings and making it another one of the top Mexico City tourist attractions. Booking.com
Mexico City Facts
Mexico City, called Tenochtitlan by its original inhabitants, was built by the Aztecs in 1325 on an island in a valley in Central Mexico. The Valley of Mexico City is located in a high plateau at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. As the Aztec empire expanded, the lake of Texcoco, on which Tenochtitlan was located, was drained and wooden structures called “floating gardens” were built over the lake to grow crops.
In 1521, the Spanish Army laid siege and destroyed most of the city, which was rebuilt according to Spanish standards. Travelers planning a vacation in Mexico City can expect to see a vibrant mixture of different architectural styles, ranging from subterranean Aztec temples to Spanish colonial churches and modern financial centers.
Top Mexico City Tourist Attractions
A vacation in Mexico City offers visitors the chance to experience different types of architectural styles in a bustling and dynamic city and, after that, to relax in day trips to archeological ruins, towns, or natural parks. The city also offers a wide range of dining options and a vibrant nightlife.
The Archeological Site of Teotihuacán – Highlight of a Vacation in Mexico City
Teotihuacán, one of the largest archeological sites in Latin America, is about an hour’s drive North of Mexico City. The site consists of a large avenue, called the Avenue of the Death, which is sided by small temples believed to be burial mounds. At one end of the avenue lies the Pyramid of the Moon and at the other, the Pyramid of the Sun. The latter is believed to be the second tallest pyramid in the world, and climbing it can be a grueling but exhilarating experience. The view that can be seen from either of the two pyramids makes the archeological site of Teotihuacán one of the top Mexico City tourist attractions. Travelers who wish to avoid huge tourist masses at the site should avoid visiting Teotihuacán on Sundays.
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The Historic Center of Mexico City – The Zocalo
The Historic Center of Mexico City, known as “the Zocalo", is the perfect place to see three very different types of architectural styles. Buried underground, the Templo Mayor, is an ancient Aztec ceremonial temple that was discovered during the excavation phase of the Mexico City subway construction. A few hundred meters away from the Templo Mayor lies the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most beautiful colonial cathedrals in Mexico. A vacation in Mexico City also demands travelers to visit the observation deck of the Torre Lationamericana, the tallest building in Mexico. At night, from the top of the tower, one can see an endless sea of lights that seems to go as far as the horizon, giving travelers an idea of the immense size of Mexico City.
The Xochimilco Canals - One of the Most Traditional Mexico City Tourist Attractions
Located in the Southern part of the city, the canals of Xochimilco are considered one of the most traditional Mexico City tourist attractions. Visitors can board wooden boats, called trajineras, along the many canals of Xochimilco. The water may not look too clean, but the colorfully painted boats, along with the music played by mariachis on adjacent trajineras, and the mandatory beer or tequila drink, make these canals one of the must-see Mexico City attractions.
Coyoacán – A Town Within the City
The picturesque neighborhood of Coyoacán, located in South-Center Mexico City, is best described as an old, tree-covered, colonial town with cobble-stone trees surrounded by a massive city. Coyoacán used to be a town on the outskirts of Mexico City, but was eventually swallowed by the growing metropolis. This part of the city boasts beautiful colonial buildings, including old churches, plazas, as well as food and arts markets. The nearby parks of San Angel become a great arts and crafts market on Saturdays, offering a wide range of jewellery, paintings, traditional handcrafts, and Mexican snacks. Considering its old-town charm, Coyoacan is one of the most culturally rich Mexico City tourist Attractions.
Mexico City Museums
Museum lovers planning a vacation in Mexico City should definitely visit the National Museum of Anthropology. One of the most famous Mexico City museums, it displays a huge number of pre-Hispanic artifacts, including the famous Aztec Sun Calendar, and depicts the culture and traditions of Mesoamerican societies. The Templo Mayor Museum and the Anahuacalli Museum, built in the form of a huge pyramid, both boast a large number of pre-Hispanic artifacts.
Fans of Frida Kahlo’s art and life can visit the Coyoacán house where she lived with her muralist husband, Diego Rivera, for more than 20 years. The colorful and excentric house features some of Frida Kahlo’s artwork, as well as her possesions. Located near Xochimilco, the Dolores Olmedo Museum features perhaps the largest collection of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Paintings. Admirers of murals should also visit the National University (UNAM) campus, featuring massive murals decorating the facades of many of the University’s buildings and making it another one of the top Mexico City tourist attractions. Booking.com
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