Mexico City 3 Day Itinerary

Mexico City 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Historic Center and Zocalo

Morning:

  • Start your day with a hearty Mexican breakfast at El Cardenal (Av. Buenos Aires 20-22, Centro Histórico). Try their signature conchas (sweet pastries) and huevos motuleños.
  • Visit Zocalo, the historic main square of Mexico City, and admire its grand cathedral and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
  • Explore nearby attractions like Templo Mayor (Humboldt 1, Centro Histórico), a Aztec temple, and Palacio de Bellas Artes (Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Juárez).

Afternoon:

  • Head to Callejon de Tonalpohua for unique souvenirs and traditional crafts.
  • Visit Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes to see artworks by Rivera, Orozco, and Diego Rivera’s famous mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central.”
  • Enjoy lunch at Pujol To Go (Av. Álvaro Obregón 146, Polanco). Taco master Enrique Olvera serves up gourmet street food.

Evening:

  • Take a stroll through Alameda Central, a beautiful park perfect for people watching.
  • Discover the vibrant nightlife in Zona Rosa or Polanco. Some popular bars and clubs include Pulque en el Hueyatl (Calle Duraznos 30, Colonia Roma), La Castañeda (Av. Luis Moya, Colonia Juárez) and Mojave (Av. José Vasconcelos 105, Polanco).

Day 2: Museums and Coyoacán

Morning:

  • Begin your day with breakfast at Panadería Rosetta (Av. Madrid 78, La Roma). Their pastries are worth waking up early for!
  • Visit the famous Anthropology Museum (Paseo de la Reforma s/n, Chapultepec). Spend a few hours learning about Mexico’s rich cultural history.

Afternoon:

  • Head to Coyoacán, a picturesque neighborhood with charming streets and colorful houses.
  • Visit Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) (Calle London No. 2, Coyoacán) for an insight into the life and work of this iconic Mexican artist.
  • Enjoy lunch at El Cardenal Coyoacán (Prolongación Morelos 280-B, Coyoacán). Their quesadillas are a must-try!

Evening:

  • Stroll through Jardín Centenario, a beautiful park in Coyoacán.
  • Dine at Nico’s Cantina (Calle de Jacinto A. Burgoa 54, Coyoacán) for delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine.

Day 3: Xochimilco and Floating Gardens

Morning:

  • Have breakfast at El Destilado (Av. Universidad 123, Coyoacán). Their mole dishes are fantastic!
  • Take a taxi or Uber to Xochimilco. Rent a trajineras (colorful boats) and explore the floating gardens.

Afternoon:

  • Grab lunch at a nearby eatery in Xochimilco. Many vendors offer traditional Mexican food along the canals.
  • Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring more of Xochimilco, or visit Museo Tarsila Somera (Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, Tlatelolco) if you have time.

Evening:

  • Return to Mexico City and visit Mercado San Juan (Calle San Juan de Letrán 2) for a taste of local street food before your departure.

Tips & Things to Know:

  • Use Uber, taxis, or the Metro to get around the city. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas.
  • English is not widely spoken, so learning some basic Spanish phrases will be helpful.
  • Mexico City can be quite polluted; check the air quality index before heading out and use masks if necessary.
  • Drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks to avoid any stomach issues.
  • Don’t forget to try traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, mole poblano, chiles en nogada, and tamales!