CDMX travel guide with art museums, tours, landmarks and the best restaurants in the city!
Total Days: 5 Days | Accommodations: Boutique hotel in Condesa | Transportation: Ubers and walking| Traveled: Girls trip| Type of Trip: Art and architecture and a combo of fine dining and hidden gems | Highlights: Casa Luis Barragon, Food tour, Chapultepec Castle, Teotihuacan Pyramids
With so much to do and see, this guide is a solid collection of the best landmarks, museums and sites with some lessor known tips and suggestions. With the exception of breakfast spots, reservations should be made beforehand to most restaurants, bars and tours.
DAY 1
From the Condesa neighborhood, it’s a 10-minute walk to Contramar, the city’s best seafood restaurant open only during lunchtime. After, uber 25 minutes to the El Zócalo main city center. So begins the walking tour!
Start in the main square at the enormous and opulent Metropolitan Cathedral. From there walk through the Zócalo Square to take in the cultural epicenter and lively vibe of the vendors, dancers and locals catching up. Don’t miss a stop in the southwest corner at the Gran Hotel with the famed Tiffany domed roof. Then continue to the Casa de los Azulejos or House of Tiles, taking in the exterior Baroque palace façade and interior murals and tiles finished in the 19th century. Inside Sanborns de los Azulejos is a traditional spot for a drink or taco if you’re still hungry. From there, walk a block north to the nicest Palacio Postal (post office) you’ll ever set eyes on. Finally, finish site-seeing at the Palacio de Bellas Artes or Palace of Fine Arts. You can walk in and view the murals from a distance or pay a small fee to have access to all the artwork and exhibits.
Next walk 15 minutes south to La Ciudadela, the best craft market in the city with a vast array of handmade goods. Choice souvenirs include ceramics plates and bowls, bright handwoven textiles, paintings and spices/chocolate/mole. Don’t miss the adorable Cafe Bar in Pasillo 8.
Uber back to Condesa. Dinner is at Azul Restaurantes, ideally at a table on the porch overlooking the street, where they offer blankets for chillier nights. After it’s a 5-minute stroll to La Clandestina, your introduction to the mezcal world in a small cozy bar.
DAY 2
It’s an easy rise knowing that a breakfast at Chilakiller’s Loungería is in order. This bold restaurant is a local favorite for a reason. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to Casa Luis Barragan. The tour is a fascinating look inside the mind of one of the most influential architects in Mexico City. It’s all about shapes, shadows and colors.
Tip: Tours can only be booked ahead of time, so buy tickets to the earliest English speaking tour. Get there 15 minutes prior to the tour to explore the garden across the street. The photo fee is also worth the extra dough, especially if you can split one phone with your group. If you can’t get enough of Luis, book a tour of the Casa Gilardo home or the The Traveling Beetle tour as well!
From there it’s a 30-minute uber to the Museo Casa Estudio Diego & Frida, the less touristy studio of both artists connected by a tall bridge. Doesn’t take more than 45 minutes to peruse through the three art studios and smaller collections. Then cross the street to the San Angel Inn and ask for a table in the courtyard. Not the best food in the world, but the atmosphere makes up for it.
Next uber to the Coyoacan area and walk around the lovely neighborhood and homes. Buy tickets ahead of time to the Museo Frida Kahlo or the Blue House, because the line will be around the block. Discover Frida’s private universe: her home, artwork, estate and any exhibitions.
Tip: Tourists get confused between the Museo Casa and Museo Frida Kahlo. The studio is less touristy and you won’t need to buy tickets ahead of time. Although both are worth a stop, the Museo Frida Kahlo should be the priority.
Later dinner is at the casual but oh so delicious Orinoco. With a limited menu, it’s best to just order multiple of every taco. After, get a beverage at a slightly more upscale establishment! An 8-minute walk from there, Blanco Colima is a beautiful setting with a cool indoor/outdoor bar, lounge and dj scene. Or a 15-minute walk, check out Xaman which is an underground dimly lit style cocktail bar.
DAY 3
Despite your best efforts to find the top Mexican food, you need the help of a local expert. This AM, plan on a food tour! My favorite is Bikes and Munchies, a 5+ hour tour that includes biking through five neighborhoods and stops at fantastic monuments and hidden gems with explanations of the history and fun Mexico City facts. There are opportunities to try local cuisine from restaurants, markets and even tacos from a bike basket that will knock your socks off.
Alternatives: Eat Mexico and Club Tengo Hambre offer small curated food tours as well.
Dinner is Oaxaca cuisine at Pasillo de Humo. Then you have two options: the acclaimed Ballet Folkorica at the Palace of Fine Arts (available Wednesday and Sundays) or a dynamic Lucha Libre match (there are matches scheduled Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the two main arenas in the city). Both are highly rated experiences and offer a (distinct) dose of Mexican culture.
DAY 4
Breakfast is at Lalo! which is a cozy spot for coffee, pastries or larger breakfast entrees. After it’s a 30-minute walk or short uber to Chapultepec Park. Once inside the park, explore the area and make your way up the winding hill to one of the most impressive structures in the country and the only castle: Chapultepec Castle. You can wander the opulent rooms, and peruse the never ending floors, staircases and patios at will. Keep an eye out for large murals, stained glass and city views.
Next, walk north through the park. Grab a snack or two from the vendors along the way and make a free pitstop to see the pandas at the Zoo! Then the Museum of Anthropology includes some of the finest collections and treasures, over all pre-Colombian civilizations located in Mexico. If you’re pressed for time, focus on the first floor and the rooms in the back: Maya, Oaxaca, Mexica, Teotihuacan. Don’t miss the outdoor sculptures and attractions. Head back to the hotel to get ready for the evening!
Contesa DF is the first stop of the night. Get a cocktail and hang on a rooftop overlooking the Condesa neighborhood. Maybe take a tequila shot offered in the lobby if you’re feeling feisty.
The time has come for one of the best restaurants in the world and you’ve now got the food knowledge to back that statement up! Dinner is at Pujol, Chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurant made famous through Chef’s Table and too many accolades to list. This experience is about 3 hours and should be savored! If you’re not in a food coma and ready to hit the town, head to Casa Franca for cocktails and a live jazz music after.
DAY 5
It’s an early morning wakeup call today! Don your sneakers and enjoy a quick breakfast at El Globo bakery for coffee and mini conchas, the incredible local sweet bread. Then get an hour uber to the Teotihuacan Pyramids and be there as the doors open at 9am. Walk down the Avenue of the Dead so you can start by climbing the furthest Pyramid of the Moon with views of all the ancient temples, built around 100BC as part of a busy metropolis. Next stop at the Palace of Quetzlpapalotl, the largest Pyramid of the Sun, followed by the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Tip: The transportation options to the pyramids include buses, ubers and private tours. The tours for the most part arrive at the same time in the morning. To beat the rush, and get the most reflective experience, take an uber and be there when the doors open.
Post-pyramids, uber or take a cab to the fashionable Polanco area. Get a late lunch at Comedor. Then wander Parque Lincoln and the nearby shops. The final official stop is the Museo Soumaya, which contains Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim’s private art collection. From there, you can get an order of mini churros from Churro Mio to ¡Salud! to your Mexico City adventure.
