There are many guidebooks that promise to reveal the best-kept secrets of Mexico City, and it’s easy to see why: culture runs through this city from north to south. It’s the city with the second-highest number of museums in the world; its historic centre boasts Art Nouveau buildings, the best tacos al pastor, and, as if that weren’t enough, the famous Casa Azul was where Frida Kahlo was born. Its streets are so enigmatic that even Octavio Paz wrote poems about them, and they were the backdrop for Amores Perros, the cinematic masterpiece that earned Alejandro González Iñárritu his first Oscar nomination.
The cultural roots deeply embedded in its gastronomy, art galleries, and hospitality —that uniquely Mexican warmth that makes you feel right at home—make every visit to the “City of Palaces” a memorable experience. Furthermore, a new wave of talent in cuisine, art, and fashion intertwines with the city’s historical heritage, pointing toward an optimistic and cosmopolitan future that has much to offer.
Below, we have curated a selection of attractions you should have on your radar, as well as lesser-known corners that deserve to be discovered by nomadic souls seeking luxury experiences.
The Best Restaurants in Mexico City
Mexico City is experiencing a culinary boom. What began a couple of decades ago as a wave of culinary innovation seeking to celebrate the country’s native ingredients has become a premier gastronomic destination. Don’t be fooled, Mexico City is more than just tacos and Contramar’s famous tuna tostadas.
Among the standout restaurants are: Contramar, San Angel Inn, Carmela y Sal, Sanborns Azulejos, Rosetta, Pujol, Quintonil, Azul Histórico, Meroma in Roma Norte, Zeru, Magda San Ángel, ESCA, and many more.
The Best Bars in Mexico City
- Botánico
- Limantour
- Handshake Speakeasy
- Fónico en la Roma
- Tokyo Music Bar
- Hanky Panky
Botánico
Spectacular cuisine, an unbeatable atmosphere, and great music. Botánico has everything you need to kick-start a Friday night with friends over good dishes, then end the night at the establishment’s bar. Located in a completely renovated old mansion in Colonia Condesa, we recommend sharing some plates with your companions. Start with the delicious mussels in coconut and lemongrass sauce with fries; their take on the Caesar salad breaks the mould; the pappardelle with oxtail ragù is a must; and you can’t go wrong with a fish tiradito. To accompany them, three fail-safe drinks: the lime margarita, the passion fruit mezcalina, and the gin with cucumber and cardamom.
Limantour
To kick off the evening, Mr. Pink is one of Limantour’s signature cocktails. This is the perfect spot to spend a great day enjoying spirits in Polanco: you can savour this refreshing gin, grapefruit, and lemon drink while listening to great music.
Handshake Speakeasy
Renowned Dutch bartender Eric Van Beek serves unique and sophisticated cocktails at this Art Deco gem in Colonia Juárez. The interior design is inspired by the Prohibition era, so while you’re travelling back in time, you can enjoy a Negroni prepared with a vintage Campari bottle.
Fónico en la Roma
Let’s grab a cocktail! Unwind from the week’s pressures in a place with a great atmosphere, good music, and top-shelf spirits. Here you’ll find unique creations: a black margarita with activated charcoal and hibiscus salt, or a guava soda with hibiscus and guava puree. If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, they have aguas frescas, a classic horchata version or red cacao, so you can try something unconventional.
Tokyo Music Bar
The backbone of this place, naturally, is the bar, and that’s where the magic happens. Expert bartenders craft the city’s best martinis while vinyl records spin, creating an unbeatable atmosphere in this timeless bar in the Cuauhtémoc neighbourhood.
Hanky Panky
The Best Attractions in Mexico City
In Mexico City, you can enjoy a wide variety of attractions during your visit or a weekend getaway. These are the best things to do in Mexico City.
- Visit historical monuments
- Visit one of the city’s 180 museums
- Attend a concert
- Shop at local fashion stores
- Visit artisan markets
The most important historical monuments in Mexico City
Ángel de la Independencia
Ángel de la Independencia, better known as “El Ángel”, is the symbol of Mexico City. Located between Paseo de la Reforma Avenue and Río Tíber and Florencia streets, it stands atop the Monument to Independence, which was also inaugurated by President Porfirio Díaz in 1910. It is one of the most visited spots by tourists from all over the world who want to take a picture to remember their visit forever.
Antiguo Palacio de Iturbide
On Madero Street, in the Historic Center, stands the former Palacio de Iturbide, built between 1779 and 1785. Since 2004, this baroque building has become the Citibanamex Culture Palace, where you can find the permanent Palacio de Iturbide exhibition, plus temporary exhibitions, a library, photo archive, educational workshops, and a shop.
Metropolitan Cathedral
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral / Catedral Metropolitana on the Plaza de la Constitución / Plaza del Zócalo in Downtown Mexico City
Visiting this Catholic church in Mexico City’s Historic Center is a great opportunity to witness various architectural styles at once: Gothic, Baroque, Churrigueresque, and Neoclassical, shaped by its nearly 250 years of construction. Believers from around the world have visited the Metropolitan Cathedral, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
To celebrate the Centennial of Mexico’s Independence, President Porfirio Díaz commissioned Italian architect Adamo Boari to build a new national theatre in 1904. But the majestic structure we know today wasn’t completed until 1934, when it was christened the Palace of Fine Arts. Inside, you’ll find key works of the Mexican muralist movement by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo.
Castillo de Chapultepec
This castle, which began construction in 1785, has witnessed major historical events: it was home to viceroys, a military college, the imperial residence of Maximilian and Carlota of Austria, and in 1939, it became the National History Museum. Its interior, worthy of royalty, holds memories that build Mexico’s history, narrating, through corridors of black-and-white paintings and grand stained-glass windows, the most important events from the conquest of Tenochtitlan to the Mexican Revolution in 1910.
Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe
Xochimilco
Flower and toy vendors among pleasure boat sin Xochimilco floating gardens, Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by: Robert Knopes/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Located south of the city, the canals of Xochimilco keep the area’s pre-Hispanic history alive. Derived from Nahuatl, Xochimilco means “field of flowers”. Each year, it welcomes tourists and locals alike in its famous trajineras—a type of covered canoe. It’s located approximately 40 minutes from the city centre, and here you can also visit one of its traditional markets selling handicrafts and flowers.
The Best Museums in Mexico City
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- Frida Kahlo Museum or Casa Azul
- Soumaya Museum
- Jumex Museum
- Franz Mayer Museum
- Museum of Anthropology and History
- Chapultepec Castle
- MUNAL
- Postal Palace
- Memory and Tolerance Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Modern Art
Frida Kahlo Museum
The walls of this Blue House witnessed the birth and departure of the tormented painter Frida Kahlo‘s soul. The grand family home in Coyoacán was the Mexican artist’s refuge, and four years after her death, it was transformed into a cultural centre. The tour allows a deeper look into the artist’s home life, her art studio, and her most treasured possessions.
Soumaya Museum
Jumex Museum
Home to contemporary art exhibitions, the Jumex Museum has hosted the work of artists such as Jeff Koons, Marcel Duchamp, and James Turrell, to name just a few. It’s definitely a must-see during your stay in Mexico City.
Franz Mayer Museum
The Must-See Art Galleries in Mexico City
Mexico City continues to evolve as an artistic epicentre and is catapulting itself as a destination brimming with inspiration for artists and gallery owners. We have an extensive list of galleries to visit in Mexico City, and here we share some of the must-sees.
- Morán Morán
- Kurimanzutto
- José García , mx
- OMR
- Galería Hilario Galguera
- Campeche
- Llano
Morán Morán
A space for engaging with contemporary art, founded in Los Angeles in 2008. The gallery invites curators and artists to freely experiment with formats that challenge traditional notions, encouraging viewers to engage directly with the artworks. In 2021, they opened a location in Polanco, where this month you can discover an exhibition by the artist Joan Semmel.
Kurimanzutto
What began as a travelling contemporary art project in New York with Mónica Manzutto, José Kuri, and Gabriel Orozco in the 1990s is now housed in a building in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighbourhood. It houses 35 national and international artists, but this permanent space is not only for viewing their art; it’s also an open forum for criticism and research. A must-see.
José García, mx
OMR
Patricia Ortiz Monasterio and Jaime Riestra founded OMR in 1983, and it’s one of the most inspiring sites around. This renowned contemporary art gallery’s based in Colonia Roma, where emerging and established artists’ work comes together, and it also represents the estates of recognised art exponents such as Adolfo Riestra.
Galería Hilario Galguera
With the intention of being a space for discussion of Mexican and international art, the Hilario Galguera Gallery began its journey in the contemporary art scene in 2006. It opened with an exhibition of the renowned British artist Damien Hirst, and since then, the work of other colleagues such as Bosco Sodi and Daniel Buren has filled its walls.
Campeche
Llano
Llano is also one of those mandatory stops if you’re looking to visit a platform supporting artists with productions resulting from extensive research. They’re located in the Doctores neighbourhood, where they’re currently working on their next exhibition.
The Best Hotels in Mexico City
- Four Seasons Mexico City
- Hotel Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
- Hotel Casa Polanco
- Hotel Dama
- Hotel Oculto
Given the city’s size, accommodation options are plentiful.
Four Seasons Mexico City
In the heart of Paseo de la Reforma lies this unique, colonial-style hotel . The Four Seasons CDMX boasts five stars, fulfilling every requirement for an unforgettable stay. Its pink walls house the finest in gastronomy and interior design, not to mention the exceptional customer service that makes each guest feel special. To cap off the evening, a stop at the Fifty Mills bar for a margarita has become a true ritual for guests from around the world. Additionally, this venue offers a variety of exclusive experiences to discover the city’s iconic places and surroundings, such as Casa Luis Barragán or a flight over the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone.
Hotel Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
Hotel Casa Polanco
Casa Polanco offers a quieter, more personal luxury experience in the heart of Polanco. Located within a historic mansion facing Lincoln Park, the boutique hotel—with only 19 rooms and suites—combines the intimacy of a private residence with the refined service of contemporary hospitality. Amidst serene interiors, art, design, and deeply personalised attention, Casa Polanco revives an increasingly valued concept within modern luxury: truly feeling at home, but in a carefully curated version of Mexico City.
Hotel Dama
For travellers seeking exclusivity and understated luxury, who appreciate local character and delight in both relaxation and urban experiences, Hotel Dama represents one of the most refined options in Mexico City. Its location places you in the heart of Condesa, surrounded by parks, art, and cutting-edge cuisine, and just minutes from the city’s major cultural landmarks. The rooms elegantly blend classic and contemporary styles, and the common areas—terrace, library, and restaurant—invite both rest and enjoyment. It’s ideal for couples, creative professionals, design enthusiasts, or anyone accustomed to superior comfort. However, advance reservations are essential, and guests should request an interior room if absolute silence is desired. It’s also advisable to use their walking guide to discover all the hidden gems located around the property.
Hotel Oculto
If you’re more alternative and hip, your option is Hotel Oculto, located on Versalles Street in the heart of Colonia Juárez. This hotel is tucked away behind a hidden door in a restored building where 20th-century bourgeois heritage blends seamlessly with a contemporary industrial aesthetic. With 21 rooms, the space offers an intimate and curated experience that takes a conscious approach to the city, finding beauty in the everyday through design, architecture, and a serene atmosphere. Its location connects directly with the creative scene of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhood—cafés, galleries, and eclectic architecture—positioning it as an ideal spot to explore CDMX from a local and authentic perspective.
Editor
Lorena Meouchi and Atenea Morales de la Cruz; Translated by Kaitlyn LaiCredit
Lead Image: Anna Dave via The Great Gardens Of The World
