Mexico · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Mexico City – a ready-made itinerary
Mexico City is enormous, but the main sights sit in a handful of neighbourhoods. One day is for the historic centre, one for Chapultepec Park and the leafy districts of Roma and Condesa. On day three you head out of the city to the pyramids of Teotihuacán and eat in Coyoacán on the way back.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Zócalo, Chapultepec Castle, Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor
- Day trips
- Teotihuacán and Coyoacán
- Where to stay
- Roma and Condesa, Centro Histórico, Polanco
- Getting around
- The historic centre, Roma and Condesa are good on foot.
- Best time to go
- The most pleasant time is the dry season from about November to April, with sunny days and cool evenings.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Mexico City
13 places you should not miss in Mexico City – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
ZócaloOne of the largest squares in the world, on the site of the old Aztec centre. The cathedral and the National Palace stand around it.Day 1
Mexico City Metropolitan CathedralThe largest cathedral in Latin America, built over almost three centuries. Inside are gilded Baroque altars.Day 1
Templo MayorThe excavated main temple of Tenochtitlan, right next to the cathedral. The museum holds stone sculptures and finds from the Aztec capital.Day 1
Torre LatinoamericanaWalk west along the pedestrian Madero Street. From the observation floor of this 1956 tower you see the whole centre and Alameda Park.Day 1
Palacio de Bellas ArtesThe white marble palace of the arts on Alameda Park. Inside hang large murals by Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros.Day 1
Chapultepec CastleThe castle on the hill in Chapultepec Park, once the residence of Emperor Maximilian. From the terraces you look down the Paseo de la Reforma.Day 2- National Museum of AnthropologyThe country's most important museum, a short walk through the park. It holds the Aztec Sun Stone – allow at least two hours.Day 2
- Angel of IndependenceThe golden victory column on the Paseo de la Reforma, a city landmark. From here it is a few minutes south into Roma.Day 2
- Parque MéxicoThe park at the heart of Condesa, surrounded by Art Deco buildings and streets with trees down the middle. Good for a stroll into the evening.Day 2
- Temple of the Feathered SerpentTeotihuacán lies about 50 kilometres north-east of the city, with buses from the Terminal Norte bus station. Start in the south: the temple is decorated with carved serpent heads.Day 3
- Pyramid of the SunWalk north along the Avenue of the Dead to one of the largest structures in Mesoamerica. There is little shade, so bring water and sun protection.Day 3
- Pyramid of the MoonAt the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead. From the plaza in front you see the whole axis of the site down to the Pyramid of the Sun.Day 3
- CoyoacánThe old village centre with cobbled streets, a church and two squares. Frida Kahlo lived here, and in the evening the squares fill with families.Day 3
Day 1
Historic centre
Zócalo
One of the largest squares in the world, on the site of the old Aztec centre. The cathedral and the National Palace stand around it.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Zócaloright next door
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
The largest cathedral in Latin America, built over almost three centuries. Inside are gilded Baroque altars.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedralright next door
Templo Mayor
The excavated main temple of Tenochtitlan, right next to the cathedral. The museum holds stone sculptures and finds from the Aztec capital.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Templo Mayorabout 15 min on foot
Torre Latinoamericana
Walk west along the pedestrian Madero Street. From the observation floor of this 1956 tower you see the whole centre and Alameda Park.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Torre Latinoamericanaabout 10 min on foot
Mercado de San Juan
The market hall where the city's chefs shop, a few minutes to the south-west. The stalls offer cheese, seafood, tacos and a few unusual things to try.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mercado de San Juanabout 10 min on foot
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The white marble palace of the arts on Alameda Park. Inside hang large murals by Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palacio de Bellas Artes
Day 2
Chapultepec, Roma and Condesa
Chapultepec Castle
The castle on the hill in Chapultepec Park, once the residence of Emperor Maximilian. From the terraces you look down the Paseo de la Reforma.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Chapultepec Castleabout 10 min on foot
National Museum of Anthropology
The country's most important museum, a short walk through the park. It holds the Aztec Sun Stone – allow at least two hours.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Museum of Anthropologyabout 30 min on foot
Angel of Independence
The golden victory column on the Paseo de la Reforma, a city landmark. From here it is a few minutes south into Roma.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Angel of Independenceabout 25 min on foot
Mercado Roma
A food hall with lots of stalls, from pozole to tacos. People eat late in Mexico City anyway, so this counts as lunchtime.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mercado Romaabout 10 min on foot
Parque México
The park at the heart of Condesa, surrounded by Art Deco buildings and streets with trees down the middle. Good for a stroll into the evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Parque México
Day 3
Teotihuacán and Coyoacán
Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Teotihuacán lies about 50 kilometres north-east of the city, with buses from the Terminal Norte bus station. Start in the south: the temple is decorated with carved serpent heads.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Temple of the Feathered Serpentabout 20 min on foot
Pyramid of the Sun
Walk north along the Avenue of the Dead to one of the largest structures in Mesoamerica. There is little shade, so bring water and sun protection.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pyramid of the Sunabout 10 min on foot
Pyramid of the Moon
At the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead. From the plaza in front you see the whole axis of the site down to the Pyramid of the Sun.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pyramid of the Moonabout 50.9 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Mercado de Coyoacán
Take the bus back, then the Metro to the south of the city. Coyoacán's market hall is known for its tostadas, eaten at long counters.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mercado de Coyoacánabout 5 min on foot
Coyoacán
The old village centre with cobbled streets, a church and two squares. Frida Kahlo lived here, and in the evening the squares fill with families.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Coyoacán
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant time is the dry season from about November to April, with sunny days and cool evenings. June to September is the rainy season, usually with short, heavy showers in the afternoon. The city sits at around 2,200 metres, so it rarely gets really hot, but the sun is strong.
Getting around
The historic centre, Roma and Condesa are good on foot. The Metro is dense and fast but very crowded at rush hour, and Metrobús lines run on their own lanes. For trips without a good connection or in the evening, use a ride-hailing app or a taxi from an official stand. Buses to Teotihuacán leave regularly from the Terminal Norte bus station and take about an hour.
Where to stay
Roma and Condesa
Leafy neighbourhoods with trees, cafés and lots of restaurants, easy on foot. Not far from the centre or Chapultepec.
Centro Histórico
Right among the major sights, with many hotels in old buildings. Some streets empty out in the evening, so choose your location carefully.
Polanco
A quiet, well-kept district north of Chapultepec Park. Close to the Anthropology Museum, further from the centre.
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More on Mexico City in our blog: How many days in Mexico City? Plans for 2–7 days
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Mexico City: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Mexico City?
The must-see sights in Mexico City are Zócalo, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, Torre Latinoamericana, Palacio de Bellas Artes and Chapultepec Castle. This plan links 13 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Mexico City?
For a first impression, yes. With more time add the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán, the canals of Xochimilco, the Basilica of Guadalupe or the university campus.
Is the trip to Teotihuacán worth it?
Yes – the pyramids are among the most impressive sites in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leave early, when it is cooler and less crowded.
Will I notice the altitude?
Some travellers feel the altitude for the first few days, as shortness of breath or tiredness. Drink plenty of water and keep the first day light.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements and safety advice from your government before you go. Buy tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum in advance.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Xavier Quetzalcoatl Contreras Castillo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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