Self-organised trips
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. Originally built by the Aztecs in 1325 on the dry bed of Lake Texcoco, it is surrounded on three sides by tall mountains and volcanoes and sits in the Valley of Mexico, also known as the Valley of the Damned. Mexico City today is a great travel destination offering a wealth of culture and history in the shape of world-class museums, great archaeological buildings, idyllic parks and a thriving night-life.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN MEXICO CITY
- Mexico City truly is a capital city to rival all others. It is known as the City of Palaces due to its high number of stately buildings, most being gathered in the city centre and it also has the largest number of museums in the world. Plaza de la Constitución in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown) in one of the largest in the world and an excellent place to start your sightseeing. La Catedral, the largest and oldest in the Americas is here. Dating back to the 16th century, the gothic cathedral is an amazing sight with 4 facades, 16 chapels each dedicated to a different saint and many altars, the principle one made from solid gold.
- The Basílica de Guadalupe is the holiest of places for Catholics in the Americas and a frequent destination for pilgrims who want to see the Poncho of Juan Diego containing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Close by are the beautiful and tranquil gardens with ornate chapels and fountains where the Virgin spoke to Juan Diego. The Ciudad Universitaria is one of the world’s largest Universities and in 2007 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- There really is something to offer everyone in Mexico City and the number of attractions the city has to offer is truly amazing. There are no beaches in Mexico City but there are plenty of parks, plazas, bars and restaurants with which to relax between attractions and take in some of the great atmosphere and culture of this incredible city.
For more travel information on what to do in see in Ciudad de Mexico, we invite you to visit our partner GetYourGuide.
EATING OUT & NIGHTLIFE IN MEXICO CITY
Mexico City offers any kind of food you could wish for, but why would you want to eat anything other than Mexican cuisine. There will be no shortage of street-sellers, bars and restaurants, most offering very good local delights such as tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas and enchiladas. A typical Mexican place to drink is called a cantina where food is typically free and you pay for the drinks.
GETTING AROUND IN MEXICO CITY
Mexico is a huge city and not one you would want to discover by car. The public transport system is good and there is the Metro that runs underground. Also plenty of privately run buses and also thousands of taxis called verditos and are coloured green. Because Mexico City is so large, then it is highly likely you will have to use some mode of transport at any one time, and like anywhere, use your common sense and if you get lost a little Spanish will go a long way in this city that never stops.
