Centro Historico

The basics

Mexico City is one of the largest in size, and population, of any capital city and is made up of 16 boroughs known as alcaldias. Mexico City also happens to have the largest number of museums in the world. A few of the many categories include: science & technology, military, history, and art museums. With how large the city is and how much there is to see, it’s best to plan ahead and consider booking tours that combine multiple attractions.

There are numerous ways to discover the sights of Mexico City. Stroll around the Zócalo and along Paseo de la Reforma on a Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Mexico City; zip around the city on a Segway or bike tour; admire the illuminated streets on a night tour; or enjoy the local cuisine on a Historic Center Food Tour in Mexico City. Notable landmarks include the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio de las Bellas Artes, the skyscraper Torre Latinoamericana, Tenochtitlán’s Templo Mayor, and the Palacio Postal—a golden palace that has served as a post office since 1907.

Things to know before you go

• As in most major cities in Latin America and around the world, pickpockets are common around the main tourist areas, so keep an eye on your belongings and only carry the essentials.

• Opt for the Metro over the city’s pink taxi. There have been reports of robberies, and as a tourist, you may end up paying much more than the going rate.

• Most museums in the Centro Historico are closed on Mondays.

• Many Centro Historico attractions are wheelchair accessible, but some of the neighborhood’s narrow, uneven lanes are difficult for wheelchairs to navigate.

How to get there

It’s easy to reach most of the attractions in the Centro Historico on foot from the Zócalo, but the area is also well served by public transport. The main metro station is Zócalo (Line 2), and numerous buses (metrobus, trolleybus and RTP) also stop by the square.

When to get there

The most popular time to explore Mexico City is between March and May, when the warm, dry weather is ideal for sightseeing. The Zócalo is the center of many of the city’s festivals and events, including the annual Independence Day celebrations (September 16), the Alebrije Parade (late October), and the Day of the Dead parade (November 1–2).

Mexico City’s Aztec history

Founded in 1325 as an Aztec capital, ancient Tenochtitlán was built on an island on Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico, and the enormous Zócalo was its spiritual, political, and ceremonial center. According to Aztec legend, a vision instructed the wandering Aztec tribe to build a city on the spot where an eagle, perched on a cactus, was devouring a serpent—an image that now adorns the Mexican flag. When the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century, they drained the lake and destroyed many Aztec palaces and temples, rebuilding their new city around the Zócalo.