Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec)

Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec) served as the presidential residence until 1939, soon after which it became home to the National Museum of History (Museo Nacional de Historia); today it also serves as a venue for concerts and theater productions. A stroll through the museum halls followed by a tour of the sprawling castle grounds is a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Mexico City. Don’t forget to pack a camera—the views from Chapultepec Hill are some of the best in the city.

Visit the castle independently or as part of a Mexico City sightseeing tour by bike, by Segway, or on foot. Avoid long waits at the entrance with prebooked skip-the-line admission, or choose an early-access tour and get in before the crowds.

• Chapultepec Castle and the history museum are must-sees for history and architecture enthusiasts.

• Buy advance tickets to avoid waiting in line at the ticket booth.

• Expect to spend a few hours exploring the collections and major exhibitions.

• If you go on your own, it’s worth paying a small fee for the audio tour in English.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you plan to explore the vast park, which is double the size of New York’s Central Park.

• The castle is accessible to wheelchair users.

The castle is located on Calz del Rio in Chapultepec Park and is easily accessible via public transportation. Take the metro to Auditorio (Line 7) or Chapultepec (Line 1) stations, or hop on the Chapultepec–Centro Historico Turibus.

Chapultepec Castle is open 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. The castle offers free admission to Mexico residents on Sundays, which typically means bigger crowds. See it at its least busiest by visiting during the week.

Chapultepec Park, located in the center of Mexico City off Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, is one of the world’s largest city parks. It spans 1,695 acres (686 hectares) and is divided into three sections. The first section is the park’s oldest and most visited, as it houses most of the popular attractions, including the castle, National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología), Modern Art Museum (Museo Arte Moderno), National Auditorium (Auditorio Nacional), Rufino Tamayo Museum (Museo Rufino Tamayo), and Chapultepec Zoo (Parque Zoológico de Chapultepec).