Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec)
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, 11100
Chapultepec Castle is the only palace on the continent and one of the most iconic in all of Latin America. It sits more than 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) above sea level in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park. It has housed royalty, served as a military academy, and was even an observatory. In 1996, stage directors and set designers transformed the castle into Capulet Mansion for the movie Romeo + Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The basics
Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec) served as the presidential residence until 1939 when President Lázaro Cárdenas had it turned into 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 or free up storage on your phone for photos. The views of Mexico City from Chapultepec Hill, the site of a pre-hispanic port, are some of the best in the country.
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 Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec) tickets. Or, you can skip the line by choosing an early-access tour that lets you in before the crowds.
Things to know before you go
Chapultepec Castle and the history museum are must-sees for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Buy your tickets in advance 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 as the signs are all in Spanish.
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.
How to get there
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.
When to get there
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
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. It houses most of the popular attractions, including the castle, National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de AntropologÃa), Modern Art Museum (Museo Arte Moderno), National Auditorium (Auditorio Nacional), Rufino Tamayo Museum (Museo Rufino Tamayo), and Chapultepec Zoo (Parque Zoológico de Chapultepec).
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