Mexico City in 5 days

Length

5 days

Best time

March to April, October to November

Pace

Moderate

Day trips

Teotihuacán

Five days in Mexico City: The Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec; Frida Kahlo’s Coyoacán, plus a day trip to Teotihuacán. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.

Day by day

1First Evening at GaribaldiArrival

• When you arriveAlameda CentralThe city’s oldest park, beside the Palacio de Bellas Artes.Tip: Diego Rivera’s mural of the park is in the museum at its western end.

Lunch nearby: Café de Tacuba or El Huequito

Dinner: Café de Tacuba or El Huequito

2TeotihuacanDay trip to Teotihuacán

• MorningPyramid of the SunReal, genuinely third-largest pyramid in the world, the site's dominant structure.Tip: Arrive at 8am opening: there is no shade and the sun is fierce by noon.
• AfternoonPyramid of the MoonReal second-largest pyramid at the site, genuinely offering the best overview of the ancient city.

Lunch nearby: La Gruta

Dinner: La Gruta

3The Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec

• MorningNational Museum of AnthropologyMexico’s greatest museum, from the Aztec Sun Stone to the Maya.Tip: Start with the Mexica (Aztec) hall and the Sun Stone; you will not see it all in a day.
• AfternoonChapultepec CastleHilltop castle museum.Tip: The only royal castle in the Americas actually inhabited by sovereigns — genuinely offers good views over Mexico City from its hilltop position.
• If you have timeChapultepec ParkHuge urban park.Tip: One of the largest urban parks in the world, genuinely home to several museums including Chapultepec Castle.

Lunch nearby: Lago Algo or Pujol

Dinner: El Turix or Lago Algo

4Frida Kahlo’s Coyoacán

• MorningFrida Kahlo MuseumBlue House museum.Tip: Tickets are timed and sell out a week or more ahead; buy online.
• AfternoonMercado de CoyoacánCoyoacán’s market, famous for its tostadas.Tip: Tostadas Coyoacán is the stall to find.
• EveningCoyoacánColonial district.Tip: A charming, colorful district known as Frida Kahlo's former neighborhood — genuinely worth a full afternoon given its museums and market.

Lunch nearby: Tostadas Coyoacán or La Coyoacana

Dinner: La Coyoacana or Corazón de Maguey

5A Last Morning on the ZócaloLast morning

• Before you leaveTemplo MayorAztec ruins.Tip: Genuine Aztec temple ruins discovered beneath Mexico City's historic center — a significant archaeological site right in the capital.

Lunch nearby: Azul Histórico or Café de Tacuba

Dinner: Azul Histórico or Café de Tacuba

Where to stay