7 Awesome Things to See and Do in Mexico City

Mexico’s capital city can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. This sprawling hub of sights, sounds and smells is home to countless exciting experiences if you know where to look.

There are important historical sites as well as one of a kind activities located all over the city and on top of all that, an endless supply of eateries to keep you occupied. Whether it’s the beautiful architecture, rich cultural heritage or the buzzing atmosphere that gets you, it’s hard not fall in love with this place. Here are some of our favourite things to see and do from our most recent visit to Mexico City in December 2022.

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Listen to the Mariachis in Plaza Garibaldi

Although Mariachi music originated a little west of Mexico City in the state of Jalisco, it has a rich history in the city dating back well over 100 years. The number one spot to listen to Mariachi performers in Mexico City is Plaza Garibaldi located a few blocks north of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in the historic downtown district.

In the square you’ll find many roaming bands performing both traditional songs as well as mariachi style reworks of more modern songs. There are also a bunch restaurants and bars lining the edges of the square as well as the Mercado San Camilito which is essentially a food hall with a dozen or so vendors inside serving authentic Mexican dishes. We opted for a table at Salón Tenampa, the food is classic Mexican fare and is also great value but the real reason to come here is for the Mariachi bands inside. The atmosphere inside is usually buzzing so don’t come here for a quiet dinner and conversation. The bands will move from table to table playing so if they swing past yours, pay them for a few songs and enjoy a one of a kind dining experience.

When planning our visit to this area, we were warned that the surrounding neighbourhood can be a little bit sketchy so we’d recommend coming with a group of people and taking a cab or Uber if you can. On top of that, staff from various bars and restaurants in the square will pester you in an attempt to get you through their doors. There are stories of tourists being ripped off in some of these places with inflated drink prices and hidden charges so keep your wits about you and ignore anyone trying to flag you down. Salón Tenampa mentioned above is a safe bet for food or drinks and is the place you’ll see recommended most often when checking out this area.

Enjoy Some Authentic Tacos

A trip to anywhere in Mexico wouldn’t be complete without an unhealthy amount of tacos. You’ll find them all over the city and it’s actually pretty hard to go wrong with the vast majority of taco stands and restaurants in the city being authentic and high quality. With that said, there are a couple of standouts if you’re looking for the best of the best.

Perhaps the most famous taco is the Taco Al Pastor consisting of thinly sliced marinated pork slices alongside a shaving of pineapple. You’ll find these all over the city with El Tizoncito claiming to be the originators of the style. A friend recommended that we visit El Farolito in the trendy Condesa neighbourhood so we stopped by for a late lunch. In here we were treated to without doubt the best Tacos Al Pastor we’ve ever had alongside some other classics like quesadillas and tortas.

Though the food available at El Farolito is absolutely top notch, it does have a slightly elevated feel compared to some other taco stands and for some might not be the classic taco experience. If you’re looking for something a bit more authentic, you could try out the Anthony Bourdain favourite, Los Cocuyos. You can grab tacos to go here or snag a table in their low key cafeteria next door for table service. You’ll find all the classics as well as offerings like lengua (tongue), ojos (head) and sesos (brains). I’d been wanting try authentic tacos de lengua ever since we arrived so I ordered a plate here. Whilst the rich flavour really was delicious, I wasn’t prepared for the texture and if you’re new to eating these cuts of meat, the rough taste buds might be a little off putting.

Go Shopping at One of the City’s Many Markets

Mexico City is famous for it’s street and flea markets with the city being home to over 300, at least 80 of which are speciality markets dedicated to specific products or crafts. With such an abundance to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. Let us help you out by taking you through some of our favourite spots.

Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela located just opposite the Ciudadela Park in the Centro neighbourhood is a hotspot for all things handcrafted. In here you’ll find colourful displays of ceramics, clothing, jewellery and textiles. Admittedly there is a fair amount of mass produced merchandise that can be found all over the city so don’t fall into that trap. However, if you look a little harder you’ll be able to find some authentic pieces made by hand by local craftsmen and women so this is a great place to go shopping for unique gifts and souvenirs.

Just a few blocks up the street you’l find Mercado de San Juan, one of the city’s most popular markets for fresh food. In here you’ll find gourmet food and exotic ingredients, with stalls selling freshly cooked dishes as well as produce to take home. There’s a huge selection of some of Mexico’s most famous exports including gemstone coloured heirloom corn and a vast array of both fresh and dried chillis. This market is also known for creepy crawlies and if you dare, you’ll be to sample some local delicacies like scorpions, ants and even tarantulas.

Heading east of Mercado de San Juan, you’ll find Mercado de Mixcalco. This sprawling maze of almost 1,000 vendors is where locals come to fulfil all their clothing needs, stocking everything from party outfits to wedding dresses. It’s very easy to get lost in the countless alleyways and technicolour displays but that’s half the fun. Whether you’re looking some authentic Mexican clothing or something a little more modern, you’re more than likely to find it here.

Visit Panadería Rosetta, the City’s Best Bakery

Seeing as least half of our planning for any trip revolves around what and where to eat, it was impossible to miss Panadería Rosetta. Almost every article, guide and video we used to plan our itinerary mentioned this place so we knew it was a must visit.

Located just across the street from Elena Reygadas’ award winning Rosetta restaurant, this café and bakery regularly has huge lines snaking down the street. We visited mid afternoon during a weekday which wasn’t too bad but if you’re visiting at a peak time then be prepared to wait. Perhaps their most iconic pastry is the guava roll but they were unfortunately sold out of these when we visited.

Instead we opted for one of their delicious croissants filled with soft serve ice cream, a chocolate berliner (doughnut) and a dulce de leche bun. All 3 were absolutely phenomenal and without doubt some of the best baked goods we’ve ever had. The pastry is exquisitely crafted and the fillings were the perfect balance of sweet and creamy. If you’re looking for a sweet treat whilst in Mexico City then Panadería Rosetta is your answer.

Watch a Lucha Libre Wrestling Match

Lucha libre or “free fight” is one of Mexico’s most popular sports as well as being one of the most entertaining things to do in the city. The two spots to catch a Mexican wrestling in the city are Arena México and Arena Coliseo. Arena México hosts events every Tuesday at 19:30, Friday at 20:30 and Sunday at 17:00 whereas Arena Coliseo has them every Saturday at 19:30 with shows being roughly 2 hours long. We went to a Tuesday night showing at Arena México which was a little quiet so if you’re after that famous raucous atmosphere, it might be better to go to a weekend showing.

Outside the arena you’ll find many vendors selling wrestling themed souvenirs as well snacks for the show. You can buy tickets online which is recommended if you want to sit near the action but you can just as easily buy them on the door if you’d rather go with the flow. We purchased ours from the ticket booth just inside the arena as we arrived. We know enough Spanish to get by in most situations but the ticket buying options were a little confusing to us. Prices range from around 115 pesos (£5) up to around 600 (£30) depending on where you’d like to sit. We resorted to naming our price and taking the seats given to us rather than trying to sit anywhere specific.

Unless you’re fluent in Spanish, it’s going to be almost impossible to understand the various storylines and characters. Our recommendation is to grab some drinks and snacks and get involved with the spectacle. The luchadores are amazing athletes and the choreography is as deeply impressive as it is brutal. Heckling and cheering is encouraged so just follow the cues of those around you and don’t take it too seriously.

Visit the Polanco Neighbourhood

If you’re looking to just take a stroll around the city or do some window shopping, the upscale Polanco neighbourhood to the west of the city centre. You’ll find a number of luxury brands and high-end stores along the main shopping street, Avenida Presidente Masaryk.

If you take a quick detour south you’ll come across the delightful Parque Lincoln which features ponds, gardens and even an aviary. This oasis tucked away in the hustle and bustle of the city is a great place to recharge your batteries after exploring.

You’ll also find a number of great bars and restaurants in this area. We stopped off for a few cocktails at Limantour but if you’re after something more substantial there are a variety of food options nearby including both local independents and a more well known chains.

Ride a Hot Air Balloon Over the Teotihuacan Pyramids

Without doubt the highlight of our Mexico City trip and one of the most memorable travel experiences ever was our balloon flight over the pyramids at Teotihuacan. We booked a tour with Volare via Viator that included hotel pick up and drop off. It was an early start with a pick up at around 5am in order to be in the air for sunrise, so make sure to get an early night beforehand. The minibus drove outside the city for about 45 mins to check-in point at the pyramids where there are snacks and refreshments.

After checking in you’ll be designated a balloon to ride in alongside a few others so listen out for the announcements. Having never been in a hot air balloon before, we were a both a little nervous and not sure what to expect. As soon as we started to ascend, these fears were forgotten and replaced with awe as we were treated to one of the most unforgettable experiences. Watching the sun rise over these ancient pyramids whilst the skies filled with other balloons was absolutely incredible and 45 minutes or so flight is something that will stay with us forever.

The booking included a celebratory toast upon landing as well as buffet style breakfast upon return to the check-in kiosk. Whilst eating breakfasts we were treated to some mezcal shots as well as a performance from a mariachi band. To top it off we were each presented with a certificate as a memento of our experience. We honestly couldn’t fault anything about our experience and would highly recommend it to anyone travelling to Mexico City.

Wrapping Up

Whilst the size and variety of Mexico City can be a little intimidating to first time visitors, a little bit of research and planning can ensure you’re all set to have an incredible time during your visit. You’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice in terms of culture, history and food and this article is merely the tip of the iceberg.

With a little more time we would have loved to have spent the day exploring the canals of Xochimilco or visit one of the many museums such as the Frido Kahlo’s house. The endless supply of things to see and do in the city means we’ll almost certainly be back.