How to Spend 1 Day in Mexico City

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Only have one day in Mexico City and are trying to fit a million things into 24 hours? I’ve totally been there!

With a city as large and culturally rich as this one, it can seem impossible to experience it in just one day, but I’m here to help. We’ve explored every corner of Mexico City and used our expertise to craft this one-day itinerary to maximize your time.

You’ll see the top historic sites (that are jaw-droppingly beautiful!), eat lots and lots of tacos, and even get to choose your evening experience. One day isn’t a lot, but it’s just enough time to scratch the surface and have a memorable time in Mexico City!

Morning and Afternoon – Explore the Historical Center on Foot

With one quick day in Mexico City, we are going to take you to the most important and impressive sites. Heading to the historic center of the city will show you lots of culture, history, gorgeous buildings, kind locals, and amazing food. The best part is that everything is within walking distance, so wear comfy shoes because you’ll get your steps in today!

The starting point for any good Mexico City itinerary is the Zócalo, a plaza that extends multiple blocks and is wildly impressive. Around it, you’ll see the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National Palace. Inside, you’ll find that vibrant Mexican energy that we love! In fact, this historic center is called the “beating heart of Mexico City.”

We’ve listed heaps of stops that you should check out as you explore the historic center. They are in order so you can conveniently go from place to place without having to backtrack or get lost. So simply follow our list and you’ll get a full picture of the historic center! It’s important to note that most of these places are closed on Mondays, so try to plan your one day in the city on any other day to get the entire experience.

Zócalo

We will start this day of exploration at the Zócalo, the massive square that you really can’t miss. This is the largest plaza in all of Latin America and there is always something lively going on – mariachi bands, food vendors, kids playing in the square, and travelers like us soaking it all in!

The Zócalo is technically called the “Plaza de la Constitución” (zócalo simply means public square) and there is a giant Mexican flag standing in the center. This is the political center of the country as well, as the president’s official residence is on the east side of the square. The square has had some sort of political involvement since the Aztec era, and it has transformed a lot over the centuries, but you can see the fingerprints of each group that has ruled. 

We love wandering through here, and as you’ll read below, pretty much everything in the historic center revolves around the Zócalo, so you’ll be able to see a lot of it! I suggest slowing down to look at the details of the architecture and the people who live in this area, it’s all truly beautiful.

Metropolitan Cathedral

On the north end of the Zócalo, you’ll see one of the most ornate buildings in the city – the Metropolitan Cathedral. I found it fascinating to learn that it took 250 years to finish building this structure.

Because it took so long to complete, the cathedral has a unique blend of styles. You can see influence from the decades and centuries, and somehow it all works together really well. Outside is awe-inspiring because you can feel it towering over you, but inside is simply amazing with all the details, gold work, and paintings. 

I highly recommend going inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, just keep in mind that it’s still a church, so be respectful of mass times and those inside. The cathedral is open from 9 am to 5 pm and it’s completely free to enter. 

Templo Mayor

With just one day in Mexico City, you won’t be able to go see the impressive ruins at Teotihuacan, but luckily, there are Aztec ruins right in the city! The Aztecs left their mark in a lot of unique ways, you can see for yourself at Templo Mayor, just a 5-minute walk from the Metropolitan Cathedral and 2 minutes from the Zócalo.

Templo Mayor was the main temple of the city, dating back to 1325. During the temple’s lifetime, it was rebuilt six different times, only to be destroyed by the Spanish in 1521. They built the Metropolitan Cathedral in its place and looted the materials to construct other parts of the city. 

Not all was lost though, during the 19th and 20th centuries they uncovered over 7,000 artifacts during excavations. They turned this area into a museum where you can see the ruins, as well as artifacts like skeletons, gold, weapons, pottery, and sculptures. It is a great way to learn about the Aztec people themselves, and how significant this temple was. 

We spent about 2 hours exploring the Templo Mayor Museum, there is a ton to see! It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and costs $95 MXN (about $5 USD) to enter.

National Palace

The National Palace is another one of those “can’t miss” places – literally, you can’t miss it because of its sheer size! It reaches 200 meters (660 feet) and covers the whole length of the Zócalo. Of course, it’s beautifully designed with impressive detail and decor. 

This is the center of Mexico’s government and home to the president. The structure itself dates all the way back to the 16th century when the Aztecs first built it. Similar to the Metropolitan Cathedral, a lot has changed over time and you can see the centuries of influence built into its walls. It’s really beautiful! 

The palace is open to visitors, inside and out! Its hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. It is also free to visit, you just need a government-issued ID or passport (but it has to be your real passport, no copies). 

Here’s a hot tip: visit the Zócalo at night and see the National Palace lit up! It’s a gorgeous sight to see. 

Museum of the City of Mexico

You’ll come to notice that a lot of these buildings in the historic center were once a palace. So what to do when there is no more nobility to live here? Turn it into a museum!

The Museum of the City of Mexico is a large building, 26 rooms in all, that was built for royalty. The design is high-quality and ornate, like so many of the buildings in the area. Yet, it still leaves me saying “Woah!”. This was formerly the home of the Count of Santiago Calimaya from 1527, and his descendants lived in it until the late 20th century. 

The home was given to the city in 1964 and declared a historic site. Today, you can wander through all 26 rooms and enjoy exhibits about Mexico’s long-standing history. They have everything from the Aztec era to the present, world-famous art pieces, and a massive library of historic books and documents. 

If you love history, you’ll swoon over this museum. And even if you don’t love museums all the time (like us) this one is truly worthwhile!

The Museum of the City of Mexico is located 5 minutes from the National Palace and is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. It is $32 MXN (about $2 USD) and we spent over an hour but could spend half a day, it’s so big. 

Mirador Torre Latino

I love how bustling Mexico City is, but sometimes you need a little break from the chaos! We found the Mirador Torre Latino to be the perfect way to slow down while still experiencing as much as you can in one day in Mexico City. This observation deck sits within a 44-story tower and gives incredible views of the city below!

Like so many other buildings in town, this one has a unique history. It was built in 1956 and became an icon of modern engineering due to its size and location. It was the first skyscraper built in a seismic zone and is so structurally sound that it survived an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in 1985. Many other smaller buildings collapsed, but because of the modern engineering techniques used, the Mirador Torre Latino stood. 

Heading up to the observation deck gives impressive views of the city all around you. I loved seeing the millions of people and cars running around below and seeing just how large Mexico City is from above. 

The tower is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day of the week. Admission tickets are $180 MXN (around $11 USD), and trust me when I say – it’s worth it for the views! The Mirador is about a 17-minute walk from the museum, and we spent about 30 min to 1 hour here. 

Palacio Postal

This next stop might seem like a strange one, but once you see it for yourself you’ll completely understand! The Palacio Postal is a gorgeous post office dating back to 1907. The coolest part is that it’s a fully functional post office, in its heyday handling 130 million pieces of mail daily! 

Located in the historic center, this post office was designed by the Italian architect, Adamo Boari, who also designed the Palacio de Bellas Artes (where you’re heading next!). The style is an eclectic mix of Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Spanish Renaissance and it is an incredibly beautiful building, especially for a post office.  

In the 1950s, the post office was reconstructed. Unfortunately, the updates weakened the integrity of the building and when the infamous earthquake struck in 1985, the building was severely damaged. 

It still functions today and you can go see the post office in all of its glory. It’s free to visit and we spent about 15-20 minutes wandering around. 

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Just two minutes down the road will lead you to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or the Palace of Fine Arts. This is the heart of arts in the city, where you will find performing arts, like music, dance, theater, and opera. There are also rotating exhibits of paintings, sculptures, and photography, so art lovers will feel right at home here. 

This was originally designed by the same Italian architect who worked on the Palacio Postal in 1904. But construction was put on pause because of the Mexican Revolution and by the time it resumed in 1934, the project was overtaken by a Mexican architect. Once it was completed, this was dedicated as the first art museum in Mexico!

We really enjoyed exploring this art museum and spent most of our time in the art galleries. However, if you can time it right, you can also catch a live show! There are ballet, theater, and orchestra performances, amongst many other types of shows. You can check their schedule here, just bear in mind that the website is in Spanish. 

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is open from 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is $80 MXN (about $5 USD) per person and the length of time that you stay depends on how big of an art lover you are!

Casa de los Azulejos

If you’re getting hungry for lunch by now, no worries, this next stop is a combo of history and restaurant! The Casa de los Azulejos is covered in blue and white tiles, making the name “the house of titles” quite fitting. Inside is the famous restaurant, Sanborn’s, which is a great way to explore the house and also enjoy some classic Mexican fare. 

This house (more like a mansion) has always been iconic in the city. Back in the late 1700s, this was the home of a very wealthy family. There were actually two houses on the same lot, and when the two families married, they simply joined the houses together to make a mansion, with all the flair of nobility. 

The building has undergone several renovations, one of which added all those beautiful blue and white tiles and a stained glass roof! We loved exploring the house and having mole and tacos at Sanborn’s – the perfect mid-day break. 

The restaurant is open daily starting at 7 am and closes at 12 am on the weekdays and 1 am on the weekends. Even if you just stop in for a cocktail, it’s a great break and the best way to see this historic house. 

Related Read: Need some travel inspiration for your next destination? Here are our favorite beaches in Mexico that you simply must visit!

Alameda Central

When I told you there is a lot of history in this area, I wasn’t kidding! Alameda Central Park is the oldest park in the Americas, making it even older than Central Park in New York! It is only a 3-minute walk from the Casa de los Azulejos, so if you ate a big lunch you can walk it off here. It’s another great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, as this park somehow remains very tranquil even in the middle of the city.

It wasn’t always sunshiny strolls in this park though. The area’s first use was as an Aztec marketplace. During the Spanish Inquisition, the park was referred to as “the burning place” where convicted criminals and accused witches were burned at the stake. Once Mexico secured independence, the park returned to a place of more happy memories, as it should be!

There are a lot of beautiful plants, fountains, and statues along the paths. There are also no vendors allowed in the park, which I found really surprising for Latin America! It creates a very relaxed environment and is a lovely afternoon activity. 

The park is open all day every day and is free to enter. We enjoyed this change of pace on our one day in the city!

Museo Mural Diego Rivera

Once you walk through Alameda Central, you’ll find the Museo Mural Diego Rivera. This famous museum is home to a large painting by Diego Rivera, an acclaimed painter. We think that visiting the museum right after seeing the park is the perfect way to do it, as the museum was built specifically for the painting, Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Central Park).

This painting is massive at 15.6 meters (51 feet) wide. It was first housed in the Hotel del Prado, but the earthquake in 1985 damaged the hotel and the painting. They then went through the difficult task of moving the massive painting to the museum, in which the walls were built around it. Good luck trying to get it out!

While the museum commemorates Diego Rivera’s work, there are lots of other famous paintings too. We enjoyed coming here to see Rivera’s large painting, but the whole gallery was fun to check out! It’s open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is $45 MXN (roughly $3 USD). 

Plaza Garibaldi

To round out your morning and afternoon of exploring the historic center, we will finish in Plaza Garibaldi! Plaza Garibaldi is a bright and colorful square, where mariachi music rules as king! We also found tons of amazing restaurants and street vendors, and it has just an overall lively buzz. 

The plaza is about a 15-minute walk from the Diego Rivera Museum, and if you’re following this itinerary exactly, it should be about mid-afternoon. It is important to note that the area surrounding the plaza is not safe after dark, so if you’re visiting at this time take an Uber there and back. 

We loved relaxing on one of the restaurant’s patios, enjoying some beers, and listening to the mariachi bands. The bands actually battle here, so it’s quite entertaining. Mariachi music grew in popularity in the 1920s from its portrayal in cinema, and the plaza became the mecca for the scene. If you come on a Friday and Saturday night, you’ll be shocked at how many mariachi bands are playing! 

We thought this was a great way to relax in the afternoon, soaking in Mexico City’s history and culture. But don’t get too comfortable, we are going to squeeze in a little bit more for your evening activity!

Mexico City Historical Center Tours

As you can see from this list, there are a lot of historical sites to hit while exploring. You can certainly wander around on your own, but this is one of those instances where we see the benefit of taking a guided tour through the historic center! There is so much to learn, and you really miss out on a lot without a guide to explain everything. Plus, they help you navigate the city, which is always helpful if you’re nervous about safety in Mexico City. 

If you’re interested in taking a guided tour around the city to learn more and have the logistics planned for you, here are our top three options!

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

We joined this 3.5-hour walking tour to get a feel for the city with a guide, and it ticked all the boxes! We loved that it was relatively short, leaving more time for us to explore on our own, but the best part was our tour guide, Alexa. She was a wealth of information, had a passion for the city, and made the whole experience more immersive. Plus, we only had a few other people in our group, so it was really personal and easy to move around the city together. 

We met up in the Zocalo at 10 am (there is also a 2 pm tour option) and explored the surrounding sites, like the Cathedral Metropolitan, Templo Mayor, Palacio Postal, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and Casa de los Azulejos. After, we went to another area of town with markets and food vendors called Francisco I. Madero Avenue. 

After our tour, we had a great understanding of the areas and key sites, which made exploring on our own more enriching. This tour is $15-$26 USD, depending on the group size and it includes all entry fees. We thought it was a good value for money and a great way to experience the city!

You can join the same tour we took here – check the dates and book it in advance!

Private Tour in Mexico City Downtown

Sometimes a private tour is the best way to go, especially if you’re a history or architecture junkie and have lots of questions. This private full-day tour will take you to the top city sights and allow you to add in other places you might want to check out, so do your research beforehand!

This tour has some serious perks, such as hotel pick-up, an air-conditioned vehicle, all entrance fees are covered, and your wonderful guide! Along the route, you’ll pass by some of my favorite spots in Mexico City like El Ángel de la Independencia, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and Alameda Central Park. 

You also get to stop and check out the Anthropology Museum and Chapultepec Castle, which I didn’t even get a chance to add to this list! The Chapultepec Castle sits upon a hill and gives beautiful city views. This tour adds a bit of art and culture by visiting the Diego Rivera Mural Museum and the Metropolitan Cathedral. And if there’s anything that you missed, simply ask your guide to take you there and they happily will!

I love private tours, and in a place like Mexico City where there’s much to learn, you’ll appreciate this one! This tour is 8-9 hours long and available Tuesday to Sunday. The price depends on the group size but ranges from $74 to $230 USD. 

Book this private tour in advance with FREE 24-hour cancellation here!

Historic Center Food Tour

Perhaps one of my favorite ways to experience Mexico City is through a food tour! Mexico has arguably some of the tastiest cuisine, and Mexico City is the heart of it. So we joined this food tour and ate our way through the city, and also learned a lot!

This food tour is based in the historic center, so we got to visit some of those iconic buildings we’ve been talking about. We visited historic eateries, street vendors, old-school cantinas, and an Aztec Market. The best part of the tour was visiting Mercado San Juan, an exotic and gourmet food market. There was so much yummy food here (and a few items that were a bit curious to eat) and we were blown away by all it had!

The menu can rotate seasonally, but when we went we tried plantain empanadas, fresh ceviche tostada, black mole enchiladas, and dessert. This tour has multiple departure times, so you can spend the morning exploring on your own, and then hop on the food tour for the next 5 hours. I recommend coming with an empty stomach and good walking shoes because you cover a lot of ground!

For $110 USD, it includes all of your food and drinks (even alcoholic options) and is open for all ages! Keep in mind that the drinking age is 18. This is one of the best ways to experience Mexico City, so if you’re hungry just from reading this, you better book your spot! Before you go, check out our food tour experience here so you’re well prepared!

Read the 700+ 5-star reviews and reserve your spot on this food tour here!

Related Reads: If you love tours while traveling, check out our top 10 tours in Mexico City!

Where to Eat in Mexico City Historical Center

Tacos El Huequito – First Al Pastor Taco restaurant in Mexico City

Keeping up with our history theme, I have to recommend a historic restaurant that is dear to my heart! Tacos El Huequito is the first restaurant to serve al pastor tacos, which is simply the best type of taco if you ask me! Beginning as a hole-in-the-wall joint back in 1959, it has grown into a household name!

If you’ve never had al pastor tacos before, you’re in for a treat. Pastor is pork and they spend hours slow cooking a mountain of meat over an open flame. It is simply delicious and I love watching the cook slice the juicy pork onto my tacos. It’s an art form!

The vibe is casual and lively, and they are open from 9 am to 9 pm, so stop by for a taco any time you’d like! It is located just 7 minutes from Alameda Central Park and is central to all the buildings you’ll be exploring. 

Mercaderes

Mercaderes is our go-to spot if we are looking for something a bit more classy. I love that they use traditional cooking methods and add a twist to each dish, so it’s more of a modern Mexican restaurant. Be sure to try the duck carnitas!

This restaurant is only a 2-minute walk from the Zócalo. We were pleasantly surprised to find the prices were quite affordable for the upscale vibes, entrees were around $290-$550 MXN (about $16-$31 USD). What a perfect end to a day of exploring – kick back, have a delicious meal, and a margarita of course!

Mercaderes is open from 8 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 10 pm on Thursday through Saturday. 

El Cardenal

El Cardenal is a unique place to dine with just one day in the city! They take inspiration and ingredients from every state in Mexico, so the food is unique and gives you a taste of the whole country (literally!). They have an artistic approach to dining and we are big fans of it!

We stopped in for breakfast and it was the perfect start to the day. They served homemade bread, rich made-from-scratch hot chocolate, and used fresh milk cream. It is the freshness of the ingredients that make them stand out!

The ambiance is upscale and the portions are big. It is conveniently located near the Diego Rivera Museum, so if you don’t make it for breakfast, you can always squeeze it into your itinerary later! They are open daily from 8 am to 6:30 pm. 

Night – Cooking Class and Cocktails or Lucha Libre

I know you’ve already had a busy day, but we are going to maximize your single day in Mexico City and squeeze one more activity into the itinerary. You’ll have the option to either take a cooking class or go to a Lucha Libre show. We’ve been to both and honestly had such a great time, we couldn’t pick just one to add in – so it’s up to you!

I’ll explain both experiences below, and they all start at 5 pm or later. This gives you plenty of time to explore for the day and then join your evening tour!

Option 1: Mexican Cooking Class and Cocktails in Mexico City

A cooking class is a fun experience, and a unique souvenir to take home! During this Mexican Cooking Class and Cocktails tour, we learned how to make a handful of dishes from a local and enjoy them when we were done. But the best part was hanging out with our incredible local guide and other guests, we had a great evening! You don’t have to have many cooking skills for this one, simply jump in and they will teach you all you need to know. 

We spent 3.5 hours making starters and entrees, as well as cocktails (my favorite part!). Our host showed us how to make handmade tortillas and salsa for starters, and then guisados for the mains. As far as cocktails, we had a tequila cocktail to start, followed by a ginger lemonade mezcal drink that was really tasty (and strong). 

The exact menu can rotate by season and which ingredients are available, but it will be good regardless! If you’re vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, just let the host know when you book. We appreciate that this tour only accommodates up to six people, so you don’t have too many cooks in the kitchen.

The tour is offered at 11:30 am or 5 pm, but for this itinerary be sure to book the 5 pm option. It includes all of your food, drinks, and equipment, plus your amazing chef for $129 USD. 

Come hungry and book your spot in advance here, before it fills up!

Option 2: Lucha Libre Show

If you’re looking for a little more excitement for your evening’s activities, a Lucha Libre show is just the thing for you! Lucha Libre is iconic in Mexico, and it started right here in the city. This was one of the funniest and surprisingly awesome experiences we had in Mexico, so I can’t recommend it enough!

Lucha Libre is basically theatrical wrestling, where wrestlers wear masks, have character names, and the performances are staged. But, they are also pretty epic and the crowd gets super into it, so by the time the show was done I nearly lost my voice! 

You can buy tickets and go to a show on your own, but we joined an organized tour so they took care of the details for us. Our tour also offered other experiences, like dinner and mezcal tastings, and you can learn all about the sport from a guide (who might be a retired luchador!). 

Before you go, read our guide to Lucha Libre in Mexico City here!

Best Night Ever Tour

We went on this Best Night Ever Tour and can attest, it makes for an unforgettable night out! Not only did we get to go to a Lucha Libre show, but we also went to a taqueria for a taco dinner and a cantina for a mezcal tasting! They offered us various types of mezcal (who knew there were so many?) and also Pulque, which is essentially agave wine. 

Finally, we headed to the legendary Arena Mexico for our Lucha Libre experience and spent the next few hours yelling and cheering. We were thankful for our guide who taught us all about the sport, so we knew what the heck was going on!

The tour is offered on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It starts after 6 pm every night except Sunday, which is at 3:30 pm, so this schedule will need to be adjusted if you’re in town on that day. For only $95 USD, we thought this tour was a good price because it includes so much. You truly will have the best night ever! 

Check out this tour’s hundreds of 5-star reviews and secure your spot in advance here. 

Lucha Libre and Palacio de Bellas Artes

Similar to the tour mentioned before, this 4.5-hour Lucha Libre experience also includes some culture! You will get to visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes on this walking tour, try mezcal, and go to the Lucha Libre show. 

You start out meeting your guide at the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes, then make your way around the historic center, getting a cultural walking tour as you head to a mezcaleria. The former luchador guide will tell you all about the sport over your mezcal tasting, then it’s off to the show! 

This tour is offered on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, Fridays at 6:30 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm (your day will need to be adjusted if you’re visiting on a Sunday!). This tour doesn’t include dinner like the other one did, so be sure to eat before or bring money! It is $95 USD for the evening and is one of the top-rated Lucha Libre tours in the city – so you know it will be a great time!

If you’re ready for mezcal and Lucha Libre, book this tour in advance here. 

Other Activities to do While in Mexico City

If you’re staying longer than 1 day in Mexico City, we’ve got you covered. There are many more fun things to do in Mexico City. Trust me, you’ll have no problem filling that extra time in this bustling city. To give you an idea of some other activities, I’ve highlighted our favorites below!

• See Teotihuacan – The remnants of an ancient city, visiting Teotihuacan from Mexico City is a must! In fact, it’s among the most famous ruins in Mexico! Since it’s a bit of drive, we hopped on this early access tour. Not only did it get us there right when the gates opened, our guide was an archeologist! Plus there was a tequila tasting included too – bonus!

• Soak in hot springs – If you’re looking to escape the city for a day, the crystal-blue waters of Las Grutas de Tolantongo Hot Springs are the perfect remedy. They’re set against a backdrop of gorgeous mountains and one of the most popular destinations in Mexico. It’s a bit of a drive, though, which is why I recommend this full-day tour.

• Visit a butterfly reserve – The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is about 2 hours from Mexico City and is home to millions of butterflies. Butterflies visit this UNESCO World Heritage site between November and March, but January and February are the best times to come. The easiest way to get there is by taking this butterfly tour from Mexico City.

• Join a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour – The Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour is a great way to see multiple neighborhoods on a budget! And if you like what you see, you have the flexibility to hop off and explore it further. Turibus also offers a hop-on hop-off tour stopping at many of the sights I mentioned on this itinerary!

• Day trip to Puebla and Cholula – If you have a few extra days, visit the towns of Puebla and Cholula! These charming towns have fascinating temples, museums, and stunning town squares. On this organized tour to both cities, you’ll get a feel for life outside the capital.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

Mexico City is massive, and there are lots of different areas to stay in. For this reason, we wrote a full guide on the best areas to stay in Mexico City as well as the best hostels in Mexico City! These blogs should help you choose an awesome hotel for your stay!

However, for a quick overview, here are some of my top recommendations.

Luxury – $$$

For luxury travelers, Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico is a top choice. This incredible 5-star hotel has the BEST location since it’s right in the Zócalo – the main plaza in the city. This is a beautiful, historic hotel with a lobby that looks like it belongs in a movie! You’re within walking distance of so many of Mexico City’s best sights and the rooms are spacious. Plus, breakfast on the rooftop terrace is a highlight!

Rooms start at $200 USD per night, but you’ll save a lot on transportation costs since you can walk to so many amazing places! Book a room online here.

Mid-range – $$

Hotel MX Roma is a clean, medium-budget hotel in La Roma, close to shops, bars, and restaurants. It has both standard and family rooms equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen satellite TV. It offers a space with a terrace to enjoy with family or friends, private parking, a gym, free bikes, and 24-hour front desk service. It’s also an allergy-free property, so there’s no smoking and they use hypoallergenic products.

Rooms run $150 USD in peak season. However, you can snag one as cheap as $70 USD a night when you book in advance online!

Budget – $

For budget travelers, the Selina Hostel in downtown Mexico City is a great, well-known chain. I stayed here during one of my visits and loved the downtown location. Although the area may seem unsafe to some, it’s the historic center of Mexico City and where I spent most of my time. They have a common area, pool table, board games, and a bar – so it’s easy to meet others. If working remotely, there’s also a coworking space for an extra fee.

Bunk beds cost around $25 USD, and private rooms start at $80 USD. If you’re traveling on a budget, you can book Selina Hostel online through Hostelworld or Booking.com.

Thanks for reading!

There you have it, the best way to spend one day in Mexico City. I’ll admit, there’s a lot to see in the city so this itinerary is pretty full, but you have to make the most out of your time while you’re here! We love Mexico City and hope you can sneak in an extra day or two, there is simply too much culture to skip. If you can, check out our 2-day and 3-day Mexico City Itineraries!

If you found this helpful, check out some more of our blogs about Mexico. We love sharing our travel experiences and top tips, so get started with a few other resources below:

22 BEST Places to Visit in Mexico: From Hidden Gems to Top Attractions

36 BEST Things to do in Mexico City

Is Mexico Safe? Safety Info about Traveling in Mexico