5-Day Mexico City Itinerary for First-Time Visitors - Zócalo, Bellas Artes, Frida & Teotihuacán
See Mexico City’s essentials in five days: Zócalo and Palacio de Bellas Artes, Chapultepec’s museums, Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul and a day trip to Teotihuacán, plus sharp pro tips to save time. Book timed tickets for Frida and Bellas Artes, start Teotihuacán at first light, and use the Metro or short taxis between neighborhoods. Eat like a local: Historic Center - El Mayor (República de Argentina 15) for lunch and Finca Don Porfirio (Av. Juárez 14) for dinner; Polanco - El Bajío (Alejandro Dumas 7); bakery - Pastelería Ideal (República de Uruguay 74); Coyoacán Market (Ignacio Allende s/n) for street food; Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela (Balderas S/N) for crafts; reserve El Cardenal (Calle de la Palma 23) for a classic send‑off. Use this plan to skip lines, pick the best routes, and eat the city’s classics.
Total Days
5
Destinations
1
Total Activities
12
| Day | Highlights | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
1Arrival and Zócalo Exploration | Morning at the Zócalo (Constitution Plaza), Templo Mayor Museum and Ruins, Visit Palacio de Bellas Artes | mexico-city |
2Chapultepec Park and Museums | Visit Chapultepec Park, Visit National Museum of Anthropology | mexico-city |
3Frida Kahlo Museum and Coyoacán | Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul), Explore Coyoacán Plaza and Streets | mexico-city |
4Teotihuacán Day Trip | Explore Teotihuacán Pyramids, Rest and Free Time at Hotel | mexico-city |
5Shopping, Last Experiences, and Departure | Shopping and Exploring La Ciudadela Market, Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Free Time for Last Exploration at Paseo de la Reforma | mexico-city |
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Trip Cost Breakdown
Estimated Total:
USD 200
These are estimated costs and may vary based on travel dates, preferences, and availability.
5-Day Mexico City Itinerary
A 5-day itinerary combining ancient heritage, colonial architecture, and Mexican gastronomy for first-time visitors to Mexico City.
Arrival and Zócalo Exploration
Hotel Check-in in Mexico City
(Check-in)Check-in at a centrally located hotel in Mexico City for a 5-night stay.
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Morning at the Zócalo (Constitution Plaza)
(Attraction)Arrive early to feel the energy of Mexico City’s main square, then circle the Zócalo to admire the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace from different angles. Walk the perimeter under the portales for shade, and pause to watch the flag ceremony or street performers before moving on.
Templo Mayor Museum and Ruins
(Attraction)Walk through the excavated ruins of the main Aztec temple, then head into the museum to see intricately carved stones, offerings and everyday objects from ancient Tenochtitlan. Start outside to understand the site’s layout, then finish in the galleries for context and cooler air.
Lunch at El Mayor Rooftop Restaurant
(Restaurant)Grab a terrace table at El Mayor on República de Argentina for classic chilaquiles, tacos and moles with a rare rooftop view over Templo Mayor and the Cathedral. Aim for a slightly later lunch to avoid the rush and bring cash for tipping, as service can be brisk when it’s busy.
Visit Palacio de Bellas Artes
(Attraction)Step inside this marble landmark to see Rivera and Siqueiros murals up close, then check the schedule for any afternoon performances or temporary exhibits. For the best exterior view, cross to the park in front and photograph the building just before sunset when the façade glows.
Coffee and Dessert at Finca Don Porfirio
(Restaurant)Head up to Finca Don Porfirio on Avenida Juárez for coffee, cakes and light bites with one of the most photographed balcony views of Bellas Artes. Go right before dusk for golden-hour photos and expect a short wait for a railing table—worth it for the skyline shots.
Chapultepec Park and Museums
Breakfast at a Local Café Near Chapultepec Park
(Restaurant)Start the day around Bosque de Chapultepec with a simple café de olla, fresh juice and pan dulce before you dive into the park. Choose a spot with outdoor seating so you can keep an eye on the morning buzz and head into the park as soon as it opens to beat the crowds.
Visit Chapultepec Park
(Attraction)Enter through the main gates and follow the shaded paths toward the lakes and Chapultepec Castle, taking breaks at benches when the altitude kicks in. Save time by choosing one or two museums you really want to see instead of trying to do everything in a single visit.
Lunch with Mexican Cuisine Near Chapultepec
(Restaurant)Break for lunch around Bosque de Chapultepec at a traditional spot serving dishes like arrachera, enchiladas and sopa de tortilla. Eat on the earlier side so you can return to the park or continue to nearby museums while the afternoon is still cooler.
Visit National Museum of Anthropology
(Attraction)Focus on a few key halls—like the Mexica and Maya rooms—instead of trying to see everything, and take photos of exhibit labels for later so you can move faster. Start upstairs, then finish in the iconic central courtyard under the giant stone umbrella fountain when you’re ready for a break.
Dinner at El Bajío in Polanco
(Restaurant)Settle in at El Bajío on Alejandro Dumas in Polanco for regional classics like cochinita pibil, gorditas and huitlacoche quesadillas in a lively, old-school setting. Reserve ahead for peak dinner hours and ask for recommendations by region if you want to taste beyond the usual tacos and fajitas.
Frida Kahlo Museum and Coyoacán
Breakfast in Coyoacán Neighborhood
(Restaurant)Ease into the day in Coyoacán with coffee, pan dulce or light chilaquiles at a corner café near the main plazas. Arrive before the late-morning rush so you can linger over breakfast and still have time to explore the cobbled streets on foot afterward.
Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul)
(Attraction)Enter the Casa Azul on Calle Londres to walk through Frida’s studio, garden and intimate rooms, filled with photos, dresses and original works. Book timed tickets in advance and arrive a little early so you can queue in the shade and head straight inside at your slot.
Lunch at Coyoacán Market (Mercado de Coyoacán)
(Restaurant)Head inside Mercado de Coyoacán for a casual lunch of tostadas, quesadillas made to order and fresh fruit aguas. Walk one lap first to compare stalls, then pick the busiest counters with locals and grab a spot at the bar for faster service and better people-watching.
Explore Coyoacán Plaza and Streets
(Free Time)Drift between the main plazas of Coyoacán, ducking into artisan shops for textiles and ceramics and pausing on shaded benches to soak up the colonial architecture. Use this time to grab a coffee or ice cream from a corner café and map out any last stops before leaving the neighborhood.
Dinner in Mexico City Historic Center
(Restaurant)Choose a classic restaurant in the Centro Histórico—such as El Cardenal or Café de Tacuba—for dishes like enchiladas, pozole or mole poblano in a historic dining room. Reserve if you’re dining on a Friday or Saturday night and aim for an earlier seating to avoid long waits.
Teotihuacán Day Trip
Explore Teotihuacán Pyramids
(Attraction)Arrive at Teotihuacán early for cooler temperatures and fewer tour groups, starting at the Pyramid of the Sun and then following the Avenue of the Dead toward the Pyramid of the Moon. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, as shade is scarce and walking between temples takes longer than it looks on the map.
Rest and Free Time at Hotel
(Free Time)Use these hours back at your hotel in the Centro Histórico to recharge—stretch, rehydrate and back up your photos—before heading out again. If you still have energy, take a short walk around the block to see how the neighborhood changes once the daytime crowds thin out.
Dinner in Roma Norte Neighborhood
(Restaurant)Book a table in Roma Norte for inventive Mexican cooking—think seasonal tacos, small plates and natural wines—on a leafy side street. Plan to walk to dinner so you can explore the neighborhood’s early-20th-century mansions and pop into a bar or café before or after your meal.
Shopping, Last Experiences, and Departure
Breakfast at Pastelería Ideal Bakery
(Restaurant)Step into Pastelería Ideal on República de Uruguay and grab a metal tray and tongs to choose your own pan dulce before ordering coffee at the counter. Go earlier in the morning for the freshest pastries and keep your ticket handy—you’ll pay at the cashier on your way out.
Shopping and Exploring La Ciudadela Market
(Activity)Wander through Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela, moving slowly aisle by aisle to compare prices on textiles, pottery and hand-painted alebrijes. Bring cash in small bills, and don’t be shy about politely bargaining—especially if you’re buying several pieces from the same artisan.
Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
(Attraction)Walk the vast plaza to see both the modern and old basilicas, then step inside to view the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the moving walkway below. Dress modestly, keep voices low inside and, if possible, plan your visit for a weekday to experience the site with fewer crowds.
Lunch Featuring Mexican Cuisine at El Cardenal
(Restaurant)Pause for a long lunch at El Cardenal on Calle Palma in the Centro Histórico, known for classics like tortillas made in-house, guacamole and rich moles. Reserve if possible and don’t skip the fresh bread and hot chocolate—they’re local favorites that turn a simple meal into an occasion.
Free Time for Last Exploration at Paseo de la Reforma
(Free Time)Use this open slot along Paseo de la Reforma to wander between monuments, dip into nearby shops at Reforma 222 or rest at a café terrace with a final view of the avenue. Keep an eye on the time and traffic if you’re departing the same day, and have your route to the airport or bus station ready.
Hotel Check-out
(Check-out)Check-out from hotel and prepare for departure.
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