Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Mexico City?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Mexico City?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Mexico City during their visit. After all, the dynamic city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.
While most vacationers head to the beach towns in Mexico, those that want to experience the heart of the country will go to Mexico City. This huge metropolis is filled with history, architecture, and culinary delights. There are beautiful squares and plazas, as well as parks and diverse neighborhoods.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Mexico City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Mexico City?
One week is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Mexico City, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, dine out at amazing restaurants, and take advantage of the local nightlife on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Mexico City as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week in Mexico City
Mexico City is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. The city is filled with historic buildings, fascinating museums, and interesting landmarks. At the heart of the city is Zócalo, where the country's constitution was signed. Nearby you'll find the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor. Other interesting museums in the city include the National Museum of Anthropology, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the National History Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Anthropology Museum Private Experience Walking Tour ($66)
- 5 Hour Tour through Chapultepec, Anthropology Museum and Castle ($43)
- Frida Kahlo Museum VIP: Skip-the-line & Bikes & Churros ($79)
The delicious food of Mexico City is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city food scene is as diverse as the population itself. There are countless ways to experience the amazing street food, but there are also world class chefs working in award winning restaurants. Make sure you try the chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, and chiles en nogada.
A few tour suggestions include:
- A Mexican Cooking Class ($190)
- Street Food Tour with Friends ($75)
- Mexican Street Tacos Hands-on Cooking Class and Market Tour ($118)
Public transit in Mexico City is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has a complex and comprehensive public transit system that includes a metro, metrobus, and local buses.
With its diverse attractions, Mexico City awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. It is a huge metropolitan area with a colorful culture and a diverse range of activities and neighborhoods.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The best Private Walking City Tour of the Historic Center of Mexico City ($61)
- Xochimilco: Boat ride and Mexican Party, with unlimited drinks ($74)
- Mexico City Tour And Xochimilco ($70)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a huge city, so of course there's no shortage of diverse nightlife activities. Some of the most popular neighborhoods for nightlife include the downtown, La Condesa, and Colonia Juárez. For upscale clubs head to Polanco and for trendy and eclectic venues check out Roma.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mexico City Pub Crawl ($24)
- Zona Rosa Mexico City Nightlife of Magic LGBT And Bar Tour ($75)
- Nightly Historic Center From Above© Rooftop Bar Crawl +Taco Snack ($129)
Shopping in Mexico City is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has everything from open-air bazaars (tianguis) to modern shopping malls. There are international brands as well as local art galleries, handicrafts, and retail outlets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping Tour from Mexico city to Outlets Punta Norte ($159)
- Private Shopping Tour from Mexico city to Palacio Outlet Lerma ($204)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mexico City.
Don't miss Zócalo during your trip to Mexico City, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Centro Historico spreads out from Zócalo Plaza, and has many buildings that date back as far as the Aztec period. Many tourists gather here to explore the history and wander down the pedestrian-only Calle Madero.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Anthropology Museum Private Experience Walking Tour ($66)
- Muralist Art Semi Private Walking Tour in Mexico City Downtown ($40)
- Food and Historic Walking Tour: Private Tortilla Crawl in Mexico City Downtown ($95)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mexico City.
After you've explored most of Mexico City, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tour: Tula and Tepotzotlan Day Trip from Mexico City ($206)
- Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Trip ($52)
- Puebla and Cholula Day Trip from Mexico City ($58)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Mexico City offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mexico City.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Mexico City?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see everything that Mexico City has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Mexico City
How to spend 2 weeks in Mexico City
With 2 weeks in Mexico City, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants, hopping around the bars and clubs, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Private Tour: Tula and Tepotzotlan Day Trip from Mexico City ($206)
- Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Trip ($52)
- Puebla and Cholula Day Trip from Mexico City ($58)
- Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Day Trip from Mexico City ($75)
- From Mexico City: Day Trip to Puebla and Cholula ($61)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Mexico City, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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