Luis Barragán House and Studio
Mexico City cultural institution.
Visits run in small groups on a timed ticket, so book ahead. The house rewards a slow walk; let the light and proportion do the talking.
Morning · 2 hrDay 1
Design, a castle and a nation's museum
Chapultepec Castle
Palace in Mexico.
The climb up the hill gives the first wide views of the city. From the balcony you can see the park you will spend the morning in.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
National Museum of Anthropology
National museum of Mexico.
Two hours only skims it. Start in the Mexica hall with the Sun Stone, then follow the courtyards and let one or two other halls catch your eye.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Angel of Independence
Monument in Mexico City.
Reach it as evening settles. Stay at the roundabout's edge rather than crossing the traffic, and watch the light change over the avenue.
Evening · 45 minBook the Barragán visit before the trip and don't crowd the afternoon; two hours inside the anthropology museum go quickly.
Day 2
A blue house and the capital's monuments
Frida Kahlo Museum
Historic house museum and art museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Entry is timed and tickets sell out, so reserve before the day. Going early or late in the day keeps the small blue house at its calmest.
Morning · 2 hr
Senate of the Republic
Upper house of the parliament of Mexico.
It is a working seat of government, so bring photo ID, expect security, and keep the visit to its half hour.
Morning · 45 min
Monumento a la Revolución
Mexico City monument.
The plaza around the great dome is a good place to sit after the morning's walking. From the ground, the monument is the whole show.
Afternoon · 45 min.jpeg?width=800)
Palace of Fine arts
Cultural centre in Mexico City.
Arrive with time to look up, because the building itself is the first exhibit. Inside, take the murals one wall at a time.
Evening · 1 hrReserve Frida Kahlo tickets in advance and carry photo ID for the Senate; the afternoon then stays light.
Day 3
The old city, layer by layer
Plaza de las Tres Culturas
Square in Mexico City.
Stand at the centre and let the square speak: Aztec ruins, the colonial church, and the modern towers around them. Forty-five minutes is enough if you read all three.
Morning · 45 min
Templo Mayor
Main Temple of Tenochtitlan.
The excavated temple and its base sit a few steps from the cathedral. The on-site museum holds what was found here, so leave time for both.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
Cathedral in Mexico City.
It is a working church, so keep to a slow, quiet pass. Step out at the front for the great Zócalo that spreads below.
Afternoon · 45 min
National Palace
Seat of the Executive branch of the Mexican Federal Government in Mexico City.
The Rivera murals climb the stairwells and cover whole walls; give them the full two hours. The courtyards and domes frame the rest.
Evening · 2 hrAll four stops sit within a few blocks of the Zócalo; keep the day on foot and let the ruins lead into the cathedral and palace.
Good to know
Do you need to book Frida Kahlo Museum tickets in advance?
Yes. Entry is timed and the house is small, so tickets sell out ahead of the day. Booking as soon as your dates are fixed is the dependable way in.
Is the Anthropology Museum worth it with limited time?
It is one of the great museums of its kind and too large for one visit. With two hours, start in the Mexica hall for the Sun Stone, then let the courtyards pull you around.
What is the weather like in Mexico City in March?
March is dry, with warm afternoons and noticeably cooler evenings. Carry a light layer for after dark and sun protection for the midday streets.
How much walking is this three-day trip?
Days three and four stops are clustered around the Zócalo and Chapultepec park, so much of it is on foot at a moderate pace, with short rides between the hubs.
Plan your own Mexico City trip
Tell Triptic your dates and who is going. It starts from this plan and fits it to you, with real flights and a place to stay.
Start from this trip