Mexico City in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Mexico City is very large, but in five days you can cover the most iconic sites perfectly. Start your adventure with a full day to explore the Chapultepec area, including the castle, forest and other attractions, and visit Roma and Condesa where Parque España is hidden. You should also visit Roma and Condesa where Parque España is hidden.

Xochimilco is another must-see destination on your itinerary, as is the Zona Rosa whose streets are named after cities around the world. Can you imagine walking down Copenhagen Street in Mexico City? Additionally, the Historic Centre is also included in what you can do during 5 days in the region.

Chapultepec is considered the lungs of Mexico City, as it is an area full of fun attractions. You can visit the castle, visit the fauna and flora in the zoo, take a boat ride on the lake, visit the museums and gardens and much more.

For the first day you will visit several points, all located a few minutes away, within the same enclosure. Get ready to enjoy!

Chapultepec Forest

The Bosque de Chapultepec has become one of the best places to visit in Mexico City. It has areas for yoga, hiking, outdoor walks and more than 100 fountains and monuments.

It is ideal to take a few hours out of your itinerary and stop by the art galleries scattered throughout the forest. There are also food courts, green areas for picnics and restaurants with indoor and outdoor dining areas. The entrance fee is around €5.

Chapultepec Zoo

If you want to visit one of the largest zoos in Mexico, I suggest a visit to the Chapultepec Zoo, which has been in operation in the Bosque de Chapultepec since 1923.

Please note that this zoo is not open on Mondays and admission is free. What does have a cost is the butterfly garden area, which costs around €2, and the herpetarium, which costs around €2.

In order to adapt the space to the animals' habitat, there are grasslands, desert areas, temperate forest, a coastal area and a special enclosure for birds. At the back is the Fountain of the Frogs whose statues were brought from Spain, as it is an exact copy of the fountain located in the Maria Luisa Park in Seville, an ideal place to take pictures and rest for a while.

Chapultepec Castle

Another iconic building you can't miss is the Chapultepec Castle, which was built in 1785 and houses the National Museum of History where you can enjoy historical collections including paintings, clothes, documents, photographs and other objects that represent the history of Mexico.

Here you can see the carriage of Carlota and Maximilian which was the royal transport of the monarchy during the 19th century, this site also has impressive stained glass windows and stories that seem to be straight out of a fairy tale. Admission is around €4, but be aware that they are not open on Mondays. I recommend visiting on Sundays, as admission is free, or on Tuesdays and Saturdays to enjoy the train ride from the forest to the castle.

House of Mirrors and Crystal Maze

If you want to have fun and live a different experience, I suggest you go through the House of Mirrors where you will see your reflection with distorted shapes, you can also go through the Crystal Maze which is colourful and challenges you to find the exit. This adventure is located in the first section of the forest and costs approximately €1 to €3.

Nearby is the Carousel, an ideal attraction for adults and children, as there is no age limit. The cost is around €2.

Chapultepec Lake

If you want to soak up some sun or have an unforgettable walk, Chapultepec Lake, located in the second section of the forest, is the place for you. I recommend you to live the experience of a bike tour, as well as feeding ducks or renting a boat to cross the water. You can opt for one with pedals or paddles and if you prefer a kayak, this plan goes for approximately 2 to 5 €.

You can also jog around the side or visit the Casa del Lago which always has exhibitions of painting, music or dance.

Water Garden Museum

To end the day I recommend you enter the Water Garden Museum, located in the second section of the forest. This attraction costs approximately €1. It has peculiar architecture and monuments that perfectly represent Mexican culture. This museum offers a variety of exhibitions, murals and on the floor you will see a striking figure representing the Mexican God Tlaloc.

Another space inside this museum that you cannot miss is the Lambdoma Chamber where the sound of the water is transformed into a song by special effects.

Near the Chapultepec area you can visit Roma and Condesa, where you can find Parque España and Parque México, as well as the Casa de las Brujas, the Chilango art street and some of Mexico City's best museums.

Spain Park

Right between the Condesa and Roma, Parque España is located near the horse racing track, better known as the Hipódromo de las Américas. Admission is free and you can access trails ideal for walking, jogging or cycling. It also has eye-catching sculptures and a children's play ground where the games are in the shape of animals.

It is an ideal plan to include in your summer things to do in Mexico City, as there are many trees that cool the area and protect you from the sun. If you go early in the morning you can take advantage of the outdoor gym, but I recommend you go in a group. Throughout the park there is WiFi, bicycle areas and sockets to charge your mobile phone.

Mexico Park

Very close to Parque España, you can access Parque México, which is completely free and twenty minutes from the city centre. The first section has a pet park, the famous Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) which is a fountain ideal for resting and lots of murals to take pictures of.

Further along is the second section where there is a children's playground and a pond that you can walk around or kayak around. Just across the divide between the two sections is Calle Michoacán, where you can take a guided tram tour that also passes through Parque España.

For shows in the sun, stop by the open-air Coronel Lindbergh Theatre, which has an oriental-style design and hosts a variety of events. To feed the ducks, head to the pond and have a picnic on the shore. Here you can enjoy completely free WiFi.

Witches' House

If you want to visit a rather peculiar place in La Roma, head to Plaza Rio de Janeiro where there are striking monuments and important buildings such as the Casa de las Brujas (House of Witches) whose gothic structure simulates a witch's hat.

According to legend it is a haunted place, so it is ideal to visit during the activities to do in October in Mexico City, as they involve Halloween celebrations. The most popular legend claims that a witch named Pachita lived there between 1920 and 1960 and performed magic-filled rituals for important public figures.

Roma Market

If you want to try some Mexican food, I suggest you schedule a gastronomic tour of the city or visit the Mercado Roma, which is completely free to enter. However, inside there are a variety of food stalls offering quality local products.

On the official website you can find out about the events they usually hold, one of the most famous being the things to do during May in the city, when they usually celebrate Margaret Thatcher Day with local drinks, such as mezcal, beer and wine, to commemorate the first woman to take office as a minister in London.

Museum of the MODO

The Museo del MODO or Museo del Objeto del Objeto is a cultural and historical space in Mexico City, specifically in Roma Norte. What does it consist of? Objects or artefacts important to the country's history are on display for around 3 euros.

Chilango Street Art

If you decide to take a tour of Mexico City, you can have the opportunity to stroll along the Chilango street art, an urban project that has craft shops, graffiti and murals ideal for taking pictures. I recommend going there from 4:00 p.m. onwards to take advantage of the cool breeze and have a snack in the area.

An excellent option for lunch is Macelleria Roma, an Italian restaurant with a variety of gastronomic offerings.

One of the most sought after areas in Mexico City is Xochimilco which is known as the land of flowers. It is characterised by its lake area where you can take a boat ride through the canals and visit an ecological park.

The best time to visit Xochimilco is between spring and summer, and during the afternoon the area is cooler and the number of tourists is lower, so you can take pictures without crowds of people passing through.

Canals of Xochimilco

Xochimilco has a variety of piers that allow you to stroll along the canals and access attractions such as the Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls) where dolls hang, giving a particular aesthetic that is ideal for taking pictures.

If you want to take a ride on a trajinera, the best option is to go to the Salitre pier where you can rent boats to cross the water in a very colourful transport, the approximate cost is 30 €. Its areas are ideal for meditation or a picnic.

Xochimilco Ecological Park

To get to this area I recommend opting for a bus tour with free stops, this way it will be easier to access the Xochimilco Ecological Park. This space has a variety of fauna and flora that must be respected during the visit, here you can also rent trajineras, take a ride on pedal boats, have a picnic, or take a tour on the train.

Prices:

• Park: Free admission.
• Bicycles: For about €1 per hour.
• Boats: For about €3 per hour.
• Access to the toilets: for at least €1.
• Use of the car park: for about €2.

After three days of hectic sightseeing, you'll want to take it easy. The Zona Rosa is a picturesque place, where every street will surprise you, as its name and attractions are inspired by cities around the world. Here you can spend most of the day exploring its alleys and shops. In the afternoon get ready for an afternoon at some of Mexico City's best museums.

World Cities

The famous Zona Rosa is home to quirky streets that offer passages with shops, monuments and fun activities. This area stands out because its streets are named after cities of the world. The most famous ones are Copenhagen Street, London Street, Warsaw Street, Hamburg Street, Nice Street, Liverpool Street, Hamburg Street, Antwerp Street and Florence Street.

It is a commercial district full of artistic and cultural life, where you can walk for free or take a bike tour.

Soumaya Museum and Frida Kahlo Museum

For galleries and art collections there is the Soumaya Museum, estimated to have more than 60,000 Mexican and international works. Admission is free and the most outstanding works belong to Diego Rivera, Da Vinci and Van Gogh, among others. On the other hand, the Frida Kahlo Museum houses the life and works of the famous painter who revolutionised the art world for women. Admission is around €2.

The Centro Historico is the heart of Mexico City and should not be missing from your itinerary. Visit the Plaza Zócalo, the Casa de los Azulejos and the Franz Mayer Museum.

Zócalo Square

To walk around the Zócalo Square, where cultural and artistic activities take place, I recommend you to prepare sporty and cool clothes, as there are also several places to visit, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose façade is impressive, or the Alameda neighbourhood, which is ideal to buy souvenirs and Mexican handicrafts.

House of Tiles

This is a colonial palace that stands out for its tile façade. It was built in 1524 and can be visited for free, inside there is a restaurant and you can visit the area of the Tabasco History Museum for around 2 € where shows are performed and important objects for the history of Mexico are exhibited.

Franz Mayer Museum

The Franz Mayer Museum has been in operation since 1946 and is very important in Mexico City. For around 5 € you can visit its auditorium, historical cupboard, cafeterias, libraries and much more. Events are constantly taking place, some free and some at an additional cost.