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Located in a valley in Mexico's central region, 2,250 meters above sea level, with a magnificent backdrop of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes, the nation's capital has a pleasant climate. One of the world's largest metropolises, Mexico City is also the oldest urban center in the Western Hemisphere; founded by the Aztecs in the 14th century, when it was called Tenochtitl谩n.
The Spanish conqueror, Hernan Cort茅s, and his men were awestruck by the sight of the imposing temples of the Aztecs. Reporting back to King Carlos V, Cort茅s struggled to convey the majesty of what he saw. Imagine the King's surprise at learning that 鈥榦ne of the plazas is twice the size of that of Salamanca鈥, and 鈥榯he principal pyramid is taller than the tower of the cathedral at Seville鈥, or that the stone and wood craftsmanship that adorned these monuments 鈥榗ould nowhere be bettered'. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, many of the city's original buildings were built over and are only now being rediscovered. Today, the city is a mix of ancient ruins, colonial buildings and modern high rises. Its soul is overwhelmingly centered around its vast Z贸calo (main square), and nowhere is Mexico's explosive past better depicted than here.
Surrounded by some of the finest buildings of the colonial era lie the remnants of one of the Aztecs' principal monuments, the Templo Mayor. Its mysterious shapes stand as a haunting tribute to the pre-Hispanic civilization that flourished here long ago. Here, the Mexican flag has flown proudly for centuries, with crowds gathering in celebration or in demonstration at every opportunity.
Mexico City has two areas that were declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO. The first, the Centro Historico, has beautiful historic and religious buildings such as the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) with spectacular Diego Rivera murals chronicling Mexico's history, and Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) which hosts the city's most important cultural events. The other World Heritage site, Xochimilco Ecological Park, is often called the 鈥淰enice of Mexico鈥 due to its beautiful canals.
What's more, Mexico City is very cosmopolitan; you can shop at bazaars and craft markets in the Coyoacan and San Angel neighborhoods, or you can go to exclusive boutiques and shopping centers in the upmarket communities of Santa Fe and Polanco, where you'll be surrounded by the comfort of top hotels and restaurants. The world renowned Anthropological Museum, the beautiful house of Frida Kahlo, the unique market Bazar del Sabado, the Basilica de Guadalupe (where the Virgin is said to have appeared), and 罢别辞迟颈丑耻补肠谩苍, the largest city in the ancient world, with pyramids rivaling those of Giza in Egypt, all contribute to making this a fascinating capital.
Although a large, busy and industrial city, Mexico City is well worth a few days' exploration. Its traffic can be a challenge 鈥 you may need to be very patient when driving from place to place. It can also be chilly in the capital, especially in the evenings, so we recommend you bring a warm sweater.
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Suggested itineraries featuring Mexico City
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Mexico City, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Mexico City
- 罢别辞迟颈丑耻补肠谩苍 26 miles away
- Cuernavaca 37 miles away
- Puebla 68 miles away
- Taxco 68 miles away
- 蚕耻别谤茅迟补谤辞 115 miles away
- Morelia 136 miles away
- San Miguel de Allende 147 miles away
- The Colonial Cities 162 miles away
- Guanajuato 176 miles away
- Veracruz 197 miles away
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo 201 miles away
- Oaxaca 229 miles away
Photos of Mexico City
Our expert guides to exploring Mexico City
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Mexico City, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Mexico City at its best.
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Mexico鈥檚 Day of the Dead, demystified: a brief guide Mexico鈥檚 Day of the Dead, demystified: a brief guide
Mexico鈥檚 Day of the Dead, demystified: a brief guide
An overview of Mexico鈥檚 Day of the Dead, by one of our Mexico specialists. Jeff outlines where to go in Mexico for the most vivid celebrations, ways you can get involved in the festivities and 鈥 crucially 鈥 what you might eat.
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What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide
What to do in Mexico: our highlights guide
Mexico鈥檚 character is many-sided. From cosmopolitan colonial cities and vibrant markets to mountain wilderness, sleepy Caribbean islands, vast cacti-covered deserts and a wealth of intriguing ancient ruins, specialist Carolyn shares her highlights.
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Accommodation choices for Mexico City
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Mexico City. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Las Alcobas
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Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
Mexico City -
Z贸calo Central
Mexico City -
The Alest
Mexico City
Ideas for experiencing Mexico City
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Mexico City, and which use the best local guides.
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Tula & Tepotzotlan Tour Tula & Tepotzotlan Tour
Tula & Tepotzotlan Tour
Tula is a town in the southwestern part of the state of Hidalgo and nearby are the remains of the ancient capital city of the Toltecs. Usually identified as the Toltec capital around 980 CE, the city was destroyed at some time between 1168 and 1179.
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Mexico City Art Tour Mexico City Art Tour
Mexico City Art Tour
Murals depicting Mexico's history make up the cornerstone of Mexican art. Explore this artistic cultural side to Mexico City: with visits to the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo in the San Angel area east of Chapultepec and then Museo Frida Kahlo the 'Blue House' in Coyoacan.
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