A Detailed Mexico City Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and can be reached within a short flight from major US cities, making this lively metropolis an excellent destination for a long weekend. So, in this detailed 3-day itinerary to Mexico City, you’ll have an easy-to-use resource providing the best things to do, restaurants to eat, places to stay, and other practical information to help you plan your trip.

With 3 days to spend in Mexico City, you can explore the Centro Histórico, dive into the cultural scene by visiting its famous museums, and discover the hipster neighborhoods to find cafés, local shops, and see the local life.

And since the city has a lot to offer, 3 days in Mexico City is the minimum amount of time I’d recommend spending here. Luckily, CDMX (as it is known) is one of the places where there’s always something left to explore, so you can go back over and over.

So, let’s get straight to your complete 3-day itinerary to Mexico City.

This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Mexico City Itinerary – Day 1

Kick off the first day of your Mexico City itinerary with a trip to Centro Histórico (Historic Center), one of the city’s top attractions.

In the area, you’ll find a handful of the must-see spots of Mexico City, including Zócalo (also known as Plaza de la Constitución), Catedral Metropolitana, Museo del Templo Mayor, and others.

For your day in Centro Histórico, I recommend starting at Museo del Templo Mayor, one of the most important places in the area. After the museum, head on to Zócalo to see Palacio Nacional, Catedral Metropolitana, and the surrounding buildings.

When it’s time to eat, head over to Balcón del Zócalo, a rooftop restaurant in the Zócalo Central Hotel that serves Mexican food and offers unbeatable views of the plaza and cathedral.

Then, continue walking your way through the Centro Histórico to visit Casa de los Azulejos. You’ll start to see the Torre Latinoamericana on your walk over here, so now is the time to go up to the 44th floor to the open-air observation deck to have striking 360⁰ views of the city (tickets can be bought online in advance).

Next, walk towards Palacio de Bellas Artes. You can either go inside to explore the interior or go to the café on the 7th floor of Sears (Finca Don Porfirio) for its strategic viewpoint.

At night, enjoy a memorable 10-course dinner at Quintonil, one of the best restaurants in Mexico City and number 27 on the World’s Best list. And since the restaurant is part of many itineraries, early reservation is encouraged, and you should book at least one month in advance.

SUMMARY OF DAY ONE

Museo del Templo Mayor
Zócalo
Palacio Nacional
Catedral Metropolitana
Lunch at Balcón del Zócalo
Casa de Los Azulejos
Torre Latinoamericana
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Dinner at Quintonil

Mexico City Itinerary – Day 2

On your second day in Mexico City, start your morning visiting Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Anthropology Museum) to see the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Mexican artifacts. For this, a guided visit is recommended. However, if you’re short on time, the must-see spots would be the Mexica room (to see the Sun Stone), the Maya Room, and the Oaxaca Room.

After the museum, go for a walk in Chapultepec Park towards the Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle). In this opulent castle, you’ll see the National History Museum and explore its preserved rooms with antique furniture, the lovely gardens, and have impressive views of the Paseo de la Reforma from the terrace. You can purchase admission tickets to Chapultepec Castle at the entrance (there’s usually a line) or join the Chapultepec Castle and Anthropology Museum tour.

Then, at lunchtime, make your way to Contramar, one of the top restaurants in Mexico City and the go-to for seafood in the city. Be sure to order the tuna tostadas and the red and green grilled fish, ceviche, and palomas.

And since Contramar is located in La Condesa, afterward, you can indulge in a post-lunch walk through the neighborhood, heading towards Roma Norte, another lovely area in the city. Be sure to walk the charming streets of both neighborhoods regardless of how much time you have in your Mexico City itinerary.

Ceviche at Contramar restaurant in Mexico City

Fish at Contramar restaurant in Mexico City

Do you still have room for dinner at night? Then I recommend going to Maximo Bistrot Local, another great restaurant in Mexico City with a farm-to-table menu, or Merotoro for Baja California fare.

SUMMARY OF DAY TWO

Museo Nacional de Antropología
Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) and Park
Lunch at Contramar
Walk around Roma Norte and La Condesa
Dinner at Maximo Bistrot Local or Merotoro

Mexico City Itinerary – Day 3

On the last day of your 3-day Mexico City itinerary, it’s time to visit Museo Frida Kahlo. In the museum, you’ll have a peek into the life of one of the greatest Mexican artists. The blue building is the house where she grew up and lived with also artist Diego Rivera. Tickets to Museo Frida Kahlo are sold online, and advanced reservation is encouraged.

After exploring the museum, make your way to Mercado Coyoacán, a lively local market that is a famous attraction in Mexico City for its tostadas. When wanting to try some (or many), Tostadas Coyoacán is known to have the best.

If you still have time in the afternoon, head over to Museo Soumaya to take in the modern, futuristic building with its European and Mexican art collections. And in front of Soumaya is Museo Jumex, a great place for contemporary art lovers. The best is that admission is free for both museums.

At night, finish your Mexico City itinerary with a memorable meal at Pujol, the city’s most known and best restaurant. The restaurant is currently number 9 on the World’s Best list and number 5 in Latin America. Because of this, it’s essential to book in advance its multi-course tasting menu in the dining room or the “taco omakase” menu at the bar.

SUMMARY OF DAY THREE

Museo Frida Kahlo
Mercado Coyoacán (with lunch at Tostadas Coyoacán)
Museo Soumaya
Museo Jumex
Dinner at Pujol

Need a personalized itinerary to Mexico City? Then learn more about my Travel Planning Services.

Have extra time in Mexico City? You can also:

Visit Casa Luís Barragan and Casa Gilardi
Walk around Polanco and shop in its stores
Go on a day trip to Teotihuacán, a UNESCO heritage site just outside the city
Check out Tolantango Caves with a tour
Spend a day in Puebla

Tips for your Mexico City 3-Day Itinerary

Best time to visit Mexico City

The best time to visit Mexico City is during spring or fall (from September to November and from March to May). Summers are typically rainy, and winters are chilly.

Where to stay in Mexico City

I recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com to get the best rate and other perks such as genius discounts and free cancellation if your plans change.

BEST HOTELS IN MEXICO CITY

Downtown: this hotel is one of the Design Hotels in Mexico City that sits next to many attractions of the Centro Histórico. The building is a restored 17th-century palace with an outdoor pool on the rooftop offering perfect city views.
Círculo Mexicano: a lovely design hotel located in the heart of the Historic Center of Mexico City, so you’ll be able to walk to the Zócalo and Palacio de Bellas Artes from here. The best room at Círculo Mexicano is The Balcony Suite which offers direct views of the Catedral Metropolitana. Also, don’t forget to check out the hotel’s rooftop pool when wanting to cool down.
Nima Local House Hotel: a boutique hotel set in Roma, close to some of the best cafés and restaurants in Mexico City. This 4-room hotel is lovely and the perfect place to unwind in your Mexico City itinerary.
Four Seasons Mexico City: an award-winning 5-star hotel located in Juarez, near Chapultepec Park. It has spacious and comfortable rooms, an Italian restaurant, a bakery offering Mexican and French pastries, and a cool cocktail bar. From here, you can walk along the charming streets toward the neighborhoods of Condesa and Polanco. The Four Seasons Mexico City is where I stayed, and I recommend it 10/10 for your Mexico City itinerary.
The Ritz-Carlton: a luxury hotel within walking distance from Chapultepec Park, one of the top places to see in Mexico City. Here, the modern rooms offer impressive views of the city, and the indoor swimming pool is fascinating.

BEST VACATION RENTALS IN MEXICO CITY

La Condesa 3-bedroom apartment: this apartment has an excellent location and features 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. This spacious apartment is in a beautiful area and is perfect if you want to do your entire Mexico City itinerary on foot or with Uber.
La Condesa 2-bedroom apartment: this 2-bedroom rental is close to Chapultepec Park and has luxury amenities, including a gorgeous indoor pool with city views.
Casai Roma 2-bedroom apartment: Roma Norte is one of the best neighborhoods in Mexico City. So, this 2-bedroom modern apartment is one of the best rentals for your itinerary. It has great amenities, modern décor, city views, and has a great setting if you are working from home.
Casai 1-bedroom Penthouse: if you’re looking for a unique experience, this penthouse with a private terrace might be the one for you. It’s also in Roma Norte, a great area to explore many cafés and restaurants in Mexico City.
Casai Roma Flat: another rental in Roma Norte, this flat offers comfortable settings. It is excellent if you want to be out and about, just like this post’s suggested Mexico City itinerary.

Continue reading: Where to stay in Mexico City, the best hotels, vacation rentals, and neighborhoods.

Visa

Mexico offers visa exceptions to visitors from various countries, including the US and the European Union, for stays up to 180 days.

Also, at the moment, there are no covid-19 restrictions for entering Mexico. Travelers don’t need to present proof of vaccination to enter the country, nor negative covid-19 test results. However, when planning your trip to Mexico, be sure to check the latest information and requirements for your specific country.

Electricity

The voltage in Mexico is 127 V, and the power plugs and sockets are type A and B (the same as in the US).

Currency

The currency used in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). You can check the current exchange rate on Google.

Travel Insurance

Ever since the pandemic, travel insurance has become almost essential for every type of travel. My recommended travel insurance platform is SquareMouth – the best tool for searching for the best option amongst travel insurance companies. SquareMouth allows travelers to instantly purchase a travel insurance policy from every major provider in the US, and it also makes clear each policy’s COVID-related coverage.

Welcome

I am Elen, and I help 9-5ers plan their next getaway. I curate travel experiences, from places to sip a coffee to stays in boutique hotels, so you can save time when planning your next vacation. Here you will find travel guides, tips, and the best itineraries for your next trip.