Mexico City Highlights for First-Timers
Stay in the Historic Center and cover the old town, the Teotihuacan pyramids and the Museum of Anthropology in three days.
The most common three-day route for first-time visitors: on day 1, walk to the Zócalo, the Templo Mayor and the murals of the National Palace; on day 2, visit Teotihuacan in the morning and stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the way back; on day 3, see the Museum of Anthropology and the castle in Chapultepec before departing. Staying in the Historic Center makes it easy to wander the old town morning and evening. Coyoacán and Xochimilco are left out, so this suits travelers short on time.
Many museums and the National Palace are closed on Mondays; June–September is the rainy season, with frequent afternoon showers.
Day by day
Day 1 · The Zócalo and Murals of the Old Town
Mexico City（Zócalo / Metropolitan Cathedral、Templo Mayor、National Palace、Casa de los Azulejos、Torre Latinoamericana）
Take a taxi or the metro from the airport to the Historic Center (about 30–40 minutes). Everything in the old town is walkable; in the evening, go up the Torre Latinoamericana for night views.
Bring your passport to enter the National Palace. If you arrive with little time, just see the square and the cathedral.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 2 · Teotihuacan and Guadalupe
Mexico City（Teotihuacan、Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe）
Take a direct bus from the Terminal Norte to the ruins (about 1 hour); allow about 4 hours at the site. On the way back, get off at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and take the metro back to the old town.
Arrive when the site opens to avoid the sun and crowds, and bring a hat and water.
Stay: Historic Centre
Day 3 · Museum of Anthropology and the Castle
Mexico City（National Museum of Anthropology、Chapultepec Castle）
Take the metro or a taxi to Chapultepec (about 20 minutes); allow 3–4 hours for the museum, then walk up to the castle. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the airport (about 40 minutes).
Both are closed on Mondays; a late flight makes the day more relaxed.