Mexico City in 5 Days: Complete Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Itinerary
Discover CDMX with this 5-day itinerary combining the historic center, Teotihuacan, Coyoacan, Chapultepec and the best street food. With prices, transport and practical maps.
Mexico City in 5 days: from the great pyramid to the best taco
Mexico City is one of the world's largest metropolises: over 22 million inhabitants, 150 museums, archaeological sites, UNESCO-recognized gastronomy and a history spanning from the Aztecs to contemporary architecture. Five days is the minimum to see its essentials without feeling you only scratched the surface.
This itinerary is designed for travelers staying in Roma or Condesa (the most recommended areas, with good metro connections and safe atmosphere day and night). Use metro, Metrobus and Uber/DiDi to get around: renting a car in CDMX is a mistake because of traffic, the "Hoy No Circula" vehicle restriction and parking costs.
Day 1: Historic Center and National Palace
Start at the Zocalo, the main square and one of the world's largest. Around it are the Metropolitan Cathedral (free, with stunning gold altarpieces), the National Palace (free, with Diego Rivera's famous murals on Mexican history; ID required to enter) and the Templo Mayor ($100 MXN), ruins of the Aztec ceremonial center discovered in 1978.
Walk down Madero Street (pedestrian) to the Palacio de Bellas Artes (art nouveau building with a mosaic dome; $90 MXN for exhibition and muralists; free on Wednesdays). Right across is the Torre Latinoamericana: go up to the 44th floor ($170 MXN) for the best panoramic view of CDMX.
Eat at San Juan Market, famous for exotic ingredients (escamoles, chapulines, fresh fish), or cheaper at El Huequito (historic al pastor tacos, $30 MXN each).
In the afternoon, visit the Franz Mayer Museum ($70 MXN, decorative arts) or the Museo del Estanquillo (free, popular art collection). End the day at the Alameda Central and have dinner at Limosneros (contemporary Mexican) or at a traditional cantina like Tio Pepe (founded 1870).
Day 1 budget: $900-1,400 MXN per person.
Day 2: Teotihuacan and Basilica of Guadalupe
Leave early (6:30-7 am) to the Terminal del Norte (metro line 5). Buy a Teotihuacan ticket at the "Autobuses Teotihuacan" booth ($104 MXN, depart every 15 minutes, 1 hour trip). Ask to be dropped at Puerta 1.
Entry: $95 MXN. Arriving early (opens 9 am) is key: you avoid heat and crowds. Spend 3-4 hours walking the Avenue of the Dead, climbing the Pyramid of the Sun (63 meters tall, 247 steps) and the Pyramid of the Moon. The Site Museum is included.
Important tip: Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hat and comfortable shoes. There's no shade on site.
On the way back, get off at the Basilica of Guadalupe (the most visited Catholic shrine in the world after the Vatican). Walk through both the old and new basilicas, climb Tepeyac Hill. Free entry.
Return to the hotel via metro line 6 from La Villa-Basilica. Have dinner in the Condesa: Contramar (fish, book weeks ahead), Lardo (modern Italian), or al pastor tacos at El Tizoncito (the place that invented al pastor tacos).
Day 2 budget: $800-1,200 MXN per person.
Day 3: Coyoacan and Xochimilco
Take Uber or metro to Coyoacan (line 3, Viveros station). This colonial southern neighborhood is CDMX's bohemian heart. Visit Frida Kahlo's Blue House ($270 MXN, mandatory online reservation; tickets sell out weeks ahead) and the nearby Leon Trotsky House ($45 MXN).
Have lunch at the Coyoacan Market: Coyoacan tostadas (with tinga, shrimp or pata, $50 MXN each), esquites, artisanal mezcal. Walk through Hidalgo Plaza, Centenario Garden and the crafts market.
In the afternoon, take an Uber (~45 min, $200 MXN) to Xochimilco. Navigate the canals on a trajinera (traditional boat, $600 MXN per hour for up to 20 people). Bring drinks, food, and if you're a group, hire a floating mariachi ($150 MXN per song). The surrounding chinampas are UNESCO heritage.
For dinner, head back to the Roma. Try Maximo Bistrot (fine dining with organic ingredients) or something more casual at El Parnita (simple, delicious Mexican).
Day 3 budget: $1,100-1,800 MXN per person (more if fewer people split the trajinera).
Day 4: Chapultepec, Polanco and Anthropology
The Bosque de Chapultepec is the largest urban park on the continent. Enter through Puerta de los Leones (Reforma) and walk to Chapultepec Castle ($90 MXN), the only royal residence in the Americas and former home of Emperor Maximilian. From the balcony you have views of Reforma.
Continue to the National Anthropology Museum (Tuesday-Sunday, $95 MXN, closed Mondays). This is one of the world's most important museums: give it at least 3 hours. Must-sees: the Sun Stone (Aztec calendar), Mayan King Pakal's treasures, the Olmec and Toltec halls.
Have lunch in Polanco. From modern breakfast (Eno) to haute cuisine (Pujol, Quintonil, both World Top 50; book 2+ months ahead and budget $4,000-6,000 MXN per person). For something in between, Dulce Patria by Martha Ortiz is excellent.
In the afternoon, walk Masaryk Avenue (Mexico's Rodeo Drive) or visit the Jumex Museum of contemporary art (free, David Chipperfield design) and the Soumaya Museum (free, Carlos Slim's collection).
Day 4 budget: $1,200 (budget) to $8,000 (with haute cuisine) MXN per person.
Day 5: Markets, lucha libre and local life
Morning dedicated to street food. Take a food tour in the Roma or Condesa (operators like Eat Mexico, $1,500-2,500 MXN, highly recommended if it's your first time). You'll try 6-10 traditional snacks with historical explanation.
Alternatively, go on your own: Medellin Market (Latin products, Arab tacos), Mercado Roma (gourmet), or for real al pastor tacos head to El Vilsito (only at night, after its mechanic shop closes; some say CDMX's best tacos).
In the afternoon, visit the Soumaya Museum (aluminum tower by Fernando Romero, free entry, collection of 66,000 pieces).
End the trip with a 100% Mexican experience: Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico (Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays, tickets from $150 MXN at the box office, from $500 MXN online). It's theatrical, fun and absolutely iconic. Buy a souvenir mask at the entrance ($200-400 MXN).
Dinner afterwards in Colonia Roma: Rosetta (Italian, Michelin star), Sartoria (fresh pasta), or Merotoro. For something very local, the Covadonga cantina to close the night.
Day 5 budget: $1,000-2,500 MXN per person.
Total estimated budget
For 5 days in CDMX, the average total is $8,000-15,000 MXN per person ($450-850 USD), including mid-range lodging ($1,500/night), meals, museums, transport and activities. It can be done with $5,000 if you stay in a hostel and choose budget food. Or reach $30,000+ if you opt for Michelin-starred restaurants and a 5-star hotel.
Essential CDMX tips
- Altitude is 2,240 meters: take things slow the first day, hydrate.
- Uber/DiDi work great and are very cheap (typical rides $80-150 MXN).
- Metro costs $5 MXN per ride with 12 lines. Avoid rush hour (7-10 am, 6-9 pm).
- Safety in Roma, Condesa, Polanco and Coyoacan is high. In the Historic Center, normal caution by day; avoid lonely alleys at night.
- Bring small cash for markets and taquerias ($100 and $200 MXN bills).
- Don't drink tap water. All restaurants serve purified water.
- Tips are 10-15% at restaurants, 10 MXN to anyone helping with luggage.
CDMX will surprise you with its size, complexity and vibrant culture. In 5 days you won't see it all, but this itinerary gives you a representative sample of history, art, food and local life. Many travelers return multiple times: you'll find each neighborhood has its own personality.