Mexico City Walking Tour with Audioguide on your Smartphone

Constitution Square, better known as El Zócalo, is the vast central plaza of Mexico City and one of the largest public squares in the world. Surrounded by historic landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and colonial arcades, it has been the political and cultural heart of the city since Aztec times, when it was the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan. Today, it's the stage for national celebrations, protests, festivals, and public life — an enduring symbol of Mexico’s layered history and living democracy.

The National Palace (Palacio Nacional) in Mexico City is a grand symbol of Mexican history and government, stretching along the eastern side of El Zócalo. Built on the ruins of Moctezuma’s palace, it has served as the seat of power since the colonial era. Today, it houses the offices of the President, state archives, and stunning murals by Diego Rivera, which narrate Mexico’s rich and turbulent past. With its red tezontle stone façade and vast courtyards, the palace blends history, politics, and art at the heart of the nation.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas, standing proudly on El Zócalo. Built over three centuries (from the 16th to 19th), it blends Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles, reflecting the evolving identity of colonial Mexico. Constructed atop an Aztec sacred site, its foundations sink slowly into the soft lakebed. Inside, you'll find gilded altars, massive organs, and chapels steeped in history. It's not just a religious center, but a monument to centuries of faith, conquest, and cultural fusion.

The Templo Mayor in Mexico City is the ancient spiritual heart of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Located just steps from the Metropolitan Cathedral and El Zócalo, it was the main temple dedicated to Huitzilopochtli (god of war) and Tlaloc (god of rain and fertility). Though demolished by the Spanish in the 16th century, its ruins were rediscovered in the 1970s and are now part of an open-air archaeological site and museum. Visiting the Templo Mayor reveals the deep, layered history beneath modern Mexico City — a place where ancient gods once ruled the center of an empire.

San Ildefonso College (Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso) in Mexico City is a historic former Jesuit school turned cultural center, often called the "cradle of Mexican muralism." Founded in the 16th century, it was one of the most important educational institutions of New Spain. Today, its colonial courtyards and neoclassical halls house impressive murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Located near El Zócalo, it hosts rotating art exhibitions and cultural events, making it a living museum of Mexico’s artistic and intellectual legacy.

The Diego Rivera Mural Museum (Museo Mural Diego Rivera) in Mexico City is home to one of the artist’s most iconic works: “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central” (Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central). Originally painted in the Hotel del Prado, the mural was saved after the 1985 earthquake and moved to this purpose-built museum. The 15-meter-long fresco captures 400 years of Mexican history in a vivid dreamscape, filled with revolutionaries, aristocrats, and Rivera himself. The museum offers a focused, powerful experience of Rivera’s vision of Mexico’s complex past.

The Palace of the Inquisition (Palacio de la Inquisición) in Mexico City is a striking Baroque building once used by the Holy Office of the Inquisition during colonial times. Completed in the 18th century and located near El Zócalo, it served as a tribunal for religious investigations and trials. Its ornate façade contrasts with the dark history within. Today, it houses the Museum of Mexican Medicine, part of UNAM, featuring exhibits on medical history, anatomy, and traditional healing. The palace stands as a reminder of both scientific progress and the city’s more somber past.

The Casa de la Malinche, also known as the Casa de Hernán Cortés, is a colonial-era building in Mexico City traditionally believed to have been the home of La Malinche — the Indigenous woman who served as interpreter and advisor to Cortés during the Spanish conquest. Though historical evidence linking her directly to the house is debated, the structure near El Zócalo remains symbolically important. With its mix of Indigenous and Spanish elements, it reflects the cultural fusion and controversy surrounding La Malinche’s legacy — as both a historical figure and a national symbol.

The Iturbide Palace (Palacio de Iturbide) in Mexico City is an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece, originally built as a wedding gift for the daughter of Count San Mateo de Valparaíso. It later became the imperial residence of Agustín de Iturbide, Mexico’s first emperor, after independence in 1821. Located on Madero Street, the palace features a richly decorated façade, iron balconies, and an elegant courtyard. Today, it houses the Palacio de Cultura Citibanamex, a cultural space offering free exhibitions on Mexican art, history, and craftsmanship—preserving the grandeur of its imperial past.

The Casa de los Azulejos (“House of Tiles”) is a stunning 18th-century palace in Mexico City, famous for its façade covered in blue and white Talavera tiles from Puebla. Originally the residence of the Count del Valle de Orizaba, it blends Baroque, Churrigueresque, and Moorish styles. Located on Madero Street, the building now houses a historic Sanborns café, retaining its ornate interiors, grand staircase, and stained glass. It’s a beloved cultural icon where architecture, legend, and everyday life come beautifully together in the heart of the city.

The Torre Latinoamericana is one of Mexico City’s most iconic skyscrapers, rising 44 stories above the historic center. Completed in 1956, it was Latin America’s tallest building at the time and a marvel of earthquake-resistant engineering. Located near Palacio de Bellas Artes, it offers a 360° observation deck with sweeping views of the city and surrounding volcanoes. Once a symbol of modern progress, the tower still stands as a proud landmark — blending mid-20th-century optimism with panoramic perspective over Mexico’s sprawling capital.

The Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) in Mexico City is a dazzling cultural landmark that blends Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Opened in 1934, it hosts opera, ballet, and classical concerts under its iconic Tiffany glass dome. Inside, the marble-clad interior features murals by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo, making it both a performance venue and an art museum. Located near the Alameda Central, it’s a national treasure — where architecture, music, and muralism converge in spectacular harmony.

The Post Palace (Palacio Postal) in Mexico City is a jewel of early 20th-century architecture, blending Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Venetian influences. Designed by Italian architect Adamo Boari — who also worked on the Palace of Fine Arts—it opened in 1907 and still functions as a post office. Its ornate façade, gilded staircases, and ironwork details make it one of the most beautiful civic buildings in the city. Located near Alameda Central, the Post Palace is a working monument to communication, elegance, and the golden age of Mexican architecture.

The Santa Veracruz Church (Iglesia de Santa Veracruz) is a historic colonial-era church in Mexico City, located across from the Palace of Fine Arts. Built in the 16th century by the Archconfraternity of the Holy Cross, one of the city’s earliest lay brotherhoods, the church showcases a mix of Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Though damaged in past earthquakes, its richly carved façade and serene interior remain a testament to the city’s deep religious roots. Once a spiritual center for the working class, it stands today as a quiet survivor amid the bustle of the historic center.

The Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City is a cultural haven dedicated to decorative arts and design. Housed in the beautifully restored 18th-century Hospicio de San Juan de Dios, near the Alameda Central, it showcases the vast private collection of German-born collector Franz Mayer. Highlights include colonial furniture, silverwork, ceramics, textiles, and rare books — offering a deep look into Mexican craftsmanship across centuries. The tranquil courtyard café and rotating exhibitions make it a favorite for those seeking art, history, and quiet beauty in the heart of the city.

The Juárez Monument (Monumento a Benito Juárez) in Mexico City is a grand neoclassical tribute to Benito Juárez, Mexico’s beloved 19th-century reformist president. Located in Alameda Central, the monument features a semicircular colonnade with a central sculpture of Juárez seated, flanked by allegorical figures of the law and the republic. Unveiled in 1910 during the centennial of independence, it symbolizes justice, democracy, and national resilience. Surrounded by gardens and history, it’s a quiet yet powerful place honoring one of Mexico’s most respected leaders.

The Ciudadela Market (Mercado de la Ciudadela) is one of Mexico City’s best places to find authentic Mexican handicrafts. Opened in 1965, it brings together artisans from across the country, offering a vibrant mix of textiles, ceramics, wood carvings, alebrijes, silver, and more. Located near the historic center, it’s colorful, maze-like, and full of stories — each stall a window into regional traditions and techniques. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or collector’s pieces, Ciudadela is where craftsmanship and cultural pride come alive.

Patio Octavio Paz is a quiet, elegant courtyard nestled within the Palace of the Post Office (Palacio Postal) in Mexico City. Named after Octavio Paz, Mexico’s Nobel Prize – winning poet and essayist, the patio honors his legacy with calm, reflective space amidst the grandeur of the building. Featuring stone benches, ornamental detailing, and subtle inscriptions, it invites visitors to pause and contemplate literature, history, and the enduring beauty of words — right in the heart of the bustling historic center.

The Monument to the Revolution (Monumento a la Revolución) in Mexico City is a colossal structure commemorating the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Originally intended as a legislative palace, it was repurposed into a mausoleum for revolutionary heroes like Francisco I. Madero, Venustiano Carranza, and Pancho Villa. With its towering Art Deco dome and panoramic elevator, the monument is both a symbol of political transformation and an architectural landmark. Located in Plaza de la República, it also houses a museum chronicling the revolution’s complex legacy. Bold, dramatic, and deeply symbolic.