Walk through the Historic Center of Mexico City, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a living history book. The cobblestone streets, plazas, and monumental buildings all hold traces of pre-Hispanic civilizations, colonial opulence, the fight for independence and the modern transformation of the country.
We invite you to follow our History Trail, walking between fascinating places that have played a starring role in our country’s history.
Enjoy a trip back in time without leaving the heart of the city!
First Stop: Templo Mayor and Templo Mayor Museum
There’s no better starting point than the Templo Mayor, one of ancient Tenochtitlán’s most important ceremonial centers. Here, among 700-year-old stone walls and sacred relics, you can imagine Mexica life before the arrival of the Spanish.
(Wondering who the Mexica were? Part of a people commonly called the Aztecs, they were the ruling group at the time of the Spanish conquest.)
Be sure to visit the Templo Mayor Museum, where you will find original artifacts, offerings, and explanations of the Mexica worldview.
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Stop 2: Catedral Metropolitana
Right next to the Templo Mayor is the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral, built on the ruins of the Mexica temples, with materials reused from the destroyed pyramids. This building is a symbol of the cultural and religious clashes that marked the colonial era.
Tour the cathedral’s interior, check out the baroque and neoclassical altars, and don't miss the crypts or the carved wood choir area—one of the cathedral’s lesser-known treasures.
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Stop 3: National Palace
Continue on the trail to the National Palace (Palacio Nacional), seat of political power from the times of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés until today. Here you can admire famous murals by Diego Rivera that tell the history of Mexico, and tour historic rooms, including ones once used by famous presidents Venustiano Carranza (who reigned during the Revolution), and Benito Juárez (Mexico’s first Indigenous president and a progressive reformer.)
Access is free, but visits are by guided tour only. Get your tickets before 10 am at the museum across the street, the Museo de la Secretaría de la Hacienda. You must also bring some form of official photo ID to enter, such as a passport.
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Stop 4: Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso
Considered the cradle of Mexican muralism, the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso was first a Jesuit school, and later a hub for art and culture.
Here you can see murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and many other Mexican muralists. The temporary exhibitions here are also of the highest quality, so there’s always something interesting to see.
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Stop 5: Plaza de Santo Domingo
This spot is chock full of history. It was the home of the last Mexica emperor, Cuahtéhmoc, then covered over with a baroque Catholic church (still standing today). For fans of scary history, it was also the site of the Tribunal of the Spanish Inquisition—which today is home of the Museum of Mexican Medicine.
On a lighter note, the plaza was also once home to dozens of public letter-writers, who penned love letters or urgent messages for illiterate customers (like in the movie Central Station). If you are lucky, you’ll find one of them here still plying their trade, or at least, shops selling postage stamps you can use to send your own messages.
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Stop 6: Postal Palace
This early 1900’s building is an architectural wonder, combining a wide array of European styles from rococo to Art Nouveau, built with Mexican materials.
Today, it still functions as a post office, and is well worth visiting to admire its golden interior and majestic marble staircase.
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Stop 7: Museo de la Ciudad de México (Museum of Mexico City)
Located in an old baroque palace, this museum takes you on a journey through the city’s history, from pre-Hispanic origins to modern expansion.
It’s a good place to understand how the great Tenochtitlán became today's CDMX, and how our city has reinvented itself over the centuries.
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Stop 8: Plaza de la Constitución (The Zócalo)
Now, of course, you should head to the Zócalo, the famous heart of Mexico City! Although you can visit the Zócalo at the beginning of this itinerary, we recommend you experience it at the end, once you’ve seen all the other places.
This enormous square has witnessed so many defining moments in our country’s history, from celebrations to tragedies and mass demonstrations. Take a moment to look around and feel the energy of a place that has seen centuries of history pass by. From our Balcón del Zócalo restaurant, you can admire it in all its splendor while enjoying a fantastic meal.
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Discover Mexico’s History, Just Steps From Central Hotels
When you stay at Central Hoteles, you’re right in the middle of all these great sites. Our three hotels are in the heart of the Historic Center, so you can delve into Mexico’s history from your first step.
Explore this fascinating city where every block has a story to tell. Then, after a day full of discoveries, come back to rest and feel at home with our superb hospitality.
We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
Travel, culture and traditions in Mexico City.
