Cosmopolitan, creative, and diverse—Mexico City is easy to love! If you're looking for a 3- day Mexico City itinerary combining history, great food, and a variety of neighborhoods, here’s our guide for five “can't miss” areas: the Historic Center, Polanco, Rome, Coyoacán and San Ángel.
We begin in the heart of the city—the perfect starting point if you are staying at Central Hoteles.
This neighborhood is chock-full of traditions, historic sites, and fabulous museums and food. You could easily spend weeks exploring here! But, since this is a short itinerary we’ll fit as much as we can into just one culture-packed day.
First stop: the Zócalo, where you can admire the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. Stop in to the palace to see Diego Rivera's famous murals, an artistic treasure that depicts important moments in Mexican history.
How to visit the National Palace:
Starting at 9 am any day except Monday, you can enter with a guided tour only. Make a reservation at visitas_guiadas@hacienda.gob.mx or arrive on site and ask for a ticket at the nearby entrance of the SHCP Museum.
Next stop: Walk along Calle Tacuba, where you’ll find the National Museum of Art (MUNAL) and the Palacio de Correos (Post Office Palace), two of the most beautiful historic buildings in Mexico. If you're interested in art, the MUNAL has an incredible collection spanning over 400 years.
Stop 3: Just a little further is the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts). Here, you can do tons:
Gawk at the ornate architecture
See murals by all the great Mexican masters, including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros
Visit temporary exhibitions
Plan ahead to catch a show in the dazzling Sala Principal (Main Hall), like the Ballet Folklorico of Mexico or the Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional
Last but not least stop: One more nearby street you really should stroll is Calle Madero, a pedestrian walkway connecting the Palace of Fine Arts with the Zócalo. Here you'll find historic buildings, baroque churches, and cultural spaces such as:
The Museo de Arte Popular (MAP)
The Museo del Estanquillo
Discover the top 5 best views in the Historic Center in our blog here
For sure, the Historic Center is best explored on foot. Points of interest, historic buildings, and museums are all very close to each other.
If you’d like to hear interesting facts from a local guide, at Central Hotels we offer a complimentary walking tour for our guests.
After all that walking, you’ll have worked up an appetite. Two excellent places to try top-flight cuisine in the Historic Center are:
Balcón del Zócalo, creative contemporary Mexican cuisine with the best view of the Zócalo
Taco Tasting Room, a gourmet taco tasting menu in an intimate space
For more about these restaurants and a fab market in the Historic Center, check out our Mexico City for Foodies blog post!
This vital area offers more museums, history, and urban energy than any other part of the city.
Plus, when you stay at Central Hoteles, it’s easy to explore, recharge at Café Central (open 24 hours), or take a quick siesta in our peaceful rooms.
The second day of our Mexico City itinerary is dedicated to two fascinating areas:
Polanco, one of CDMX’s fanciest neighborhoods, and Roma, a mecca for art, fine dining, architecture and nightlife.
Both neighborhoods are ideal for a full day of museums, restaurants, parks and shops.
Polanco is known for:
Chic designer boutiques
Fine dining restaurants
Tree-lined streets with modern architecture
Start with breakfast and then go museum-hopping:
The National Museum of Anthropology
The Tamayo Museum
Museo Soumaya
Next Stop: Walk in Bosque de Chapultepec, visit the lake, and hike up to Chapultepec Castle for murals and city views.
After Polanco, head to Roma. Here you can:
Eat at a creative restaurant
Walk along Avenida Álvaro Obregón
Explore parks, galleries, bookstores, cafes
End the evening at a jazz or cocktail bar
Together these neighborhoods show two very different sides of Mexico City:
elegance in Polanco and creative flair in Roma.
The third day focuses on two photogenic, artsy neighborhoods.
Coyoacán’s cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and plazas give it a unique charm.
Start at La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home and one of CDMX’s most popular museums.
After the museum:
Walk through the neighborhood
Explore markets
Enjoy hot chocolate with churros
Very close to Coyoacán is San Ángel, known for:
Artisanal shops
Galleries
Beautiful old mansions
Visit:
San Jacinto square
Parroquia de San Jacinto
Bazaar Sábado (Saturdays only)
Avoid visiting on Monday
Come early to museums
Reserve at fine-dining restaurants
When you stay at Central Hoteles in the Historic Center, it’s easy to reach all these destinations, many on foot.
You’ll dive deep into Mexico City’s culture, visit five amazing neighborhoods, and taste unforgettable food—all in just three days.
Plus, enjoy:
Complimentary walking tours
Warm hospitality
Discover vibrant, exciting Mexico City, from the best home base at Central Hoteles.
Travel, culture and traditions in Mexico City.
