How to Spend 1 Day in Mexico City (With Hidden Gems)

Ah, Mexico City—an electric mix of indigenous history, modern Mexican culture, and some of the best food in the world! I’ve been lucky enough to explore CDMX (as the locals call it) many times and can never get enough. I often intentionally book long Mexico City layovers so I can spend a day here on my way to or from other destinations in Latin America.

If you’ve only got one day in Mexico City, you might be wondering how to even begin tackling this sprawling metropolis. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with an itinerary that packs in the city’s most important sites, a few hidden gems, and, of course, a generous share of tacos and spicy margaritas.

And while I believe I’ve designed the perfect one day Mexico City itinerary for first timers, I also have some alternative itinerary options if you’ve already seen the main sights in and are looking for something different!

How to Spend One Day in Mexico City

Where to Stay in Mexico City

Maximize your time in Mexico City by staying in Roma or La Condesa. These adjacent neighborhoods are both charming, centrally-located, and safe.

Specifically, I always try to stay near Parque Mexico in the heart of Condesa—this area is exceptionally safe and lively with tons of great street food and vibrant tree-lined streets that make you feel like you’re in Paris! 🌿

Best hotels and B&Bs in Roma and Condesa—I’ve stayed at most of these places and loved them all!

• Casa Mannach ($100+/night): Exceptional location right beside Parque Mexico with one-of-a-kind rooms. This is probably my favorite place I’ve stayed in Mexico City!
• Tanat Art Boutique Hotel ($80+/night): Budget-friendly boutique hotel walking distance from Parque Mexico and Roma’s best street food spots. The hotel also has an onsite art gallery!
• Casa Olivia ($100+/night): Colorful one and two bedroom apartments tucked away in a quieter residential part of Roma Norte. Still convenient, but a little further off the tourist trail!

These are budget-friendly options. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, check out my guide to the best boutique hotels in Roma!

How to Get Around Mexico City

Getting around Mexico City is easy, safe, and cheap!

I usually end up walking a lot and taking Uber or Didi (cheaper ride-share app) when I need to travel between neighborhoods because it’s cheap and convenient. And Uber is the best way to get from the airport to your hotel! Expect to pay up to $10 USD for a ride from the airport, and $2-5 USD for most other rides throughout the city.

The metro is even more affordable, and they have a women-only (and children) car, which is nice to solo female travelers. You can also rent an e-bike, but with only one day, I’d probably stick to Uber and walking for efficiency!

About this Mexico City Itinerary

Mexico City is the largest city in North America—and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world 🤯So, it goes without saying that there a lot of ways you could spend 24 hours in this sprawling metropolis!

I’ve crafted what I believe to be the best one-day itinerary for first-timers that immerses you into local life and takes you a little off the beaten path. But I have several alternative itineraries at that you may love even more. Here’s a quick overview of my three itineraries for Mexico City:

• Itinerary 1: All the essential spots in Mexico City’s Centro Historico, cable car ride over lesser-visited neighborhoods, rooftop bar, food and people watching in vibrant Roma and Condesa
• Itinerary 2 (Jump to this itinerary): Immerse in the life and art of Frida Kahlo while exploring Frida Kahlo Museum and colorful Coyoacan neighborhood, and join a floating fiesta at the vibrant Xochilimilco Canals
• Itinerary 3 (Jump to this itinerary): Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon ride over the ancient Teotihuacán pyramids, then explore the ruins on food, followed by a slow evening in Roma and Condesa

The Best One Day Mexico City Itinerary for First Timers

Morning: Scenic Cablebús Ride Over The City, Plus Local Market and Pulque Tasting

Quick Breakfast

Have a quick breakfast at your hotel, or grab something quick and convenient nearby. Mexico City is famous for its European-inspired baked goods (especially from Panadreria Rosetta), and chilaquiles (saucy tortilla chips with beans and often eggs) is probably the most popular savory breakfast.

CableBus Ride, Street food Lunch & Pulque Tasting

Then, I recommend starting your day in Mexico City with a scenic ride on the Cablebús. There are three Cablebús lines that take you over less-visited areas of the city and it’s a great way to get off the beaten path and take in the skyline views. I particularly enjoy the 40-minute ride over Iztapalapa on line 2, which features rooftop murals and views of the Sierra de Santa Catarina volcanoes!

You can ride the Cablebús on your own for only $7 pesos (about $0.30), or go with a local guide. The tour with the local guide costs $45 USD but is well worth it in my opinion. You get to support a small local business while learning about the city’s unique history and challenges from a local who lives here. Plus, he took us to local street vendors that we’d never find on our own—and we got a pulque tasting! The only disadvantage of going on the tour is that it takes a bit longer than it would if you went on your own because of all the stops along the way.

Either way, I have instructions on how to ride the cable car on your own in my full guide to the Mexico City Cablebús. And I have all beginning and ending Cablebús stations (plus fun stops along the way) pinned on my free Mexico City map. Be sure to grab lunch at a local market like the Quetzalcoatl market so you can fuel up for the rest of the day’s adventures!

If you go on the Cablebús tour, you’ll start and end in Centro Historico (which is where you need to be for the next part of the itinerary). If you ride the Cablebús on your own, be sure to navigate back to the historic center by about noon!

Afternoon: Highlights of Centro Histórico and Rooftop Bar

Walk Madero Street

Mexico City’s Centro Histórico (historic center) is the city’s oldest neighborhood with everything from colonial cathedrals to ancient Aztec temples.

Although there is a lot of see, you can easily soak in the highlights of Centro Historic within an hour or two. Walk along the pedestrian-only Avenida Francisco I. Madero (Madero Street), which is home to some of Mexico City’s most important historic sites, including:

• 🩰 Palacio de Bellas Artes: This eye-catching theater is one of the most iconic sites in Mexico City. Stop to see the building’s famous Art Deco facade from the street or from the Finca don Porfirio cafe across the road. If time allows, step inside to admire some of Diego Rivera’s murals
• 🗼 Torre Latinoamericana: Take the elevator to the top of this skyscraper for panoramic views of the city. It’s perhaps the best view in Mexico City! Tickets to Mirador Torre Latino cost $200 MXN per person.
• 📷 House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos): This stunning 18th century blue-and-white tiled palace looks like its straight out of Portugal! You can’t miss it when walking along Madero Street. There’s a museum and restaurant inside, but I’ve heard that neither are worth your time (or money). Instead, admire the beautiful building from the outside!
• 🔔 Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana): This ornate 220-foot tall colonial cathedral was the first cathedral build in the Americas!
• 🏺 Templo Mayor: This archaeological site is home to ruins of ancient Tenochtitlán’s most important temple. It costs $90 pesos to enter the museum, but my suggestion is to just get a glimpse of the ruins from outside for free!
• 🇲🇽 Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución): Mexico City’s gigantic main square, which was once the ceremonial center for the Aztecs. Today it’s the largest public square in Latin America. From the Zocalo you can see the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace, and a huge Mexican flag.

All of these spots (and many more) are pinned on my free Mexico City map for access on-the-go! Mexico City’s official website also has some great self-guided walking tour ideas.

Rooftop Bar Overlooking the Metropolitan Cathedral

After seeing the Zocalo, Templo Mayor, and Metropolitan Cathedral, head a few steps away to Terraza Catedral for an afternoon snack and drink! This surprisingly affordable rooftop bar has a great side view of the cathedral and bustling Madero Street.

The bar is a little tricky to find. To enter, walk inside the Mundo Joven Catedral Hostel and ask the doorman to let you up. Say “puedo visitar Terraza Catedral?” and he will unlock a glass door that leads to an elevator up to the bar.

Last time I visited, I ordered a virgin mojito (delicious and refreshing) and guacamole (large bowl), and it only cost me $150 pesos (just under $7.50 USD).

👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛

Evening: Tacos, Churros, and People Watching in Roma and Condesa

Order an Uber to Condesa (about a 30 minute drive). If you’re staying in the area, you can stop by your place to refresh for a little bit. Either way, I hope you’re hungry because it’s time for tacos galore!!

Wander Roma’s Tree Lined Streets

Dinner isn’t until 7pm (or later). If you have time to kill, spend it wandering some of Mexico City’s most charming tree-lined streets in Roma! Roma has suspires around every corner, perhaps you’ll discover vintage stores or a cute cafe or a local designer.

If you need a good starting point, consider Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Calle Colima, and Coahuila Street. These bright and lively streets are full of hidden gems just waiting to be uncovered!

🌺 Also See: The Ultimate Guide to Roma Norte, Mexico City

Dinner at a Taco speakeasy

At or after 7pm, head to Páramo, a taco speakeasy with a hidden entrance and delicious tacos and drinks. I recommend making a reservation via Whataspp (+55 73490436) to secure a table. Follow directions on Google Maps (pinned on my free Mexico City map) to find the building and make sure to head up the stairs to get inside!

If you’re not sure what to drink, a spicy margarita or mezcal margarita is a good place to start. And for food, order a variety of tacos since they’re priced per taco! Tacos al pastor is the most famous taco of Mexico City, and I particularly love Páramo’s vegan mushroom tacos.

Churros and People Watching at Parque México

A 15-minute walk from Páramo will take you to Parque México, one of my favorite places (and hidden gems) in Mexico City.

Sitting along the edge of Parque México’s lively Foro Lindbergh and watching the nightly activities unfold is something I do every time I visit CDMX. This place is where community happens, and it is so beautiful to witness.

Condesa’s location of the famous white-tiled Churrería El Moro is just a few steps away, so be sure to grab a perfectly crunchy churro there before finding a spot around the forum.

Regardless of the day, dance groups gather practicing everything from hip hop to waltz, kids learn to ride bikes, teenagers practice roller skating and play soccer, dogs play fetch, and friends laugh while eating street food.

And it all happens at the same time—dancers dodging soccer balls, dogs roaming freely, and everyone decompresses from the workday. Meanwhile, you enjoy the peaceful chaos while reflecting on your day in Mexico City!

And if you’re somehow hungry for more tacos after all of this, get the award-winning vegan al pastor tacos at Por Siempre Vegana a few blocks away.

Optional Nightlife: Speakeasies of Zona Rosa

If you’re still up for more Mexico City adventures, check out one of the famous speakeasies of Zona Rosa.

The experience of searching for these secret bars is part of the fun, and some of them are ranked among the top 50 bars in the world, so they are certainly worth the challenge!

Hanky Panky actually started out as a true speakeasy that was used only by the founder and his friends, but eventually they opened it up to the public. Nearby Xaman Bar has a more elevated feel and features cocktails made with indigenous ingredients.

Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time for either Mexico City speakeasy, and if you have any trouble finding them you can get a few hints online from reviewers!

🥊 You might also be interested in: Lucha Libre Show 🥊

Alternative 1-Day Mexico City Itineraries

Option 2: Frida Kahlo Museum, Coyoacán & Xochimilco

• Morning: Visit the childhood home of famed artist and activist Frida Kahlo at the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) in Coyoacán. This small museum gives you a peek into Frida’s life as a disabled artist. Although she’s a national symbol today, Frida wasn’t very well known when she was alive. Be sure to reserve your tickets on the official Frida Kahlo Musuem webiste at least a few weeks in advance!
• Mid-Day: Spend some time wandering the colorful streets of Coyoacán, which was the artistic heart of Mexico City in Frida’s time. Some spots to see include Fuente de los Coyotes, Parque Frida Kahlo, and the small but beautiful Plaza de la Conchita church. Optional: Take an Uber to Museo Anahuacalli, a stunning museum designed by artist Diego Rivera (Frida’s husband) which houses an extensive collection pre-hispanic art—I actually think this museum is more interesting than Casa Azul!
• Afternoon: Join a lively floating fiesta on colorful trajinera (traditional boat) through the Xochimilco canals in southern Mexico City. This is one of my favorite things to do in Mexico City—it’s the perfect combo of Mexican culture and fun with floating mariachi bands, and beautiful nature as you navigate through ancient canals. Reserve your trajinera in advance here to avoid common scams at the port.
• Evening: Spend your evening in La Condesa and Roma, you’ll find my suggestions for these neighborhoods in the evening part of my main itinerary (here).

Option 3: Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Teotihuacán, Cave Restaurant, and Roma/Condesa

• EARLY Morning: Wake up bright and early for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the ancient Sun and Moon Temples at Teotihuacán. Then, eat breakfast in a stunning cave restaurant and explore the Aztec archaeological site on foot before the crowds arrive. Details here.
• Afternoon & Evening: Take it slow while exploring Roma and Condesa—check out my recommendations for these neighborhoods on the evening part of the main itinerary (here)! If you have extra energy, you can also visit nearby Chapultepec Park, which is home to the National Anthropology Museum where you can learn more about Mexico’s indigenous history, plus stunning Chapultepec Castle, the only true royal castle in the Americas!

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