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10 Things to do in Mexico City
Mexico’s capital offers an intoxicating mix of art, culture, parks and eye-opening experiences.
By Lisa Mesbur
La Cuadra is a cultural space dedicated to creative experimentation that explores the connection between architecture and contemporary art. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF LA CUADRA
With a greater metropolitan population of more than 23 million, Mexico’s sprawling capital can seem overwhelming at first. But look closer. Beyond the major tourist attractions, Ciudad de México (CDMX) is home to lively local markets, under-the-radar galleries, diverse cuisines and spectacular green spaces. 1. El Bazaar Sábado (San Ángel) Every Saturday, this market comes to life with stalls selling locally produced art and crafts, from textiles and ceramics to pressed-tin mirrors and one-of-a-kind jewelry.
2. La Rifa Chocolateria (Juárez) Sustainably produced chocolate is the focus at this small shop and roastery. Try a frothy sipping chocolate — traditionally made with water, not milk — or a single-origin cacao bean bar.
@larifachocolateria on Instagram 3. Bosque de Chapultepec (Miguel Hidalgo) This 866-hectare park, one of the largest in Mexico, has something for everyone: forests, gardens, a castle and an astonishing nine museums, from the sprawling National Museum of Anthropology to the contemporary art-focused Tamayo. Rent a bike to make navigation a breeze.
4. Las Brujas (Roma Norte) Housed in a building with a roof resembling a witch’s hat, this women-owned, women-staffed bar (which made the 2024 World’s 50 Best Bars list) is known for its dark, romantic interior and herb-forward cocktails.
lasbrujas.mx 5. Kurimanzutto (San Miguel Chapultepec) Located in a former lumber yard, this high-ceilinged, minimalist gallery space exhibits works by internationally acclaimed contemporary Mexican artists.
kurimanzutto.com 6. Lucha libre (various arenas) Part sporting match, part theatre, lucha libre (freestyle wrestling) is a thrilling, not-to-be-missed cultural experience. Tip: book ahead with an organized group tour, and don’t forget your earplugs. 7. Street food carts (various locations) Hungry? CDMX street food carts serve everything from tacos to grilled corn to dorilocos, an individual bag of Doritos spiked with sweet and savoury toppings and eaten with a fork. Look for spots with locals lining up and happy customers munching nearby.
(Clockwise from top left) Bosque de Chapultepec; La Rifa Chocolateria; delectable dorilocos; a refreshment at Las Brujas. | PHOTOS: C13STUDIO/ADOBE STOCK; COURTESY OF LA RIFA CHOCOLATERIA; COURTESY OF EATER; COURTESY OF LAS BRUJAS
La Cuadra, designed by Luis Barragán, integrates residential space, equestrian facilities and meticulous landscapes. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF LA CUADRA
8. La Cuadra (López Mateos) Opened to the public in 2025 as a cultural hub and museum, this hibiscus-pink former residential property was designed by Modernist architect Luis Barragán. It pays tribute to the famed architect’s life and work via permanent and rotating exhibitions.
lacuadrabarragan.org 9. Avenida Amsterdam (Condesa) In the heart of chic Condesa, this elliptical boulevard features a tree-lined median with a pedestrian footpath, perfect for strolling and admiring the neighbourhood’s Art Deco architecture. 10. Museo Anahuacalli (Coyoacán) Designed by Diego Rivera, this carved volcanic-stone building looks like it was transported from an ancient civilization. Inside, experience Rivera’s vast collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in a dramatically lit, temple-like space.
Avenida Amsterdam is a prominent tree-lined, avenue in Barrio La Condesa in Mexico City. | VIDEO: BLACKBOXGUILD/ENVATO
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(Clockwise from top left) Bosque de Chapultepec; La Rifa Chocolateria; delectable dorilocos; a refreshment at Las Brujas. | PHOTOS: C13STUDIO/ADOBE STOCK; COURTESY OF LA RIFA CHOCOLATERIA; COURTESY OF EATER; COURTESY OF LAS BRUJAS
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