Why You’ll Love This 3 Day Mexico City Itinerary
Planning your very first trip to CDMX? Mexico City is one of the best cities in the world, and you simply can’t wing it! This 3 day Mexico City itinerary for first timers will help you get the absolute most out of this huge, chaotic, delicious city. Trust me, you’ll definitely want to be back asap. From must-sees like Chapultepec Castle and hidden tacos to Frida’s blue house and colorful boat rides in Xochimilco, this itinerary has everything you need to eat well, see it all, and feel like a local (well, almost). And now, let’s get into how to spend 3 days in Mexico City!
Table of Contents
Mexico City 3 Day Itinerary: Your Perfect First Timer’s Guide
Day 1: Centro Histórico + Must-see Landmarks
Start your first day in Mexico City with a guava roll or a concha from Panadería Rosetta in Roma Norte. Go early as this bakery is insanely popular and there will likely be a line. But from what I hear, it’s worth it. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastries! If you want a more traditional breakfast, head to El Cardenal’s Polanco location. Or one of their three locations in the historic center, depending on where you’re staying!
After breakfast, head to Bosque de Chapultepec by Uber or taxi (depending on where you’re staying). Chapultepec is a 1,700-hectare park where you’ll find important cultural sites like Castillo de Chapultepec, the Museo de Antropología, the Chapultepec Zoo and the Rufino Tamayo contemporary art museum. On this first day, you’re going to pick one spot from the list above. My favorite places to visit here are Castillo de Chapultepec or Museo de Antropología. Both of these places will take you at least 2 hours to see in full. So factor the time in for that!
After a couple hours of exploring Castillo de Chapultepec or the anthropology museum, head to el centro histórico for a bit more culture and history. There is a lot to see and do here! Start out at El Zócalo and admire its vast size. Check out the cathedral, the Templo Mayor Museum and Casa de los Azulejos.
If you’re hungry, walk toward La Alameda Central for delicious esquites (corn in a cup but like the most legit corn in a cup you’ll ever taste), or a churro at the famous Churrería El Moro. If you go to La Alameda Central, you’ll see Palacio de Bellas Artes from the outside! Depending on the time, you could go inside Palacio de Bellas Artes to check out the beautiful murals painted by Diego Rivera.
To close out your first of 3 days in Mexico City, head to dinner at either Contramar or Máximo. Both of these Mexico City restaurants are in Roma Norte and require reservations. Try the tuna tostadas, the whole grilled fish with their red-adobo rub and parsley rub, and the fig tart at Contramar. They’re yummy as hell. If you’re up for drinks after dinner, head to Gin Gin or Handshake Speakeasy.
Day 2: Mexico City Museums & Xochimilco Fun
Day two in Mexico City starts out with a very important choice. You’re going to kick it off pinkies-up with coffee and a pastry from Saint Panadería. OR you’re going to go balls to the wall with a torta de chilaquiles from La Esquina del Chilaquil.
You have to understand tortas de chilaquiles as a concept, and then, you’ll see why it’s balls to the wall. Chilaquiles on their own are already a delicious and indulgent Mexican breakfast. They’re fried corn tortilla chips simmered/tossed in sauce. And the sauce options are aplenty — red, green, mole, chile morita, habanero, etc. They’re topped with cheese, crema, onion and cilantro. Now, imagine all that as a sandwich on bollilo roll. It’s incredible. Make sure to go early because the lines get long at La Esquina del Chilaquil!
Next, it’s time to check out one of the largest collections of fine art at Museo Soumaya in Polanco. Here, you’ll see wonderful works of art throughout six stories by Diego Rivera, Van Gogh, Dali, Matisse, Picasso and many more. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here — more if you really want to see EVERYTHING! Admission is free. After you’re done with your six-floor artsy-fartsy journey, visit the contemporary art museum Museo Jumex next door! It’s also free.
If you’re not still full from that torta or you chose to start your day with a pastry instead, have lunch at Mi Compa Chava (their Roma location). Mi Compa Chava is a popular Sinaloa-style seafood restaurant with an airy Mexican-coast town aesthetic. Come for a fun atmosphere and try the aguachiles, costra de camarón, and the Señora Torres (a seafood tower with shrimp, tuna, yellowfin, octopus, onion, cucumber avocado and chile morita salsa).
Alternatively, you can skip lunch and head directly to the iconic Xochimilco by Uber. Check my post’s notes on how to make the best of a Xochimilco trip, how to get there and more. Xochimilco is a system of canals in the south of Mexico City where you can rent a trajinera (flat-bottomed boats that go back to pre-colonial times) for $500 MXN per hour for a grand-old time! You’ll be able to get food, hire Mariachi bands and more during your boat trip. This is a very traditional thing to check out in Mexico City. Close out an amazing day in Mexico City with dinner at Ling Ling or with drinks at Supra Roma Rooftop!
Day 3: Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacán Adventures
The third and last day in this itinerary takes you to one of the oldest Mexico City neighborhoods and the former home of Frida Kahlo! That’s right — we’re exploring the picturesque and lovely Coyoacán. Coyoacán is about 30 minutes away from the city’s historic center by car. Your first stop this morning is the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul). Make sure to buy tickets ahead of time and try to get the first time slot of the day.
NOTE: If you’re visiting Mexico City during important holidays like Day of the Dead and want to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum on those days, buying your tickets as early as possible is a MUST. Tickets for the next month usually go on sale at the beginning of the current month. So let’s say you want tickets to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum on Nov. 2, you’d buy them at the beginning of October.
Casa Azul is one of my top favorite places in all of Mexico City! The iconic cobalt-blue home is where Frida Kahlo was born, grew up, lived her life with Diego Rivera, and eventually died. Now, the museum’s dedicated to her life’s work. Here, you’ll see a personal collection of her beautiful artwork, memorabilia, her clothes, personal items and more. Frida Kahlo’s study is one of the most fascinating rooms in the house because it looks exactly as she left it!
After the museum, head to Plaza Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario for some people watching, ice cream, late breakfast or lunch. You can go to the Leon Trotsky Museum next or head to Mercado de Coyoacán. Visit the Coyoacan Market for gorgeous artisan pottery, textiles and jewelry, and delicious traditional cuisine.
If you didn’t have lunch at Mercado de Coyoacán, head back toward the Roma neighborhood and eat at Máximo. I recommend having a reservation as with most Mexico City restaurants. After that, head to Palacio de Bellas Artes for the museum or to catch a play or folklórico show (depending on the time). Or you can do the night-time sightseeing bus tour that will show you the city from a whole different perspective! The night tour takes off daily at 7:30 p.m. from el Ángel de la Independencia, el Zócalo or the Hemiciclo a Benito Juárez monument.
Practical Mexico City Travel Tips for First Timers
How to Get Around Mexico City
Mexico City is huge and can even be a little intimidating to explore for a first-timer! Don’t worry — it’s very easy to find your way around! Uber or taxis are great and accessible options for how to get around Mexico City. They’re reliable and cheap. If you’re taking a taxi in Mexico City, only use the official pink-and-white “taxis de sitio.” You can call a taxi de sitio ahead from hotels or restaurants.
Additionally, Mexico City public transportation, like the metro, is also clean, cheap and reliable. Just keep in mind rush hour can be intense and very crowded. The same can be said of car traffic in general. For this reason, I don’t recommend you drive yourself around Mexico City.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Mexico City?
There are endless things to do, see and eat in Mexico City. Personally, 4–5 days are ideal. But 3 days in Mexico City can be a good enough amount of time to see a lot of it. With this Mexico City itinerary for beginners, you’ll explore some of the top Mexico City neighborhoods and sights. This includes La Roma, Polanco, Centro Histórico, Coyoacán and more. You can explore something new each time in this city. You’ll definitely want to come back and see more of it after 3 days in Mexico City!
Mexico City Neighborhoods
As I said earlier, Mexico City is pretty huge! It’s one of the largest cities in the world with a population of 22.51 million. As such, you have many areas where you can stay throughout the Mexico City neighborhoods. Here’s a breakdown so you can make an informed decision for which neighborhood to stay in.
- Centro Histórico: The historic center is home to El Zócalo, the largest plaza in Latin America. You’ll also find the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor archeological site and museum, Torre Latinoamericana, el Barrio Chino, Palacio de Bellas Artes, La Alameda Central, and much more. Expect this area to be crowded. You’ll find traditional food, street vendors, museums and shopping.
- Juárez: It’s a high-energy area that’s home to La Zona Rosa (the gay district/neighborhood). It borders on Avenida Reforma, a major street that connects the city, where you’ll find El Ángel de la Independencia. Kinda known as a party area!
- Roma:La Roma is west of the historic center. It’s known for its neo-classical and art-nouveau style buildings, as well as great food, galleries, bars and more. Unfortunately, gentrification has been working its way through this colonia.
- Condesa: Right next to Roma, La Condesa is very chic, cosmopolitan and a little more upscale than Roma. It’s got beautiful parks and tree-line streets filled with boutiques, restaurants and galleries. You’ll find boutique hotels and great vacation rentals here.
- Polanco: This is one of the fanciest Mexico City neighborhoods. It’s known for its high-end shopping and dining. You can find Museo Soumaya, one of my favorite museums in the world, in Polanco.
- Coyoacán: About 30 min. from el centro histórico and one of the oldest Mexico City neighborhoods. You’ll find beautiful, picturesque cobblestone streets. Don’t miss Frida Kahlo’s home and the Leon Trotsky Museum.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
Based on the breakdown of the main Mexico City neighborhoods, you want to stay in an area that matches your trip’s vibe. Juárez or the historic center are great options for a fast-paced trip full of action. For an upscale and relaxed vibe, try one of the boutique hotels or a vacation rental in Condesa or Roma.
Condesa and Polanco are known as two of the safest places to stay in Mexico City. They’re especially safe if you’re a female solo traveler. La Roma is safe and central enough that you can go to Bosque de Chapultepec or the historic center without having to travel too far. If you’re spending 3 days in Mexico City, I recommend staying in Roma or Condesa because of their central location.
Mexico City Street Food
It should come at no surprise that Mexico City street food is simply incredible! From the original tortas de chilaquiles and the beautiful, delicious, heaven-sent esquites from La Alameda Central to the spicy chips sold by vendors at el Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City street food is the ultimate reason to visit this city for me. You’ll find some of the most delicious, traditional food at Mercado Coyoacán and Mercado Medellín. Jenni’s Quesadillas are a Mexico City street food sidewalk stand you must try! She makes the most delicious nixtamal blue-corn quesadillas, tlacoyos and pambazos.
Where to Eat During Your 3 Days in MExico City
Mexico City restaurants and the culinary scene are in their own category — it’s a foodie wonderland! You’ll find holes in the wall with the most incredible huaraches as well as Michelin-star level cuisine. In terms of food alone, I’ll say one more time that you simply can’t wing a trip to Mexico City.
For breakfast, try Restaurante Rosetta, Lalo!, El Cardenal, Maisón Belen or Cuina. Try Panadería Rosetta, Odette or Saint for pastries. For lunch or dinner, try Masala y Maíz, Contramar, Ticuchi, Máximo, Supra Roma Rooftop, Pujol, Ling Ling or Sarde. For some of the best tacos in Mexico City, check out Los Cocuyos, Taquería El Califa de León, El Huequito or Taquería Orinoco. My favorite taco place is Siembra Taqueria in Polanco. You will need reservations for most Mexico City restaurants. Luckily, you can do that online for most of them nowadays!
Want to get a taste of the CDMX food scene but only have 3 days in Mexico City? Switch out the morning activity from one of the days below to do a food tour with Eat Like A Local. I recently did their Mexican Food 101 food tour and absolutely loved it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Mexico City
Is 3 days enough for Mexico City?
Totally! You just gotta you plan well. Three days in Mexico City is enough time to see top sights like the Centro Histórico, Frida Kahlo Museum, Chapultepec Park, and eat reaaaal good each day. And bet your bottom dollar, you’ll want to come back for more.
What’s the best way to get around Mexico City?
For first timers, a mix of Ubers, the Metro and walking is your best bet. Ubers are cheap, safe and easy to book. The metro is safe and reliable. The Mexico City metro even has women-only sections, which are perfect for solo female travelers. Make sure to wear comfy shoes because you’ll be walking A LOT.
Is Mexico City safe for tourists?
Mexico City is safe for most travelers if you stay aware, use trusted transportation and stick to popular neighborhoods. Don’t flash your fancy ass cameras around on the street and stay aware of your surroundings. Mexico City is just like any other big city around the world. You’ll be safe if you use common sense.
What should I pack for 3 days in Mexico City?
One word: layers. CDMX weather can change fairly quickly. You’ll need comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket. Bring an umbrella or poncho if it’s rainy season.
Do I need to know Spanish in Mexico City?
Generally, I’d say people appreciate travelers using Spanish, or at least trying. The basics are good enough to be honest. Greetings, ordering food, asking where the bathroom is, and the such are perfect to have down. But a lot of people speak English in Mexico City — especially in tourist-frequented spots.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect 3 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
And that’s my 3 day Mexico City itinerary for first timers! By now, you’ll have fallen in love with this gorgeous city and its delectable food, friendly people and rich culture. And I bet you’ll be plotting your return on the flight back home! I hope this day-by-day breakdown of how to spend 3 days in Mexico City was helpful. Have questions or a spot I must add next time? Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to pin this guide for your trip!
Leave a Reply