4 DaysMexico
Mexico City
Your 4-day travel guide
Best October-April for dry mild weather
Mexico City•4D•All
Mexico City, Mexico
Duration:4 Days
Activities:12
Best for:All travelers
Mexico City's 4-Day Dream: Art, Food & Secrets
Mexico City stands as one of the world's most dynamic capitals, blending ancient Aztec heritage with colonial Spanish architecture and modern urban energy. Spanning over 7,000 square kilometers with a population exceeding 20 million, it offers unparalleled cultural depth through its UNESCO-listed Historic Center, world-class museums, and expansive parks like Chapultepec. Visitors encounter monumental sites such as the Zócalo and Templo Mayor, alongside artistic treasures in places like the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Culinary experiences range from street tacos to fine dining, while neighborhoods like Coyoacán provide intimate glimpses into local life. This 4-day itinerary balances exploration with rest, highlighting the city's layered history, art, food, and communities within its limits.
Get Real Local Advice
Ask someone who actually lives in Mexico City
1
Cultural Heritage
Day 1 of your journey
Templo Mayor reveals the heart of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, with excavated ruins of the main temple and a museum displaying artifacts like monoliths and sculptures. Visitors walk elevated paths over the site, viewing layered structures from the 14th to 16th centuries, and examine exhibits on rituals and cosmology. Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, entry costs around 95 pesos for adults. Plan for a focused visit in the morning when crowds are lighter, allowing time to absorb the historical significance amid the adjacent cathedral.
Templo Mayor
Why Visit
This site provides direct access to Mexico City's pre-Hispanic foundations, contrasting Aztec engineering with overlying colonial structures. It offers context for the entire Historic Center, making subsequent visits to nearby landmarks more meaningful. Few places so vividly illustrate the convergence of indigenous and European histories in one location.
Buy tickets online in advance to skip lines, especially on weekends. Combine with a walk to the Zócalo afterward, and visit early to avoid midday heat. Audio guides in English enhance understanding of the site's complex layers.
2
Art and Museums
Day 2 of your journey
3
Culinary Exploration
Day 3 of your journey
4
Local Neighborhoods
Day 4 of your journey
Before You Go
Essential Travel Tips
Use Metro or Metrobús for affordable transit; purchase a rechargeable card at stations.
Mexican pesos are currency; ATMs widespread, but carry small bills for markets.
Spanish dominant; learn basics like 'gracias' and 'dónde está'.
Stay vigilant against pickpockets in crowds; use ride apps like Uber at night.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants; service not always included.
Drink bottled water; peel fruits and avoid ice in street drinks.
Elevation 2,240 meters causes mild altitude effects; hydrate and rest first day.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
October to April offers mild temperatures from 15-25°C with low rainfall, ideal for outdoor sites. Avoid May-September rainy season with frequent afternoon downpours. December-February dry and cooler, though holidays increase crowds. Spring (March-May) balances weather and visitor numbers before summer heat.
Local Insights & Tips
Mexico City's neighborhoods vary from Centro Histórico's monumental scale to Polanco's luxury and Condesa's bohemian vibe. Respect personal space in lines, greet with 'buenos días'. Markets bustle with bargaining; fixed prices in stores. Tipping servers and drivers shows appreciation. Festivals like Day of the Dead fill streets with altars. Traffic heavy, so walk or use apps. Locals value politeness; 'por favor' smooths interactions. Embrace siestas in quieter afternoons.