Mexico City: Highlights & Sights

I was born in Mexico City, so I think it's only fitting to start the first post of this blog with the capital of Mexico and my hometown. Mexico City is located in the center of the country at an altitude of about 2,000 m, is surrounded by mountain ranges and is home to 9 million people. However, almost 28 million people live in the entire metropolitan area.

The city is an absolute must for anyone who wants to travel to Mexico. I recommend that you start your trip there and then travel on, because the city is already very hectic and big. Therefore, this is the perfect start to do a lot before relaxing on the beach or heading out into nature.

Highlights & Sights:

Centro Histórico: The historic center is full of historical monuments, museums and parks, but is also known as the modern epicenter of Mexico City. My favorite place to start is the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes), walk to the old post office (Correos de México), take some photos at the "Sanborns de los azulejos" and have a coffee at Café Tacuba. After this short rest, it is worth going to the "Torre Latinoamerica", which is one of the tallest buildings in the city, to enjoy the view over all of Mexico. From there you can go to the "Zócalo" (see below). A nice way to end the day is to have a cocktail at the "Hotel Ciudad de México".

Zócalo: The Plaza de la Constitución (also called Zócalo) is located in the historic center of the city. There you can find the most important sights of the city, such as the Cathedral, the National Palace, an archaeological site and the Museum of the Great Temple.

Paseo de la Reforma: This street was built by order of Emperor Maximilian to connect the city center with the imperial residence in Chapultepec Park. Along this street you will find the most famous buildings in Mexico. It is best to visit this street on Sundays, as it is closed on that day and you can cycle along it in a relaxed manner.

Teotihuacán: This was once the largest city in the region and is known as the City of the Gods. There you can find beautiful pyramids and stone temples. I recommend getting up early and taking a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids, you can then watch the sunrise and enjoy a great view. After that you can view the pyramids on foot and take a little more time. Finally, there is a restaurant nearby called "La Gruta" where you can enjoy typical Mexican food in a grotto.

Coyoacán: This is one of the oldest districts in the city and you can find some museums, cobblestone streets and street vendors.

Frida Kahlo Museum: The museum is also known as the Blue House (La Casa Azul) because of its blue façade and is the birthplace of Frida Kahlo. In the museum you will find a collection of personal items, paintings, sketches and insights into the life of the famous artist.

Bazar del Sábado: This is a colorful market that takes place every Saturday in a house from the 1st century. There you can find stalls with handicrafts and food.