Get your bearings
One of the largest squares in the world, the
Zócalo, sits at the heart of Mexico City’s
Centro Histórico, an area brimming with colonial architecture and cultural delights. The grand boulevard of
Paseo de Reforma runs from this central district past the towering El Ángel
monument until it reaches the lungs of the city, the extensive park land of
Chapultepec. Near here fine dining and elegant shops await in the opulent neighborhood of
Polanco. East of Polanco lies charming
Condesa and bohemian
La Roma, areas thriving with independent boutiques, seductive plazas and open-air cafés. From here, head south to the colorful quarter of
Coyoacán, once home to Mexico’s most famous and exuberant couple, artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Aztec splendour
Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past, as glorious as it was bloody, comes alive through a visit to Mexico City’s spellbinding museums and
archaeological sites. Relive ancient ceremonies in the Zócalo in the ruins of
Templo Mayor, believed by the Aztecs to be the center of the universe. Just out of town, climbing the
pyramids of the ruined city of Teotihuacán offers an insight into this great civilization. Back in the central Chapultepec park, the gravity-defying stunts of the indigenous
Totonac people mark the entrance to the nearby wonders of the vast
National Museum of Anthropology.
Food heaven
As diverse as its inhabitants, food in Mexico City rarely disappoints. Sophisticated Mexican
nouvelle cuisine sits side-by- side with classic street
tacos and regional specialities like
mole poblano – a subtle chocolate-accented sauce of chillies and spices. Try mouth-watering pumpkin
quesadillas at the traditional markets in the Centro Histórico area or head to the Polanco district for
exquisite seafood in palatial surroundings. Rise late at your Mexico City hotel and join the throngs of young
Chilangos (city residents) for a late brunch of red-hot shrimp
tacos in Condesa’s
fashionable bistros.
Art adventures
Succumb to the bold colors and vivid tones of Mexico City’s
distinctive art scene. In the historic center, dramatic
1920s murals depict Mexico’s post-revolutionary age on a massive scale. Diego Rivera’s majestic frescos and
Frida Kahlo’s proud portraits await discovery at their
Casa Azul (Blue House) in Coyoacán.
Stroll the
quirky galleries in Condesa and explore the up-and-coming artists’ studios in the trendy Roma neighborhood.
Colonial character
Peppered with jewels from the Spanish colonial era, Mexico City overflows with
ornate architecture. The sumptuous 17th Century baroque churches of the
Basílica de Guadalupe and
Catedral Metropolitana highlight Mexico’s rich history. Ponder the city skyline from the
Chapultepec palace raised high above sculptured gardens. Extend your Mexico City break with a visit to the outlying
barrios (neighborhoods) of
San Ángel and
Tlalpan – a haven of atmospheric colonial-era residences.
