Mexico City 3-day itinerary

Start at the Zócalo — the heart of CDMX and one of the world's largest plazas. Enter the Palacio Nacional (free) to see Diego Rivera's epic murals depicting Mexico's history from pre-Columbian times to the Revolution. Walk to the Templo Mayor (MXN 85) — Aztec ruins excavated in 1978 right next to the cathedral. Breakfast at Café El Popular (MXN 80–120, open 24 hours since 1948).

Metro to Chapultepec for the crown jewel of Mexican museums — the Museo Nacional de Antropología (MXN 85). The Aztec Sun Stone, Maya burial treasures, Olmec colossal heads, and reconstructed Mayan temple rooms are breathtaking. Allow 3 hours minimum but you could spend all day. Lunch at the museum café or walk to Polanco for birria tacos at Tacos Orinoco (MXN 30–50 per taco).

The Roma-Condesa neighbourhoods are CDMX's culinary soul. Dinner at Contramar for their iconic tuna tostadas and grilled fish painted half in red and half in green chilli (mains MXN 180–350). Or keep it budget with tacos al pastor at El Vilsito (MXN 15–25 each, opens at 10pm). Drinks at Baltra Bar for mezcal cocktails or Licorería Limantour, one of the world's top 50 bars.

Metro to Coyoacán — a bohemian village within the city. The Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul, MXN 250, book online in advance) is an intimate look at Frida's life in her actual home — her studio, bedroom, kitchen garden, and personal collections. Walk the cobblestone streets to the Jardín Centenario plaza. Grab a café de olla (spiced coffee, MXN 25–35) from a street vendor.

Take the Tren Ligero to Xochimilco for a trajinera (colourful flat-bottomed boat) ride along the ancient Aztec canals. Boats hold 15–20 people (MXN 500–700 per boat per hour, split with your group). Floating vendors sell elote (corn), fruit, micheladas, and mariachi bands paddle alongside. The experience is pure Mexican joy. Embarcadero Nuevo Nativitas is the best launch point.

Return to Coyoacán for the evening market — tostadas, quesadillas, churros, and esquites (corn cups) for MXN 20–50 each. Walk to Mercado de Coyoacán for sit-down seafood — tostadas de ceviche for MXN 40–60. End the night at La Coyoacana or Centenario 107 — traditional cantinas where the atmosphere is lively, the mezcal flows, and complimentary botanas (snacks) come with every round.

Mercado de San Juan (Metro Salto del Agua) is CDMX's gourmet market — exotic meats, imported cheeses, fresh seafood, and artisanal mole. Try a tlayuda (Oaxacan pizza, MXN 60–80) or a taco de canasta (basket taco, MXN 10 each) from the vendors outside. Walk through the surrounding streets — every block has a different street food specialist, from tamales to huaraches.

Metro to Universidad for the UNAM campus — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with murals by David Alfaro Siqueiros and Juan O'Gorman covering entire building facades. Visit MUAC (MXN 40), Mexico's premier contemporary art museum. The Biblioteca Central (central library) with its mosaic-covered walls is one of the most photographed buildings in Latin America. The campus feels like walking through an open-air art gallery.

Walk through Polanco — CDMX's upscale district with galleries, boutiques, and Parque Lincoln. If you splurge, Pujol (book months ahead) is one of the world's best restaurants. Otherwise, hit Taquería Orinoco for Monterrey-style tacos (MXN 30–50). End with mezcal at Bósforo in Centro — a candlelit bar with 100+ mezcals from MXN 60 per pour, live jazz on weekends.