Top 13 free things to do in Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the most affordable capital cities in the world for visitors. Whether you want to explore Aztec history, see pre-Hispanic art or simply get a great view of this sprawling metropolis, you can do it all for free. Here's a list of the top free attractions to enjoy.
1. Museo Soumaya
Art enthusiasts will love the collection at Museo Soumaya. This free museum is home to the private collection of Mexico’s richest citizen, Carlos Slim. He built this stunning silver structure to house over 60,000 pieces of art from around the world including pieces from Diego Rivera, Monet, Leonardo Da Vinci, Rodin, and Picasso.
2. Museum of Modern Art
Many of Mexico City’s 150 museums cost USD$5 for entry, but a little-known secret is that many are free on Sundays, including the Museo de Arte Moderno which houses pieces from Mexican artists. There's also a relaxing sculpture garden where visitors can sit in the sunshine while surrounded by art.
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3. National Palace
The Palacio Nacional, has been the seat of government in Mexico since the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Inside you’ll find a garden to stroll through, traveling art exhibits and perhaps the most popular reason for visiting – one of Diego Rivera’s most famous set of murals. Sections of the Palace were vandalized with graffiti during protests in Mexico City.
4. Metropolitan Cathedral
The centerpiece of the city is the Metropolitan Cathedral. Entrance to the cathedral is completely free, they simply ask that you cover up shoulders and don’t wear shorts, sunglasses or hats inside. Make sure to check out the paintings at the rear of the building and take note of how unevenly the cathedral is sinking into the dried up lake bed beneath you. Parts of the church were vandalized and a portion set on fire during large protests in Mexico City.
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5. Chapultepec Park
The city’s largest park, Bosque de Chapultepec, also happens to be one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere. The main entrance is just off of Paseo de La Reforma. Take a stroll around Lago de Chapultepec or enjoy some classical music inside the Audiorama. Cross over the road to Section II of the park for a more relaxed part of the park.
6. Museum of Fine Arts
Another museum that you’ll want to visit on a Sunday is the Museum of Fine Arts which is located inside the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, the large and colorful building located in the Historic Center. There are murals from Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, as well as visiting exhibits that change monthly.
7. Palacio de Correos de Mexico
Take a step back in time when you walk into Palacio de Correos de Mexico, the city’s very first post office. It was built in 1907 and designed by the same architect originally hired for the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and remains a public post office to this day. You can still go in and purchase a postcard to send home or you can simply enjoy the gold elevators and ornate staircases for free.
8. Basílica de Guadalupe
The Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. The story goes that the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous man, Juan Diego, on two occasions during 1531. The first time she appeared to him, she told him to build a shrine to her. He told the bishop what he saw and the bishop didn’t believe him. Mary appeared to him again three days later and told him to bring roses to the bishop so that he would believe Juan Diego. When Juan Diego removed the roses, her image was imprinted on his clothing. That very cloth that he was wearing now hangs in the Basílica de Guadalupe.
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9. Biblioteca Vasconcelos
While a trip to the library may not be high on your list of things to do on vacation, this isn’t your average library. Biblioteca Vasconcelos is classed as a mega-library at over 400,000 square feet and is home to the complete book collections of five of the country’s most renowned thinkers – Carlos Monsiváis, Ali Chumacero, José Luis Martínez, Jaime García Terrés and Antonio Castro Leal. Bibliophiles and those curious about art and architecture will love it here.
10. Plaza de Las Tres Culturas
The Plaza de Las Tres Culturas, or the Plaza of three cultures, is home to an Aztec market, a Spanish church and a building that's part of the city’s main university, UNAM. Visitors can walk through the ancient ruins and into the church, which was actually constructed from pieces of the market.
11. Cycling on Paseo de la Reforma
Every Sunday morning, the city closes the main street that leads from Chapultepec Park to the Centro Historico, Paseo de la Reforma. Bring an ID and head to one of the bike kiosks along Reforma that has blue and yellow bicycles to rent one for free and ride car-free down this tree-lined street.
12. Mercado San Juan
Visiting markets around Mexico City doesn’t cost a penny, unless you’re tempted by the amazing food on offer, of course. Mercado San Juan is a great place to head to experience a real Mexican market with a twist. There are piles of fresh local fruits and vegetables as well as a meat section that usually raises a few eyebrows.
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13. Angel of Independence
One of the city’s most beloved monuments is the golden angel that sits atop the Monumento a la Independencia. It’s where locals come for football celebrations, Sunday workout classes and political demonstrations. You can explore the base of the monument which is a mausoleum with the remains of some of the country’s most famous generals and political instigators. The Mexican government has sealed access to the historic monument indefinitely for restoration after an act of vandalism.
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This article was originally published in September 2018 and updated in March 2020.
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