Mexico City Local History

Originally known as the city of Tenochtitlan, it was described by the Spaniards as very beautiful with its amazing temples, elegant quarters and mansions and inhabited by approximately 300,000 people.

The Spaniards set out to take the city and in 1522, Cortes became the governor and captain-general of the New Spain after destroying the Aztec empire.

Mexico City Attractions

Top Attractions

Mexico City Shopping

Mercado de San Juan This market enjoys a rich traditional and cultural legacy. From clothes to footwear, fruit, flowers, vegetables and meat, this is where you will find them all.

Bazar del Centro - A collection of boutiques and jewellers are housed in this 17th Century mansion. Around the courtyard you will find shops selling Mexican liqueurs and tequilas as well as silver from Taxco.

Bazar Zaragoza Colonia Aviacion Civil One of the largest bazaars in Latin America, the streets are full of shops with clothes, shoes, jewellery curiosities, stamps, antiques and crafts. Spend a day strolling around this fascinating place.

Mexico City Activities

Dia de los Reyes Magos - Between Christmas and the 6th January Santa Clauses are replaced with the Three Kings. Kids get loads of gifts and the streets are aflutter with shopping stalls.

Ciudad de los Ninos This fantasy village where children interact in a 'virtual' economy, give them a chance to experience adult life complete with working, then choosing whether to spend or save their money. Although all spoken in Spanish, this does not deter children from having a great time.

Mexico City Zoo - One of the largest zoos' in the world, a great time will be spent getting in touch with the animals and the lovely surrounding gardens.

Mexico City Parks & Gardens

Chapultepec West of the City This huge green belt incorporates the Chapultepec Park, Mexico's extensive zoo, an anthropology museum and fun fair. To take in everything there is to see here will take a couple of days, at least.

Xochimilco Floating Gardens Brightly coloured boats float on a network of canals more than 50 miles long. Relax on a boat, far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, whilst enjoying the passing flora and fauna. Boats come in three sizes from 10 to 40 people. Consume any of the beers and soft drinks which have been left on the boat and you pay the vendor, including a small tip, once you arrive back in port.

Alameda Park Once an Aztec marketplace, today this lovely tree filled park attracts pedestrians, vendors, strollers and organ grinders.

Mexico City Restaurants and Bars

With its diverse mix of people Mexico City encompasses all of Mexico's cuisine. Probably the most notable sauce is 'mole' which is a type of paste made from chillis, chocolate, peanuts, seeds, spices and fixed fruit served over turkey, chicken or red meat.

Mexico City Restaurants

La Gruta After a day of pounding the streets and exploring this is the place to end it all off. La Gruta is a huge, cool grotto where they serve five-course set price meals or your own combination of traditional Mexican fare. Either way. It's a great place to eat.

Fonda Santa Clara One of the finest dining establishments in the city, the menu lists a range of daily and seasonal specialities. Try their manchamantel a blend of chillies, Apricots, pears, apples and bananas served over pork or chicken fantastic. The meals here are really superb and well worth the prices.

Cantina La Guadalupana Opened in 1928 this cantina has been serving delicious traditional food to locals and tourists alike. Off a narrow cobblestoned street, it is situated in a colonial style house, with an antiquated bar and wonderful ambience.

Mexico City Bars & Clubs

Cinna Bar - Mix Thai food with a Mexican bar experience and Cinna is what you get. Very popular, this is where the young and trendy hangout and believe it or not, a conversation can be held here, in spite of the electronic music.

La Casa de las Sirenas Located in a 17th century colonial building and surrounded with flowering plants and trees, this very popular bar serves 146 types of tequila whilst belting out rock music over the sound system.

Bar Museo Frida Capitalizing on the popularity of the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, this bar is full of her memorabilia which you take in whilst sipping on cold beer or knocking back the tequila.

Mexico City Weekend Breaks

Top 10 things to do in Mexico City for a weekend.

• Catedral Metropolitana
• Six Flags Mexico
• Piramides de Teotihuacan
• Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Xochimilco

More

Mexico City Tours

Looking for organised tours in Mexico City?

• Hopon Hopoff Transportation Network
• Pacific Caribbean Way
• Nature Adventure and Jungle Way

More Mexico City Tours