Zocalo ó Plaza de la Constitución: Is the heart of the city, the principal square and also the third largest plaza in the world also called Plaza de la Constitución, place where dancers with feathers remember their pre Hispanic traditions as this place was once the center of the entire Aztec empire.
Catedral Metropolitana: Settled in the north part of the Zócalo the first cathedral built in New Spain and now one of the most mportant religious constructions in Latin America, was built over Aztec temple ruins when Cortés in 1524 and the rebuilding started in 1571 and was finished in 1667. The cathedral has a series of altars and chapels throughout the interior covered with gold and huge paintings.
Palacio Nacional: Inside you will find the presidential offices, Federal Treasure and famous paintings of Diego Rivera. Settled in the east of the part Zócalo. At the top of the building hangs the bell that was rang by Miguel Hidalgo announcing the beginning of Independence and now is ranged each 15th of September by the President of Mexico.
Palacio de Bellas Artes: Auditorium and artistic center, built in 1904 a work of an Italian architect Adamo Boari inspired on neoclassic and art nouveau styles, it was finish by architect Federico Mariscal in 1930, huge paintings and unique art embellishes its interiors.The theatre is only open for performances, is a master piece with its backcloth which is an iron curtain decorated with glass works that create a huge painting of the volcano Popocatepetl designed by Mexican painter Gerardo Murillo . The performance "Ballet Folklórico de México" is a 2 hr spectacle of traditional folkloric dance and music.
Museo del Templo Mayor: Unfortunately The teocalli of Tenochitlan was destroyed by the Spanish over the decade of 1520, according to the Aztecs the temple was settled where the center of the universe is located in accordance to Aztec beliefs and was its main center of worship. Nowadays you can visit the remnants of the pyramid and the museum which demonstrates a layout of the original pyramids, also founded artifacts and treasures.
Calle Moneda: A pedestrian street full of peddlers and informal commerce. It is worth walking by.
Torre Latinoamericana: It was the tallest building of Latin America when it was built, now is the 5th tallest construction in the city but has a unique and spectacular view.
Paseo de la Reforma: The city's main boulevard, the promenade is full of monumental architecture such as El caballito, monument to Cristobal Colón, monument to Cuauhtémoc , Centro Bursátil, monument to the Independence (famousstatue of an golden Angel commemorating the independence in 1910), monument Diana Cazadora and Torre Mayor 225 m, crystal tower the tallest in Latin America
Condesa y Roma: La Condesa has become a trendy neighborhood full of restaurants and bars, is worth walking by through Amsterdam, Tamaulipas y Mazatlan and admire the colonial and art deco buildings. La Roma is home of various artist and writers, with Paris style buildings, you can look around old book stores and art galleries. At night both neighborhoods are a perfect place to hang around and choose from a wide variety of bars.
Zona Rosa: Essential piece of México City, it's enough to sit down, take a coffee and watch people walk by and notice the change and diversity to the rest of the city. This is the main neighborhood of gay and lesbians, also the residence of foreigners.
Bosque de Chapultepec: Is the biggest park in the city, occupies 4 Km² and encloses lakes, a zoo and various museums. Inside the presidential residence is settled and the old Imperial Palace "Castillo de Chapultepec". The park is crowded on Sundays; people visit the park, picnic, takes boat rides and visit museums.
Castillo de Chapultepec: This Palace was built in 1785 as the residence of the king of New Spain. After the independence was the National Military Academy; in 1864 renewed for the emperor Maximiliano and after residence of several Presidents. In 1939 President Lázaro Cárdenas decided to transform it into a National History Museum contains historical pieces starting from the beginning of New Spain till the Revolution.
Museo Nacional de Antropología: One of the best of its nature; a vast but one visit museum with organized rooms and spacious complexes divided into anthropology and ethnology rooms. There are also performances of the "voladores del pueblo Totonaca" called flyers because they perform several times a day a ceremony in which they fly from a 20m high post.
Xochimilco: This word means in Nahuatl, "place where the flowers grow", this place was essential for the Aztec culture because of their agricultural activities, the uniqueness of the place strives in how the habitants built "chinampas", and by using vegetables and mud they created fertile gardens over the not profound waters. Nowadays is place of reunion for many tourists and Mexicans to rent a boat and travel through the canals. The boat named after "trajineras" are decorated with colorful flowers.
San Angel: 60 years ago San Angel was a town detached from the city by fields, now is one of the most charming neighborhoods of the city with antique colonial houses. You can visit "el bazar del sábado" market that only on Saturdays lies over San Jacinto´s plaza. It is also worth visiting the church of San Jacinto. Nearby is the house museum of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo).
Coyoacán: This neighborhood has its own authenticity with narrow streets and colonial architecture; on weekend musicians, dancers, and market places attract crowds with its joyful atmosphere.
Basílica de Guadalupe: A magnificent place home of the famous cloak that reveals the Mexican patron saint "La Virgen de Guadalupe". The basilica is huge and modern, large crowds visit every day, is definitely a must visit if you are catholic but also if you are not because the place displays a unique sight of faith.
Plaza Garibaldi: the place of reunion for Mariachis, dressed with their fantastic suits and guitars, the ambience starts at 8:00pm.
Monumental Plaza México: Bull fights even though you are not an amateur it could always be a unique spectacle; this place has the capacity of 48000 spectators. From November to March there are performances every Sunday at 4:00pm.
Teotihuacan: An impressive archeological site capital of the vast pre Hispanic empire, find the pyramid of the sun and of the moon and enjoy a majestic view at the top. |