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    Centro Histórico

    Mexico

    Centro Histórico

    NeighborhoodCulture

    The Historic Centre of Mexico City has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Mexico City
    9. Centro Histórico
    The Historic Centre of Mexico City has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. Around the Zócalo you'll find the Templo Mayor, Cathedral, and National Palace, while to the west, Madero pedestrian street leads to Bellas Artes and the Alameda. In the side streets, you'll discover colonial palaces, churches, markets, and traditional cafes; the major sights are detailed on the Mexico City page.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Market of San Juan

    The San Juan Pugibet Market Hall in the southwest of the city center specializes in unusual foods: game and exotic meats, edible insects like Chapulines and Escamoles, rare fruits, cheeses, and seafood. Many of the city's chefs shop here; at some stalls, you can eat seafood and exotic specialties right on the spot.
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    2Calle Madero

    The street connects the Zócalo with the Eje Central and became a pedestrian zone in 2010; Bellas Artes and the Alameda lie beyond. Along it are colonial palaces such as the Palacio de Iturbide, churches, shops, and the Casa de los Azulejos; it's packed daily.
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    3Plaza Santo Domingo

    The square north of the Zócalo is flanked by the Santo Domingo Dominican Church and the former Palace of the Inquisition, now Palacio de Medicina. Beneath its arcades, in the 19th century, the so-called evangelistas wrote letters for those unable to write; today, small printing presses operate there. One block east, at the Ministry of Education (SEP) on Calle República de Argentina 28, Diego Rivera covered its two courtyards with 235 mural panels from 1923 to 1928.
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    4Plaza Garibaldi

    On the square north of the center, mariachi groups in traditional costumes wait in the evenings for customers who want songs played for them. The Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal, with a rooftop bar, is on the square. For safety information, see the UK FCDO Travel Advice for Mexico.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Café de Tacuba

    The traditional restaurant was founded in 1912 in a 17th-century city mansion on Calle Tacuba. Talavera tiles, murals, and paintings of historical figures define the rooms; the staff wear traditional attire. Classic Mexican dishes and hot chocolate are served.
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    2

    Los Cocuyos

    Tiny taqueria on Calle Bolívar, known for its Suadero, Longaniza, and Campechano tacos, as well as Tacos de cabeza. Open almost 24/7, closed only briefly in the early morning for cleaning; eaten standing on the sidewalk.
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    History and Culture

    On the Ruins of TenochtitlánThe colonial center was built directly on the Aztec capital after 1521. The extent of what lies beneath became evident in February 1978, when utility workers unearthed the stone disk of the goddess Coyolxauhqui; this discovery triggered the excavation of the Templo Mayor. The Cathedral, one of the largest churches in the Americas, was built between 1573 and 1813. Within an area of over 9 square kilometers, approximately 1,500 buildings are classified as historically significant.Murals and Historic EateriesStarting in the 1920s, Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and other artists painted their grand murals in the Palacio Nacional, the former Colegio de San Ildefonso, and the Ministry of Education near Plaza Santo Domingo; Rivera alone created 235 mural panels in the Ministry of Education between 1923 and 1928. Additionally, historic eateries characterize the district, such as the Café de Tacuba, established in 1912, or Bar La Ópera, whose history dates back to 1876.

    Arrival & On the Go

    By Metro and MetrobúsThe Metro takes you to the center on Line 2 (Zócalo/Tenochtitlan, Allende, Bellas Artes, Pino Suárez) and Line 8 (San Juan de Letrán, Bellas Artes). Zócalo/Tenochtitlan station is temporarily closed during major events on the square. Metrobús Line 4 runs through the center and connects it to the airport. A Metro ride costs 5 Pesos, a Metrobús ride 6 Pesos (airport line 30 Pesos).On FootThe Centro Histórico is best explored on foot. Since 2010, Calle Madero between Eje Central and Zócalo has been a pedestrian zone, and many side streets also have reduced traffic.

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    Nearby

    Mexico City

    Mexico City

    Mexico City, the country's capital, is located at approximately 2,240 meters in a high valley surrounded by volcanoes, and its metropolitan area has nearly 22 million inhabitants. You travel here for the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán beneath the colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987; for museums like the National Museum of Anthropology; and for a cuisine ranging from taco stands to tasting menus. Green residential neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, the canals of Xochimilco, and day trips to Teotihuacán round out the stay.
    Roma Norte

    Roma Norte

    Roma Norte emerged circa 1900 as a wealthy residential area. French-style villas, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco buildings line tree-lined streets like Avenida Álvaro Obregón and Calle Colima. Today, the district features cafés, galleries, bars, and top city restaurants, plus popular lodging.
    Condesa

    Condesa

    West of Roma, Condesa developed from the early 20th century on the land of the Hacienda of the Condesa de Miravalle. In the 1920s, the grounds of the former horse racetrack around today's Parque México were added. It is characterized by Art Deco residential buildings, wide green median strips, and the México and España parks. The district is quiet and green, but comes alive in the evenings with restaurants and bars on Avenidas Tamaulipas and Michoacán.
    Polanco

    Polanco

    Polanco, north of Chapultepec Park, is one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods. Avenida Presidente Masaryk is lined with luxury shops, while side streets feature embassies, hotels, and some of Mexico's most renowned restaurants. In the northwest, in Nuevo Polanco, are the Soumaya and Jumex museums.
    Coyoacán

    Coyoacán

    Coyoacán in southern Mexico City was an independent town even before its incorporation; Hernán Cortés established his first headquarters here after the conquest. Cobblestone streets, colonial houses, and tree-lined squares give the district a peaceful character. The most famous address is the Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo's home.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI