Perched 2400m above sea level, Mexico's capital is home to 25 million people, and all the chaos and pollution that comes with it. With the US travel advisory on Mexico City due to crime, visitors need to be particularly vigilant and careful. With risk comes reward - a beautiful historic city centre, plenty of museums, and easily accessible pyramids just outside the city.
The historic centre retains its colonial charm. Start at Zocalo, the main square that was already important in Aztec times. When Tenochtitlan was founded in the 14th century, it was an island and there was a lake around it. The Spanish drained and filled the lake after they took over in the 16th century.
Ruins of the old Aztec capital are on display just east of the cathedral. Templo Mayor's excavation began in 1978 and you can now see the foundations of a great temple. Back in those days, a new temple was built over the old one every 52 years, and historians have counted 7 here.
Palacio Nacional occupies the eastern end of Zocalo. Once home of the Spanish viceroy in the 16th century, it is now a popular attraction for its Diego Rivera murals. The main staircase showcases Mexico's history in great detail.
The area has many historic buildings, showcasing its rich European colonial heritage.
The Correo Central is the monumental central post office. Built in 1908 by the same designer as the neighbouring Palacio de Bellas Artes, it has intricate wood carvings and staircase railings cast in Florence.
The Palacio de Bellas Artes was designed to be a beautiful Art Nouveau landmark. Completed in 1934, it continues to be an arts performance venue today.
Great photos! My wife and I visited Mexico City last year for a long weekend. It is an incredible city that is full of energy, interesting places to visit, and absolutely delicious street food. Unfortunately, however, my cell phone was stolen when we were on the subway.
Paseo de la Reforma was conceived in the 1860s to give Mexico City a boulevard just like the great European cities. The emperor also wanted this grand entry from his palace to the historic centre. Along this leafy street are many modern skyscrapers, home to airlines, fancy hotels, and banks.
Nice. Looks like their downtown embed some solid historic landmarks and fabric, and they're moving forward to skyscrapers.
Just what everyone should do.
Seriously, I wouldn't suspect this large city itself would be kind of unsafe, cause people in cities are supposed to be better off these days. That's the global trend.
But frankly, you might get your phone stolen in Paris as well.
C'est la vie. Sh!t happens, some say.
Teotihuacan is believed to be home to 150,000 residents at its peak and is the largest pre-Hispanic site in the country. It is an easy day trip from Mexico City with buses regularly leaving from Terminal Norte. Be sure to bring a hat, plenty of water, and sunscreen as the site is vast and unshaded.
After a long walk from the bus stop to the entrance, you will face the 2km Calzada de los Muertos, another long and unshaded walkway that connects to the various sights. This part is the Citadel, with a pyramid housing the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
I am curious for the purpose and usage of those high-rise towers and office buildings, are they used as headquarters and offices of drug cartels, dealers and producers and other crime related organizations? I blame on media, all I know about Mexico is home for drugs.
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I am delusional, I talked to photos.
Nice pictures! How come there are so many pyramids in a row?
"The Avenue of the Dead was once erroneously thought to have been lined with tombs, but the low buildings that flank it probably were palace residences."
it might be the best day trip you can take from a major city in the world.
and yes if you visit i cannot emphasize enough to wear long sleeves and hat, the sun is always brutal. do not take the weather in mexico city to be any indication as its much more harsh at the pyramids. also, plan to get there as soon as it opens so you can beat the tour busses and have it all to yourself.
one of the my favorite surprizes was on i think the serpent pyramid. if you walk around it you will find there is still paint on one side of it. all of this area was very brightly painted in patterns and vivid colors when it was inhabited. kind of mind blowing to imagine what that would have looked like, but the little that is left will give you some idea.
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