What a trip!

I couldn’t wait to get home and share everything about our trip to Mexico City. It had been on my must-visit list for a while, though honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, just that it had become one of the world’s great food cities, with incredible museums, architecture, and plenty of shopping.

That said, Mexico City had me at “great food.”

From the moment I arrived, I could feel the city’s energy. There’s an endless amount to explore, and you really do need a list of places you want to visit. We took more Ubers than I expected, but whenever possible, we tried to walk either to or from our hotel. Trust me, we still got our steps in.

What I loved most was the contrast of the neighbourhoods. One moment, you’re wandering past centuries-old buildings steeped in history, and the next, you’re stepping into sleek, modern spaces that could rival those of any major city. Mexico City sort of reminded me of New York City meets parts of Spain, while still feeling entirely its own. It’s also surprisingly lush, with beautiful parks and towering palm trees everywhere, something I absolutely loved.

We stayed in the Roma Norte area, which was lovely and very convenient. We had wondered if seven nights might be too long, but it turned out to be just right. Having those extra days allowed us to slow down, explore at an easy pace, and really take it all in without feeling rushed, especially in the heat!

Casa Luis Barragán

The Luis Barragán House was very cool. Built in 1948 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, it remains the only individual building in Latin America to receive this distinction. The architecture feels timeless, honestly, I could move in today, while the gardens and interiors make you want to linger. The pops of pink throughout the space were stunning and left me wondering how I could bring a little of that into my own home. Any thoughts?

Frida Kahlo Museum

If you haven’t seen the film about Frida Kahlo, I highly recommend watching it before your visit to her famous blue house. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

We wandered through the grounds, which were vibrant and beautiful, before exploring the home itself. The museum is thoughtfully curated with Frida’s artwork, family photographs, letters, pottery, and intimate details about the lives of both Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Make sure to spend some time wandering through the Coyoacán neighbourhood while you’re there. It’s so pretty, with spots like the Fuente de los Coyotes and the cathedral nearby. It’s also a great area to stop for a snack or a leisurely lunch.

La Merced Market

I’ve been to plenty of markets before, but nothing compares to La Merced. As the largest market in Mexico City, it caters more to locals than tourists. That said, booking a tour was absolutely worth it.

We spent hours exploring with our guide, Hector, from Eat Mexico, who was incredibly knowledgeable about both food and Mexican culture. Along the way, we sampled everything from classic tacos and tacos topped with French fries to tamales, mole, fresh juices, and candied fruit. We passed on the bugs, but enjoyed the rest. My favourite was the candied limes stuffed with coconut, delish!

We finished our tour at a lovely local restaurant, the perfect end to our culinary journey.

Such a cute little restaurant to end our tour

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

Located in the heart of Mexico City’s historic centre in the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral immediately reminded me of Spain. Towering over the main square, the cathedral is incredibly grand and is a powerful reminder of the Spanish influence and colonial history that shaped Mexico City.

Círculo Mexicano

If you’re exploring the area around the cathedral, Círculo Mexicano is located just behind it and makes for a great stop for a drink or snack. The atmosphere feels stylish without being stuffy or overly touristy, and definitely no backpacker vibe here.

The rooftop bar is effortlessly cool, with beautiful views overlooking the cathedral. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the drinks were exactly what we needed.

Contramar

If I had to pick one place to eat, this would be it…it’s a restaurant (obviously), but it also feels like a destination, something you experience as much as you dine at. We booked 30 days in advance by calling directly, since the online reservation system either wasn’t working or just didn’t work for me. Either way, securing a table felt like getting the golden ticket, and I have to say, it was absolutely worth the wait.

Contramar is iconic for lunch more than dinner. The kitchen closes at 8 p.m., so if you go in the evening, it’s definitely more of an early dinner spot.

The staff were polished and professional, and the food was on another level. The menu is seafood-focused, with no meat. We ordered the clam ceviche, tuna tostadas, ensalada verde, and shrimp tostadas. For dessert, an iced coffee cocktail made with a Mexican liquor and topped with whipped cream, and yes, very delicious.

They also had an incredible dessert selection that, if I hadn’t been so full, I would have ordered. OH. MY. GOD. The strawberry cake!

Museum of Anthropology

This was amazing, and so BIG! You could spend the entire day here, and then some; it’s massive. The museum is laid out in a U-shape, and I’d recommend starting on the upper level before looping back down through the lower level. We found it to be the most efficient way to see almost everything without feeling completely overwhelmed. Especially if you’re short on time.

That said, we somehow still missed the woolly mammoth. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Biblioteca Vasconcelos

Holy moly, this is one heck of a library! It feels incredibly futuristic; I’ve never seen anything like it. The bookshelves seem to float midair, creating an otherworldly space.

We wandered through, half in awe, half trying to see if we could actually find something to read (not really), though it was fun to look.

We really enjoyed Mexico City, even better with my Latino 😉. The city itself is enormous, so a little planning goes a long way. We tried to organize our days by neighbourhood, grouping nearby sites so we could explore each area properly. And honestly, there’s still so much we didn’t get to.

We spent time in Coyoacán, Polanco, the Historic Center, Condesa, and Roma Norte, and somehow still missed the pyramids, which I’ve heard are incredible.

I loved the energy, the food, and yes, the margaritas, but I also really enjoyed stumbling upon restaurants on our own. Having a list is helpful, but there’s something special about finding a spot that isn’t filled with English-speaking tourists only. We cancelled a couple of reservations just for that reason. The food scene is massive, and if Michelin-starred restaurants are your thing, you can’t miss them proudly displaying their signs.

We’ll definitely be back.