Walking Tour of the Historic Center in Mexico City: Discover UNESCO-Labeled Architectural Gems
4.7
10 Ratings
Ciudad de México
Embark on a captivating walking tour of Mexico City's Historic Center, home to UNESCO-labeled architectural gems and remnants of Aztec structures. Immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Museo del Templo Mayor - You will learn about the pre-Hispanic past of Mexico City while seeing the remains of the Great Aztec Temple as well as the remains of other buildings in the surroundings, which belong to some of the oldest spots in this neighborhood that date back to the 14th century.

Also, get some insights into the relevance of the Aztecs and their heritage in Central Mexico, and the vast empire they built including their political and social organization, ideology, culture, religion, daily life, etc. until the early years of the Spanish colonization in 1519.

  • Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico - We will visit this stunning cathedral, which is one of Mexico City’s most iconic religious buildings due to its history, art, and architecture which date back to the 16th century.

Since the colonial period, the Metropolitan Cathedral has been a catalog of architectural and artistic styles, with successive generations of builders striving to incorporate the innovations of the day.

  • Zocalo - We will make a stop to visit the main square of Mexico City in the core of this metropolis, which has been a gathering place for Mexicans since the Aztec times. Nowadays it is a remarkable location where many cultural and political events are arranged during the year such as ceremonies, festivals, and military parades, among others.

Also, around the main square, you will see other significant historical buildings that have witnessed the transformation of the city throughout the centuries.

  • House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos) - While walking down the streets in the area, we will head to the House of Tiles, which is one of the most beautiful colonial buildings in the historic center that still stands despite the years.

The gorgeous building’s facade is covered in colorful Talavera tiles that have been very well-preserved throughout the centuries.

Once inside, you will have the chance to see a mural created by the famed Mexican painter José Clemente Orozco; and its glass-ceilinged atrium with stone pillars, murals, and a fountain.

  • Palacio Postal - We will make a stop at this breathtaking art-nouveau building to admire its luxurious beauty on its facade and the decorations inside, which is full of artwork such as gargoyles, marble ornaments, and plasterwork.

This Instagramable building still works as a post office and has a museum that displays objects and historical documents.

  • Palacio de Bellas Artes - We will finish outside this impressive theatre from the early 20-century to appreciate its uniqueness, which has been considered a must-to-visit location in Mexico City due to the vibrant murals inside painted by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, among other prominent Mexican artists from the 1930s

Nowadays, at this important venue, outstanding national and international cultural events take place such as operas, recitals, lectures, temporary art exhibitions, and publisher’s presentations, among other activities.

What's Included
  • Exclusive local guide service
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup; personal travel insurance; entrance fees; meals; personal expenses and tips
Additional Information

OVERVIEW
Join our walking tour to discover the UNESCO-listed Historic Center in Mexico City. This is the largest city in Latin America and it offers a huge variety of museums, galleries, and architectural gems, along with bustling nightlife and diverse gastronomic culture.

HIGHLIGHTS
✔ Spot remnants of imposing Aztec structures hidden among colonial buildings.
✔ Discover amazing buildings that date back at least from the 16th century.

WHY GO WITH US
✔You will spend the time of the tour purely on its activities & sightseeing: no visits to souvenir shops & restaurants (unless you ask).

  • BOOKING & CONFIRMATION: ● Small-group tour: manual confirmation (if a minimum number of participants is not met, we may cancel and fully refund your booking). ● Private tour: automatic confirmation (your departure is automatically confirmed and 100% guaranteed). You will get a confirmation message from us once your booking is completed. Please be ready to present your booking confirmation (which can be in the electronic version on your phone) to your tour guide if requested.
  • DEPARTURE POINT & TIME: ● Small-group tour: Saturday at 2:30 PM at MUMEDI (Av. Francisco I. Madero 74, Centro Histórico de la Ciudad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX). ● Private tour: Choose the time of your preference and start the tour at the same meeting point. This tour doesn’t include transportation. In case you need a pick-up/drop-off from your accommodation or the airport, it would involve an extra fee and it should be communicated to the company in advance.
  • CUSTOMIZATION: ● Small-group tour: not customizable. ● Private tour: customizable which means the time you spend in each destination can be adjusted to your needs. E.g. if you wanna visit a place that is not part of the default itinerary (e.g. an attraction, restaurant, or market), you can do it on a complimentary basis if this visit (1) fits the default duration of the tour and (2) doesn’t involve a major change of the route. If both conditions are met, we can shorten the stay at a particular location included in the program of the tour so that you have time to visit the place you are interested in. Other changes such as extending the duration of the tour, changing the route, and adding extra participants, should be communicated to the Company at least 48 h before the tour and will involve an extra fee.
  • GROUP SIZE: ● Semi-private tour: up to 12 travelers. ● Private tour: any size (only your group will participate).
  • LANGUAGE(S): ● Semi-private tour: English & Spanish. ● Private tour: All our tours are led by local bilingual (at least Spanish & English) guides. Some of them fluently speak other languages (e.g. French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Mandarin) but those depend on availability and cannot be fully guaranteed. If you want to have your tour in a language other than Spanish or English, please kindly inquire in advance.
  • WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes and shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen and sunglasses; some cash, personal ID, valid travel insurance; good mood and curiosity.
  • NOTES: The price/person for a “Private tour” option varies and depends on the number of participants in your booking. Our guide will meet/pick you up at the agreed time and location and might need to contact you by phone, so please kindly provide a valid phone number during your booking. The standard duration of the tour, as advertised in its description, is calculated from the moment of pick-up till drop-off.
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS: By booking this activity (“Tour”) with the tour organizer (“Company”), you (“Customer”) accept to: - comply with all laws and regulations of the country (countries) where the Tour takes place; - follow the instructions of the Company and its representatives; - take all measures to procure your own safety on the Tour including, but not limited to, use of safety devices (including face masks, seat-belts, harnesses, and helmets), obeying posted signs, and oral or written warnings from the Company’s representatives regarding health and safety; - provide information about pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to participate in the Tour or have a negative impact on the experience of others on the Tour; - have personal travel insurance covering injury, emergency medical expenses, and damage or loss of your personal property, valid for the whole duration of the Tour; - waive responsibility of the Company and its representatives for any personal health and property damage that may occur during the Tour; - allow the Company to use any media content created by its representatives during the Tour for marketing-related purposes.
Location
MUMEDI
Avenida Francisco I. Madero
Wait at the entrance of Museo Mexicano del Diseño (MUMEDI). Once there, meet your guide who will be holding a sign with the logo of the company
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(10 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Julie_a
Apr 5, 2024
Great tour! - Eduardo was very informative and helpful. It is a great orientation to the history of downtown Mexico City. He pointed out things I would not have noticed on my own.
Review provided by Viator
Angela_c
Mar 28, 2024
Love the Murals - Highly recommend Eduardo as a guide for this amazing tour. He taught us so much and we covered a lot of ground from the well known to more hidden gems. So glad we selected this tour that included the murals. What a wonderful way to experience the history of CDMX through art.
Review provided by Viator
Eric_c
Mar 26, 2024
Centro walking tour - Ari was very kind and knowledgeable. She knew of all the great spots to go to! 5 stars!!! Recommend!
Review provided by Viator
William_l
Jan 12, 2024
Multidimensional experience of Mexico City history and culture - Ariana weaves a three dimensional image of history, geography, and culture that provides a wonderful container with which to create a bigger experience while in Mexico.
Review provided by Viator
Shalini_m
Jan 2, 2024
Fascinating tour! - We learned so much from Ivan about the history of Mexico City! Great way to start our week in this incredible city. Highly recommend this walking tour!
Review provided by Viator
Y8687xystacym
May 2, 2023
Wonderful Walking tour and history - Paula was a very knowledgeable and fun guide. She is an excellent English speaker and very friendly. Private tour with just my husband and I, she let us take our time with pictures abd questions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick_b
Dec 12, 2022
Must-see Old Mexico City - Such a wonderful walking tour of the Old Mexico City! Ivan shared his vast knowledge of the area in an exciting walking tour encompassing history, archeological sites and stunning architecture
Review provided by Viator
Karlynbyham
Nov 30, 2022
Give these goods guys a try - Unfortunately our tour was canceled due to a presidential rally occurring in the Centro Historico at the same time. All venues were classed and streets were barricaded. Complements to the tour operator for keeping us updated and safe. They promptly processed a refund. A reputable company, even if we didn’t to enjoy their tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rogelio_u
Jan 21, 2024
History class - The tour was more standing in the middle of the plaza listening to a history class than walking and seeing the place. My wife told the guide that she wanted to walk and see, and I told him that I have a problem in one of my knees and either have to walk or seat He didn’t listen and we didn’t have any option than dismissing the guide after 2 hours of tour.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today