Mexico City is a spectacular place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, much like every other corner of that country. The histoy of this town, founded by the Spanish in the early 1500s, is exceptional, and its culture, architecture, food and sheer vibe will surely make your heart swirl from the moment you set foot there. Albeit not being an expensive city to visit, the great thing about it is that there's a slew of things you can actually do comepletely free of charge. And, come on who doesn't like free? We have curated the coolest 40 things in the city, so take note!
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There's no safe way of deciding how long you must spend in Mexico in order to truly see all the things you need to see. There's something interesting in every other corner of the city, and some people estimate that even after a month of full-on touristing around the city you would not be able to catch all the meaningful sites that are worth a visit.
However, if you plan it right, in a few weeks you can definitely see most of the highlights, and you will leave renewed and inspired with everything this amazing city has to offer. But if you want to take your plans to a higher level, why not follow our recommendations for the 40 places you must see that won't cost you a penny? Not only will you love them, but you'll have an amazing story to tell when you get back home.
You can visit the Museo de Arte Popular and some of the most striking fashion design in the country.
This place is completely free 365 days a year and you can spend a whole day roaming its wonderfully colorful exhibitions.
While in Mexico, go to the Museo de Culturas del Mundo to enjoy many different cultures, but also a taste of Mexican history.
This is a great city secret, as it is not one of the most renowned museums in Mexico, but it will allow you to understand a lot about many different cultures of the world, while still getting a taste for Mexican history.
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are some of the best murals ever painted by the Mexican greats, like Diego Rivera, in this wonderful museum. It's not always free, but Sundays' entry is. So make sure to take advantage of that!
If you want a more exhaustive experience you can also get a free guided tour.
You don't just have to roam the halls by yourself at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. You can request a free guided tour, and a specialist will give you all the tidbits of info you need to know to enjoy this beautiul space.
Go for a free walking tour of the city simply by meeting the man with the pink umbrella in front of the Museo de Bellas Artes.
It's that simple! Every day at 10 a.m., gentlemen with pink umbrellas will meet with whomever wants to join them in front of the museum and offer a free, two hour, guided walking tour of the best spots in Mexico City.
For the architecture aficionados, a visit to the Gran Hotel Ciudad Mexico is a must.
It won't cost you a penny, but the view of the lobby's glass ceiling is a priceless view.
Mexico City is known as the city of palaces and Palacio de Correos maybe one of the most stunning.
The old Post Office in Mexico City is not your run of the mill USPS building. This architectural marvel is open and free for everyone to visit.
If biking is your thing, BiciGratis will loan you one free of cost for your exploring pleasure.
Nothing beats wandering through the streets of the historic center of the city on two wheels. Well, yes, doing it for free beats it.
Not quite Central Park, but a walk through the Parque de la Alameda is a magnificent experience.
In a city known for its congestions and air pollution, taking a break of it all and walking around this marvelous park is a must.
One of the most beautiful parks in all of Latin America sits amongst the quaint streets of La Condesa.
Take a stroll through this beautifully landscaped park and enjoy a great afternoon chat with one of your best friends. Can you think of a better plan?
The view from atop Torre Latinoamericana costs five dollars, but there's a secret to watch it for free.
This is a little known hack, but you can basically get the same views if you go to the bar that's located three floors below the skydeck. You can go up there and not even get a drink. Just hang back and enjoy the view.
Diego Rivera's most famous murals are actually on the walls of Palacio Nacional, which is open to the public daily.
You can enjoy a stroll through this amazing piece of architectural prowess, while you try to not be mesmerized by Rivera's stunning murals.
Diego Rivera's most famous murals are actually on the walls of Palacio Nacional, which is open to the public daily.
You can enjoy a stroll through this amazing piece of architectural prowess, while you try to not be mesmerized by Rivera's stunning murals.
Visit UNAM's campus, if you want to discover a truly amazing library building.
The university campus of UNAM is one of those not so well known spots in Mexico, but it is absolutely incredible. Spend some time walking through the sculpture park, or pay a visit to the library building. It is definitely one of the most striking buildings in the city.
The Supreme Court building is another one of the city's most visited spots and there's a reason for that.
The building's lobby is open to the public for free and in its walls you can admire impressive murals painted by Jose Orozco and Rafael Cauduro. There's a reason why savy tourists line up outside the building every day waiting to go in.
An autumn visit needs to include a stop at the Bosque de Chapultepec.
Smack dab in the middle of Paseo Reforma, lies the impressively large Bosque de Chapultepec, the city's true breathing system. In autumn, the view of the foliage is out of this world.
You can check out real life panda bears at the Chapultepec Zoo.
The zoo is completely free and this is not just any zoo: it was the first one outside of China where they housed breeding pandas.
Another stunning architectural gem in the center of the city is the Casino Español.
Founded in 1863, this turn of the Century building is open to the public every day and basically serves as a museum telling its own history. Enjoy a morning stroll through this espectacular building to take in its beauty.
Don't forget to join the Sunday free bike ride down Paseo Reforma.
A wonderful way of meeting new people and taking a look at the amazing buildings and sites along the way. All of this while you get in your cardio.
This imposing building houses the Soumaya Museum, in Polanco, and it hosts the most prestigious exhibitions.
Yet, somehow, the museum entry is free all year round. This is a treat you cannot let pass by while you are in Mexico City.
You can climb atop the Angel de la Independencia, but you must do some paperwork.
You'll need to write a letter explaning your reason for visiting and present to the Delegación del Patrimonio Cultural. But once they aprove it you are good to climb to the top of one of Mexico's most iconic monuments.
Visit the "tianguis" that block the main arteries of the city every Sunday.
Tianguis are ancestral markets that are kept alive by the locals selling their rustic art or fruits and vegetables. It is a sight to see and you should carve out some time for a stroll on Sunday morning.
The Basilica de Guadalupe is a known pilgrimage spot to those yearning to see Mexico's patron virgin.
It is a sight to see, not just the building and the Virgin of Guadalupe, but the sheer amount of daily visitors who perform some of the most visually striking homages rites of penitence.
Concuct your own literary tour of the city by visiting the many bookstores available in every corner.
Its unthinkable amount of bookstores is one of the things Mexico City is known for, so you can set up your own tour of the best ones. Do not miss Ghandi, which has a beautiful views of Chapultepec Lake.
The Castillo de Chapultepec opens its doors everyday for free so people can learn the story of this magnificent structure.
This castle, built in the middle of the Chapultepec Park, was erected in the 1800s, after almost 80 years of construction and was the residency of the only monarch who reigned in the country during the Second Mexican Empire. Today, you can roam freely in just about every room.
There's always something to do at the Zócalo, the Mexican Times Square.
It's one of the liveliest spots in the city and you should plan to be there for a good chunk of time. Anything from mariachi bands, to small gift shops to any kind of folkloric dance can break out at any moment right in front of you.
While you are in el Zócalo, make sure you pop in to visit the Catedral Metropolitano.
It is one of the main attractions in the Zócalo area and entry costs zilch!
Templo Mayor is a set of Aztec ruins also very close to the Zócalo.
This incredible Azted subdivision does have an entry fee –a few pennies, honestly–but you can go around it and basically see it from all four angles without having to pay.
Xochimilco is one the best touristic spots in the city and you don't pay unless you get on a boat.
This incredible network of water canals is one of the top atttractions and every good tourist in Mexico City visits it. You could just go see it and walk around, and as long as you don't set foot on a boat you are golden.
Find out the day the Fonoteca Nacional offers free entry and don't miss it.
This amazing museum of sound aims to preserve the historical sounds and music of the country, and it is set in a wonderful colonial home in Coyoacán.
Drive a few minutes out of the city center and you can try hiking to the top of Iztaccihuatl.
Have you ever climbed atop a volcano? If not, Mexico City could be a first for you in that department.
Iconic Calle Madero was meant to be walked and it can connect your visit to the Zócalo and the one to Museo de Bellas Artes.
It's a pedestrian only street with some of the best stores in the city. It is a great change of scenery versus being in a car all day.
This stunning museum was designed by Diego Rivera and it hosts the largest collection of pre-Hispanic art in the world.
Monday afternoons are free, so you can enjoy the many works of art on the inside, and the intricate design of the building on the outside.
Maybe keep Vasconcelos Bookstore off your literaty trip and plan to spend a long afternoon in it.
This place is special enough that it deserves a special outing just to explore it properly.
In the Museo del Juguete Antiguo you will return to your chilhood and release that kid that we all have inside.
It's a great exhibition of toys from the past that will likely bring tears to your eyes. Sunday's entry is free.
The house where Leon Trotsky lived in exile is today a free-admission museum.
The Russian politician seeked assylum in Mexico and managed to receive it thanks to Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera's connections. His house now serves as a museum where his story is retold daily.
The hippest neighborhood in Mexico City is La Condesa and it deserves at least a morning to do it justice.
Feel like a real local when you take a stroll through the most exciting neighborhood in Mexico. If you get star struck, get ready, because you'll find many Spanish stars here.
For the art enthusiast, walking the Sunday markets is a must.
It's not just the "tianguis", the entire city overflows with pop up markets where local artists parade their work. If you like artisanal work, you can't miss them.
The plaza de las tres culturas is something that you won't find anywhere else in the world.
In a very short distance you have a pre-Hispanic archeological site, a Colonial era church and a modern apartment building. You cannot describe Mexico any better than how the Plaza de la Tres Culturas already does.
You don't need to spend a penny in order to feel the power of soccer in Mexico.
Simply visit Azteca Stadium right before a match and enjoy the sight of the fans going crazy in preparation for the game.
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