You may be surprised to learn that Mexico is the leader in terms of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Americas with the most sites of any one country. Over the next several months I’ll be featuring the nearly thirty UNESCO World Heritage Sites found throughout Mexico, beginning with Mexico City’s Centro Histórico.
Grab your camera, Mexico City’s 34-block downtown area, or Centro Histórico, is a great place to start exploring the capital. The Centro Histórico was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and today it’s home to parks, monuments, museums, hotels, restaurants and some of the city’s most impressive attractions.
From the World Heritage inscription:
Built in the 16th century by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital, Mexico City is now one of the world’s largest and most densely populated cities. It has five Aztec temples, the ruins of which have been identified, a cathedral (the largest on the continent) and some fine 19th- and 20th-century public buildings such as the Palacio de las Bellas Artes.
The Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, is the heart of the city and the largest city square in Latin America. On the east side of the plaza is the Palacio Nacional, or Presidential Palace. On the plaza’s north end is Mexico City’s most iconic structure, the Cathedral Metropolitana. To the east of the cathedral you’ll find the ruins of the Templo Mayor. Interestingly, the Aztecs originally built this ancient temple on the site which they believed to be the center of the universe.
Heading northwest from the Zócalo you’ll arrive at the Palacio de Belles Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, and one of the downtown area’s nicest parks, the Alameda Central. Step inside the Palacio to view murals by Rufino Tamayo, Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros or catch a performance by the Ballet Folklórico de México. A block south of the Palace of Fine Arts you’ll find the landmark Torre Latinoamericana, or Latin American Tower. Great views overlooking the city can be had from the 42nd floor observation deck.
West of the Alameda Central, the Plaza de la República is a popular gathering place and the site of the recently renovated Monumento a la Revolución. Nearby you’ll find Mexico City’s main thoroughfare, the Paseo de la Reforma, home to the city’s most iconic monument, the Monumento a la Independencia – which also often serves as a central stage for many of the city’s celebrations and mass demonstrations. Known as ‘El Ángel,’ the Monumento a la Independencia was originally sculpted for Mexico’s independence centennial of 1910.
In between sightseeing and visiting attractions be sure to check out the markets including La Merced, La Lagunilla and La Ciudadela, and stop in to some of the neighborhood’s historic cantinas. Look for the bullet hole in the tin ceiling of La Ópera Bar, said to have been left behind by Pancho Villa, and linger over a café americano at Café Habana where legend has it that Che Guevara and Fidel Castro planned the Cuban revolution. In the evening head back to the Zócalo for dinner and drinks at the Plaza Major restaurant while enjoying views overlooking the plaza.
Mexico City is the first stop on the itinerary of many visitors to Mexico. International travelers headed to Mexico City can book cheap flights from destinations throughout North America and Europe. International flights arrive at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport. From there it’s just a quick taxi or metro ride downtown.
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Wow, beautiful photo! I’ve never visited Mexico City, but I’m dying to go!
You should definitely come visit us one of these days!
This does seem like the perfect place to start a tour of the area- would love to see that building up close!
Mexico City is so large and spread out that it can take several days to see all of the main attractions, but this is definitely a great place to start!