When I travelled to Mexico and Colombia, I only had 48 hours in Mexico City.
As one of the biggest cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million and 226km of metro tracks, I knew that it would be impossible to see it all.
So I made a plan to see as many of the best highlights of Mexico City in 48 hours.
Summary
- Where: I stayed in a hotel near Paseo de la Reforma, for easy navigation to the major spots.
- When: I travelled early October and the weather was a pleasant 20-22C.
- Who: I travelled solo
The Schedule
Day 1
· Paseo de la Reforma
Staying in a hotel near La Reforma made it an obvious starting point. The street runs from Chapultepec Park, through the business district and down to the historic centre. The wide road and many picturesque monuments are definitely worth a look.
· Angel de la Indepencia
Definitely worth checking out as the main monument on Paseo de La Reforma. This Angel of Independance was built to celebrate 100 years of Mexican independence. So much elegance!
· Park Alameda
Continuing down Paseo de la Reforma, you’ll find park Alameda, full of colourful stalls and markets. The park itself is perfect for a stroll and a sanctuary from the concrete jungle of the city.
· Zocalo
Passing through the historic centre after the park, you will arrive in Zocalo, home to Plaza de la Constitucion, Catedral Metropolitana and the worlds biggest flag.
· Lunch at Terrace 5
Grab lunch at Terrace 5, an affordable cafe serving local cuisine and overlooking the square. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a table by the window for the perfect people watching spot.
· Historic Centre
Walk off the Mexican lunch with an exploration of the historic centre. The area is full of interesting buildings, shops (old and new) and more churches.
· Dinner/ Evening in La Rosa
Eventually end up back in La Condesa at your hotel, to freshen up before enjoying dinner out in the lively area of La Rosa. The streets fill with people, live music and the smell pf good food. As I travelled alone I opted to stay in my hotel after dark, but f you have a travel companion it looks like the perfect spot to dance the night away.
Day 2
· Chapultepec Park
Heading the opposite direction up Paseo de La Reforma, I started day 2 of my 48 hours in Mexico at Chapultepec Park. The park is one of the largest city parks in the Western Hemisphere and houses lakes, a castle, a zoo and many museums. I spent most of my morning strolling through various areas in the park.There is the option to rent a pedalo at the lake, but I opted not to in the interest of time. There are market stall lining the more popular areas but still plenty of opportunity to fully escape the hustle of the crowds and find a quiet spot.
Bonus: On a Sunday the Museum of Modern Art is free to enter.
· Lunch at La Condesa
When you’re ready to leave the park, head to La Condesa for lunch at one of the many trendy cafes and restaurants on offer. I ate one of the best salads I had in Mexico in La Condesa. Take time after lunch to wander the streets in the district and soak up the hipster vibes.
· Freida Kahlo house
If visiting Freida Kahlo’s house is top of your bucket list, I suggest making this your first thing of the day. I knew I wasn’t going to stand in the enormous queues to see inside, but caught the metro from La Condesa to the area to see it from the outside.
· Polanco / Condesa for dinner.
Finish up your 48 hours in Mexico City in Polanco. This is one of the most upmarket areas in the city, Again, as I was travelling alone I opted to order food in and chill at my hotel, but if going out is your thing, Polanco should be your grand finale.
And there you have it, lots of walking and lots of sites, but that’s how you spend 48 hours in Mexico City!
