Embark on a journey through 700 years of history in the heart of Mexico City and discover its historic centre on a pleasant walking tour stopping at many of the most popular and important landmarks that not even the locals know. Your professional tour guide will share with you anecdotes and curious facts that will make your tour a cultural experience that you will never forget.
On this half-day group tour, you will:
- Start your tour at the Anthropology Museum, where you will see the Sun Stone, also known as the Aztec calendar, the Coatlicue;
- Enjoy a Metrobus ride with your guide, to the Historic Center until you reach the famous Alameda Park, the oldest urban park in the Americas;
- See the emblematic Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City's most important performance space;
- Learn about the history of the Postal Palace (Correo Mayor or Main Post Office);
- See the Palace of Iturbide, a massive 18th-century mansion located in the historic heart of Mexico City;
- Pass by the House of Tiles (Casa de Los Azulejos), an 18th-century palace covered in hand-painted tiles;
- Walk along Francisco I. Madero Street, one of the original pedestrian streets named after an important figure of the Mexican Revolution;
- Visit Templo Mayor, the most important building in the city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) as it was the place where the religious ceremonies were performed.
Our tour starts at the Anthropology Museum, one of the most renowned and significant museums in the world, where you'll be able to appreciate select items from the extensive pre-Hispanic art collection housed within the museum's walls offering a profound insight into the rich cultural heritage and history of Mexico. The highlight of the museum is the Aztec Hall, where you'll see the famed Aztec Calendar Stone (Sun Stone). This massive monolithic sculpture, with its detailed carvings, is a symbol of Aztec cosmology and artistry.
During the tour, our guide will provide insights into notable artefact that offer a glimpse into the beliefs, way of life, and spirituality of the diverse ancient Mexican civilizations. You will learn about the museum's design, by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, a marvel of modernist architecture in itself. The centerpiece is the vast central courtyard, dominated by a striking 11-meter-tall stone umbrella structure known as "El Paraguas" (The Umbrella), which is supported by a single column and features intricate carvings.
After a short metro bus ride, you will continue through the centre of Mexico City, an area full of emblematic buildings. Your guide will talk about the history of the area and how it represents a focal point for Mexicans today. You will continue along Madero Street, one of Mexico City’s most iconic and bustling pedestrian street stretching from the Torre Latinoamericana to the Zócalo, to enjoy the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of the area.
You will see the Postal Palace and the Iturbide Palace and also The Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) a stunning cultural landmark and an architectural masterpiece, known for its magnificent Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. Discover the historic House of Tiles, a must-see attraction on Madero Street. Its façade is covered in blue and white tiles from Puebla, and it houses a restaurant, making it a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
Finally you'll explore the Templo Mayor and walk through its ruins, where your guide will tell you how the monumental building arose in layers over time, as well as the grisly details of the Aztec religion. The Metropolitan Cathedral cathedral is built on the site of the sacred Aztec precinct, including the Templo Mayor. After the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, the cathedral’s construction began as a symbol of the new colonial order and the spread of Christianity.
Join us on this comprehensive and immersive group tour thorugh the history and culture of ancient Mexico. Walk in the footsteps of the Aztecs and explore the spiritual heart of one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas!
