Xochimilco

Xochimilco is a beautiful, historic area of Mexico City. It is located on the site of a pre-Columbian town, and it contains the last remnants of the canals that once surrounded the ancient city of Tenochtitlan.

Built on the site of a pre-Columbian town, Xochimilco is famous for its chinampas (floating gardens) which are still used today by farmers who grow crops like maize, beans, chiles and flowers on them using nothing but natural fertilizers!

With its network of canals and artificial islands, it testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavourable environment. Its characteristic urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the colonial period; have been preserved in an exceptional manner.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Mexico City
El Zocalo
One of the world’s biggest city squares with an iconic Bandera monumental, which was once the ceremonial centre of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire. Today it is known as Plaza de la Constitución.
Catedral Metropolitana
The Catedral Metropolitana in Mexico City is one of Mexico’s most iconic structures and a monument to the country’s history and the largest cathedral in Latin America.
Museo Frida Kahlo
The family house of famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
UNAM
The National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, is one of the best universities in Latin America and the biggest university in terms of enrolment. It was established in 1910 as a public institution for higher education and research.
Coyoacán
Coyoacán is an area of Mexico City that feels like you've been whisked away to a peaceful village. With plenty of leafy parks and cobbled streets, it's easy to forget that you're actually in the middle of a huge metropolis.
Museo Dolores Olmedo
The Dolores Olmedo Patiño Museum is home to one of the most extensive collections of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Angelina Beloff artworks in the world.

Related Tours

The Art of Frida Kahlo, Xochimilco & Coyoacan: Private Tour
Explore some of the most picturesque corners and famed sights of Mexico City: the bohemian neighbourhood of Coyoacán, the former home of Frida Kahlo bursting with old-world charm, the Xochimilco canals, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

On your private full-day tour, you will:

  • Discover Xochimilco, often described as the "Mexican Venice" and famous for its networks of canals popular among both foreign and Mexican tourists alike;
  • Enjoy a "Trajinera"(boat) ride through the Floating Gardens in a brightly-coloured gondola;
  • Walk through the campus of the UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) and admire the work of artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros displayed on the walls of the buildings;
  • Walk through cobblestone street and visit the most emblematic places of Coyoacán, a quiet and picturesque area of Mexico City and a former Aztec village;
  • Visit "La Casa Azul", the house where Frida Kahlo lived and where she painted some of her most famous pieces, which is now the Frida Kahlo Museum dedicated to her life and work;
  • See the Coyoacán Market, an iconic landmark in this neighbourhood where you can find anything, from vegetables to baskets and get to know the daily life of the locals.

You will start your tour by exploring the Xochimilco area, its famous river channels and chinampas (floating gardens), which were used by ancient civilizations as a system of agriculture and commerce since pre-Hispanic times. You'll learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, first established as a pre-Columbian city on the shores of Lake Xochimilco just south of Mexico City.

Immerse yourself in the old streets and corners of the emblematic Coyoacán, known as the cultural heart of Mexico City, and explore its markets, architecture, traditions, flavours and culture. 

Coyoacan is one of the most popular places in Mexico City with stunning colonial architecture, vibrant colours and intricate designs that make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. You'll find everything from brightly painted houses to quirky churches (like the Santuario de Santa Maria) and even an old convent where nuns still live today.

In the same neighbourhood, you'll visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, known as "The Blue House", where this world-renowned Latin American artist lived and died, filled with personal objects from Frida’s life and artworks inspired by her life experiences that will give you a better understanding of this great Mexican artist.

At the end of your tour, you'll have learned so much about Mexican culture and history—and chances are, you'll have made some new friends along the way!
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