4 Days in Mexico City: Epic First Timer’s CDMX Itinerary
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Spending 4 days in Mexico City? Buckle up, because this place is massive—literally the largest city in North America—and there’s a whole lot of ground to cover! For the longest time, when people thought about visiting Mexico, they usually stuck to the coast—Cabo, Cancun, or Tulum. But, the heart of the country? It’s packed with beauty, history, culture, and adventure just waiting to be discovered!
Mexico City has been seriously blowing up lately as a top travel destination, and for good reason. Between the food (omg, the food), the vibrant neighborhoods, the art, the ancient ruins, and the endless things to see and do—it’s a place that knows how to keep you on your toes.
I felt like we managed to squeeze in a ton during our 4 days in Mexico City, so I’m here to spill all the details on what we did, what we ate, and what I think you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
4-Day Mexico City Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore the Historic Center of Mexico City + Cocktail Evening
Morning: Pastries, Parks, + Pretty Views
Coffee + Breakfast
We kicked off our first day in Mexico City the only way you should—with pastries. Pastelería Ideal is a must. This bakery has been around since 1927 and it’s massive. Like, room-after-room-of-carbs kind of massive. The selection is wild and everything is super cheap—we grabbed a couple of pastries and an empanada for around $2.50 USD. Total win.
Once you’ve got your pastry stash, walk a few minutes over to Finca Don Porfirio for a coffee with the most iconic view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It’s one of the most stunning buildings in the city and the balcony here gives you a perfect vantage point to soak it all in.
Alameda Central + House of Tiles
While you’re in this area, there’s so much to check out on foot. Stroll through Alameda Central, a gorgeous park with local vendors selling everything from fresh fruit to handmade goods. Even just people-watching here is fun.
Nearby is the House of Tiles (Casa de los Azulejos)—this place is a literal work of art. It’s a restaurant now, but honestly, it’s worth walking through just to admire the insanely pretty tilework.
Barrio Chino and Palacio Postal
From there, wander through Barrio Chino, Mexico City’s small but lively Chinatown, and pop into Palacio Postal, aka the most jaw-dropping post office I’ve ever seen. It seriously looks like a palace inside. Entry is just a few bucks and 100% worth it.
There’s also the Museo de Bellas Artes right there if you’re into art—we skipped it this time around just because we were short on time, but it’s definitely a popular one if you’re interested!
Museo de Bellas Artes is closed on Mondays and Palacio Postal is closed on Sundays so if you need to switch things around in this 4-day Mexico City itinerary to make it work!
💡 Hot Tip: You can also do a free walking tour of the Historic Center! This was one of my favorite tours in Mexico City. It’s a great way to learn more about the city’s history and major landmarks—plus, they’re tip-based so super budget-friendly. Just check the times and sign up ahead!
Afternoon: Zócalo, Market, + Monument Views
Check out the Zócalo
After soaking up the morning sights, head over to the Zócalo—this is Mexico City’s massive main square, officially called Plaza de la Constitución. It’s surrounded by important buildings like the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor.
When we were there, the area was partially blocked off for an event, so heads up that this can happen—plus, some monuments had barricades around them due to recent protests. Just something to be aware of in case you see things closed off.
Shop at a Local Market
Most of the spots we hit in the morning are walkable, but for your next destination, you’ll want to grab an Uber (which are super affordable here—most of ours were $3–$5!). Pop into Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela. This colorful market is packed with handcrafted goodies—think embroidered blouses, vibrant dishes, woven blankets, and so much more.
We scored some beautiful souvenirs here and honestly could’ve spent hours wandering the stalls. Pro tip: bring cash, and don’t be afraid to haggle a little!
Lunch + Library
Time for lunch! We grabbed a table at Arango Cocina de Raíces which has a stunning view of the Monumento a la Revolución. The food is delicious and the vibe is perfect for a relaxing mid-day break after all that walking.
Next, head to Biblioteca Vasconcelos, one of the most architecturally unique libraries I’ve ever seen. It’s like a futuristic jungle of books with suspended bookshelves, plants, and dreamy lighting. Even if you’re not a library person, this one might convert you.
Evening: Cocktails + Pizza Vibes
Bar Hop
After a full day of exploring, it’s time to wind down with cocktails—and Mexico City has so many amazing bars to choose from. We were staying in Roma Norte, so we made our way back to that area and hit up Bar Mauro and Limantour. Limantour is actually ranked #32 on the World’s Best Bars list—and honestly, I get the hype.
Their drinks are super creative and beautifully done. We went close to when they opened (which I highly recommend) and had no problem getting a table without a reservation.
Dinner
After drinks, grab dinner at Pizza Félix! And okay, I know what you’re thinking—pizza in Mexico? But seriously, this place was so good. The vibe is cozy and cool, the pizza was delish, and even the salads were amazing. It is the perfect low-key but still fun way to wrap up your first day in Mexico City!
You’ll want to end the night at a decent time, because tomorrow you’re getting up bright and early!
Day 2 — Hot Air Balloons + Rooftop Vibes
Morning: Sunrise Balloon Ride Over Teotihuacán
Okay, buckle up because this was hands down one of the most magical mornings of my life. Get ready for a super early wake-up—our pick-up was at 4 AM, and yes, it was 100% worth it.
This tour takes you to Teotihuacán for a hot air balloon ride over the ancient pyramids, and y’all… floating through the sky as the sun rises with dozens of other balloons around you? Pure magic. I actually got teary.
You’ll be in the air for about 45 minutes, and it’s chilly, even if you’re visiting in a warm month like April. I had on yoga pants, a long sleeve, and a sweatshirt and I was still shivering before takeoff—don’t be fooled by the midday heat!
After the flight, there’s a cute little champagne toast, and then depending on your tour, you’ll either have a cultural experience or breakfast in a cave first. The cultural experience lasts around 30 minutes. As for breakfast, it was so good! I got the chilaquiles, and it came with traditional coffee and hibiscus water.
To wrap up the tour you’ll head to the Teotihuacán pyramids. These ancient ruins were once a bustling city and are home to the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. We only had about 45 minutes to explore on foot, which was honestly perfect after such an early start. Just enough time for a lap, some pics, and a quick soak-in of the history.
Check out availability and current pricing for the tour here or read my full Mexico City hot air balloon tour guide here!
Late Afternoon: Nap, Coffee, + Tacos
You’ll get dropped off back at your hotel around 1 or 2 PM, and trust me—take a nap. After being up since 3:30 AM, we were wiped. A little siesta was necessary before heading out for the second part of the day.
Once you’re rested, grab a coffee at Quintín Café in Roma Norte. Even though they don’t do flavored syrups (which is usually a dealbreaker for me), I added some sugar and it was legit so good!
Then take a stroll over to Pasaje Parian—a cute little corridor with shops and restaurants. It’s such a vibe! But the real reason we came? Tacos del Valle. Easily one of my favorite taco spots from our 4 days in Mexico City! Everything we ate and drank here was on point.
Evening: Rooftop Cocktails + Mezcal Magic
Finish your night with some rooftop views and mezcal cocktails. We started with Supra Roma Rooftop for sunset—gorgeous views, fun atmosphere, and great drinks.
Next, we walked to Salón Palomilla, which had such a cozy, cool vibe with an open roof and flickering candles everywhere.
And finally, we ended the night at Tlecan, a mezcal bar where we had such a good time. We stood at the bar, chatted with the bartender, and had some amazing drinks. The service was incredible and it’s one of the top-rated bars in the city—deservedly so.
We were back home by around 9:30 PM, full, happy, and ready to crash. Such a good day!
Day 3 — Cute Cafes, Parks, Castles, + a Mezcal Night Out
Morning: Bakeries + Strolling Through Hipódromo
Pastry Stop
Start your morning with a pastry run—because no trip to Mexico City is complete without visiting Panadería Rosetta (it’s easily one of the best bakeries in Mexico City!). Their guava roll is seriously beyond delicious. The line can get long as the day goes on, so the earlier the better! You can either sit and enjoy it with a coffee or grab it to-go.
If you want something a little closer to where you’re heading next, Odette is another great bakery. It’s small, cozy, and the options change often, so you might find something fun and new to try!
Nature Walk + Cafe
Next, take a walk through the Hipódromo neighborhood. It’s seriously so cute! Parque México is this peaceful green space where locals are out walking their dogs and doing all sorts of fitness activities. And Calle Amsterdam wraps around it with tree-lined walkways and cool architecture—it’s such a vibe.
We stopped at Hule for coffee and some breakfast—bagels, burritos, and all the cozy cafe energy. We were honestly trying to squeeze in all the cafes and bakeries with just 4 days in Mexico City, so we were doing a nibble here and a nibble there.
Afternoon: Chapultepec Castle + A Bougie Lunch
Explore Chapultepec
Time to explore Chapultepec, one of the oldest and largest urban parks in Latin America. It’s home to museums, lakes, gardens, and Chapultepec Castle, which sits on a hill and has insane views of the city. The castle itself is stunning, and the history behind it is super interesting—if you’re into that kind of thing, a guided tour is totally worth it! Entry is around $5 USD.
We only had time to check out the castle, but if you’ve got extra hours, there’s also the zoo, and the National Museum of Anthropology, which is one of the top museums in Mexico City. It’s huge and so well done!
Lunch + Dessert
When you’re ready for lunch, head to Ling Ling at the Ritz-Carlton. It’s fancy, fun, and has the best view of the park below. I got a cocktail with mezcal and chicken kung pao (yep, infused with the actual dish)—sweet, sour, smoky, and so unique!
After lunch, make your way back toward Condesa and stop by Club Sorbet. This place is so cute, and the passion fruit sorbet hit the spot. Pop into a few shops nearby while you’re there, and then maybe head back for a little refresh before dinner.
Evening: Lucha Libre or Mezcal + Tapas Vibes
You’ve got two fun options for tonight. If you’re down for something high-energy and totally different, check out a Lucha Libre tour. It’s one of the most raved-about activities in Mexico City! You get a local guide, tacos, beers, and tickets to the show—but it’s only on certain nights, so just make sure it lines up with your schedule.
We opted for a more chill night and did a mezcal tasting at Casa Murciélago, and wow—what an experience. They bring in mezcal from small family-owned farms and are super passionate about it. You get to really taste the differences and learn a lot. Highly recommend!
After that, grab a drink at Hanky Panky, a speakeasy with a secret entrance that’s half the fun. I’ll be honest though—the drinks weren’t my favorite, but the vibe was cool enough that I still think it’s worth checking out.
For dinner, head to Taverna—such a beautiful space with cozy lighting and unique bites. We ordered a few tapas-style dishes and everything was delish. The espresso martini here? So good. You’ll want a reservation for this one!
If you’ve got energy left, swing by Casa Franca for some late-night jazz or rooftop cocktails—it’s about a 20-minute walk from Taverna. But no shame if you’re ready to crash—we’ve still got one more day to go!
Day 4 — Coyoacán, Frida, + Floating Fiesta
Morning: Coffee, Chilaquiles + Culture in Coyoacán
Breakfast + Coffee
Wake up early (around 8:30 AM if you can swing it) and head straight to Coyoacán—a colorful, artsy neighborhood that seriously feels like a small town tucked inside the city. It’s full of cobblestone streets, old colonial homes, and cozy little cafes. I loved the vibe here so much!
Start the morning at Casa Kumbhaka, and trust me when I say the chilaquiles were phenomenal. It’s also a yoga studio upstairs, and there’s a literal tree growing through the building—it’s wild and so, so cute.
We split a cup of coffee here, then walked over to Kahwen Coffee to grab a second. It’s an aesthetic dream and makes for a perfect photo stop. You can sip it inside or take it to-go depending on your museum reservation time.
Parroquia San Juan Bautista Pit Stop
As you wander toward the museum, soak in the area—it’s so full of personality. Be sure to peek inside Parroquia San Juan Bautista, a beautiful old church right near the plaza. The architecture is stunning.
Afternoon: Frida Kahlo Museum, Market Lunch, + Xochimilco Boat Tour
Frida Kahlo Museum
Make your way to the Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as La Casa Azul. This is a must for any 4-day Mexico City itinerary—but you have to book your tickets in advance. They sell out weeks ahead, and they’re super strict about timing.
If you can get a reservation for 11:15 AM, that’s ideal. Ours was for 12:15 and we didn’t get in until 12:30, which totally cut it close for our afternoon plans.
The museum is set in Frida’s former home and feels so personal. You’ll see her art, studio space, clothes, and even her medical corsets and prosthetics. It really shows how much pain she was in throughout her life but how deeply creative and impactful she remained. It’s one of those places that sticks with you.
Coyoacán Market + Lunch
Afterward, head to the Coyoacán Market to browse some souvenirs and grab lunch. We sat down at Trinidad Ritual de Sabores, a small taco spot with limited seating but incredible food. The guac, ceviche, and tacos were all amazing—I was seriously impressed! There’s usually a bit of a wait, but we got lucky and snagged four seats.
Keep an eye on the time though—traffic to the next stop gets bad, and it took us a full hour to get there. We were sweating it trying to make it on time!
Fiesta Boat in Xochimilco
Next up—Xochimilco for a boat tour you won’t forget. It’s about an hour away from Coyoacán, and the experience lasts around 2.5 hours. You’ll hop on a colorful trajinera and cruise the canals with unlimited drinks and some snacks along the way.
Our guide Hugo was a legend—he kept the energy high with lotería, karaoke, drinking games, and good vibes all around. Definitely more of a booze cruise than a quiet ride, but still such a fun way to learn about the area and take in all the color!
The scenery is beautiful, the drinks are flowing, and everyone’s just having a great time. Check availability and pricing for your dates here!
Evening: Steakhouse Dinner + One Last Drink
After the tour, brace yourself for that hour drive back—it feels extra long after a few too many tequilas, but we made it.
Once you’re back and freshened up, head to Sonora Grill Prime in Roma Norte for dinner. This was hands down my favorite meal of the trip. The ambiance is upscale but not stuffy, the service was amazing, and the food? So good. We ordered three steaks, sides, and drinks (they had BOGO cocktails!), and they brought out a complimentary dip to start and churros for dessert.
For all four of us, the total was $260, which honestly felt like a steal for how fancy it was! If you’ve got room for one more nightcap, stop by Form + Matter. The bartenders are amazing and the cocktails are so creative—it was such a fun, chill spot to wrap up our final night.
Where to Stay in Mexico City
If you’re trying to figure out where to stay during your 4 days in Mexico City, Roma Norte and Condesa are two of the most popular neighborhoods—and for good reason. They’re both super walkable, filled with cute cafes, great restaurants, tree-lined streets, and a really laid-back, artsy vibe.
We stayed in Roma Norte and absolutely loved it. We were able to walk to a bunch of our favorite spots and always felt safe exploring the area. Here are a few places to check out based on your budget:
- Budget-Friendly — Hotel Marbella: This is where we stayed for our trip! It’s nothing over the top, but the location was so convenient and the service was great. We paid less than $400 total, and honestly, no complaints here. It was clean, comfortable, and perfect for a trip where we were out exploring most of the time anyway.
- Moderate — Casa Olivia: If you’re looking for something a little more elevated but still reasonably priced, Casa Olivia is stunning. Our friends stayed here and couldn’t stop raving about it. The design, comfort, and attention to detail made it feel super special without being wildly expensive.
Check out what’s available for your dates in Roma Norte here or Condesa here!
Tips for Your 4 Days in Mexico City
Alright, before you dive into all the tacos, mezcal, and cute neighborhoods, here are some things I wish I knew before our trip — just to make your 4-day Mexico City itinerary even smoother:
- Carry some cash (pesos!) – A lot of places take cards, but street vendors, markets, and even some smaller restaurants are cash only. In some areas, you’ll even need a few pesos to use public restrooms, so keep change on you too.
- Use Uber — it’s safe and super affordable – We got around exclusively with Ubers if we weren’t walking. They were cheap, convenient, and we never had a problem. Way easier than renting a car or navigating public transit if you’re short on time.
- Tip like a local – At restaurants, tipping 10-15% is standard (and appreciated). Some places might already include it on the bill, so just double-check. Also throw your Uber driver a few pesos if they’re especially helpful — it goes a long way.
- Don’t drink the tap water – Stick to bottled or filtered water. Most restaurants will give you the option when ordering. Oh — and avoid ice from questionable spots.
- Download offline maps – Even though Mexico City has good cell service in most places, it’s handy to have Google Maps downloaded just in case you’re in a dead zone or trying to navigate without using data.
- Book popular things in advance – Frida Kahlo Museum? You have to get tickets ahead of time. Same for Lucha Libre tours, mezcal tastings, and some of the trendier restaurants. Don’t wait until you get there.
- Wear comfy shoes – You’ll be doing a lot of walking — from exploring cute neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa to wandering the castle grounds in Chapultepec. My Dr. Scholl’s sneakers are my ride or dies when I travel!
- Don’t overpack your days – Mexico City is big and traffic is no joke. It’s tempting to squeeze everything in, but give yourself breathing room. It’s way more fun when you’re not rushing from place to place.
- Bring hand sanitizer and tissues – Some public restrooms don’t have toilet paper or soap — it’s not super common, but it happened enough that I was glad I tossed both in my bag before heading out.
- Use WhatsApp to communicate – A lot of restaurants and tours use WhatsApp to confirm bookings or answer questions. If you don’t already have it, download it before your trip.
- Learn a few basic Spanish phrases – You don’t need to be fluent, but a little goes a long way. Even just “gracias,” “por favor,” and “la cuenta, por favor” will make things smoother (and friendlier). I was actually surprised that more people didn’t speak some English — I shouldn’t have been, but I was definitely glad we had a Spanish speaker in our group. Google Translate can come in clutch, so keep that handy just in case.
Are you ready for an epic 4 days in Mexico City?!
What a trip, right?! I hope this 4-day Mexico City itinerary helped you map out the perfect way to experience the city. From the food (so much food), to the neighborhoods, to the culture and history, Mexico City really does have a little bit of everything. Let me know what you’re most excited for, or if you’ve been before, what I need to add next time!
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Mexico blog posts:
