The smell of roasted corn, Aztec dancers showing off their moves, and ‘healers’ beckoning tourists to try a miracle cure: this is just a regular Monday afternoon in Mexico City. This vibrant capital city was once the capital of the Aztec Empire; today it’s one of the most populated cities in the world. Most travellers flying to Mexico City stop over briefly on their way to other regions in Mexico, but stay a little longer and you’ll quickly discover what inspired the likes of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
If taking a flight to Mexico City, wandering through the streets is the best way to embrace the city’s heritage and savour some authentic Mexican street food. The area of Zocalo is a good starting point from which to explore the city. In Zocalo, Mayan ruins live beside modern buildings and colonial churches, while dramatic Rivera murals adorn the walls. Art lovers should make the museums their first stop and Kahlo fans cannot miss a trip to the Museo de Frida Kahlo in La Casa Azul and Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, where the famous couple once lived.
Travel to the Aztec Templo Mayor and the jaw-droppingly huge Teotihuacan to really get an idea of the city’s history. Or go and see some of Mexico’s colourful pro-wrestling at Arena de Mexico, which is in complete contrast to the precious relics found at the Templo Mayor. As in the rest of the Americas, football is a national passion so a day out at the lively and vibrant Estadio Azteca is a must. However, be sure to pack some earplugs for your visit to Mexico City – the roar of the crowd can be deafening.
El Zocalo, or Plaza de la Constitucion, one of the world’s largest city squares, is located in the middle of Mexico City’s historic centre. On one side of the square is the Presidential Palace. The magnificent colonial building was once the site of an Aztec Palace and displays murals inside narrating Mexico’s history. The other side of the square is home to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which sits on land once sacred to the Aztec people. Inside the ornate cathedral you will find the King’s Chapel and gilded altar. The city square is always bustling with activity, and tourists can mingle with vendors, buskers and traditional Aztec dancers. It’s also a location for demonstrations, protest marches and festivals.