Top places to visit

1. Chapultepec Park: Address: Paseo de la Reforma, Centro Historico, Mexico City

The third largest public square in the world. A display of some of the city’s finest monuments, including the impressive National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Contains a large Mexican flag in the center of the square, believed to be the overseer of unity within the Mexican Republic. A large variety of social and cultural events takes place here, ranging from the wildest concerts to the wildest political demonstrations. This plaza is the central point of the historic district, a place you should start your journey from and regroup at, at the end of the day, as it centrally links all of Mexico City and its important landmarks.

A palace echoing with the grandeur of the colonial Spaniards. It served as the residence of the Spanish Viceroy until the Spanish were overthrown and Mexico gained independence, when it gained the status of the President’s House. Today, however, it serves as a gallery space for some of Diego Rivera’s murals, which take you on an epic journey through the history of Mexico, from pre-colonial to the present day city. Free entrance and free tours in English are provided to groups - ask for them at the reception desk.

An absolute delight for the history-lover! Experience a different kind of Spanish architecture, comprised of the European High Renaissance merged with some elements from the remains of Islamic architecture back in Spain, namely domes and square towers. The building presents a beautiful façade, and the interior is none the less charming, and it is at times difficult to comprehend what style of architecture it actually belongs to – classical set within vernacular Mexican? An odd context, perhaps, but the impact of the entire construction is so intense and so mystifying that it makes for at least a good couple of hours well-spent studying and photographing it. A must-visit for history and architecture geeks! Admission is free, and for a small charge of 12 pesos you are allowed to visit the upper levels of the bell towers for breathtaking panoramic views of the public square and capture amazing skylines from a bird’s eye view.

The site for an ancient temple built by the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan, and destroyed subsequently by the invading Spanish armies, who then built a cathedral at the site. The buried temple chambers were discovered by accident in 1978, and the site was soon reclaimed as a heritage site. Now you can actually see the layers of Aztec construction as you walk down the excavated site. A modern museum, the Museo del Templo Mayor, houses many of the archaeological artifacts dug up at the site, and makes for an interesting visit for children and adults alike. Admission to the museum is 48 pesos, but is free for students, and children under 12.

Address: No. 8 Tacuba, Col. Centro, Mexico City. Phone: 5130 3400 Fax: 5130 3401 Website: http://www.munal.com.mx/ Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 am to 530 pm Admission: 30 pesos Tuesdays to Saturdays. Free admission on Sundays.

Address: Hidalgo 45. Centro Histórico, México D.F. 06300 Phone: 5518 2266 Fax: (55) 5521-2888 Website: http://www.franzmayer.org.mx/ingles/index.html Email: [email protected] Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. Admission: Adults 45 pesos Students and Teachers 25 pesos (with ID) Free admission for children under 12 seniors over 65 Franz Mayer Museum members ICOM members

A walk along this pleasant avenue would reveal the true diversity within such a complex metropolitan district – from the quiet, ancient residential blocks to the towering, glowing buildings, and businesses that have recently sprung up, lending a different touch of color and taste to a secluded aspect of colonial architecture.

A monument serving as a symbol of pride for the Mexican nation, located on the Paseo de la Reforma. The Angel was built in 1910 to mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. Needless to say, the site offers all kinds of crazy photo opportunities, at different times of the day, and with different background environments!

A beautiful fountain-sculpture of Diana, which depicts her aiming her arrow at an invisible target, it makes for amazing opportunities for photography in conjunction with the city’s skyline in the background.

Address: Between Paseo de La Reforma, Circuito Interior and Av. Constituyentes, Chapultepec District, Mexico City. Phone: 5553 6263 Fax: 55536263 Website: http://www.chapultepec.df.gob.mx/ Email: [email protected] Admission: 5 pesos.

Address: Avenada Paseo de la Reforma Chapultepec Polanco Mexico City 11560 Phone: +52 05536266 Website: http://www.mna.inah.gob.mx/muna/mna_ing/main.html Email: [email protected] Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays: 9am to 7 pm. Admission: 51 pesos Tuesdays to Saturdays. Sundays free. Free entrance for: Children under 13 Seniors over 60 Students and teachers with ID

Address: Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City. Website: http://www.momamexico.com/home.html

Address: Avenida Constituyentes, 268, Mexico City 11560, Mexico Phone: 52 52 37 17 81 Fax: 52 52 37 17 70 Website: http://www.papalote.org.mx/papalotemuseo/ Admission: Children under 12 and over 60: 30 pesos Children in between: 40 pesos

A building that has seen generations come and go, has endured the ramifications with dignity, and stands strong to this day to tell the tale. It has always been a residence for the rulers of Mexico - Spanish Viceroys and Mexican Emperors. It was also, at different times during its history, a military academy, the presidential palace, an observatory, and, finally, has come to be used as a museum – it houses today the Museo Nacional de Historia (Museum of National History), which features a beautifully landscaped garden area, as well as the old observatory.

Address: Tres Picos No.29 Showcases some of the work of well-known Mexican muralist David Alfaro. A treat to the eyes.

Address: Segunda sección del Bosque de Chapultepec Mexico City,11800

Address: Plaza Río de Janeiro 54, Col. Roma Phone: +52 55 5511 1179 Fax: +52 55 5207 1080 Admission: Free for all

A large central park located in Condesa. Must-visit for a leisurely stroll at least once on every visit to the city – just lifts the stress right off of you. The main public square within the park has regular live performances by musical bands. Stalls selling all kinds of domestic clothing and handicrafts are frequently set up, and haggling is very common.

Address: Calle Diego Rivera 2 Phone: 5550-1189 Timings: Open Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays. Admission: 10 pesos.

Museo Franz Mayer is a decorative-arts museum in Mexico City’s historic centre. Its collections are displayed in a historic building near Plaza de la Santa Veracruz; the museum also presents temporary exhibitions.