48 Hours in Mexico City

6 minutes read

A city of colour, culture and incredible food, Mexico City is impossible to experience in just one visit. From modernist masterpieces and iconic museums to neighbourhood taquerias and some of the world’s best restaurants and bars, here’s how we’d spend 48 hours in CDMX.

by Melody Tan

Mexico City is one of those places that reveals itself slowly. At first, it feels exhilarating in its sheer scale. Then, as you settle into its rhythm, you begin to notice the details. Jacaranda lined streets, neighbourhood bakeries with queues stretching onto the pavement, striking modernist architecture tucked between colourful colonial buildings, and a food scene that rivals any in the world.

With just 48 hours, you will only scratch the surface, but it is more than enough time to understand why so many travellers find themselves returning. Here is how we would spend two unforgettable days in Mexico City.

Where To Stay

Casona Roma Norte

Set within a beautifully restored 1920s mansion in Roma Norte, Casona offers a stylish base in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Surrounded by cafés, galleries and independent boutiques, it is perfectly positioned for exploring on foot.

Colima 71 Casa de Arte Hotel

More than just a boutique hotel, Colima 71 feels like staying in a private art residence. Thoughtfully curated interiors and an intimate atmosphere make it an excellent choice for travellers who appreciate design and culture.

Casa Polanco

For those seeking understated luxury, Casa Polanco is one of the city’s most elegant addresses. Overlooking Lincoln Park in Polanco, it combines sophisticated interiors with warm, personalised service.

If You Have More Time

Mexico City rewards those who linger.

If you have an extra day or two, venture beyond the city’s restaurants and museums for a different perspective on Mexico City.

Experience Lucha Libre

Spend an evening at Arena México, the home of Lucha Libre. With masked wrestlers, theatrical costumes and an electric crowd, it is one of the city’s most entertaining cultural experiences.

Visit Teotihuacán

Just outside Mexico City, Teotihuacán is home to the monumental Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon and Avenue of the Dead. One of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the Americas, it is well worth dedicating a day to.

Float Through Xochimilco

Head south to Xochimilco and board one of its colourful trajineras for a journey through ancient canals that once formed part of the waterways surrounding Tenochtitlan.

Amala Destinations can arrange each of these experiences as part of a tailor made stay, taking care of the details so you can simply enjoy the city.

Day One

Breakfast at Panadería Rosetta

Begin your morning at one of the city’s most beloved bakeries. Panadería Rosetta has earned a loyal following for its exceptional pastries, with the guava roll becoming something of a local legend. Pair it with a coffee and enjoy a slow start before heading out to explore.

Wander Roma Norte and Condesa

Spend the morning exploring Roma Norte and neighbouring Condesa, two of Mexico City’s most charming districts. Tree lined avenues, leafy parks, independent boutiques, bookstores, galleries and cafés make this one of the best areas to experience the city’s creative energy. Allow yourself plenty of time to wander without an agenda.

Casa Estudio Luis Barragán

A pilgrimage for architecture and design lovers, Luis Barragán’s former home and studio remains one of the city’s most remarkable cultural landmarks. The Pritzker Prize winning architect’s masterful use of colour, light and proportion continues to inspire visitors from around the world.

Visits are by guided tour only, so reservations should be made well in advance.

Lunch at Contramar

Few restaurants capture the spirit of Mexico City quite like Contramar. Bright, lively and consistently excellent, it is famous for impeccably fresh seafood and a buzzing atmosphere. The tuna tostadas are a must, while the signature pescado a la talla is perfect for sharing.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

One of Mexico City’s most iconic buildings, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is home to some of the country’s most celebrated murals. Be sure to see Diego Rivera’s monumental Man at the Crossroads, recreated here after the original mural commissioned for Rockefeller Center in New York was destroyed.

Tacos at Taquería Orinoco

There is always room for tacos in Mexico City. Stop by Taquería Orinoco for a quick bite before the evening begins. Originally from Monterrey, it has become a favourite for its simple menu of trompo, chicharrón and beef tacos served with all the essentials. Casual, lively and unfussy, it is a great contrast to the city’s more polished dining rooms.

Day Two

Breakfast at La Pancita de la Roma

Start your second day with something distinctly local at La Pancita de la Roma. A neighbourhood favourite for traditional Mexican breakfasts, it offers a very different morning experience from the polished bakeries and cafés scattered around Roma.

La Casa Azul

Make your way south to Coyoacán to visit Frida Kahlo’s unmistakable cobalt blue home. More than a museum, La Casa Azul offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s life through her personal belongings, artworks and the rooms where she lived and worked.

Afterwards, spend some time wandering the colourful streets and leafy plazas of Coyoacán, one of Mexico City’s oldest and most atmospheric neighbourhoods.

Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

Continue to San Ángel to visit this remarkable pair of modernist houses designed by architect Juan O’Gorman for Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Connected by a rooftop bridge, the two studios offer a fascinating glimpse into their creative lives and complicated relationship. The architecture alone makes it worth the journey.

Lunch at Máximo Bistrot

Back in Roma Norte, settle in for lunch at Máximo Bistrot. Chef Eduardo García’s restaurant has become one of the defining names in Mexico City’s contemporary dining scene, bringing together exceptional Mexican produce, seasonality and refined technique in a setting that still feels relaxed.

Dinner at Maizajo

End your culinary journey celebrating one of Mexico’s most important ingredients: corn. At Maizajo, heirloom maize takes centre stage, with traditional techniques interpreted through a contemporary lens.

Downstairs is a casual walk in taco bar, while upstairs offers a more refined restaurant experience. Both are worth visiting, depending on what you are in the mood for.

Cocktails at Handshake Speakeasy

End the evening with cocktails at Handshake Speakeasy, one of the most celebrated bars in the world. It absolutely lives up to the hype, with inventive cocktails, impeccable service and an intimate setting.

It is also one of the city’s most sought after reservations, so make sure to book well in advance.

Ready for Mexico City?

Mexico City moves with an energy entirely its own.

Mornings begin over pastries in Roma Norte, afternoons unfold between modernist architecture, colourful neighbourhoods and monumental works of art, while evenings stretch from lively dining rooms to some of the world’s most exciting cocktail bars.

Beyond its scale, the city reveals itself in contrasts: old and new, polished and wonderfully chaotic, deeply rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving.

This is the Mexico City we love. Creative, layered and endlessly inspiring.

Travel through Mexico City with us, thoughtfully and at your own pace.