THE BEST WALKING TOURS IN MEXICO CITY

I love Mexico City. It’s dynamic, diverse, bustling, and filled with incredible museums and restaurants.

There’s so much to do here. It takes a long time to peel back the layers of this onion and get to the essence of the city.

With so much to see and do, I always suggest that first-time visitors to CDMX (Ciudad de México) take a walking tour (or three) during their trip. History, food, nightlife, markets…there are all kinds of tours that can introduce you to the city with the help of an expert local guide.

Here’s my list of the best walking tours in Mexico City:

While those may be the best free and paid tours in town, Mexico City has a lot more to offer, no matter your interests. Here are seven other insightful and educational tours:

1. Food Tour of Polanco

The upscale neighborhood of Polanco is a great district for eating. You can find everything from excellent street food to elevated and creative takes on Mexico City staples. This three-hour food tour is a super introduction to the neighborhood. In between munching tacos, grazing on Oaxacan specialties, and feasting on tortilla soup, you’ll learn about the history and the culture of the area from the local guide. This tour does a great job of giving you a wide range of food to try so bring an appetite.

Tours start at 1,590 MXN.

2. Mexico City at Night

The Mexico City at Night tour is two hours of strolling the historical center streets and stopping to gawk at the lit-up architecture while learning about the history and culture of the area. Some of the popular sites you’ll see at night include the Zócalo, the city’s main cathedral, Templo Mayor, and the Torre Latinoamericano, a 44-floor skyscraper that is like the Mexico City version of the Empire State Building. It’s a great tour to get a taste of the night food scene in the city.

Tours start at 530 MXN.

3. Volcano Hiking Tour

If you want to get out of the city for the day, book a day trip to go hiking up a volcano. The tour starts with pick-up at your accommodation, after which you’ll head outside of the city. Once there, you’ll walk the trails with a local experienced mountaineering guide, learning about the flora and fauna of the area as you go. You’ll even see legendary Paso de Cortés, the spot where Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes and his army passed through on their way to the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan in 1519. Tours last a full 11-12 hours and require a fair level of fitness as you’ll be hiking at altitude on uneven terrain.

Tours start at 1,100 MXN.

4. Lucha Libre Tour

Lucha Libre is the term for professional wrestling in Latin America, and on this tour you’ll learn all about this popular sport. The four-hour experience starts with a two-hour walking tour where your guide explains lucha libre culture. After that, you’ll spend a couple hours at an actual lucha libre event. During the match, you’ll enjoy a mezcal tasting and munch on chips and guacamole. At the end, you’ll leave with your very own lucha libre mask. It’s one of my favorite experiences in the city.

Tours start at 1,980 MXN.

5. Coyoacan Walking Tour

The first capital of New Spain, the neighborhood of Coyoacan is characterized by bright colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and a fun bohemian atmosphere. Guided by a local expert, you’ll learn about the history of the neighborhood and stop in at colorful markets to try Mexican treats like churros, tostadas, and aguas frescas. You’ll also learn about famed Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, as this is where they lived and worked. You’ll end the tour at the Frida Kahlo Museum where you’ll gain skip-the-line access (very important as tickets sell out far in advance) to explore the museum at your own pace.

Tours start at 1,100 MXN.

6. Poray Street Art Bike Tour

This three-hour guided tour takes you to some off-the-radar parts of town to marvel at the city’s best street art. You’ll learn about the significance of the art and discover out of the way neighborhoods you might not normally have visited. The tour also includes a couple of stops at interesting architectural wonders of the city and ends with a snack at an authentic street food stall. Street art is big here and this is the best way to see a lot of it. Safely guided by experienced cyclists, you’ll cover a lot of ground yet at a comfortable pace so its manageable for all!

Tours start at 720 MXN.