The Perfect 4 Days in Mexico City Solo Travel Itinerary 

Want the perfect 4 days in Mexico City itinerary as a solo traveler? 

I’ve spent time in Mexico City alone, with friends and with my sister (who is, of course, my built-in bestie). I learned right away on my first visit how wrong my expectations were. The reality of this place is it oozes history, culture and energy -and you could easily spend 4 days in Mexico City or more. 

While there are plenty of great guides out there for exploring Mexico City, I’m writing this one primarily with fellow solo travelers in mind. Still, you can adapt this itinerary to your needs either way. But first, you should know what kind of traveler I am.

I prefer not to cram my days full of planned sightseeing activities. Instead, I strike a balance between scheduled experiences and time to wander freely. This allows me to get the feel for a new city without feeling rushed or being beholden to a checklist. I’m also not much of a partier.

Do you approach travel in a similar way? Then you’ve found the right Mexico City itinerary for you, read on!

4 Days in Mexico City: Quick View

Here is a high-level overview of what I’ll cover in this itinerary: 

Day 1: Centro Historico, Food Tour, Rooftop Sunset
Day 2: Chapultepec Castle & Park, Anthropology Museum, Fine Dining
Day 3: Day Trip or Half Day Excursion
Day 4: Condesa, Mercado Ciudadela, Beauty Treatment, Live Show

4 Days in Mexico City: Full View

You should feel free to customize this solo in Mexico City itinerary to suit your own travel style and schedule, so take what you like from it and finesse the rest!

Day 1: Centro Historico, Food Tour, Rooftop Sunset 

Explore Centro Historico  

Spend the first part of your day feeling the buzzing energy of Mexico City’s historic center. Allow yourself to wander freely, as the area is lively during daylight hours. But as such, be sure to keep your belongings close to avoid pickpockets!

There are plenty of shops and eateries to pop in and out of on a whim as you stroll around this area, as well as some specific sights you should make it a point to see. Make sure to swing by the main square, or Zocalo as they’re referred to. 

Since there’s a food tour on the schedule for later today, keep your meals leading up to it light. Before making your way to the main square, stop by El Molino a couple blocks away to grab a light pastry for breakfast or as a snack.

Alternatively, visit Churreria el Moro – a famous and historic spot that’s been around since 1935. 

Once in the plaza you’ll see several impressive buildings surrounding the wide open square, including Palacio Nacional and Catedral Metropolitana. Entrance to the Cathedral is free, so step inside if you’re curious. 

Continue meandering through the historic center while heading in the general direction of Palacio de Bellas Artes. Along the way, check out Casa de los Azulejos – House of Tiles. Snap some photos of the beautiful exterior and don’t hesitate to step inside. 

There’s a beautiful restaurant in there that’s reviewed to have pretty good food, in case you’d like to return to dine there another day.

Have coffee with a view 

Not far from the House of Tiles, you’ll catch your glimpse of the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes. To get an even better view, go into the Sears store across the street from it. 

That’s right. 

Make your way up through the department store to the 5th floor and you’ll find a balcony cafe that looks out over the Palacio. Order a beverage with your view and ground yourself in the reality that you are actually here in Mexico City!

After a bit of sightseeing, snacking and orienting yourself in the destination you’re ready for the main event…

Join a food tour 

One of the most fun and delicious ways to kick off a visit to any new city is with a food tour – especially as a solo traveler. I always recommend taking any sort of food or walking tour early on in your trip because these tend to be a great introduction to a new place. 

In addition to trying popular local dishes, you’ll get a sense of what restaurants you might want to return to later in your trip. You’ll meet a local guide and have the chance to ask any questions about their city or your itinerary. 

Food tours are usually also walking tours that help give you a sense of how a destination is laid out as you learn about its history. 

Plus, you get to meet fellow travelers! Maybe you’re swapping stories and helpful travel recommendations that could influence the rest of your itinerary. You could even end up making a friend who you then meet up with again at a later point during your trip.

Either way, you’re bound to have a good time socializing over food and drink for a few hours. 

👉 Book the Historic Center Food Tour

Wildcard!

Leave a bit of a gap in your itinerary directly following the food tour. Why?

For one, you might’ve met some cool people to hang out with. After a cooking class I took in Oaxaca City, a big group of us who met in the class went out for ice cream together. 

After a walking tour I joined in Porto, all of us went to lunch together afterward. This doesn’t always happen, but it might! And remember that if you want it to happen, you should be prepared to be the one to extend the invitation!

At the end of a food tour I took with a couple friends in Cartagena, we invited the entire group to meet us for drinks shortly after. Only one other couple took us up on the offer, and we had a great time with them. 

Another reason to keep plans flexible after your food tour is that you may pick up a tip or two of places to visit, markets to shop at, etc on the tour. Leaving some space in your itinerary allows you to slot in whatever new idea might have emerged from your conversations. 

And of course, after a long food tour you also might just want to rest for a while! I’m a huge proponent of not overpacking itineraries. That fluid, in-between time where you have the option to do whatever you want? That’s where the magic and joy of traveling alone comes from!

Have a sunset drink

There’s a chance you might be too full from the food tour for a full-on dinner. But maybe a drink? Or an appetizer? 

Make your way to Balcon de Zocalo for a beautiful sunset view over the main square. How great of a view you get will depend on where you’re seated, but the restaurant as a whole is quite beautiful and I’ve visited multiple times. 

In fact, during my Mexico trip I stayed at the hotel that this restaurant belongs to (listed below in the ‘where to stay’ section). 

I’m normally not big on soup, but if you’re wondering what to order I love their tortilla soup here. Plan to arrive early or make reservations if you want to guarantee a spot here, just in case. 

Day 2: Chapultepec Castle & Park, Anthropology Museum, Fine Dining

See Chapultepec Castle and park 

Probably my favorite place in Mexico City is Chapultepec Park. It’s a sprawling green space complete with ponds, beautiful trees and flowers, plenty of scattered benches to sit on and even sections filled with vendors for a livelier vibe. 

While I have yet to visit Chapultepec Castle (consists of the National History Museum) here myself, it’s definitely on my list for my next visit to Mexico City. Apparently, one of the best views over Mexico City can be seen from up top. 

There are always long lines to get in, so plan to arrive early and pre-book your tickets on the official website. Note that it shows prices in pesos. 

But even if you don’t plan to visit the castle, don’t miss the park. I always start with a visit to Pastelerias Esperanza, right on the outskirts of the park (I take an Uber to arrive here). 

I go in, grab a pastry or two and maybe a coffee. Then, I cross the street and make my way over into the park itself. 

Wander around, find a place to sit and enjoy your treats, then wander some more. The park is vast and there’s a lot of ground to cover in this tranquil space. 

Visit the National Museum of Anthropology

Yet another addition to my own future Mexico City travels is the National Museum of Anthropology. As someone who doesn’t usually prioritize visiting museums when traveling (part of the reason I have not yet been), I recognize both how important and impressive this one is. 

Folks who have visited have made it clear that this can easily be a whole day experience. So, take your time exploring and don’t hesitate to dedicate the better part of your day to it if you like! 

Make a day of it! Book this 5-star, 5-hour guided tour of Chapultepec Castle, Park & Museum of Anthropology with an expert guide.

Indulge in a fine dining experience

Mexico City is a foodie’s paradise, with so many great options at every price point. You could skip the fine dining experience and eat just as well elsewhere. But it always feels nice to dress up and take yourself out to a really nice dinner while on a solo trip. 

There’s something both empowering and self-nurturing about it. Of course, many of the most popular fine dining restaurants in Mexico City require reservations months in advance. If you’re planning that far out, book your reservations as soon as you can! 

If you’re eyeing a restaurant that holds space for walk-ins, definitely try your luck. Often, as a solo traveler, you might have better chances of getting a seat than bigger groups would. 

There are tons of great Mexico City restaurants to choose from, so find the one that calls to your taste buds!

Day 3: Day Trip 

Embark on a day trip 

As much as there is to see within Mexico City, there are also some fantastic day trip options (details down below).

I’d allocate your third day for this. By this point, you’ll have seen some of the major sights in  Mexico City and you’ll also be leaving yourself a final day to rest the next day before traveling back home (assuming you have 4 full days). 

Of course, feel free to adjust and schedule your day trip for whenever works best for you!

Book a local excursion 

If the idea of taking a full day trip sounds too exhausting, consider a half day excursion sticking closer to Mexico City itself instead. 

Here are two of the most popular options. 

Xochimilco 

One is a canal tour through the floating gardens of Xochimilco. This can be a pretty lively and fun experience with lots of food, drink and music. As a solo traveler, if you want that boat party experience and the chance to revel with others book this tour for an afternoon slot. 

If you want a more peaceful, mellow experience with fewer crowds then be sure to book one of the earlier morning options. 

Some people really enjoy this experience while others feel it’s touristy. In reality, Xochimilco is part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Form your own conclusions by booking this experience.

👉 Secure your spot for a Xochimilco experience

Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacan

Another great, shorter day trip is to casa azul, the Frida Kahlo Museum which is located in the charming Coyoacan neighborhood. On this small group guided tour you’ll bike through the neighborhood, snack on churros and tostadas and gain skip-the-line entry to the museum. 

👉 Book the Coyoacan Bike Ride, Churros and Museum Tour

Now, if you’re interested in both of the above experiences you should know there are full day tours that combine the two. However, these experiences might feel rushed or overwhelming for some and frankly aren’t as well-reviewed as these two separate, more focused experiences.

Still, if you want a tour that combines the two here is one option. 

Day 4: Condesa, Mercado, Beauty Treatment, Live Show

Wander around Condesa  

Condesa is a beautiful neighborhood in Mexico City, and one of my favorite walking paths is found here. Make your way to Avenida Amsterdam, a 3.1 mile circular path surrounding picturesque Parque Mexico.

As you stroll, you’ll see various cafes, restaurants, shops and pretty buildings. Stop wherever you feel called to do so. 

Me? I was immediately drawn to Tout Chocolat to sample a variety of artisanal chocolates.

Note that this area is near the National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Park, in case you’d rather visit when you’re already in that area. 

Otherwise, Condesa is a great place to spend your last morning with plenty of great coffee shops around to enjoy. 

Souvenir shop at La Ciudadela 

Located back closer to the historic center, La Ciudadela is an artisan market filled with handmade goods for purchase. Here, you’ll find handcrafted items from various regions of Mexico. 

Visitors appreciate that the vendors here aren’t very pushy, and the market has a calmer feel. You can find everything from ceramics and art to clothing and much more here. Get ready to stock up, or even simply to window shop for a bit.

Get your hair or nails done

If you care remotely about your hair or nails, listen up. Hair and nail services are so much more affordable in Mexico that it’s practically a must to build this into your itinerary if you can. 

I’ve gotten really well done gel / no-chip manicures in Mexico, even adding on hand-drawn designs, and paid far less than I ever could in the US. 

Of course, remember to tip your nail tech! I haven’t gotten my hair or lashes done in Mexico myself, but these services also tend to be more affordable here. 

I recommend searching for ‘hair salon’ or ‘nail salon’ on Google maps in the location that’s most convenient for you, ahead of your trip if you can. Sometimes, you’re able to message a business directly through Google maps. 

Other times, you’ll click through to their website and complete a ‘contact us’ form. Otherwise, find the business you’d like to visit on Instagram or Whatsapp and message them there to secure an appointment. 

When I reach out, I always explain what service I’m looking for and I ask how much it will cost so that we’re all on the same page from the get-go. 

Finally, you may or may not have a nail tech who can communicate with you in English. Have any key requests translated and ready to show them, in case!

Catch a live show

A fun and culturally rich way to close out your 4 days in Mexico City is with a live show. I’m about to suggest two vastly different options for this, see which one is more your speed!

And of course, which one fits into your schedule since shows are available only on certain nights. Be sure to plan this in advance based on your trip dates!

Lucha Libre

Interested in an action-packed night of Mexican wrestling? Catch a Lucha Libre show! For solo travelers, I recommend doing this through a group tour with a local guide. This also includes a stop for tacos and drinks before you head to the arena. 

👉 Save your seat at a Lucha Libre show

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Another great live show option is to catch a ballet, opera, symphony or other such performance at the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. 

You can view upcoming show times and book tickets here, and you’ll see these tickets generally include round trip transportation to and from the venue. I definitely count this as another bonus for solo travelers who might be uncomfortable being out and about alone after dark in  Mexico City. 

👉 Check prices and availability for upcoming shows

Best Day Trips from Mexico City 

Want to embark on a day trip from Mexico City as part of your itinerary? Here are my top picks!

Las Grutas de Tolantongo 

Spend a full yet relaxing day exploring the hot springs of Mexico with this guided grutas de tolantongo experience. My sister and I took this day trip on our most recent trip to Mexico City and absolutely loved it! You can read all about our experience here. 

👉 Take a Grutas de Tolantongo Day Tour 

Teotihuacán Pyramids

If you’re into history and archeology, then don’t miss a day trip to the Teotihuacán Pyramids. There are a couple options of tours you could book for this experience depending on your preferences. I’ve done a lot of digging on this for the best tour experiences so let me share what I’ve found. 

With hot air balloon ride

First, one of the most popular experiences is booking a tour option that includes a hot air balloon flight over the pyramids. If you’re not afraid of heights and want this epic experience then book this tour. 

Many of the balloon ride + Teotihuacán tours stop at a different restaurant that is inside a cave – which is cool but also feels like a tourist trap.

This is one reason I’m recommending this tour instead, but note that it also has its touristy moments (scheduled stop at a gift shop, trying to sell you photos / drone footage from balloon flight, etc). 

If you really want the balloon ride experience, which actually seems worthwhile to be honest, then book this tour and set expectations. Be sure to book the all inclusive option to also get the informative tour of the archeological sites. 

👉 Book a Balloon Flight with Teotihuacan Tour

With culinary experience

If the hot air balloon ride is not your thing, this is the best guided Teotihuacán Pyramids tour I’ve found and is probably the one I’d personally take myself. It includes a deep dive of the site and subterranean caves with an expert guide, and ends with a 5-course meal! You can even opt into a mezcal and tequila tasting.

👉 Book the Teotihuacán Pyramids, Caves & Culinary Experience

Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla

To see colonial architecture, archaeological sites, churches and to bask in historical charm, book this day tour. You’ll visit three key sites in one day, experiencing (and eating great food in) a different side of Mexico.

👉 Visit Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla

Where to Stay in Mexico City Solo

For a comfortable stay as a solo traveler, prioritize safety and location. Here are some recommendations for what areas to stay in, as well as specific hotel suggestions:

In Polanco: Pug Seal Polanco Anatole France

Polanco is the most upscale neighborhood in Mexico City. If you want to feel secure and be close to plenty of luxury shopping, stay in this area. This is the area I stayed in on my very first visit to Mexico City. 

Pug Seal Polanco is a great hotel option in this neighborhood that offers free bikes, private parking, tranquil garden and terrace, concierge services and more as a 5-star property. 

🏨 Check prices and availability for your travel dates

In Centro Histórico: Zócalo Central

On my most recent visit to Mexico City, with my sister, we stayed at Zócalo Central in the historic center. I had previously visited the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Balcón del Zócalo, and mentally bookmarked the property for a future stay because I found it so charming. 

We really enjoyed our stay here, and having a beautiful restaurant right on the property to go to for meals was definitely a highlight. 

🏨 Check prices and availability for your travel dates

In Condesa / Roma Norte: Hotel Casa Cuenca

If you want to stay near the nightlife, or simply in a picturesque part of the city then look into the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Here you’ll find some great cafes, pretty buildings and tree-lined streets to meander through. 

The beautifully designed Hotel Casa Cuenca offers a quiet yet centrally located home base in the area.

🏨 Check prices and availability for your travel dates

Safety Tips for Mexico City 

Since I know this is a top concern for us solo travelers, perhaps especially so when visiting Mexico, I’ve written a whole separate guide to solo travel safety in Mexico. Here are just a few additional tips to bear in mind: 

Stick to bottled water 

While you shouldn’t have any issues brushing your teeth with tap water, you definitely shouldn’t drink the stuff. Remember to stick with bottled water for hydration instead. 

Be aware of altitude 

Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,349 feet or 2,240 meters above sea level. It’s possible you might experience some degree of altitude sickness when visiting. 

For what it’s worth, I’ve never once had any issues myself (from Chicago) but it’s worth being aware of the potential discomfort. If you’re worried, be extra mindful of your alcohol intake your first couple days.

Ubers vs taxis? 

Aside from taking a taxi from the airport into the city itself, I stick to Uber and recommend you do the same. Avoid hailing a taxi in Mexico City and instead, use a rideshare app since it will document the details of your trip and offer price transparency. 

How to Get Around in Mexico City Alone

Mexico City is fairly walkable. Avoid walking alone after dark, and avoid walking alone in isolated areas. Apart from that, walking is one great way to get around. 

However, the city is quite large. I often rely on Ubers for getting from one neighborhood to another. 

From what I hear, Mexico City has a decent public transportation system. To date, I have yet to try it out for myself though. I’ll be sure to update you here if and once I do give it a go.

What to Wear in Mexico City

As it is a big city, people tend to dress in a put-together way in Mexico City. You can find my complete guide for how to dress in Mexico City but for now, my staples when I visit include:

• Jeans – very commonly seen, go with everything, can be dressed up or down 
• Maxi dresses – I feel most comfortable and confident in more conservative dresses when visiting Mexico City. Maxi dresses are comfortable, respectful yet feminine and keep me cool in warmer temperatures 
• Sweater or light jacket – depending on the season, especially useful in evenings 
• Comfortable shoes, like sneakers or sturdy sandals, for lots of walking
• Flats – in case I want a nicer shoe for dinner or a show. I avoid heels in general but especially while traveling

FAQ: Spending 4 Days in Mexico City

Here are some wrap up thoughts to consider as you plan your visit: 

Is 4 days in Mexico City enough? 

While it is vast and there is definitely plenty to do, you can see a fair amount and get a good feel for the city by spending 4 days in Mexico City.

What is the best month to visit Mexico City?

If you want to avoid rainy season, visit Mexico City sometime between December and April. On my most recent trip to Mexico, I was there during the month of February and that was perfect. 

Final Thoughts: 4 Days in Mexico City Solo Itinerary

There is so much to eat, explore and experience in the cultural hub that is Mexico City and I’m excited that you’re planning to visit. 

I know this itinerary will serve you well with a great mix of leisurely wandering and structured sightseeing. Go and make the most of your visit, and feel free to send me a message afterward to share your trip highlights!