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Mexico is a hugely diverse country and Mexico City reflects that in its seemingly endless list of things to see and do here. This roundup of 29 pretty, unique, and interesting Instagram spots around Mexico City will take you through all of the best that the capital has to offer, including:
- Ornate architecture
- Quirky museums
- Traditional boat rides
- National parks
- Ancient ruins
- Pueblo Magicos
- and so much more!
The list is roughly sorted by neighborhood so you can find the Instagram spots near you in this massive city of 8.8 million people at any given time.
Plus, at the end, you’ll also find a map with the location of each and every Instagram spot around Mexico City marked so you can easily find your favorites. So bookmark this post, grab your camera, and go capture the best Instagram spots around Mexico City!
1. The Charming Streets of Condesa
Neighborhood: Condesa
Street: Calle Ometusco
Condesa is by far my favorite neighborhood in Mexico City. I’m lucky enough to live here and get to walk the quaint streets every day.
The best part of Condesa is the greenery, which makes the whole area feel like an urban jungle shrouded in nature. You could easily spend a day just capturing the quiet, hidden corners of Condesa with your camera – if you do, add the nearby Instagram spots below to your route.
2. Churreria El Moro
Neighborhood: Condesa
This is the first and oldest churreria in Mexico City.
The chain was started in the Centro Historico and has expanded to Roma, Condesa, Polanco and beyond. All of the shops are pretty with Insta-perfect pale blue and white tiles walls and of course, the churros are beyond amazing as well.
Plus, they only cost 24 mxn / 1.25 usd for an order of four so there’s no excuse not to indulge after getting the perfect shot!
3. Bookstore Fondo de Cultura Economica
Neighborhood: Condesa
I can’t pass a bookstore without going inside, and they usually end up being great photo ops as well. This one is ultra-modern and the clean lines give it a sci-fi vibe that I love.
Maybe it’s not a typical Instagram spot around Mexico City that you might expect, but beautiful nonetheless.
4. Parque Mexico
Neighborhood: Condesa
Condesa is my favorite neighborhood and the sprawling greenery of Parque Mexico is my favorite park.
It covers an insane 22 acres and has statues, paths, fountains, bridges, and flower-covered arbors for a lengthy photoshoot, and – my weakness – lots of adorable dogs. On Sundays, there’s even an adoption event in the mornings where you can give tons of puppies and kittens some love.
5. Comedor de los Milagros
Neighborhood: Roma
The market/restaurant/bar is so photogenic.
Whether you want to snap a plate of traditional food, an over-the-top cocktail, or you and your love on a date under the lights, Comedor de los Milagros is one of the most unknown Instagram spots around Mexico City.
Located in the trendy Roma neighborhood, it’s the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and some photos before exploring more!
6. MUJAM (Museum on Antique Mexican Toys)
Neighborhood: Doctores (near Roma)
Entrance: 50 mxn / 2.50 usd
The outside of the MUJAM museum is covered in multiple stories of fun and colorful murals and the inside is five floors packed full of antique and at times pretty creepy Mexican toys.
From the life-size robot to the wall of dolls to the spooky mask collection and everything in between, the MUJAM museum is an endless opportunity for unique Instagram photos in Mexico City.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to visiting the MUJAM toy museum.
7. Lucha Libre Match at Arena Mexico
Neighborhood: Doctores
Entrance: 100 mxn / 5 usd and up
Speaking of over-the-top and colorful events, Lucha Libre embodies those two qualities to a tee. Head to Arena Mexico and get a seat near the front row where you can capture the sweat, grit, and all-around comedy gold that is the one and only Lucha Libre show.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to the colorful and crazy world of Lucha Libre.
8. Chapultepec Castle
Neighborhood: Between Condesa and Polanco
Entrance: 70 mxn / 3.50 usd
Skyline views?
Yes, please.
The Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park serves up 360-degree skyline views with gates, gardens, statues, and sprawling balconies in the foreground to make the photos even more magical.
Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds that descend on Sundays and then walk around the rest of the park to find more beautiful places for your ‘gram before you go. Did you know it’s one of the biggest urban parks in Latin America?!
Click here to explore eight more things to do in Chapultepec Park.
9. Museo Soumaya
Neighborhood: Polanco
Entrance: Free
I think this building really speaks for itself. While most Instagram spots around Mexico City focus on the old architecture in the Centro Historico (we’re getting there, I promise) there’s also plenty of more modern buildings that deserve your attention.
Museo Soumaya is so unique and unforgettable that it’s definitely worth a stop on your Instagram hunt through the city. And, Museo Jumex right next door has a two-story ballerina statue out front that just might catch your fancy as well.
Use this nine-stop walking route through Polanco (including Museo Soumaya and the aviary below) to see the top sites!
10. Lincoln Park Aviary
Neighborhood: Polanco
This tiny aviary in Lincoln Park is such a hidden gem.
If you haven’t heard of it, you’ll pass right by without noticing. But, for only a seven peso entrance fee, those in the know can photograph hundreds of brightly colored parrots, peacocks, and other birds right here in Mexico City.
11. Palacio de Bellas Artes
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
Ok, now we’re getting into some of the most iconic Instagram spots around Mexico City. Nothing tells this city’s story more elegantly than the Palacio de Bellas Artes which has become almost synonymous with the country’s capital.
If you’re patient, you just may get a photo with no one in it. If you’re impatient, head across the street to the Don Porfirio Cafe to snap an aerial shot of the building from above!
12. Palacio Postal
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
Right across the street from the Palacio de Bellas Artes sits an extravagant… post office? Don’t worry, it’s all part of the charm.
I promise when you head inside to take a picture in front of the sprawling stairs and gold-trimmed-everything, you’ll feel much more like you’re in a European castle and not just any old government building.
13. Metropolitan Cathedral
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
The Metropolitan Cathedral looms over one side of the Central Zocolo Square and is impossible to miss.
It’s the biggest church in Mexico and both the interior and the exterior deserve some attention with your camera because the intricate work is truly out of this world. If you can visit the Centro Historico during the week, you’ll have a much better chance for photo ops without crowds of people.
14. Lively Streets of Downtown Mexico City
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
Street: Calle del Correo Mayor
Even if you can only visit the Centro Historico on the weekend, this part of the city exudes its own charm when it’s packed full of people.
Wander the cobblestone streets and snap photos of the lively crowds and old architecture that somehow just mesh together perfectly under the Mexican sun.
15. This Fabulous Door
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
Street: Justo Sierra
Need I say more?
This door is fabulous and it deserves to be commemorated on your Instagram forever. You can find it on Justo Sierra street behind the Templo Mayor Museum and right near the ruins below.
16. Templo Mayor Aztec Ruins
Neighborhood: Centro Historico
These ruins have a pretty crazy history.
The Zocalo Square was the ceremonial center of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and when the Spanish came they took over and built their own churches on top of it as invaders tend to do.
Fast forward to today and archeologists, knowing this history, suspected there was a massive Aztec pyramid buried somewhere nearby but they couldn’t find it – until some builders dug into it in the ’80s. They knocked down four city blocks and excavated this behemoth which you can still see if you don’t want to pay for entrance into the official Templo Mayor Museum.
Can you spot the snake statues?
They were located at the bottom of the pyramid where the Aztecs performed human sacrifices. They ripped out some very unfortunate citizens’ still-beating hearts to please the gods and then threw the dismembered body to the snakes below. Pretty metal.
17. Diablos Rojos Baseball Game
Neighborhood: Granjas Mexico
Tickets: 50 mxn / 2.50 usd and up
Sorry, is my American showing?
Dan loves baseball and I love Dan so we go to baseball games often in the US, but this was our first one abroad. Mexico City has a Triple A League affiliated with the MLB in the US so the teams are pretty good and the Alfredo Harp Helu stadium was super nice.
This is the perfect place to spend a relaxing Sunday Funday in the sun, snap some iconic baseball pics, and catch a game if you’re traveling from countries where the sport isn’t as popular.
Use this step-by-step guide to see a Diablos Rojos baseball game in Mexico City.
18. Cineteca Nacional
Neighborhood: Coyoacan
I’m partial to this building just because it’s so interesting. If you’re into architecture photography the Cineteca Nacional building will keep you mesmerized for hours.
Plus, it’s in walking distance from Central Coyoacan which has its own wealth of photo opportunities!
19. San Juan Bautista Church + Central Coyoacan
Neighborhood: Coyoacan
Both the interior and exterior of the San Juan Bautista Church in central Coyoacan are beautiful. And this church is surrounded by the pretty squares, gardens, cute shops, colorful markets, and lively streets that make Coyoacan so special.
Use this list of the 18 best things to do in Coyocan to see and photograph the rest of the neighborhood once you’re here!
20. Estadio Azteca
Neighborhood: Coyoacan
Tickets: 150 mxn / 7.50 usd and up
If you’ve never been to a soccer game before, catching one at the 7th biggest stadium in the world is a good place to start.
Both the Club America and Cruz Azul teams play at Estadio Azteca in the outer reaches of the Coyoacan neighborhood and this 87,000 seat stadium makes the perfect backdrop for sporty photos whether you’re a soccer fan or not.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to catching a Club America game at Estadio Azteca.
21. Biblioteca Vasconcelos
Neighborhood: Guerrero
Yeah.
This photo pretty much speaks for itself. Biblioteca Vasconcelos is definitely one of the best Instagram spots around Mexico City because the architecture is unbelievable.
Every corner presents a new shot and the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it vibe that the library exudes in buckets is just too good to miss.
22. Ex Convento Desierto de Los Leones
Location: Desierto de Los Leones National Park / 45 minutes from Mexico City by Uber
Entrance: 17 mxn / 1 usd
It was hard to narrow down my many beautiful shots of Ex Convento Desierto de Los Leones to just one for this article.
Go in the morning for photos of the 400-year-old abandoned convent shrouded in mist (it opens at ten) and then explore the perfectly manicured grounds and ancient walls while you ponder the foreboding building’s many secrets.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to visiting Ex Convento Desierto de Los Leones.
23. Hiking in Desierto de Los Leones National Park
Location: Desierto de Los Leones National Park / 45 minutes from Mexico City by Uber
After you explore the convent, don’t miss the Desierto de Los Leones park spread out around you.
Miles of forest and trails are just waiting to be discovered, and though there are many you can choose from, this guide will take you to the top of Cerro San Miguel, the highest peak in the park at 12,434 feet.
24. Xochimilco Boats
Neighborhood: Xonchimilco / 45 minutes from Mexico City by Uber
Entrance: Boats cost 400 to 500 mxn / 20 to 25 usd per hour rental
The timelapse above is just a glimpse in the colorful and lively world of the Xochimilco canals. Every weekend thousands of visitors – Mexicans and tourists alike – descend on the canals to eat, drink, and be merry on the boats that not-so-peacefully splash through the water.
If you want a shot that truly captures the heart and spirit of Mexico, the Xochimilco canals are the best place to go in Mexico City.
25. El Pica 1 Barbacoa Restaurant
Location: Texcoco / 45 minutes from Mexico City by bus
Calling all foodies!
El Pica 1 is in the countryside of Texcoco and arguably serves up the best barbacoa in the country.
It’s cool because it’s a whole marketplace and everything is draped in greenery and you can see the pit and the cooks in the early morning smoke and I’m rambling but what I’m trying to say is it’s more than just a restaurant, it’s a whole experience. And, of course, the food itself is spectacular as well.
If you’re into food photography, take a half-day away from Mexico City and visit El Pica 1 for some breakfast tacos and unique shots on the weekend.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to visiting El Pica 1 from Mexico City.
26. Texcotzingo Ruins
Location: Texcoco / 45 minutes from Mexico City by bus
Another great thing about El Pica 1 is that the restaurant is in walking distance to the Texcotzingo ruins.
So you can get some nature photos of the surrounding mountains and rolling hills, the 600-year-old baths and ruins on top of the mountain, and even sprawling Mexico City in the distance under her classic coat of smog.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to visiting Texcoco and climbing the Texcotzingo ruins.
27. Teotihuacan Ruins
Location: 1 hour from Mexico City by bus
Entrance: 75 mxn / 4 usd
These are one of the most photogenic places in Mexico City and I only have a terrible shot because it was so freakin’ hot and crowded when we went that I just couldn’t muster up the energy for anything better.
But listen.
I can’t find a definitive source to back this up but Wikipedia states that the Teotihuacan pyramids are the third biggest in the world after the pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Cholula pyramid in Puebla.
And they’re extra awesome because you can climb to the top of them for insane shots of the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon, and the Avenue of the Dead that runs through the center of this ancient compound.
28. Izta Popo National Park
Location: 1 hour from Mexico City by bus
Izta Popo National Park is my happy place in Mexico City.
If you’re a nature photographer – don’t miss it. Popo and Izta are the second and third tallest mountains in Mexico respectively and Popo is still an active volcano that spurts out cute lil’ puffs of smoke as you pass by.
The hike is beyond stunning and a nice way to get some fresh air after all the smog in Mexico City as well.
Click here for the step-by-step guide to hiking in Izta-Popo National Park.
29. Tepoztlan + Tepozteco Ruins
Location: Tepoztlan / 1.5 hours from Mexico City by bus
Last but certainly not least on my list of the best Instagram spots around Mexico City is the Pueblo Magico of Tepoztlan.
It’s about an hour and a half from Mexico City by bus but it’s worth the effort. The town has markets and a convent and cobblestone streets and a quick trek up a mountain will take you to the Tepozteco ruins with sprawling views as well.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to visiting Tepoztlan.
Map of the Best Instagram Spots Around Mexico City
Each entry on this extensive list of Insta spots in Mexico City also lists the neighborhood to help you organize your photo quest through the city, but this map can guide you as well.
Explore what’s around you in the Centro Historico and popular Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, but don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path where ruins, volcanoes, and unforgettable experiences (and photographs) await!
Ready to go? Explore unique stays on Airbnb or the top-rated hotels on Booking.com to plan the perfect night, weekend, or long-term stay in the city!
This article is part of the Miscellaneous Mexico City series. Read the rest below:
Mexico City Travel Guide: What to Do in Mexico City
12 Things to do in Mexico City at Night (On Any Budget)
14 Best Day Trips from Mexico City
8 Best Places to Live in Mexico: Ranked
How to See the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Mexico
The Gringos Guide to Xochimilco Boats in Mexico City
Or, check out the complete Mexico Series for 40+ more articles on what to see, eat, drink, do, and discover in the country.
Did you know every time you read an article on Slight North, you're also planting trees for the monarchs in Mexico? Start here to learn more about our mission and how to get the most out of the site!
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