< Go Back

12-Hour Layover Itinerary

Your perfect Mexico City 12-hour Layover Itinerary

Fortunately, a 12-hour layover itinerary for Mexico City can include the short time it takes to get from the airport into the city-center. It's not that far away!

You really can get back to the airport - having seen and experienced a lot of Mexico City - even in just a few hours.

For those totally new to Mexico City, the Centro Histórico makes the most sense, as it's the very heart of the city.
For basics on getting downtown and getting around, see the Essential City Guide which has loads of details.
All of the places listed in the itinerary are repeated, and more browsable at the bottom of this page.

8 AM: The Zócalo

One can easily arrive to the Zócalo from the Airport, by taxi, Metrobus, or Metro. From the Zócalo, you can't miss the Palacio Nacional. It makes up the entire east side of the Zócalo and it's a good way to get your bearings.

The Metropolitan Cathedral will deeply interest those pursuing colonial history, and those with an interest in art and architecture.

Palacio de Correos
La Casa de los Azulejos
Alameda Central & Bellas Artes
The Diego Rivera Mural Museum
- Alt1: Nearby is the Museo Kaluz
- Alt2: And the Laboratorio Arte Alameda
- Alt3: Just want to chill? The Barrio Alameda on the very west-end of the Alameda has a perfect roof garden._.
La Ciudadela - From the Alameda, one need only head south through the neighborhood of San Juan Moyotlan to souvenir heaven.