Their prophecies announced that they would recognize the spot when they encountered an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus and holding a snake in its beak. They settled on what was then an island in shallow Lake Texcoco and connected it to lakeshore satellite towns by a network of calzadas canals and causeways, now freeways.
Even then it was the largest city in the western hemisphere and, according to historians, one of the three largest cities on Earth. A combination of factors made the Spanish conquest possible. Thus, Moctezuma welcomed the foreigner with gifts of gold and palatial accommodations.
He was backed by a huge army of Indians from other settlements such as Cholula and Tlaxcala, who saw a chance to end their submission to the Aztec empire. Mexico comes from Mexica pronounced meh -shee-ka , which was the Aztecs' name for themselves.
Aztec is the Spaniards' name for the Mexica. He utilized the slave labor -- and the artistry -- of the vanquished native Mexicans. The affluent Polanco neighborhood, also makes a great base, with its luxury hotels and upscale restaurants. Here are some highly rated hotels in these convenient locations:. Taking an organized tour is the best way to see Mexico City's top attractions and a convenient way to enjoy day trips to surrounding sites.
Guided tours save you time navigating the city's traffic-clogged streets, plus you can learn about the history and culture of the city. These sightseeing tours all include expert guides, entrance fees, and round-trip transportation. Mexico Travel Guide. See also: Where to Stay in Mexico City Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
Chapultepec Park Chapultepec Park Bosque de Chapultepec is Mexico City's principal park, and covering an area of more than four square kilometers, it is also its largest. Alameda Central Alameda Central Alameda Central, a shady and beautifully kept park with many splendid fountains and sculptures, was laid out in on the site of a once busy Aztec market.
A dazzling stained-glass ceiling caps the elegant lobby. Near Polanco and just a short walk to the Chapultepec Castle, the St.
Regis overlooks Paseo de la Reforma and occupies a sleek modern building with contemporary decor to match. The name says it all when it comes to location at the Zocalo Central , in an elegant building dating from the late 19th century.
Some rooms score a bird's-eye view over this famous square. A few blocks from Paseo de la Reforma, Hotel Bristol is popular for its friendly service and comfortable rooms, while the modern City Express Plus Reforma El Angel is a short cab ride away from the historical center. Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Mexico City Taking an organized tour is the best way to see Mexico City's top attractions and a convenient way to enjoy day trips to surrounding sites.
You'll also have a chance to wander at leisure through Chapultepec, a more than 2,acre city park with museums, attractions, and botanical gardens. Hotel pickup and drop-off is also included from most centrally located hotels. Better still, a private archaeologist guides you through the top sites, including the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, Sun Pyramid, and Moon Pyramid.
After exploring these ancient temples, the tour takes you to an obsidian workshop to see local artisans at work. This hour tour includes a hike up the intermediate trail of this dormant volcano, stopping short of the 5,meter summit to admire the panorama.
Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Mexico City Map - Attractions Historical. More on Mexico Mexico Travel Guide. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws. The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, built over a period of more than years, is the largest in the Americas and combines Renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical architectural styles.
Farmers constructed reed rafts on the lake, slathered them with mud, and cultivated fruits, vegetables, and flowers right on the water. Over time, the gardens rooted and became islands. On weekends, trajineras , brightly decorated flat-bottom boats, carry passengers through the canals. Small boats also navigate the waterways, delivering drinks and snacks to lively passengers. Lining the Avenue of the Dead, the monumental Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon stretch across the valley in geometric patterns—a model of urbanization and city planning that guided subsequent cultures.
The towering structures represent only 10 percent of the total surface, a testament to one of the largest and most powerful cultural and artistic centers in Mesoamerica.
In fact, this site is so awe-inspiring, some people believe it was built by aliens. Mexico City has more than museums and galleries.
Other attractions in the sprawling park include botanical gardens, a modern art museum, Tamayo Museum, and National Museum of Anthropology. Outside the main entrance of the anthropology museum, costumed entertainers perform the ancient rite of the voladores fliers , in which four instrument-wielding men swing around a tall pole as if they were flying.
Across from the plaza, the early 16th-century San Juan Bautista Cathedral towers into the sky, while vendors peddle toys and snacks outside. Sit down for some classic Mexican cuisine at Los Danzantes , and enjoy the scene.
A minute walk from the plaza leads to La Casa Azul the Blue House , the former home of Mexican icon Frida Kahlo, which was converted into a museum after her death. Fifty regional cuisines from across the country can be found in Mexico City. Adventurous eaters should order the delicacy, chapulines , or dried grasshoppers. Mexico City has got nightlife for any age, taste and orientation, from the many gay bars that line the streets of the Zona Rosa, to the fancier, buy-a-bottle nightclubs of the swanky Polanco district.
Whether you like reggae , reggaeton or even jazz, you can easily find a spot to wile the night away with a craft beer , cocktail or traditional mezcal. Speaking of the Mexico City drinking scene, the capital is the ideal location to taste test not just the classics like tequila and mezcal, but also some lesser-known Mexican beverages.
No guide to why you should visit Mexico City would be complete without mentioning just how affordable it is for the average tourist or traveller. While flights from outside the US can be a bit pricier, this initial upfront cost is balanced quickly by the cheap food, affordable accommodation and budget drinking options. Twinkling lights stretch as far as the eye can see, crawling up the mountains that hem in the city on all sides.
Most people know that the centre is largely dominated by the sprawl of Bosque de Chapultepec, but few people realise that there are actually tons of national parks within the limits of Mexico City that allow you the chance to escape the rat race.
If you think you have to slum it in a hostel while in Mexico City, think again. Design hotels are growing in popularity in the Mexican capital. Sparked by a boom in tourism, areas like Polanco , Roma and Condesa are filled to the brim with luxury and boutique accommodation options.
In fact, some of them are incredibly cool.
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