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Offered languages
- English
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Spanish
Mexico City was built on top of itself. The Aztec capital stood on an island in a lake; the Spanish city was laid out on its ruins; the modern city rose on both, and all of it is slowly sinking into the old lakebed.
This walk shows you the layers. Start facing the Palacio Nacional, cross the Zócalo, look down into the excavated Templo Mayor, stand before the cathedral built from its stones, then follow Calle Madero west to the Torre Latinoamericana and the marble Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Along the way: how a lost temple was found by electricians in 1978, why the cathedral leans, and how a skyscraper stands on mud.
Self-guided, so the walk is yours: 8 stops, about 2 km, about 90 minutes at an easy pace, with English and Spanish audio and a live GPS map. No group, no guide, no set start time.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
No guide or driver will meet you. Before you go, open www.roamer.travel/redeem on your phone and enter your Viator booking reference. The tour opens in your browser, no app needed. Then go to the flagpole in the center of the Zócalo, face the Palacio Nacional whenever you like, and press play.
The tour ends at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the white marble opera house at the edge of the Alameda Central. From here you have the park, cafes, the Torre Latinoamericana across the street, and Bellas Artes metro station right beside you.
Itinerary
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Palacio Nacional de Mexico (Pass by)
Test
Admission ticket free -
Zocalo (Pass by)
One of the largest public squares in the world, and the center of power for seven hundred years. Often full of markets, concerts or marches: that is the point.
Admission ticket free -
Museo del Templo Mayor (Pass by)
The great Aztec temple, found by electricians in 1978. Look down into the excavation for free from the plaza beside it; the site and museum are ticketed.
Admission ticket free -
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (Pass by)
The largest cathedral in the Americas, 250 years in the making, partly built with stones from the Aztec temple and sinking unevenly into the old lakebed.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The pawnshop founded in 1775 on the northwest corner of the Zócalo, on the site where the Aztec emperor hosted Cortés as a guest.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
One of the first streets of the Spanish city, now a busy pedestrian street. Walk it west past churches, palaces and the tiled Casa de los Azulejos.
Admission ticket free -
Torre Latinoamericana (Pass by)
The 1956 skyscraper that stands on lakebed mud and has come through the city's great earthquakes. Its top-floor lookout is optional and ticketed.
Admission ticket free -
Palacio de Bellas Artes (Pass by)
The marble palace of the arts: begun in 1904, finished thirty years later, European outside and Mexican modern within. The end of the walk.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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