Welcome to Mexico City - the third largest urban centre in the world. Steeped in layers of pre-hispanic, colonial and modern day arts and culture, the city blesses adventurous travelers with a wealth of history. On a Mexico City tour, your friendly local guide will help you navigate this fascinating city with ease.

Start getting acquainted with Mexico City in the Zocalo, the city's ancient heart. The thriving public plaza is flanked by landmarks such as the Great Aztec Temple, Metropolitan Cathedral and Palacio Nacional. Your guided tour takes you through the charming cobbled streets around San Jacinto Plaza to browse its thriving art market. Then spend your evening mesmerized by a world-class opera performance at the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes.

You can choose from the Mexico City tours offered by ToursByLocals, but feel free to suggest alternative sights and activities. Your guide wants you to leave Mexico City feeling you've really explored this incredible urban jungle.

Mexico-City

In this tour, I want to tell you about the rich history of Chapultepec Park, from the Aztec era to the turbulent 19th century. I'll provide you insights about the final battle of the Mexican-American War that took place in 1847 and talk about the "Boy Heroes".

I'll also be showing you some interesting Aztec vestiges and take you to the monument to the Pilots of the 201st Fighter Squadron during WWII.

We'll also visit the residence of the second emperor of Mexico: Maximilian of Habsburg, where we'll will admire a mural by the famous Mexican monumental painter David Alfaro Siqueiros.

We'll marvel at the Imperial Russian treasures, along with Maximilian's neo-baroque carriage and some of Napoleon III's gifts to the Emperor. 

We'll get to explore rooms once occupied by Maximilian and his wife, and years later by President Porfirio Díaz.

We'll also  enjoy panoramic views to the former Promenade of the Empress and the gardens of the palace.

If you'd like to stay longer after the tour, feel free to do so!

Cost per ticket, per person to enter the Palace.

The Mexican Imperial Palace of Maximilian of Habsburg

Chapultepec Castle - Private Walking Tour

A brief history of Mexico City's most iconic pieces of architecture

In this tour you will be inmersed in Mexico city's history, art and architecture. You will love and breath the ancient Mexico but also the modern one. You will have a superb time with the stories I will tell you and the "hidden" places we will visit.

Visit Fine Arts Palace: most important theater and cultural center in Mexico that has amazing murals to admire (Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jose Clemente Orozco, Tamayo), Alameda Park, Postal Palace: very impressive piece of architecture, Horses square, House of Tiles: historic building in Mexico city, then walk through Madero St and get to the Main Square of Mexico City (Zocalo). Visit the Cathedral and a short view of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan.

Private Half Day Walking Tour Downtown

In this private tour you'll be seduced by the constructions with their noble dimensions and serene geometry. Equally stunning are the walls, plazas, fountains and gardens.

Likewise, we drive towards North to visit the Towers of Satellite, Los Clubes comprising Egerstrom House, the Stables San Cristobal, considered one of Barragan's masterpieces, one of Barragan's most important works, 20 miles from Mexico City center. Our last visit is Casa Gilardi, the last house that Luis Barragan designed and regarded as his testament.

The compositional game between blind and perforated walls create an experience, and this is accentuated by the sound of moving water, the ground floor and odors of vegetation selected by the same architect. We shall see his own style and understand the essence of beauty, inspiration, serenity, mystery, silence and privacy; principles that were important for Barragan as fundamental base for his architecture.

Private half day tour of Luis Barragan's architecture of senses and emotions

Cuadra San Cristobal and Casa Gilardi

Join me on this must-see tour of Mexico City, where we'll delve into the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Aztec culture. I'll share my passion for the architectural treasures and intangible heritage of New Spain, as well as the traditions, beliefs, and ruins of the magnificent Aztec civilization.

Gathering at the iconic Palace of Fine Arts, we'll discuss Mexican architecture and culture. As we walk through historic streets, I'll point out to colonial treasures, share about the transformation of Mexico over the centuries and provide insights into contemporary life. 

We'll explore the enduring Spanish traditions among Mexicans, the impact of the anti-religious wars, and significant landmarks like the Constitution Square ("Zocalo") and the Aztec ruins of the Templo Mayor. 

Along the way, I'll provide vital tips for navigating the city, safe routes, pointing out places to avoid (tourist traps).

We'll also uncover legends and hidden stories inside the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The stones speak in Nahuatl and Baroque Spanish

The City of the Palaces - Express Walking Tour

Mexico City ArchiTour - from Barragan to Diego Rivera

Ever wondered why Mexican architecture is world famous? Discover it now in this comprehensive two day tour! From the colonial time when Mexico City got its nickname "city of palaces", over the early 20th century art-nouveau and art-déco, to works by renowned architect Luis Barragán (Pritzker and UNESCO awards), to me a master of light and colour, and his followers.

Some contemporary central highlights include mural art by Diego Rivera, projects by rising stars Enrique Norten or Michael Rojkind, and a library or fire station by Alberto Kalach.

On the second day, I want to show you the lesser known south of the city. The UNESCO world heritage site of the National University UNAM is to me a magical play of modernist buildings, integrated landscape planning and pre columbian materials. Nearby, we discover colonial gems of San Angel and the first building built according to Le Corbusier in 1932. You'll also be surprised by the amount of public art, and much more.

entrance fees at museums and galleries visited during the tour.

Gran Hotel de México - art nouveau iron and glass work

National Lottery - early example of Art Deco

Diego Rivera studio house - first functionalist building in Mexico

A private 2 day discovery to Mexico's architecture and arts (classic, modern and contemporary)

Private tour to get into a world of senses and emotions, a sensual architecture in harmony. Conceive its dynamism in the treatment of architectural elements, forms and spaces, specially in the walls and interiors. See his own style and understand the essence of beauty, inspiration, serenity, mystery, silence and privacy; principles that were important for Barragan as fundamental base for his architecture. Be stroke by colors that give brilliant spaces that profile the figures within the optic field.

Barragan created a "sacred precinct", an interior space of the chapel in which measure, proportion, light and color combine to form a place of emotion, prayer and faith. The convent and chapel are in excellent condition, thanks to the constant attention of the nuns.

Jardines del Pedregal was one of Barragan's greatest creations, which provoked a radical change in the design of new urban developments. With the Prieto Lopez house, Barragan consolidated a modern language of traditional Mexican architecture.

Luis Barragan's Architecture Half Day Tour

Chapel of Capuchines and Casa Pedregal

In this private tour you'll be seduced by the constructions with their noble dimensions and serene geometry. Equally stunning are the walls, plazas, fountains and gardens.

Likewise, we drive towards North to visit the Towers of Satellite, Los Clubes comprising Egerstrom House, San Cristobal Stables , considered one of Barragan's masterpieces, one of Barragan's most important works, 20 miles from Mexico City center.

The compositional game between blind and perforated walls create an experience, and this is accentuated by the sound of moving water, the ground floor and odors of vegetation selected by the same architect. We shall see his own style and understand the essence of beauty, inspiration, serenity, mystery, silence and privacy; principles that were important for Barragan as fundamental base for his architecture.

Half day outdoors private tour of Luis Barragan's architecture for contemplation

Cuadra San Cristobal in the Northwest of Mexico City

This private tour is perfect for art lovers, architects, designers, landscapers, botanicals and people interested in the works of Luis Barragan. Not only, you'll be introduced into Barragan's own style and understand the essence of his architecture, but also you'll be immersed in a peaceful atmosphere.

Gilardi house is considered his architectural testament where his expression achieves a particularly significant synthesis. It shows how Barragan's extraordinary compositional abilities were perfectly suited to buildings of relatively smaill size.

The garden of Ortega house is one of the most significant examples of modern landscape. Luis Barragan designed the gardens next to this first residence of his that he later sold. There are patios and loggias surrounding the house and gardens. Each one of these spaces of great beauty sequently composes a trajectory that surprises at each step consisting of a series of open rooms, pathways, stone resting places, copies of classical sculptures and religious images.

Xochimilco tours

Explore with 8 tours and 4 guides.

Arturo E.

$ 177 (USD)

Jacqueline Q.

$ 300 (USD)

Monica Y.

$ 550 (USD)

Arturo E.

$ 127 (USD)

Jonas V.

$ 731 (USD)

Monica Y.

$ 550 (USD)

Monica Y.

$ 520 (USD)

Monica Y.

$ 450 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Xochimilco

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