Mexico might be renowned as a beach lover’s ideal destination, yet the allure for history lovers is even greater. With a capital city built atop the ruins of ancient empires, a head-spinning array of sensational pre-Columbian ruins, world-famous pyramids, enchanting colonial architecture, and even perfectly marketed pueblos mágicos, Mexico is an irresistible magnet for history buffs. The very best places to visit in Mexico to soak up the magic? Here are the top 10 I would recommend.
1. Historic Center of Mexico City
Not many capital cities in Latin America have managed to not let modernity gentrify it to oblivion. Mexico City is undoubtedly one of them. Gritty, chaotic, colorful, and captivating, Mexico City also offers a journey through time. This veritable megacity manages to blend its indigenous and colonial pasts into a rich cultural mosaic. Be warned: it takes a couple of days to acclimate to the pace (and noise) here, so don’t think you will be “done and out” so fast. On the upside, Mexico City is surprisingly easy to navigate by metro. The downside? You would need to move here for six months to truly appreciate and experience all its historical highlights.
One of the world’s largest public squares, Zócalo, is at the heart of Mexico City’s historic core — architectural gems like the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace frame the plaza. You can actually visit the palace, where you’ll see a spectacular panoramic mural painted by Diego Riviera (Frida Khalo’s husband) depicting Mexico’s history.
Soak up the architectural delights of Avenida Francisco I and climb up to the top of Torre Latinoamericana for jaw-dropping cityscape views. Need a break from the big city mayhem? Head to Parque Alameda for some delightful respite. Oh, and guess what? The ancient Aztecs used to hold their markets here and it is considered the oldest public park in the Americas, so consider it another historical highlight.
Just a short distance from the city center are the awe-inspiring ruins of Templo Mayor, perhaps your first introduction to the brilliance of the Aztec civilization. The site’s museum is a must, as it will give you an excellent overview of the ancient Aztec capital that eventually became Mexico City.
2. National Anthropology Museum, Mexico City
Mexico’s largest and most visited museum and home to its most comprehensive collection of historical artifacts, the Museo Nacional de Antropología is a historical highlight in and of itself. Designed by the renowned architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the museum is an intricate maze of collection halls framed by manicured gardens. Almost two dozen rooms, each dedicated to a distinct era and civilization, combine to create a living sanctuary to commemorate Mexico’s history.
The museum’s crown jewel is the Aztec Stone, often called the Aztec Calendar. Carved from basalt stone around 1479 CE, the massive sculpture has revealed much about the civilization’s celestial beliefs through its intricate designs. The stone, weighing over 20 tons and almost 12 feet in diameter, illustrates Aztec concepts of cosmology and time. At its center is Tonatiuh, the sun god, symbolizing the current era, the fifth sun.
Astonishingly, the Sun Stone was buried by Spanish conquistadors shortly after they arrived in what is now Mexico City. It was rediscovered by pure chance in 1970 when restoration work was carried out on the Cathedral.
3. Teotihuacan
Your first excursion from Mexico City should be to Teotihuacan, a once-thriving metropolis that is now a sprawling archeological site. The site’s Mesoamerican inhabitants mysteriously vanished centuries ago, yet their legacy remains in the form of iconic structures and two of the largest pyramids in the Americas.
As one of the most excavated sites in Mexico, Teotihuacan has revealed much about its history. However, the most crucial tidbit of knowledge remains unknown: who built it and why they disappeared into oblivion. So, what do we know? Well, we know this expansive urban hub was once home to 100,000 to 200,000 people, but we don’t know who they were. We know the city was probably the capital of this particular ancient civilization and thrived from about 100 BCE to 750 CE. We also know it is home to the third-largest pyramid in the Americas, the Pyramid of the Sun.
The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan stands around 216 feet tall, with a base that covers about 738 feet on each side. Built around the 1st century CE, it is most notable for its gargantuan size and precise alignment with the cardinal directions. Beneath the pyramid, archeologists have found tunnels and chambers, hinting that it might have been built over a cave or an earlier structure. This pyramid was central to Teotihuacan’s religious ceremonies. However, its exact purpose is still a mystery, with experts still trying to figure out the specific rituals and deities associated with it.
4. Chichen Itza
If you wish to delve into the history of the Mayan civilization, the Yucatán Peninsula is the place to visit next. It is here that you can discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Chichen Itza, one of the best places in Mexico to learn about its most famous pre-Columbian culture. This UNESCO World Heritage site is in stunning natural surroundings, less than 100 miles from Cancun, Mexico’s top vacation spot on the Caribbean coast.
Despite the fame, crowds, heat, and humidity, Chichen Itza never fails to impress. Aside from a short stint of abandonment, this ancient metropolis was a sacred and revered site to the Mayans for nearly seven centuries. They built a jaw-dropping step pyramid, massive temples, and intricately carved columns. Some of the vibrant colors that adorned it may have faded by now yet some structures have been restored and the site, overall, is still incredibly impressive.
More than a mere collection of ruins, Chichen Itza is a remarkably well-preserved city that feels very much alive and vibrant. As such, plan to spend at least half a day exploring it fully.
5. Tulum’s Ruins
Tulum is, according to many, the most beautiful Mayan archeological site in Mexico. The ancient city’s location, right along a spectacular stretch of Caribbean coastline, might have something to do with it.
An important seaport for the ancient Mayans, who appreciated a stellar location as much as anyone, Tulum boasts exquisite ruins and breathtaking sea views. The site’s centerpiece is El Castillo, a striking and quite commanding cliffside tower that served both as a lighthouse and a temple. The Temple of the Frescoes, with its detailed murals, provides insights into the religious practices and artistic achievements of the Maya.
By the time the Spanish conquistadors arrived, Tulum had long been abandoned, almost completely absorbed by the coastal jungle. It was eventually rediscovered in the 20th century. Today, given its ease of accessibility from popular tourist hubs like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Tulum can easily get overcrowded. Be here at 8 a.m. when the gates open, and you’ll dodge both crowds and midday heat. Pack your swimsuit and enjoy a refreshing swim after your visit.
6. Palenque Archeological Zone
Chiapas is one of Mexico’s most overlooked and eclectic regions. It borders Guatemala and is mainly defined by its mountainous highlands and verdant jungles, which hide some of the country’s most outstanding Mayan ruins. Among its many highlights is Palenque, a wonderfully preserved ancient Mayan metropolis over 1,000 years old.
Palenque is a sprawling collection of ruins set against a luscious jungle. It’s a stunning site, even if you grasp nothing of its significance. But since you’re a history lover, you no doubt will! The single most arresting feature in Palenque is the one sight you couldn’t miss even if you tried: the Temple of Inscriptions. The tallest pyramid around, the temple is adorned with amazingly carved reliefs that seem to recount stories of kings, gods, and elaborate spiritual rituals. The hieroglyphs are so well preserved that archaeologists have pieced together a timeline of Palenque’s rulers, something they had never managed to do before. The temple is also the final resting place of Pakal the Great, the city’s most revered Mayan ruler.
The best time to visit for photography is mid to late afternoon.
7. San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s famous Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns), earmarked for special protection by the government in 2001. Out of more than 130 Magical Towns in Mexico, you can visit, it is perhaps the most popular, for very good reason.
The city was founded in the early 16th century and played a pivotal role during the Mexican War of Independence. Named after Ignacio Allende, a prominent independence leader, San Miguel served as a strategic base for organizing and leading rebellions against Spanish rule. You can learn all about the revolutionary struggle at the Museo Histórico Casa de Allende.
The town’s remarkably quaint center is a hive of activity, with a thriving arts and social scene and an abundance of colorful colonial-era buildings in impeccable condition.
8. Oaxaca City
If you’re tight for time and wish to visit that “one” place that embodies Mexico’s history, make a beeline for Oaxaca. Offering a seductive blend of indigenous heritage, stunning colonial architecture, and exquisite gastronomy, Oaxaca is a year-round destination that proves Mexico is so much more than tropical beaches and pretty churches.
Ironically enough, the city’s central hub is the Santo Domingo Church. With its stunning baroque design and lavish interior, Santo Domingo likewise proves that clichés are often products of truths. Head to the Oaxaca Regional Museum, set on the grounds of a 17th-century convent, to see a vast collection of artifacts that trace the history of the province from antiquity up to the present day. This might just be the best regional museum in the entire country and introduce visitors to the lesser-known Zapotec culture, one of Mesoamerica’s most influential civilizations.
9. Monte Albán
Once you’ve admired the relics of the ancient Zapotecs in Oaxaca, head out of town to visit the site where they were found. Monte Albán is one of the most impressive archeological sites in Mexico. Its imposing pyramids, temples, observatories, and even an acropolis reveal the avant-garde skill of an ancient civilization that ruled over this land for over a thousand years. Hire one of the many knowledgeable guides that trawl the ticket office, and you’ll gain a much deeper perspective during your visit.
Albán is as popular as it is spectacular. Wish to discover one of the best places to visit in Mexico without the usual tourist hordes? Then check out Mitla instead. Smaller but by no means any less enticing and showcasing a similar mosaic design as Albán, Mitla is just off the usual gringo trail and typically less crowded.
10. Uxmal
Uxmal is a prime example of the unique historical treasures you can discover in the Yucatán Peninsula. What sets Uxmal apart from other places, however, is the distinct mosaic-like patterns and geometric carvings it showcases, which represent the signature Puuc architectural style that dominated the region during the first millennia.
Uxmal was established around 700 CE, and its most imposing buildings were constructed over several centuries. It is one of many ancient cities that were part of an interconnected network in the region, and historians seem to agree (that’s a first!) that it was probably the most powerful. The first sight to strike you as you approach the site is the Pyramid of the Magician, an unusually rounded pyramid said to have been built by a magical dwarf. The enchanted pyramid stands 115 feet tall and was built in five distinct stages. There are plenty of noteworthy highlights in Uxmal, including the glorious Governor’s Palace. Yet the city’s ingenious use of rainwater cisterns is what makes it particularly fascinating to visit.
The Puuc region’s network of political, agricultural, and social centers facilitated the trade of goods and the movement of people. When researching the population of Mayan cities, you will notice that estimates vary wildly. That’s because it is likely that the population did, too. Driven by factors such as agricultural success, trade opportunities, and political stability (or lack thereof), it is deduced that Uxmal’s population—as is the case for almost every Mayan city—fluctuated greatly through the years.
You will need about two hours to do justice to Uxmal. Organized tour groups descend on the site mid-morning, so head here early to enjoy it in relative tranquility.
