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Discover Mexico City's vibrant Historic Center on a walking tour from Zocalo Square to the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes. Explore local gems, history, and art, even if you're short on time. Get ready for an authentic adventure!
Zocalo Square, Coca-Cola Shop, and Palacio de Bellas Artes Walking Tour
If I were planning another trip to Mexico City, I would definitely schedule a much longer stay.
I only had two nights, and honestly, the jet lag hit me hard on the first day, so I barely did anything!
Mexico City is far grander than I imagined; to truly soak in its museums and historical sites, a week wouldn't even be enough.
Still, after exploring the Templo Mayor, I managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Zocalo Square, the Coca-Cola Shop, the House of Tiles, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Are you looking for amazing places to visit in Mexico City?
If you're short on time, consider following my leisurely walking tour!
Exploring Mexico City
Here's the route I followed:
Templo Mayor → Zocalo Square → Coca-Cola Shop → House of Tiles → Palacio de Bellas Artes
While these spots aren't directly adjacent, they form a fantastic, walkable route within the Historic Center.
If your trip is brief like mine, it's best to choose one or two places to explore inside and simply admire the exteriors and snap photos of the rest as you stroll by.
During my brief stay, I somehow mustered the energy to visit Teotihuacan and Templo Mayor, which were at the top of my must-see list, and I'm so glad I did.
Zocalo Square: The Heart of Mexico City
This is a place every traveler to Mexico City will visit, as major attractions like the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace, and Templo Mayor are all clustered around the square.
However, when I visited, a large event was taking place, and access to the inner square was completely restricted.
Zocalo Square often hosts national events, demonstrations, or concerts, so access might be controlled on the day of your visit.
Remember when BTS famously waved from a window with the Mexican President? That was right here in Zocalo Square!
It's a frequent venue for events because it's the largest gathering space in the city.
The area around the square was incredibly crowded – 'bustling' doesn't even begin to cover it!
When walking or opening your bag, it's safer to keep your belongings in front of you.
While concerns about Mexico City's safety are common, it's generally not as dangerous as some perceive. During the day, it's perfectly safe to explore, though it's always wise to head back to your accommodation once the sun sets, especially avoiding certain known high-risk areas!
Coca-Cola Shop: More Local Convenience Store Than Tourist Attraction
📍 Coca-Cola Refreshing Center
C. de la Palma 24, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
As you walk from Zocalo Square towards the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you'll pass the Coca-Cola Shop.
I had imagined a vibrant, red-themed merchandise store from the outside, but it actually has a rather plain black exterior, which was a bit less exciting.
Inside, it felt more like a local convenience store packed with Coca-Cola beverages than a fancy brand shop.
The refrigerators seemed to contain every single beverage produced by the Coca-Cola company – it was quite fascinating!
Beyond Coca-Cola, there were Fanta, Sprite, and many other drinks, including quite a few flavors rarely seen in the US.
It seemed to attract more locals than tourists, with people constantly coming and going.
Some Coca-Cola products made in Mexico are known to use cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, leading to claims of a different taste compared to US versions.
Honestly, my palate isn't refined enough to distinguish that difference... haha!
Out of curiosity, I bought several flavors I'd never encountered before...
Folks, seriously, avoid the coffee, vanilla, and cherry-vanilla flavors!
Aside from the somewhat familiar cherry flavor, the others... well, it felt like I was drinking perfume. I couldn't finish them.
I only recommend them for the truly adventurous!
The House of Tiles: A Facade Too Beautiful to Miss
📍 Casa de los Azulejos
Av Francisco I. Madero 4, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
Walking from the Coca-Cola Shop towards the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you'll spot a distinctive building adorned with blue and white tiles.
This is famously known as the 'House of Tiles' (Casa de los Azulejos).
Its entire exterior is decorated with tiles, making it truly stand out from a distance.
Personally, I found it even more ornate and beautiful than some of the tiled buildings I've seen in Portugal.
Unlike a church or cathedral, this building now functions as a restaurant.
I learned it was originally an 18th-century palace, and its restaurant has countless positive reviews.
The interior is also said to be stunning, and since they serve traditional Mexican cuisine, enjoying a meal here sounds like a wonderful idea.
Palacio de Bellas Artes: Snap the Stunning Exterior
📍 Palacio de Bellas Artes
Av. Juárez S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México
My final destination was the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts.
It's renowned for housing murals by prominent Mexican artists, including the famous Diego Rivera.
Due to my limited schedule, I wasn't able to go inside. However, just seeing the exterior was absolutely worth it.
I arrived as the sun was beginning to set, and the sky's colors perfectly complemented the building's bright facade. The building is so grand that to capture its full splendor in a photo, I had to practically lie on the ground!
It was quite an effort to get the shot, but I was very pleased with the results.
Category | Details |
Operating Days | Tuesday - Sunday |
Visiting Hours | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
Closed | Monday |
General Admission | 95 Mexican Pesos per person *Free on Sundays |
Photography Permit | 30 Mexican Pesos |
Quite uniquely, you need to pay an additional 30 Mexican Pesos to take photos inside.
Often, the cafe inside the Sears department store across the street is mentioned as a prime photo spot for the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
However, I found the view from street level to be perfectly beautiful without needing to go up to Sears.
That said, if you truly want a panoramic shot of the entire Palacio, the cafe's vantage point is undoubtedly superior. It really depends on your time and photographic preference.
💡Final Thoughts on Exploring Mexico City
Even though I tried to see as much as possible, if I were to return, I'd want to stay for at least four nights to slowly explore the interior of the Palacio de Bellas Artes and many more museums.
It's such a journey to get there, and I regret not having enough time to see everything.
The general admission fee for the Palacio de Bellas Artes is 95 Mexican pesos per person, and entry is free on Sundays. To take photos inside, you must pay an additional 30 Mexican pesos.
The Zócalo frequently hosts national events, rallies, and performances, so access may be restricted on the day of your visit. Also, because it is very crowded, it is safer to keep your belongings in front of you when walking or taking photos.
Some Coca-Cola produced in Mexico uses cane sugar, which is known to give it a different taste compared to US products. The store sells a variety of drinks, including coffee, vanilla, and cherry vanilla flavors, which are hard to find in Korea.
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