Mexico City boasts more museums than any other city in the world and as a result many people’s sightseeing tours are often centred on these institutes. If, however, you prefer to get out and about, Chapultepec Park hosts a number of options such as a zoo, a boating lake and botanical gardens. The historic centre of the city is worth a view, as is the National Palace and all of its ornate decoration. There is enough to keep you busy for weeks in Mexico City. The question won’t be what to see; it’ll be what can you afford to miss.

Centro Histórico
The historic centre of Mexico City can be found at the very heart of the city. It was built on the ruins of the ancient Aztec capital Tenochtitlán and is bursting with examples of colonial architecture and cathedrals.

Chapultepec Park
This enormous woodland is home to hiking trails, boating lakes, botanical gardens, a zoo, a number of museums, children’s playgrounds and a wide variety of entertainers. It is divided into three sections and bordered by two wealthy avenues; Avenida Paseo de Reforma and Avenida Constituyents.

Coyoacán
This suburb of Mexico City was originally a city in its own right and is the oldest part of the capital. It is where Cortés launched his attack on Tenochtitlán. There are stunning leafy avenues along which you will find colonial buildings dating back to the 16th century, and every weekend craft stall set up shop and musicians play to the crowds. It boasts something of a bohemian atmosphere, which is completely unique to this part of the city.

Metropolitan Cathedral, Catedral Metropolitana
Situated on the north side of the city, this cathedral dates back to 1573. It was consecrated in 1667, but not completed until 1813. It is not only the largest, but also the oldest cathedral in the whole of Latin America and it is still a working church today. It is open all year round for visitors although you must be respectful if there is a service going on.

National Palace
Home to the federal treasury and national archives, the National Palace was also once home to the Mexican president. Visitors are allowed to tour the palace, where they will see murals painted by Diego Rivera and many historical artefacts.

Torre Latinoamericana
A giant skyscraper may seem a little out of place in such an historic city, but this high-rise is one of the most popular sights in Mexico City. It boasts 43 floors, a restaurant, an observation deck and stunning views across the city.

Xochimilco Floating Gardens
These floating gardens are famed throughout the world and date back to the Xochimilco Indians. The gardens are actually a number of small islands surrounded by canals which are home to fruit trees, flowers, plants and vegetables. If you want to see them the gardens in detail, you can rent a small barge to make your way round the canals. The barges are similar to gondolas in style and offer a wonderful experience for the whole family.

Enjoy a museum tour of the city. With all of the city’s museums at your fingertips, it would be a shame to miss out on so much culture. There are children’s museums, family fun, historical themed venues, local museums and much more besides. Don’t expect to see all the museums in one day, however.

Shake your stuff during Mexico City’s carnival. On par with the famous carnival in Rio, Mexico City’s lively carnival event sees thousand of people take to the streets with one aim in mind; to have fun. The parties last well into the night so be prepared to be sleep-deprived for a few days if you visit during carnival season.

Enjoy a peaceful barge ride along the city’s canals. There are over 110 miles (180kms) of canals running throughout the city, offering the perfect chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the city’s scenery. Hundreds of colourful trajineras (small barges) make their way along the canals and some even have bands of musicians willing to play to you (for a price, of course). Along the way, you will come across vendors selling their wares, including soft drinks, flowers, artwork and souvenirs.

Go back in time and visit the site of ancient ruins at Teotihuacán. Located just 50kms north of the city, this archaeological site dates back to 600BC and although the ruins have been excavated, the answer to who built them still remains a mystery. There is evidence that this was once a thriving city and one of the largest in the ancient world. In the 7th century AD, there was a terrible fire which caused all of the inhabitants of this once populous city to leave and Teotihuacán was left to rot. The three main areas are: the Citadel, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead.

Go native and have a tequila party. Mexico is famed for its tequila across the world and what better place to sample the local delights than in the Mexican capital itself. Worms and gold can be found at the bottom of some bottles. While enjoying tequila, treat yourself to some authentic local food such as enchiladas or fajitas.