Already out of the plane, you can imagine the immense size of Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): A maze of streets and flat roofs, skyscrapers and green can be seen. If the machine is falling deeper, you can see church domes, palaces, wide streets and huge monuments. When you approach with good weather you will have an excellent view over the snow of the Ixtaccíhuatl and Popocatepetl volcano. The Paseo de la Reforma is in addition to the over 50 km long Avenida Insurgentes the central axis of the 25 million people metropolis. It is tormented daily by tens of thousands of cars but along here are also magnificent palaces and modern skyscrapers. The green lungs of the city are the Chapultepec and the Alamedapark. Size and poverty, gloss and dirt are close together. In the Zona Rosa, the fine shopping and entertainment center, meet the rich and famous of Mexico City. The most important colonial buildings grouped around the Zocalo, a huge square in the center of the city, today there are taking celebrations and parades place. The cathedral of the city, the largest of the American continent, is a prime example of colonial splendor. Mexico City is built on historic ground: where today the colonial buildings of the Spaniards are were until 1521 still pyramids, temples and palaces of american indians. To the artful floating gardens of the Aztecs recalled today only the south of the city situated Xochimilco, a complex of lakes and canals.

Popocatepetl
The second highest mountain in Mexico (5465 m) is located approximately 85 km southeast of the capital; In recent years there have been repeated signs of a possibly imminent eruption. Check with the Mexican Tourist Board or the tourist office of Mexico City the current situation. Up to 3700 m altitude there is a a road (Las Hamacas, with lodging and restaurant).

Xochimilco
Popular weekend excursion for the people of the capital, of the "floating gardens" (chinampas) of the Aztecs 20 km southeast are now a system of waterways. You book a seat in one of the many colorful barges poke (trajinera) and enjoy the folkloric atmosphere on the water. Metroline 2 until Tasqueña, then with the tren ligero to Xochimilco, one hour tour 11-13 Euro each boat The bus Turístico runs daily from 9am to 9pm in 35-minute intervals between Zócalo and Chapultepec and stops at 24 attractions. dayticket 100, Sat/Sun 115 Pesos

Catedral Metropolitana
The proportions of this cathedral are truly colossal. You have to take your time for the visit. The heavy construction declines now "wrong" in the ground and is therefore expensive based. daily 8am-7pm Zocalo, Metro: Zocalo

Chapultepecpark
The huge park has something to offer, small forests, lakes stocked with boats, a botanical garden, spacious lawns and a zoo. On a hill is the castle of Chapultepec, now a historical museum. The Monumento a los Niños Heroes at the entrance reminds of six young cadets, who paid with the death for their resistance against the US troops in 1847. Reforma/Melchor Ocampo, Metro: Chapultepec

Palacio Nacional
The National Palace, former palace of Hernan Cortes and today the headquarter of the government and of the of the president, particularly attracts visitors because of the murals in the staircase. mon-sat 9am-5pm Zocalo, Metro: Zocalo

Plaza de las Tres Culturas
On the historical place of the Three Cultures reminds of the pre-Columbian ruins of a temple complex. A plaque attached to remember the 13th August 1521, in which Hernán Cortes conquered Tenochtitlan says: It was neither victory nor defeat, but the painful birth of Mexico and his mixed-race people. In the colonial era, the church was built in 1609 Santiago Tlatelolco, Mexico today embody modern skyscrapers. Metro: Tlatelolco

Templo Mayor
Cortés already knew about the main temple of the Aztecs to report that this "is higher than the Cathedral of Seville." Today, the foundation walls of the pyramid are largely uncovered. In addition to the excavation you can find explainatins of the history of the Aztecs. Tue-Sun 9am-5pm northesat of the Zocalo, Metro: Zocalo

Torre Latinoamericana
While you eat in the rooftop restaurant of the 42nd Floor, you have a comprehensive view on the city. The architect of the in 1958 built and with 177 meters high tower boasts its earthquakesafe foundations. It proved already in the serious catastrophe of 1985 the suitability. daily 9.30am-11pm Madero/Lazaro Cardenas, Metro: Bellas Artes, elevator 3 Euro.

Zocalo
With 240 m in length, the Zocalo is one of the greatest places on earth. Once suggested here Moctezumas the heart of the empire, here was the main temple of the ancient Tenochtitlán. At its wreckage Hernán Cortes built the square and surrounding buildings, now called Plaza de la Constitucion. Metro: Zocalo

Museo Nacional de Antropología
Even before the entrance to the anthropological museum awaits the visitor an 8-meter-high monolith of rain God Tláloc. The 1964 completed museum is considered one of the world's best. Tue-Sun 9am-7pm. Paseo de la Reforma/Calzada Gandhi, Metro: Chapultepec

food
Casa de los Azulejos (Sanborns)
The restaurant is located in the large, covered courtyard of a historic palace, stuck and gold bloated, with a rich range of Mexican dishes. Avenida Madero 4, Metro: Bellas Artes
Majestic Hotel
Here you come less for eating out but because of the situation: From the lush with flowers planted roof terrace, you have an excellent view over the Zócalo. Mexican buffet on Sundays. Madero 73, Metro: Zocalo
El Morral
A richly decorated colonial house, inside with old, handformed Talavera tiles. Mexican tortilla kitchen and bakery. Allende 2, Plaza Hidalgo, Metro: Coyoacan
Bar La Opera
Good, rustic kitchen in a wood-paneled room with gilded stucco. 5 de Mayo 10, Metro: Bellas Artes
Cafe de Tacuba
Specialty of the typical Mexican restaurants of 1912 with Belle Epoque furnishings and walls painted tiles, offers enchiladas, carne asado and Chile rellenos. The cafe is popular by locals for breakfast meetings. Tacuba 28, Metro: Bellas Artes
Vegetariano Roma
Large vegetarian buffet with Caribbean specialties and pasta-cheese creations. Tuxpan 24, Colonia Roma Sur, Metro: Chilpancingo

where to stay
El Salvador
Less attractive exterior of the house, but with nice rooms near the Zócalo. 52 rooms. República de El Salvador 16, Metro: Zocalo
Holiday Inn Zocalo
Modern, somewhat faceless and small rooms, but in a unique location at the Zócalo in a historic house. Restaurant with magnificent scenery on the roof. 112 rooms. 5 de Mayo/Zocalo, Metro: Zocalo
Imperial
Comfort in the center without comfort Rates: The hotel is a "historic monument" and offers grandeur restored rooms, sometimes very nice corner rooms. 65 rooms. Paseo de la Reforma 64, Metro: Hidalgo
Marquis Reforma
The famous hotel in the Art Deco-style has people from the government or famous people as its overnight guests. Now it also owns a large, holistic spa. 208 rooms. Paseo de la Reforma 465, Metro: Chapultepec
Hostal Moneda
New, ecologically oriented youth hostel, just a block away from the Zócalo. 90 beds in 38 rooms. Moneda 8, Metro: Zocalo
Montecarlo
Not a luxury, but in an excellent location in the historic center. The rooms at the top are the best. 60 rooms. Avenida Uruguay 69, Metro: Zocalo
Sheraton Centro Historico
The nicest house of the hotel chain throughout the country - in the luxurious design. Many rooms with stunning views over the Alamedapark. 457 rooms. Avenida Juarez 70, Metro: Hidalgo, Bellas Artes

shopping
Bazar Sabado
Every Saturday in the beautiful suburb of San Angel. Rich is the supply of paintings and handicrafts at the Plaza El Carmen and Plaza San Jacinto. no Metroconnection, Microbus (»Sábado«) at the Avenida Insurgentes Sur
Buenavista
Huge crafts center at the train station Buenavista. Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm, 9am-2pm Sun Aldama 187, Colonia Guerrero, Metro: Guerrero
Fonart
At the Alamedapark is one of the government's "Fonart" stores with fixed prices and export experienced sellers. Avenida Juarez 89, Metro: Bellas Artes

Teotihuacán
For the visit of these 50 kilometres northeast of Mexico City located, large and significant pyramid (8-17 daily clock), built from 4 Century BC to 650 AD, you should at least schedule a half-day. Architectural highlight of the site is in the over 40 m wide road of the Dead (Camino de los Muertos) is the sun pyramid, an enormous, 63 m high building. Pyramid of the Sun enjoys the best view of the entire plant.

Cuernavaca
Living oasis for stressed capital people (85 km south): A spring climate and strolling students characterize the 700 000 pop. City. Highlight culturally: the Palace of Cortés (1529).

Tula
The approximately 90 km northwest of Mexico City lying archaeological site is famous for four 4.60 m high stone atlases, which were originally the roof of the temple moonstar and today they are on the platform of the pyramid. The statues, each consisting of four parts, are showing fighters. Discovered in 1938 was it once for nearly three centuries the religious center of the Toltecas.