Mexico’s best cities are hubs for culture—not just within the country, but for a global audience as well. In 2025 alone, the country welcomed a wave of musicians, who in turn drew hordes of fans—from K-pop powerhouses like Taemin and Aespa to the long-awaited return of Oasis, alongside Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo, and many more. In 2026, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey will be hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Yet long before Latin America’s cultural preponderance led global headlines, Mexico was already a must-visit destination for those seeking ancestral cuisine, artistic heritage, and centuries-old traditions. So many travelers know that Mexico City has much of the above, but in a country of more than 130 million people, suffice to say you’ll find many other cities bursting at the seams with events big and small, and culture old and new. Consider this our guide to these are the best cities in Mexico worth exploring. (And when you’re ready for something more bite-size, may we direct you to our guide of the best small towns in Mexico?)
Mexico City
Locally known as CDMX, there is one thing that I, a resident, can assure you while visiting Mexico’s capital: Timing your visit right will transform your experience. The year begins with Mexico City Art Week in February, anchored by Zona Maco—Latin America’s leading contemporary art fair—which is complemented by a circuit of gallery openings, museum activations, and design showcases. By March, the metropolis blooms into its jacaranda season which turns the city purple. Travelers should note that March 8th—International Women’s Day—brings one of the largest feminist demonstrations in the world, a peaceful but powerful expression of the city’s activism. Summer, meanwhile, which is from July through September, marks the start of the rainy season. And if you come late October and early November, you will experience two important events: Formula 1 and Day of the Dead celebrations (so booking ahead is essential).
The city’s culinary evolution tells a lot about why Mexico City has become a global food destination. In 2025, ten restaurants earned Michelin stars but there are many (many) more great places to eat. You’ll also find at least 150 museums in Mexico City but among the must-sees are the National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul), Chapultepec Castle, MUNAL (National Museum of Art), the opulent Postal Palace, Museo Franz Mayer, Museo de Arte Popular, the Contemporary Museum of Art (MUAC), Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, and the architectural marvels of Soumaya and Jumex Museums. A journey to Xochimilco at sunrise, drifting through its UNESCO-protected chinampas, remains one of the city’s most insightful experiences.
