Wondering what to do on a Monday in Mexico City? Indeed, many museums and attractions take the day off. But obviously, that doesn’t mean the metropolis itself does. There are still plenty of exciting things to see and do in Mexico City on a Monday—you just need to know what and where to look for!

Mexico City is definitely one of the most colorful, diverse, and alive cities in the whole world. It blends the ancient history of the Aztecs and colonial landmarks Spanish left behind with modern, world-class art, passionate music, and an incredibly well-seasoned food scene.

There’s always something happening in this city! Even on a Monday, the city doesn’t seem to slow down and stand still. It just takes a slightly different rhythm than normal and gives you a push to search deeper into its core. You’ll find maybe smaller, hidden cultural gems that might not make your usual top ten list of things to do in Mexico City, but are just as fascinating and maybe even more authentic than the rest.

Mondays in Mexico City – What to Do & Where to Start?

Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe – OPEN on Mondays, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

If you had your heart set on visiting the National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo’s home, Templo Mayor, or Chapultepec Castle, you’ll need to adjust your Monday plans—these major attractions, along with many other top museums in Mexico City, are closed on Mondays! Even the Palacio de Bellas Artes is closed for exhibitions and cultural shows, though you can still admire its beautiful architecture from the outside.

However, some museums do remain open. That includes Museo Soumaya, Museo del Estanquillo, Museo de la Caricatura, and others mentioned below.

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Also, good to know is that Centro Historico is the area where you’ll find most available landmarks like Torre Latinoamericana, Zócalo square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, plus local markets like Mercado de Coyoacán and La Ciudadela that are amazing on Mondays. Moreover, the trendiest neighborhoods in the city—Polanco, Roma, and Condesa—are perfect for café-hopping and boutique shopping.

If you’re in the mood for something different or need a local figure to guide you around, food and drink experiences, mezcal tastings, walking tours, are all great ways to make the most of your Monday in Mexico City!

And in case you plan on venturing even farther from the old center, the artsy streets of Coyoacán, Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens, and Teotihuacán pyramids make for fantastic Monday excursions. They are just an hour driving distance.

Museums Open on Monday in Mexico City

Palacio de Bellas Artes – CLOSED on Mondays, but still beautiful from outside, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Are Mexico City museums closed on Mondays? Yes, some quite important museums in Mexico City are taking a well deserved rest. But that can only encourage you to give a chance to all those other smaller, quirkier and lesser-known museums still open on Mondays in Mexico City, museums that don’t always make it to the top of the must-visit lists (including yours), yet they hold just as much magic in their very particular way.

Some of these museums are listed below, but be sure to double-check their opening hours from other sources too, as they may vary.

Soumaya Museum

Soumaya Museum, Image Credit: © Los

The posh neighbourhood of Polanco is home to a wonderful museum that’s hard to hide or keep closed, the 150-foot tall Soumaya Museum.

Defying not only Mondays, but also challenging design limits, the museum opens its doors each day of the week for an eclectic experience of art and architecture. Designed by Fernando Romero under Rem Koolhaas’s guidance, the museum’s amorphous, shimmering façade is like a skin composed of approximately 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles that capture and reflect light, making the building a dynamic sculpture in the urban landscape.

Inside the museum, there is a staggering collection spanning from 15th to 2oth century, from Mesoamerican artifacts to European masters, of almost 70000 pieces, including the largest display of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside France. The internal structure of the building is as amazing as its exterior—a continuous six-story promenade ramp that spirals upward, organically flowing through the exhibits.

Palacio de Cultura Citibanamex – Palacio de Iturbide

Palacio Iturbide Entrance, Free Domain By Gobierno CDMX

The Palacio de Cultura Banamex or Palacio de Iturbide is a magnificent baroque-style building located in in Mexico City’s historic center. It was originally built in the 18th century as a palace and residence for the Count of San Mateo Valparaíso’s daughter, and now functions as a cultural center with exhibitions on Mexican art and history.

The palace seems to be one of the most beautiful examples of colonial architecture of Italian influence. The grand entrance makes an immediate impression, while heavy flowery stonework and fortified towers have been well fitted within the walls for centuries. Inside, Tuscan columns and arches separate a interior courtyard from the surrounding gallery, fluidly connecting the open space with the elegant halls beyond.

Best of all, Palacio de Iturbide is not only open to visit on Mondays, but admission is also free most of the time.

Museo Kaluz

While most of Mexico City’s major museums take a break on Mondays, smaller cultural gems such as Museo Kaluz will more than make up for it. This is a beautifully restored 18th-century colonial mansion, that you can find sitting in the historic center, right across from the lush Alameda Central. And its gorgeous façade of tezontle and quarry that can hardly be ignored is characteristic of the architecture of New Spain.

Originally belonging to the Augustinian order friars, the building used to be known as the Hospedería de Santo Tomás de Villanueva. But many remember it from the times of the elegant Hotel de Cortés. Today, its former sophisticated hotel rooms have been repurposed into modern exhibition spaces that are all about Mexican heritage: landscapes, portraits, religious art, and modern interpretations of Mexican identity, with works of artists like Diego Rivera and José María Velasco on display.

It’s a perfect cultural escape for a Monday in Mexico City if you’re searching for something both intimate and inspiring.

Casa Luis Barragán

Casa Luis Barragan, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Casa Luis Barragán represents one of the most important works of contemporary architecture in Mexico and the world.

Well hidden in the Tacubaya neighborhood, this former home and studio of Luis Barragán, Mexico’s most influential modernist architect, blends almost to perfection minimalist design with bold hues, natural materials, and an intimate connection to nature, reflecting Barragán’s philosophy of emotional architecture.

The house’s layout plays with shadows, textures, and reflections. Inside, almost untouched by time, there are his personal library, original furniture, and his carefully curated collection of various religious and folk art pieces.

Museo Del Estanquillo

Another quirky museum, filled with photographs, caricatures, and cultural artifacts collected by Mexican writer Carlos Monsiváis. Over 20,000 objects on Mexican pop culture, history, and humor give form to a collection that is eclectic, nostalgic, and deeply Mexican.

You’ll find 19th and 20th-century images, political and pop culture posters, miniature dioramas recreating Mexico City streets and scenes from literature and folklore, and Mexican film & literary memorabilia such as rare books or film scripts. The museum also houses religious and folk art, including ex-votos and miraculous charms

It feels like the visitor is entering the mind of a man fascinated by the ordinary, the eccentric, and the overlooked details of Mexican life.
The best part? It’s free! And it stays open on Mondays.

Museo de la Caricatura (Cartoon Museum)

Bet you didn’t have this on your Mexico City must-visit list,—but maybe you should! Caricature is often a sharp lens on society, culture, and politics.

Housed in the Baroque-style Colegio de Cristo building, this tiny, but happy-vibe museum is a tribute to the art of caricature and political satire in Mexico. It follows closely the evolution of Mexican cartooning, from early satirical prints to modern editorial cartoons.

On display, there are works of legendary Mexican cartoonists (José Guadalupe Posada, Gabriel Vargas, and Rius.), historical magazines, vintage political cartoons, comic strips, lithographs, and original sketches that highlight Mexico’s history through a humorous, sharp, and often rebellious lens.

It stays open on Mondays! 😆🎨

Tequila & Mezcal Museum 

Tequila and Mezcal Museum, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

It’s a colorful museum located in Plaza Garibaldi, open daily, including on Mondays. Despite its small size, it has some fascinating exhibits on the history, production, and cultural significance of tequila and mezcal in Mexico.

You’ll find some antique bottles, historic distillation equipment, and a striking wall of 300 tequila and mezcal bottles. The museum information also covers Denomination of Origin rules, agave-growing regions of Mexico, and the deep ties between these spirits, mariachi music, and Mexican heritage.

It has also a rooftop bar, where you can have a drink while listening to the Mariachi in the Plaza below.

Chocolate Museum 

Maya Glyphs Chocolate, Image Credit: © arinahabich

If there’s one place that should never close, it’s a chocolate museum. Don’t you agree?

Thankfully, MUCHO Museo del Chocolate in Mexico City is open on Mondays!  It’s quirky and yummy and fun – an experience that takes you through the wonderful history of chocolate in Mexico, speaking of its sacred uses in Mesoamerican cultures to its transformation into the prized delicacy of the Spanish. And beyond.

On display: chocolate-making technology, sculptures and chocolate-inspired art, fossils, vintage ads, botanical illustrations. To buy: chili chocolate, Mexican hot cocoa, artisan made bars, and more.

Sweet aroma of chocolate fills every room! Perfect for a Monday in Mexico City. Or any other day, in fact.

Get your ticket here!

Other Things to Do in Mexico City on a Monday

Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids

Mondays in Teotihuacan, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Going to see the Teotihuacan Pyramids is the ultimate Monday adventure in Mexico City, and I couldn’t recommend it more. This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, – what’s left of the Ancient Mesoamerican metropolis that once stood as the epicenter of culture and commerce in the region.

It’s just an hour’s drive from the city, and you can easily get there by Uber or bus (from the North Bus Terminal). You’ll have plenty to explore, enough to fill your whole day.

Souvenirs at Sun Pyramid & The Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Teotihuacan, Mexico City, on a Monday, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Known as the “City of the Gods,” Teotihuacan dates back to around 200 CE and is the home of three massive pyramids connected by the Grand Avenue of the Dead. Pepper trees, mosaics, and other mysterious ruins, remnants of a once-thriving civilization, dot the surroundings.

I spent my Monday there. And it was better choice than the weekend since Mexican nationals get free entrance on Sundays, which makes it even more crowded than usual. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, and don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water—I visited in September and still got sunburned.

You can visit on your own or with a tour guide.

Exploring Xochimilco Canals

Monday Day Trip to Xochimilco, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

The second-best thing to do on a Monday in Mexico City is to visit Xochimilco, home to the famous floating gardens (chinampas) and magical gondola-like boats (trajineras) cruising its canals. Once an independent city with ingenious agricultural fields (“floating gardens”) built by the Aztecs directly on Lake Xochimilco surface, it’s now one vibrant neighborhood about a 30-60 minute drive south of the city center (depending on traffic).

Xochimilco is where people from everywhere go either to have fun or silently escape into nature. Because they can have both. Some of Xochimilco canals are alive with endless boat parties, while others go deep into the wild where the waters are covered in purple hydrangeas and birds glide by carelessly. Colorful trajineras float carrying curious tourists, mariachi, local delicacies, and souvenirs.  I’ve already written a post on how to get to the docks and rent a boat here: Xochimilco Mexico City.

Getting Around the Historic Center (Centro Histórico) on a Monday

Zocalo & the Cathedral, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

If you prefer to spend your Monday walking, shopping and eating in the Old Center of Mexico City, you can start at Zócalo, one of the largest public squares in the whole world.

It is officially known as Plaza de la Constitución, and was once the ceremonial center of the old capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlán. Before the Spanish conquest, Zocalo used to be surrounded by beautiful ancient temples and palaces, with the Templo Mayor as its most important religious structure.

Zocalo – Details, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

However, after the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, much of the Aztec city was destroyed and replaced by colonial-era buildings that can still be seen today. Plus some remains of the Templo Mayor. Although the Templo Mayor Museum is closed on Mondays, you can still admire the archaeological ruins from the outside. Right next to it, there is a gorgeous Cathedral you can visit every day of the week.

The square is always alive, Mondays included — you can check the street vendors selling everything from crafts to snacks, and even the shamans performing ancient cleansing rituals. And sometimes mariachi gather here for live events.

Casa de los Azulejos & Palacio Postal, open every day of the week, including Mondays, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

From the Zócalo, go down Avenida Francisco I. Madero to check historical buildings, stop for a coffee at the beautiful, 18th-century tiled mansion, Casa de los Azulejos, or visit one of the CDMX museums that remain open on Monday: Museo del Estanquillo, Palacio de Cultura Banamex or The Palacio Postal.

And if you take the elevator up Torre Latinoamericana, Mexico City’s most iconic skyscrapers, once the tallest in Latin America, you will see the city panorama from the 44th floor, including the nearby Palacio de Bellas Artes and the green escape behind it that’s Alameda Central. On the opposite diagonal corner of the park, you might spot spot Museo Kaluz, which I mentioned earlier. Also open on Mondays.

Explore the Trendy Neighbourhoods of Roma Norte & Condesa

Roma and Condesa are the city’s trendiest neighborhoods and most compelling examples of urban revitalization. They are weaving together a preserved Art Nouveau & Art Deco charm with cutting-edge contemporary design into a layered and dynamic urban fabric. Once devastated by the 1985 earthquake, these areas have reinvented themselves and recently risen as epicenters of art, gastronomy, boutique commerce, and slow living. You can feel the rhythm of footsteps on old sidewalks, the hum of conversations drifting from cafés and galleries, the scent of freshly baked conchas and espresso filling the air.

I recommend visiting Avenida Álvaro Obregón for its grand early 20th-century mansions, Art Deco apartments, and indie bookstores hiding neatly between leafy trees. Some buildings still hold the elegance of another era, while others wear the bold murals of contemporary street artists. Effortlessly cool, yet lived-in and full of stories. Any day of the week.

Explore the markets

El Chorrito Market, Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Indeed, Mondays in Mexico City might be quiet for museums, but the colorful markets never take a day off. If you feel like eating the Mexican style, searching for souvenirs, or grabbing fresh fruits and vegetables, there’s always a market open.

On my way to Luis Barragán’s house, I made a quick stop at El Chorrito, a small neighborhood market in San Miguel Chapultepec. The smell of fresh quesadillas filled the air, stalls overflowed with flowers, and locals chatted over meals at Comedor Lupita, while a lost mariachi sang passionately in the background. It might have looked like a simple, everyday market, but one that felt undeniably alive.

And there are many like it. One is Bazar Artesanal Mexicano in Coyoacán, a dream, filled with handwoven textiles, painted pottery, and jewelry. Another, La Ciudadela, artisans from all over the country bring their finest works—rugs from Oaxaca, pottery from Puebla, and handwoven hammocks from the Yucatán.

Meanwhile, Mercado de San Juan is the market for gourmet cheese, exotic meat, and lots of international delicacies. And Mercado de la Merced, one of the largest in the city, is a chaotic, delicious maze of spices, chilies, and street food. For flowers, I would choose to visit Mercado Jamaica which bursts with flowers in every color imaginable, and unimaginable. Finally, Mercado Medellín blends products from across Latin America, bringing together all things Colombian, Cuban, and Central American.

Wander Around Coyoacan

Coyoacan – Street Details, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

This bohemian neighborhood, once home to some eccentric artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, is a very unexpected fusion of history, Mexican art, and laid-back café culture. And it’s as lively as always even on Mondays.

Coyoacán feels like a peaceful, small town hidden within the huge, hectic, and mysterious realm of Mexico City. You’d say it’s from another world—with cobblestone streets, leafy plazas, and exotic courtyards, as well as colorful colonial houses hiding almost-secret courtyards. If you look closely, you’ll find small bookstores—portals to the past and culture—and local markets that will pull you right into the community.

It’s the place to wander, sit in a café, maybe sketch a bit in your travel journal, taste some delicious tostadas, and eventually enter some of the city’s oldest churches.

The heart of Coyoacán—Plaza Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario—is always buzzing with music and loud voices. There are lots of street musicians, artisans selling crafts, and families enjoying ice cream. The Coyote Fountain stands at the center, and it’s a symbol of the neighborhood’s name, which means “Place of the Coyotes” in Nahuatl.

Take a CMDX Bus Tour “Turibus”

Tourist Bus Upper Deck in Mexico City, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

If you love hop-on hop-off bus tours, like I do, and want to explore Mexico City on a Monday, Turibus (🎟️ get your ticket>>) is a good option. They have these one or two-day hop-on, hop-off passes with four routes that are covering different parts of the city, even the ones further away like Coyoacan. I found Turibus to be a cheaper alternative to Uber and looked safer and cleaner than the metro. Their buses run from 9 AM to 9 PM, every 30-45 minutes (last departure at 8:15 PM), making it a relatively flexible way to get around.

Turibus Routes:

• Historic Center (Red Route) – Covers major landmarks like Zócalo, Bellas Artes, Reforma, and Chapultepec (19 stops ~2.5 hours).
• Polanco Route – Stops at Museo Soumaya, Antara, and Avenida Masaryk (7 stops, ~2 hours).
• South Route – Takes you as far as Coyoacán, San Ángel, and UNAM (17 stops, ~3 hours).
• Basílica Route – Includes Zócalo, Garibaldi, Tlatelolco, and Basílica de Guadalupe (5 stops, ~2 hours).

Mexico City Tourist Bus Circuit – Subject to Changes, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Is Turibus Worth It?

I stayed in a hotel in Roma Norte, and there was a station nearby at Fuente de Cibeles, making it easy for me to get to and return from places that were further away like Coyoacán.

I always notice the low ratings of bus tours, but I think expectations play a big role. Yes, Mexico City has crazy traffic even on Mondays, so the bus can get stuck—just like an Uber would. But if you do your best to avoid rush hours, it’s a fun alternative way for sightseeing, especially from the open-air top deck, where you can enjoy iconic architecture and street. The buses stay at stops long enough, so even if the station isn’t well-marked, you can still catch them if you spot one approaching.

💡 Things to Know:

• An app helps you track buses and find the nearest stop—highly recommended! I did not have it and still managed with a paper map.
• Routes and schedules may change due to events, protests, or road closures, so flexibility is key.

Go & See the Mariachi

Mariachi Legends in Garibaldi Square, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

One of the most magical things to do on a Monday in Mexico City—just as magical as on the weekends—is to go and listen to mariachi music. The mariachi bands, with their bold charro suits and powerful trumpets are the pure essence of Mexican cultural life.

I’ve put together a list of places where you can experience mariachi in Mexico City. Still, the most legendary spot is Plaza Garibaldi, often called the heart of mariachi music in the city. No matter the day of the week, no matter the weather outside, you’ll find the mariachi bands performing from morning until very, very late at night.

You can dance, sing along, and have a Mexican meal in a historic cantina like Tenampa, where mariachi legends have played for decades.

Foodies, Join a Cooking Class or a Street Food Tour

Guacamole & Chiles en Nogada, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

I’m a foodie. And the biggest cultural joy for me, anywhere in the world, is obviously eating. Tasting as many traditional dished as I can. In Mexico, it’s a whole vibe. And Mondays could be the ideal kick-off for any culinary adventure.

There are food tours available in the Historic Center, Polanco, and Roma Norte. But also a lot of nice cooking classes. So you can easily and deliciously spend part of your day cooking with Mexicans, mastering the art of guacamole and stone-ground salsas in molcajetes, the alchemy of nixtamalization for tortillas, the layering of flavors in a mole, after visiting the crowded markets.

This one looks promising!

Mexico City Monday Itinerary (Staying Central)

If all the information I wrote above feels overwhelming, don’t worry! Below is a ready-to-follow, yet optional, itinerary for a Monday in Mexico City. This plan should take you from a classic breakfast in the historic, ceramic-tiled palace, past the Zócalo, and into some hidden and more unusual museums. It wraps up with a lively mariachi night at Plaza Garibaldi. What do you think?