Whether you’re visiting the capital for a weekend or wondering how to structure a longer trip, you don’t want to waste a Saturday in Mexico City. This is one of the best days of the week with locals congregating at weekend markets, green spaces, trendy CDMX restaurants, and more.
Unlike Sundays in Mexico City when the focus is on bike rides along Reforma and free museums, Saturday is a livelier day in the capital, ending with the chance to experience some of Latin America’s best nightlife.
What to do on a Saturday in CDMX
Let’s start with what to do in the morning and finish with nightlife!
San Angel Saturday Bazaar
Easily the most famous feature of the historic San Angel neighborhood is the bustling Saturday market. Although it’s not the only reason to visit, I suggest timing your trip for a Saturday and ticking off the other sights in the area after browsing the Sabado Bazar.
Exploring San Angel properly may take the whole day. Which isn’t a bad thing but it depends how long you have in Mexico City. One option is to condense your visit into a few hours (the market operates from 10am-6pm) before heading off elsewhere to continue your Saturday sightseeing.
Read next: guide to visiting San Angel Market CDMX
Other places to visit while in San Angel
Mercado del Carmen food court: an indoor market with a mix of traditional and modern, international options.
Parroquia San Jacinto: this beautiful church with lovely gardens is worth a quick wander.
Casa del Risco: pop into this free cultural center for art galleries and a beautiful fountain covered in tiles and oyster shells. It looks even better decorated as an ofrenda during the annual Dia de Muertos celebrations.
Templo del Carmen & Museo del Carmen: the church is free to enter but the museum costs 75 pesos; well worth it to explore this huge ex-convent home to art and a spooky crypt where the famous San Angel mummies can be seen.
Museo Casa Estudio Diego y Frida: these old studios that once belonged to Mexico’s most famous artist couple double up as one of the best art museums in CDMX.
Parque de la Bombilla & Monumento Alvaro Obregon: take a wander in the park and see the monument where the former president was assassinated.
San Angel Flower Market: a small but pretty street market selling, you guessed it, flowers!
Where to eat in San Angel
- Na Tlali – a vegetarian restaurant that I think anyone will enjoy serving dishes from Oaxaca and Veracruz. My favorite dishes are the peanut mole chilaquiles and the tostadas with watermelon ‘tuna’.
- El Cardenal – there are several of these restaurants around the city but you can’t beat the historic San Angel residence with period features like a stained glass roof. Pair a hearty brunch dish with hot chocolate and a freshly-baked conche (sweet bread).
- San Angel Inn – this is a famous, historic restaurant with outdoor seating and elevated Mexican and European dishes on the menu. Book well ahead to visit on a Saturday (the above two I’ve visited without a ressy).
Cruise through Xochimilco
You can visit Xochimilco any day of the week but, if you want a fun Saturday in Mexico City, this is your best bet!
This unique part of the capital is known for its waterways and chinampas (islands used to grow fresh produce, harvested since Aztec times). The trajineras are big, colourful boats best hired as part of a group to split the cost. Hire includes a local ‘driver’ who punts along the river with a long stick.
Grab some beers and snacks for a fun Sunday in CDMX! My top tip is not to purchase food from passing boats (snacks are okay but not hot food like quesadillas) unless you want food poisoning! Eat at the static restaurants on the shore instead; they’re safe and much cheaper, too.
Xochimilco is located in the south, a 30-minute drive from Coyoacan and San Angel. The popular port is Embarcadero Salitre, but I personally prefer going to the Embarcadero Cuemanco port on a weekend as it’s less hectic. It depends whether you want a tranquil or party experience.
If you’re travelling in a small group, consider getting together with others via reputable tour operators like Viator. Browse all their Xochimilco tours.
Other experiences in Xochimilco
If the part boats don’t appeal, consider:
- Sunrise kayaking – I had a blast doing this! It was worth the early start to see Xochi with no one else there. Book your tour.
- Chinampa tour – take a tour focusing less on the party and more on the unique islands that harvest fresh produce, meeting the farmers and trying typical local dishes.
Getting there: it’s a long journey on public transport. Take the blue metro Line 2 to Tasqueña then the Xochimilco Light Rail, or call an Uber for around 250 pesos from the Centro or Roma.
Related activity: Xochimilco & Coyoacan (incl. Frida Kahlo House) tour for under $50
Is visiting Coyoacan on a Saturday a good idea?
Since you’ll be in the south of the city visiting San Angel, it’s tempting to combine Coyoacan since it’s only a 10-minute drive away.
While I absolutely advise visiting Coyoacan, it’s very busy on Saturdays, especially if you plan to visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House. If you don’t have a ticket pre-booked via their website, you may waste half your Saturday standing in line and still not get in. Try a weekday instead.
On the plus side, visiting Coyoacan on a Saturday is undeniably atmospheric and bustling. Shop and eat tostadas in Coyoacan Market, one of my favorite markets in CDMX; stroll through cute plazas with impressive churches, and visit other museums like the Leon Trotsky House Museum and the Museum of Popular Cultures.
Grab coffee at iconic institution, El Jarocho or, for specialty coffee fans, try tiny Cafe Avellaneda or Kahwen Coffee.
Weekend markets and brunch in Roma
For a leisurely but vibey Saturday in Mexico City, you can’t do better than strolling Roma Norte. Browse hispter markets, devour a guava roll from Panaderia Rosetta, and soak up the sun in one of the many parks.
Weekends are, of course, brunch time! There’s way too much choice (hence I put together a whole CDMX brunch guide so you can peruse your options) but some of my favorites are open-air La Ventanita and cozy Forte (order the orange almond croissant, please!).
El Oro is a street bazaar that feels more authentic and ‘Mexican’ than the nearby hipster markets. Eat barbacoa tacos and browse everything from clothing to trinkets.
Around the corner on Colima are Bunker Bazaar and Resilient Bazaar, the hippest markets in town. You might not get a bargain but you WILL get plenty of tasty free samples.
Take a break for coffee; my two favorite spots nearby are Cumbre (try the Aussie-style ‘magic flat white’) and Alamanegra (best for a strong espresso). See my CDMX coffee guide for 50+ cafes all personally visited by me!
What to do on a Saturday night in CDMX
Where to begin! This is one of Latin America’s liveliest cities for nightlife. Some iconic options include…
Watch live mariachi bands at Plaza Garibaldi
If you’re curious to hear typical mariachi music while in Mexico and you’re not heading to its birthplace of Jalisco, get yourself down to Plaza Garibaldi.
There’s music every night but, for the best atmosphere, visit on a Saturday. Peak time is around 11pm.
Be sure to get an Uber there and back because it’s not the safest area after nightfall. If you’d rather go with a group, try this mariachi tour led by a local.
Visit the top cocktail bars
I already wrote a guide to the best bars in CDMX so here’s a quick summary:
Note – you’ll need a ressy for them all! Most should have a booking link on their Google pin.
- Las Brujas, Roma Norte – I love this witchy bar near Plaza Rio de Janeiro where the cocktails are potion-inspired.
- Licorería Limantour, Roma Norte – although I found this top 50 bar a little overrated, the unusual cocktails are worth a try, especially the al pastor themed one (much nicer than it sounds!).
- Baltra Bar, Condesa – this Darwin-themed bar has a creative menu inspired by different fruits. Most of the drinks were too sweet for my tastes but it will suit some.
- Handshake, Juarez – since being voted the number 1 bar in the world in 2024, it’s not the hidden speakeasy it once was, but it’s still worth visiting (if you can bag a table weeks in advance) for the incredible cocktails.
- Hanky Panky, Juarez – finding this speakeasy is a fun challenge! It sits just 16 people and the cocktails are excellent.
- Tlecan, Roma Norte – this new addition to the 50 best bars list is a Oaxaca-themed mezcal bar with authentic snacks like chapulines.
Browse all bar crawls in CDMX with GetYourGuide.
Read next: best speakeasy bars in CDMX
Party in Zona Rosa (LGBT+ hub)
Over in the Juarez neighborhood (also a favourite of mine thanks to the incredible Koreatown, come at me bibimbap!) is the hub of LGBT+ nightlife in CDMX.
Zona Rosa is where it’s at thanks to the booming bars many of which are gay bars (try Marikoteca and El Almacen) and karaoke bars. After a shot for confidence, you’ll be ready to sing!
Get serious about dancing
One Saturday night in CDMX, I boldly overcame my shyness about being a terrible dancer by joining a salsa class at Mambocafé. Once the class is over, guests start to arrive so you can put your new skills to use. It’s a challenge but a lot of fun!
Mama Rumba is another fun place for locals and tourists alike to dance salsa in Roma Norte. Cover charge is 140 pesos, and there are always live bands playing.
Another option is Patrick Miller where 80s and 90s hits are the vibe. Locals of all ages come to show off their dancing skills!
Catch a Lucha Libre wrestling show
Although the most famous night to watch the wrestling is Friday, you can also go on Saturday. And go you should: this over-the-top, dramatic show is a lot of fun whether you’re into wrestling or not!
Go for the energy, the enthusiasm from the crowd, the crazy costumes and the energetic showmanship. Get an Uber after dark or join a group tour as it’s not in the safest area.
On Saturdays, the show is held at Arena Coliseo. Don’t get confused; it’s at Arena Mexico on other nights of the week.
Thanks for reading!
Mexico City food and drink guides:
- Bets places to eat and drink Mexico City
- Roma Norte restaurants, Mexico City
- Where to eat in Condesa
- Where to go for cocktails in CDMX
- Speakeasy bars in CDMX
- Review of Handshake Speakeasy
- Vegetarian restaurants in Mexico City
- Breakfast and brunch in Mexico City
- The best coffee shops in Condesa
- Best places for dessert in CDMX
- La Esquina del Chilaquil (torta de chilaquiles)
- Ultimate Mexico City street food guide
Other Mexico City guides:
- Visitors’ guide to the Bazaar Sabado in San Angel
- Where to stay in Mexico City
- The best markets in CDMX
- Best day trips from Mexico City
- Desierto de los Leones National Park
- Tepotzotlan, Mexico guide
- Roma Norte area guide
- Condesa area guide
- Juaraz area guide
- San Angel area guide
- Escandon area guide
- The best time to visit Mexico City: month by month
