Everything To Do On Sunday in Mexico City

So, you’re at a loose end on a Sunday in Mexico City? This is one of my favorite days of the week. From exercising on Reforma to shopping at vibey weekend markets and soaking up the culture at many of the museums that waive the entry fees on Sundays, there’s tons to do.

There’s also tons you shouldn’t do on Sundays, like try to enter the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan without a ticket (spoiler: you’re highly likely to wait all day and not get inside) or attempt to walk into the city’s top restaurants without a ressy. I’m here to guide you!

What to do on Sunday in Mexico City

Here are my top picks for ending the weekend in this fantastic city!

Ride bikes along Reforma

This is one of the highlights of my week living in Mexico City. The whole of Paseo de la Reforma (a huge road leading from Chapultepec Park to Centro with Roma Norte one side and the Juarez neighborhood on the other) closes to cars from 8am-2pm.

Instead, Reforma is alive with people running, cycling, rollerblading… You name it! It’s lovely to see locals aged 4-94 using public space to socialize and stay fit.

For a fun way to explore the city, join them by jogging or unlocking a bike with the Eco-bici app.

The Eco-bici pricing structure is as follows:

1 day – 127 pesos
3 days – 253 pesos
7 days – 425 pesos
Annual – 566 pesos.

Note – you have to dock the bike every 45 minutes to avoid extra fees (or there’s an annual+ pass that lets you take 90-minute rides, though there are docks everywhere so I’ve never upgraded as it’s almost double the price at 934 pesos).

One option is to ride to Centro, dock your bike, and…

Visit museums for free

One of the most economical things to do on a Sunday in CDMX is visit the museums for FREE! Who doesn’t love free?

I wrote a guide to the best museums in Mexico City that you can check for more details, however they’re not ALL free. The ones that are include:

The National Museum of Anthropology (Chapultepec): my favourite museum in the city. Learn about pre-Hispanic societies from the Olmecs to the Toltecs and more. This place is fascinating with huge exhibits like the Olmec head below. If possible, I recommend visiting multiple times to take it all in!

Museo de Arte Popular (Centro): my favourite art museum in the city, dedicated to colourful exhibits celebrating Mexican culture.

Museo de Arte Moderno (Chapultepec): another gallery worth visiting is the capital’s premier modern art museum, displaying work by Frida Kahlo and other contemporary Mexican artists.

National History Museum (Chapultepec): nearby is this museum on the hill offering great views of the city. Fun fact, scenes from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet were filmed here!

Monument to the Revolution (Reforma): I didn’t find this museum the most captivating (and note there’s no English signage), however, the sunset views from the roof are worth seeing!

Museo Mural Diego Rivera (Centro): there’s just one painting at this museum but it’s huge – 15 meters to be precise. A Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central examines themes within 1940s Mexico, many of which are still relevant today.

Note – expect these museums to be crowded on Sundays, especially those in the Historic Center of CDMX. Many are affordable anyway so you may prefer to visit on a weekday.

Most of the museums are in Centro which is a great place to stay for history buffs, but generally a hectic and less safe area. See my guide to the best areas to stay in CDMX.

Browse at La Lagunilla Sunday Antiques Market

Although not exactly a hidden gem, this market won’t make any top 10 listicles about what to do in CDMX. It’s a wonderful place to get lost among the alleys of retro clutter, vintage furniture, jewelry, artwork and more. It’s an eclectic mix of everything you never knew you needed, and worth browsing even if you’re not planning on a purchase.

This unique antiques market is only held on Sundays (although there’s also a Laganilla Market that runs every day, mainly selling knock-off fake items).

Added to the mix are stands selling affordable food and drink such as micheladas. A few streets over, there are lots of bars, and it turns into a Sunday party.

Bring cash as no one will take card!

The Tianguis la Lagunilla are located just off Reforma, past Centro. If you’re arriving by Uber or InDrive, set your arrival point as the Chedraui supermarket on the main road.

For the ideal Sunday in Mexico City, you would cycle an Eco-bici bike all the way along Reforma to La Lagunilla but unfortunately, there are no docks after Centro. Walk in 30 mins or call an Uber for the last stretch.

Safety note – don’t wander too far from the main market into nearby Tepito as this is known to be an unsafe neighborhood, especially for obvious foreigners.

Mercado del 100, Roma Sur

This local farmers’ market is held on Sundays only in the pleasant Roma Sur area, within walking distance of its cooler cousin, Roma Norte.

It’s tiny compared to other Mexico City markets (my faves are La Ciudadela and San Angel Saturday Market) but you can still find locally sourced products from fresh groceries to ready-to-eat snacks.

There are even specialty coffee carts, as if we needed more coffee in CDMX. But I’ll take it!

Visit from 9.30am-2.30pm on Sundays. As La Lagunilla stays open later, it could be worth visiting Mercado El 100 for breakfast if you want to hit both (very different) markets in the same day.

Another cool place to check out nearby is Huerto Verde, a community space in a pyramid made of recycled water bottles. It’s as quirky as it sounds. When I visited recently after Mercado del 100, they were also holding a Sunday market. I’m not sure it’s every weekend, but there’s usually something going on.

Weekend markets on Colima

Colima is one of my favorite streets in the Roma Norte neighborhood packed with boutiques, coffee shops, and world-class restaurants. There are always weekend markets selling everything from vintage clothes to gourmet food products, often with free samples.

Specific weekend markets in Roma Norte: Bunker Bazaar and Resilient Bazaar can be found on Colima; nearby Plaza Rio de Janeiro often hosts sporadic weekend markets (go and check – it’s a vibey area even if nothing is happening), and El Oro is a street bazaar selling food and products beside Fuente de Cibeles.

Best places for Sunday brunch

Ask someone who has been on holiday to CDMX and they’ll probably say Panaderia Rosetta, Frëims or Lalo (or classics like Cafe de Tacuba and El Cardenal in Centro). Sure, they’re iconic. But on a Sunday? You’ll be waiting for hours!

All the best brunch restaurants in Condesa, Roma Norte, and Centro will be packed.

Check out hidden gems like Basico, Blend Station (there are various branches of this popular co-working cafe and they’re often quiet on weekends), Superette, Farmacia International (the quieter Juaraz branch), Ojo de Agua (various branches)… or go off-grid and grab tamales at Tamales Doña Emi, open for 50 years!

If you’re in Centro, I love Casiopea Café, a real hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle. More central is Balam, also a good option with plenty of seating upstairs.

Read next: best places for brunch in CDMX

Give lesser-visited areas some love

In a city of 22 million, places are understandably crowded at weekends.

If you don’t want to stand in line for museums in Centro and brunch restaurants in the trendy Condesa neighborhood, head to a lesser-known area for a relaxed Sunday in CDMX.

I like Escandon, just south of Condesa. Explore authentic Mexican markets and eat some of CDMX’s most authentic tacos at El Paisa or La Chula.

For something more modern, sip specialty coffee at El Ilusionista or Amargo cafe de autor and tuck into brunch at Cafe Escandon, Piel Tostada or Chilakiler’s Loungería (epic build-your-own chilaquiles!). It’s unlikely you’ll wait for a table.

Read next: Escandon area guide

Folklore ballet (in Palacio Bellas Artes)

Sunday may not be the craziest night in the capital but there’s still plenty happening. Even if you only visit for a few days, I highly recommend squeezing in the Folklore Ballet that takes place on Wednesday and Sunday nights in CDMX.

This unique cultural performance features Mexican dance styles complete with impressive costumes. The other reason to visit is the spectacular theatre room within Palacio Bellas Artes, the most iconic building in Centro Historico.

Tickets start from 385 pesos ($20); try to bag them a few days in advance via the website or Ticketmaster.

Dance salsa off-the-beaten-path

To see a side to the city most tourists don’t, I highly recommend a trip to Salón Los Ángeles from 6.30pm.

Compared to more popular salsa bars like Mama Rumba in Roma Norte, this is a hidden gem (at least for foreigners) in the Guerrero neighborhood, somewhere I’d only visited previously for the machetes (basically huge quesadillas) at Los Machetes de la Guerrero and the ruins of the Plaza of Three Cultures.

Salón Los Ángeles is where locals, often older couples, go to dance salsa. They’re so talented, and it makes for such a unique cultural experience.

Guerrero isn’t THE safest area but it’s certainly not the worst, either. Just get an Uber after dark.

Lucha Lubre show

Although the most atmospheric night to watch the wrestling is Fridays, you can also go on Sunday at 5pm. It being ‘calmer’ than the Friday show doesn’t actually mean it will be calm because… well, it’s Lucha Libre!

The OTT wrestling show has been famous in Mexico for decades. Acts wear ridiculous costumes, and the showmanship will leave you wondering if they’re seriously injured or just bluffing! Either way, it’s a vibe, and something that should be on your CDMX bucket list.

The venue is Arena México, somewhere you need to be a little careful visiting. Get an Uber after dark or join a group tour.

Thanks for reading!

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