Templo Mayor Museum Guide: Hours, Tickets and What to See in Mexico City
Everything you need to visit the Templo Mayor: hours, tickets, free Sundays, what to see in the ruins and the museum's 8 halls, and how long to spend.
Hotel Catedral
The Templo Mayor is the archaeological site and museum, run by INAH (Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History), that preserves the remains of the main temple of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., one ticket covers both the ruins and the museum, and a full visit takes one and a half to two and a half hours. It is a 3-minute walk from Hotel Catedral, on the same street.
Quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Seminario 8, Historic Center, at the corner of República de Guatemala |
| Hours | Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays |
| 2026 ticket | MXN 210 for foreign visitors; MXN 105 for Mexican nationals and residents |
| Included | Archaeological site and Templo Mayor Museum |
| Free entry | Sundays for Mexican nationals and residents; children under 13, students and teachers with valid ID, and seniors |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Metro | Zócalo/Tenochtitlan (Line 2) |
| From Hotel Catedral | 3-minute walk |
INAH changed its fees on January 1, 2026. Check prices and hours on the official museum website before you go.
What is the Templo Mayor?
The Templo Mayor was the most important building in Tenochtitlan: a pyramid crowned by two shrines, one to Huitzilopochtli, god of war and the sun, and one to Tláloc, god of rain. The Mexica (Aztecs) enlarged it seven times, encasing each stage inside a bigger one; at its final stage it stood about 45 meters tall and 80 meters per side, according to INAH.
After the war of 1521 the temple was torn down and the colonial city was built on top of it. That is why what you see today are the older, inner stages, with the Metropolitan Cathedral just steps away.
History and rediscovery: the 1978 Coyolxauhqui
The modern excavation began by accident. In February 1978, electric company workers digging at the corner of Guatemala and Argentina streets struck a huge carved stone disc: the Coyolxauhqui, the dismembered moon goddess who, in Aztec myth, was defeated by her brother Huitzilopochtli. It measures about 3.25 meters across and weighs almost 8 tons.
The find launched the Templo Mayor Project, led by archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, which uncovered the site you walk through today. The Templo Mayor Museum, designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, opened on October 12, 1987 to house the discoveries.
What to see in the archaeological site
You tour the ruins on raised walkways, with the temple below you. Don't miss:
- Stage II of the temple. The oldest visible stage still has both shrines: Huitzilopochtli's, with a sacrificial stone at the entrance, and Tláloc's, with a Chac Mool sculpture.
- The layered stages. Notice how each enlargement wraps around the one before; it is the easiest way to understand the seven building phases.
- The House of the Eagles. A precinct built around 1480 for private ceremonies of priests and rulers.
- The north and south Red Temples and the tzompantli altar, marked on the site map.
See the ruins first, then the museum, where you will find the objects that came out of them.
The 8 halls of the Templo Mayor Museum
The museum arranges its collection in eight halls that mirror the temple itself: one side for Huitzilopochtli, the other for Tláloc.
| Hall | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1. Historical background | Research into Aztec culture since 1790 |
| 2. War and sacrifice | Funerary offerings, ritual objects and skulls |
| 3. Tribute and trade | Goods from distant regions and the role of merchants |
| 4. Huitzilopochtli | Sculptures of the war god, such as the Eagle Warrior |
| 5. Tláloc | The rain god, water and fertility |
| 6. Flora and fauna | Animal and plant species found in the offerings |
| 7. Agriculture | Maize deities, crops and the chinampa system |
| 8. Historical archaeology | Objects from the colonial period and later |
A hall may be closed for renovation; ask at the ticket office what is open that day. The original Coyolxauhqui stone is displayed inside the museum, along with the great offerings and a scale model of Tenochtitlan.
The Tlaltecuhtli monolith
The Tlaltecuhtli monolith is the largest known Aztec sculpture: a relief of the earth goddess weighing almost 12 tons. It was found in October 2006 on the Mayorazgo de Nava Chávez lot next to the Templo Mayor, and three years of restoration recovered traces of its original paint. It is now on display in the museum.
Tickets, hours and free Sundays
Templo Mayor tickets are sold at the ticket office, and one ticket covers the archaeological site and the museum. Since January 1, 2026, it costs MXN 210 for foreign visitors and MXN 105 for Mexican nationals and residents.
- Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Free Sundays for Mexican nationals and foreign residents with proof of residency. Sunday is also the busiest day.
- Free any day for children under 13, students and teachers with valid ID, and seniors.
- Photos without a tripod for personal use are free; video carries a separate fee.
- Bring ID if you qualify for the resident rate or free entry.
How long to spend and in what order
Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours to see everything at an easy pace: about 40 minutes in the ruins and an hour or more in the halls. In a rush, one hour is enough for the ruins plus halls 4 and 5, devoted to Huitzilopochtli and Tláloc.
Arrive at 9:00 a.m., walk the ruins first, enter the museum past the Coyolxauhqui and finish in hall 8, which links to the colonial city you will see as you leave.
Tips for your visit
- Go Tuesday to Friday, early. There are fewer groups than on weekends.
- Wear comfortable shoes and a hat. The ruins are outdoors and the museum has several levels.
- Drink water. Mexico City sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 ft).
- Combine your visit. The Metropolitan Cathedral is next door, and our Historic Center museums guide covers San Ildefonso, the SEP murals and more, all a few minutes away.
From the Templo Mayor to the Ehécatl temple at Hotel Catedral
Three minutes from the Templo Mayor, beneath the lobby of Hotel Catedral's Torre Pirámide, lies a circular Aztec temple dedicated to Ehécatl-Quetzalcoatl, the wind god, part of the same ceremonial world of Tenochtitlan. Its round shape, designed so the wind could flow freely, contrasts with the twin pyramid you will see at the Templo Mayor.
To link both sites in one morning, follow our pre-Hispanic walking route, and learn more about the Ehécatl-Quetzalcoatl temple and how it looks from the lobby.
FAQ
How much are Templo Mayor tickets?
In 2026 a ticket costs MXN 210 for foreign visitors and MXN 105 for Mexican nationals and residents. It includes the archaeological site and the museum. Confirm the fee at the ticket office.
Is the Templo Mayor free on Sundays?
Yes, for Mexican nationals and foreign residents with proof of residency. Children under 13, students, teachers and seniors with ID get in free on any open day.
What day is the Templo Mayor closed?
Mondays. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How many halls does the Templo Mayor Museum have?
Eight, from historical background to colonial archaeology, including halls devoted to Huitzilopochtli and Tláloc. The Coyolxauhqui and the Tlaltecuhtli monolith are both on display.
Where can I stay near the Templo Mayor?
Hotel Catedral, at República de Guatemala 16, is a 3-minute walk from the entrance. See the details in hotel near the Templo Mayor.
Where to stay
To be at the Templo Mayor at 9:00 a.m. without traffic, stay at Hotel Catedral, at República de Guatemala 16, right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral: the museum is 3 minutes away, the Zócalo 2, and the hotel has its own pre-Hispanic temple in the lobby. Choose from the rooms in its two towers, end the day at the Terrace Bar overlooking the Cathedral, and book direct for the best rate and free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival.
