Zócalo Mexico City: Things to Do, History and How to Get There

The Zócalo is Mexico City's main square; its official name is the Plaza de la Constitución. It sits at the heart of the Historic Center, framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor and the city government buildings. It is free, open and easy to cover in a morning. Hotel Catedral is at República de Guatemala 16, right behind the Cathedral, a 2-minute walk from the square.

Zócalo quick facts

History: from Tenochtitlan to the Plaza de la Constitución

The Zócalo sits at the center of ancient Tenochtitlan, the Mexica (Aztec) capital. The sacred precinct with the Templo Mayor stood next to today's square, surrounded by the rulers' palaces. After the conquest of 1521, the Spanish laid out the main square of their new city on top of those ruins and built the cathedral, the viceroy's palace and the city hall around it.

The official name honors the Constitution of Cádiz of 1812. The nickname "Zócalo" came later: in 1843 President Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered an Independence monument for the center of the square. The project was abandoned and only the base, the zócalo, was built. Locals started calling the square by that name, and it spread to the main squares of towns all over Mexico.

The buildings around the Zócalo

What to see at the Zócalo comes down to five landmark buildings, all a few steps apart.

• Metropolitan Cathedral. One of the largest cathedrals in the Americas, built over nearly three centuries, with the Sagrario Metropolitano beside it. Entry to the church is free. See our Metropolitan Cathedral guide.
• Palacio Nacional. It fills the entire east side of the square, on the site of Moctezuma's palace. It is the seat of the executive branch and holds Diego Rivera's murals of Mexican history. Access depends on the official schedule; bring a photo ID.
• Templo Mayor. The archaeological site and museum of Tenochtitlan's main temple, at the northeast corner of the square. Open Tuesday to Sunday; check INAH's hours before you go. More in our guide to Historic Center museums.
• Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento. On the south side of the square, together with its twin building, it houses the Mexico City head of government. The city government has been on this site since the 16th century.
• Nacional Monte de Piedad. On Monte de Piedad street, facing the west side of the Cathedral. This pawnshop was founded in 1775 by Pedro Romero de Terreros and is still in business.

Things to do in the Zócalo

1. Walk the square and the Cathedral early in the morning, when it is quieter and the light is better for photos.
2. Visit the Templo Mayor for a close look at the ruins of the Mexica city.
3. See Rivera's murals in the Palacio Nacional, if it is open to visitors that day.
4. Watch the flag ceremony. Members of the armed forces raise the giant flag in the morning and lower it in the late afternoon, except when events or stage set-ups take over the square. Times can change, so ask at the front desk on the day of your visit.
5. Listen to the concheros, the dance groups that gather near the Cathedral and the Templo Mayor.
6. Walk to Calle Madero via 5 de Mayo or Madero toward Bellas Artes: see our Calle Madero guide.

For concerts, Independence Day, Day of the Dead and Christmas on the square, see our guide to events at the Zócalo.

How to get to the Zócalo

• Metro: Zócalo/Tenochtitlan station (Line 2) opens onto the square. It often closes during large events or set-ups; then use Allende or Pino Suárez (Line 2), or Bellas Artes (Lines 2 and 8), 5–15 minutes on foot.
• Metrobús: Line 4 crosses the Historic Center. Northbound, get off at República de Chile or República de Argentina; southbound, at Isabel la Católica or 20 de Noviembre. The same line connects with airport Terminals 1 and 2.
• By car: the Historic Center has pedestrian streets, slow traffic and closures on event days, and public garages fill up early. Our guests get free valet parking (subject to availability), with the entrance on Donceles: see hotel with parking in the Historic Center.
• On foot: from Bellas Artes, Calle Madero leads straight to the Zócalo in about 15 minutes.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Zócalo is early in the morning on a weekday. From midday the sun beats down on the open square, which has almost no shade. From May to October it usually rains in the afternoon: carry an umbrella and plan your visit for the morning (see Mexico City weather and best time to visit). Sundays are livelier, with more families; the Templo Mayor is closed on Mondays. At dusk, the floodlit Cathedral and palaces make one of the best views in the city center.

Is the Zócalo safe?

The Zócalo is busy and has a visible police presence, but take the same precautions you would in any major tourist square.

• Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets, especially in crowds and on the Metro.
• If there is a protest or a sit-in, walk around it and take another route.
• At night, stick to well-lit, busy streets such as Madero or 5 de Mayo.
• Use official taxi stands or ride-hailing apps.

More tips in our guide Is the Historic Center safe?.

Rooftop views of the Zócalo

Rooftop terraces in the Historic Center have the best views of the square and the Cathedral. The closest for our guests is in the hotel itself: the Terrace Bar, with a view of the Cathedral, ideal at sunset. To have that view from your room, see our hotel with a Cathedral view.

FAQ

What is the Zócalo's official name?

Plaza de la Constitución, in honor of the 1812 Constitution of Cádiz. "Zócalo" comes from the base of a monument that was never finished.

Does it cost anything to visit the Zócalo?

No. It is a public square, and entry to the Cathedral is also free. The Templo Mayor Museum charges admission; check rates on INAH's website.

Which Metro station is at the Zócalo?

Zócalo/Tenochtitlan, on Line 2. If it is closed for an event, get off at Allende or Pino Suárez.

How much time do I need at the Zócalo?

Two hours is enough for the square and the Cathedral. Add the Templo Mayor and the Palacio Nacional and plan for half a day, or follow our perfect day in the Historic Center.

Where to stay near the Zócalo

Hotel Catedral is at República de Guatemala 16, behind the Cathedral: the Zócalo is 2 minutes away, the Templo Mayor 3 and the Palacio Nacional 5. Beneath the lobby of Torre Pirámide lies a preserved pre-Hispanic temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcoatl, part of the same city you explore on the square. See our hotel near the Zócalo and book direct for the best rate and free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival.