Your Ultimate Guide to the 25 Most Famous Landmarks in Mexico!

Mexico is a breathtaking and fascinating place to travel to, offering a unique blend of vibrant culture, rich history and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re drawn to its ancient Mayan ruins tell stories of civilisations long past, or incredible works of art that span from pre-Columbian masterpieces to contemporary creations, Mexico never fails to inspire awe. From Mexico City’s architectural styles to fine arts, national monuments, serene beaches and majestic natural wonders, there is something for every type of traveller. For those eager to explore, here are famous landmarks in Mexico to ignite your wanderlust and inspire your next adventure.

Mexico is a country with a rich and diverse history, spanning over 2,000 years. From the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations to the colonial period and modern times, Mexico’s history is a fascinating blend of cultures, traditions and architectural styles. Mexico City, the capital, is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, museums and cultural centers that showcase the country’s rich heritage in its famous sites and famous buildings.

20 Famous Mexico Landmarks

Historic Landmarks in Mexico

1- Monte Alban

What was once the site of the Zapotec and Mixtec ancient centre lies Monte Alban, a series of ruins dating back to 500 BC when the Zapotec people lived, worked and worshipped on the hillside.

The historical site is on high ground to form a defence against attacking tribes, and as such Monte Alban has incredible views over the surrounding landscapes, including Oaxaca de Juares, a historical centre.

Monte Alban was inhabited by several peoples over 1500 years who carved canals, pyramids and terraces into the hills. Symbols representing sacred texts were also carved directly out of the mountain. Check out this tour.

2- Chichen Itza

Meaning “at the mouth of the well of Itza”, Chichen Itza is one of the most famous historical landmarks in Mexico.

Famous for El Castillo, the Kukulkan stepped pyramid, Chichen Itza was inhabited by the Maya civilization and was one of the most important places of their empire.

In 2007 Chichen Itza was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of The World.

Throughout the area, many monuments featuring carvings of the movements of the planets can be found, which were created by the Maya as a celestial calendar.

Today visitors can explore the site at their leisure, and if staying after sunset will be able to view the nightly light show.

As this is Mexico’s top attraction, the lines can be quite long, so buy your ticket online to skip the line.

3- Palenque

Deep in the Mexican jungle, surrounded by incredible wildlife such as howler monkeys and parrots, lies the Palenque temples.

First unearthed by a Spanish explorer in the 16th century, it is believed that Palenque dates back to 200 AD.

The most important part of Palenque lies inside the tomb of Pakal the Great and the Temple of Inscriptions in which it was hidden.

After becoming ruler aged 12, Pakal ordered much of Palenque be rebuilt and demanded that events should be recorded in detail, offering archeologists hidden gems into what life was like there.

This tour will get you to Agua Azul Cascade, Misol-Ha Cascade and Palenque Archeological Site.

4- El Tajin

Considered to be one of Mexico’s most important historical landmarks, El Tajin is an incredible series of ruins from Mesoamerican culture, located near Papantla in the northern jungle.

Due to its remote location, El Tajin is often much quieter than other ancient sites around Mexico, making it the perfect spot to explore in detail.

Abruptly abandoned in 1200AD, El Tajin was home to around 20,000 people at its peak.

Much of the city lies within the thick jungle surrounding the main sites, which have been cleared to allow visitors to explore.

The Pyramid of the Niches is another stepped pyramid that is well preserved and is filled with 365 square windows reflecting each day of the solar year, which was charted by the people here.

It is unclear who built El Tajin; however, visiting this large and partially unexcavated site will leave you wanting to know more.

5- Great Pyramid of Cholula

Often mistaken for a hill due to the decades of grass and brush that have overgrown the walls, the Great Pyramid of Cholula now sits beneath a Spanish chapel built in the 16th century.

With a larger volume than the Egyptian pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Cholula was built around 2000 years ago by either Teotihuacan or El Tajin peoples.

Recently archeologists have begun to excavate this once-great pyramid and have discovered a network of tunnels, platforms and altars that would have been used during religious ceremonies.

El Tajin is now open to the public, with guided tours of the tunnels available.

6- La Venta

One of the more unusual examples of ancient settlements is La Venta, an Olmec settlement.

The site’s main draw is its 77 carved stone monuments, including four giant heads.

Strong links to astronomy are present here, with many of the famous buildings constructed to follow the maps of the stars.

The centre of the site was crucial to the people’s understanding of celestial sciences and many of the carvings, including 3 of the giant heads, face north.

The stone heads are the biggest draw to visitors and each one features a different headdress, thought by archeologists to represent ancient rulers of the site.

7- Tulum

Unlike most of Mexico’s ancient sites, the ruins at Tulum are the only ones by the sea.

Built as a seaport, Tulum was the gateway to the Mayan empires for trade with copper, cacao beans and cotton often traded here.

The main pyramid at Tulum is named El Castillo and was used as a lighthouse during ancient times due to the positioning of windows at the top of the tower.

Visitors to the Tulum ruins can enjoy this unique seafront site with impressive views over the sea and the surrounding areas in the company of the native iguanas that call the place their home.

8- Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan, located near Mexico City, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Known as the “City of the Gods,” this ancient Mesoamerican city thrived between 100 BCE and 650 CE.

Its most iconic structures include the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Avenue of the Dead, a grand central road. Teotihuacan was a major cultural, political, and religious center, influencing civilizations like the Aztecs.

Explore its expansive ruins, climb its pyramids for breathtaking views, and admire the artistry of this once-thriving metropolis.

9- Uxmal

Uxmal, located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is a stunning ancient Maya city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flourishing between the 6th and 10th centuries, it is renowned for its intricate Puuc-style architecture.

The Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal’s most iconic structure, rises dramatically above the site with its oval-shaped design and steep stairways.

Other notable landmarks include the Nunnery Quadrangle, with its ornate facades, and the Governor’s Palace, showcasing intricate stone mosaics. Uxmal’s well-preserved ruins reflect its status as a major political and ceremonial centre.

Visitors can marvel at its beauty while exploring the Mayan culture and ingenuity of the Maya civilization.

10- Plaza de la Constitucion

The Zócalo, officially known as Plaza de la Constitución, is the historic main square of Mexico City and one of the largest public squares in the world.

Surrounded by iconic landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and ancient Aztec ruins, it embodies Mexico’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Once the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, it has evolved into a vibrant hub for political events, cultural celebrations, and public gatherings.

The Zócalo’s dynamic atmosphere, with its bustling markets and festivals like Día de los Muertos, makes it a must-visit destination to experience the heart of Mexico.

11- El Ángel de la Independencia

El Ángel de la Independencia, commonly called El Ángel, is an iconic monument located on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City.

Erected in 1910 to commemorate the centennial of Mexico’s independence, the towering column is crowned by a golden-winged Victory statue holding a laurel crown and broken chains.

Surrounding the base are statues of key independence leaders, including Miguel Hidalgo.

The monument has become a symbol of national pride and a gathering place for celebrations and protests.

Visitors can climb the spiral staircase inside the column for panoramic views of the city, making El Ángel a must-see landmark.

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Famous Landmarks in Mexico

12- Museo Nacional de Antropologia

The National Museum of Anthropology has an impressive collection of artefacts from the indigenous peoples within Mexico’s incredible history and is a great place to learn more about Mexican culture.

Items for the museum have been gathered over centuries despite only opening in 1964.

The collection features a giant carved head of a fire serpent, a celestial calendar and many ceremonial headdresses of Aztec rulers.

When visiting the museum, take some time to admire its architecture. Skip the line and book your ticket here.

Combining minimalistic buildings with large courtyards and immaculate gardens, the museum mirrors the culture it protects inside its walls.

13- Catedral Metropolitana

Of all Mexico City’s landmarks, the one that stands out is Cathedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan cathedral), a grand building dating back to 1573 and is featured in some of the best Spanish shows on Netflix.

Featuring baroque architecture, the Metropolitan cathedral recently underwent extensive restorations to ensure it is preserved for future generations.

The entrance to the cathedral is guarded by two large towers encrusted in mother of pearl.

The grand decorations continue inside, with an impressive marble altar and many gilded carvings.

The Metropolitan cathedral is also home to a remarkable collection of religious and historical artefacts housed within the museum. Most historic downtown walk tours include a good look at the cathedral.

14- Cafebreria el Pendulo

Take a break from exploring Mexico City’s iconic landmarks and head to Cafebreria el Pendulo, a cafe and bookstore chain that appears to be part forest due to the number of plants growing there.

The bookstores are aesthetically pleasing with dark wooden floors, curving handrails on the spiral staircases, and many plants seated on shelves and in large pots featuring in nearly all locations.

A visit must be made to the Alejandro Dumas street store.

In this store, architectural features take centre stage with over three floors of books, coffee and incredible nooks and crannies filled with plant life.

The central attraction here is the giant palm tree that stretches to the roof.

15- Museo Subacuatio de Arte

Museo Subacuatio de Arte is the world’s largest underwater museum.

The statues here are made from marine-grade cement, allowing corals and algae to grow on their surfaces.

Each sculpture has been designed to support the local marine life by creating small spaces where marine life can breed.

The statues have been placed to protect the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

Some believe this unusual attraction would draw visitors away from the reef to allow essential conservation work to be carried out.

The best way to visit the museum is through a guided scuba diving or snorkelling trip. However, glass-bottomed boat tours are also available.

16- La Casa Azul

La Casa Azul, or the Blue House, is a dedicated museum to the artist Frida Kahlo.

The museum was once the home where Frida was born and would later die.

Made into a museum to celebrate her life and works in 1958, the museum is one of the most famous landmarks in Mexico.

Within the house are some of Frida’s most celebrated art pieces, as well as rooms that have been preserved to reflect how the artist lived during her time here.

The house itself is a work of art with its bright cobalt blue walls giving the house the nickname of La Casa Azul.

17- Las Pozas

Created by English poet and artist Edward James in the 1960s, Las Pozas is a sculpture garden that reflects the artist’s love of plants and the Surrealist movement he was a part of.

Las Pozas, or The Pools, is an apt name for the area as the sculpture garden features nine pools that allow water to flow through naturally.

Within the gardens are over 30 structures that range from plant sculptures to cathedral-like screens and staircases.

The gardens span 20 acres of jungle, so take some time to explore this unusual and uniquely beautiful piece of surrealist art.

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Natural Landmarks in Mexico

18- Cenote Dos Ojos

Translating to Two Eyes Cenote, these underground diving sites are some of Mexico’s largest underwater cave systems.

The cenotes were naturally formed around 6500 years ago and have only recently been explored.

Due to the light filtering through from above, the pools make an incredible site and location for divers and snorkels, as the water is a deep shade of blue and is crystal clear.

The caves are reachable through a short walk in lush jungle, and visitors can dive in these incredible caves in small numbers, as only four divers at a time head into the waters accompanied by an experienced guide. Check out this popular cenote tour.

19- San Ignacio Lagoon

In the warm waters of the San Ignacio Lagoon, boating visitors can sail alongside the grey whales that live and breed here.

As a part of the Visciano Biosphere Reserve, the lagoon is within Latin America’s largest sanctuary, meaning its whales and other forms of life both in and around the lagoon are protected from hunting, deforestation, or other causes of harm.

While visiting the lagoon, you may have the chance to see the grey whales, the near-extinct prong-horned antelope, and different species of sea turtles.

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20- Cenote Ik-Kil

Known for its famous vines that spill down from the forest floor deep into the cenote that is now a popular swimming location, Cenote Ik-Kil is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico.

Located near Chichen Itza, a cooling dip in the cenote’s magical waters is a pleasant way to end your day. You can book a tour that includes time at both attractions.

With its deep blue waters and surrounding greenery, swimming in the cenote is not merely a beautiful place to visit.

Archeologists believe Ik-Kil was a sacred place for the Mayans to pray to the rain god Chaac, giving it the nickname of Sacred Cenote.

When first discovered, archeologists found carvings and even human remains at the bottoms of the pool from such rituals.

21- La Lobera

Another of Mexico’s unusual underground landmarks is La Lobera, an enormous sea cave on Mexico’s coastline.

Within the hole, which allows seawater to flow into it freely, is a colony of sea lions who make welcome use of the shade La Lobera offers.

Visitors cannot enter La Lobera. However, you can view the sea lion colony from the protective ropes that protect the hole’s edges.

After marvelling at this site, head to the local restaurant for traditional Mexican cuisine.

22- Cave of the Hanging Snake

Locally known as the Bat Cave, the Cave of the Hanging Snakes is hidden deep within the jungles of Yucatan.

The yellow-red rat snakes that live within the cave traditionally lived in the surrounding jungle.

Many now live in the ceilings of the cave and have evolved to be accustomed to a new way of life.

As the cave is populated with many bats, the snakes position themselves in the cave’s ceilings so as the bats fly in and out, they can have dinner.

The cave is open to the public on guided tours from the nearby village of Kantemo.

23- Chicxulub Crater

It may not look like much today, but 65 million years ago, an asteroid hit the earth in this exact location in Yucatan with such force that it is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs.

Originally spanning some 110 miles, around half of the crater lies below the Gulf of Mexico.

From this catastrophic event, many cenotes opened up, which were used for sacrificial ceremonies during the times of the Mayans.

Many visitors here are scientists who are still studying the area to find out what truly happened during the asteroid strike, with some debating that this may not have been the cause of the ice age that wiped out the dinosaurs.

24- Copper Canyon

The best way to make the most of Copper Canyon is by riding the Copper Canyon Railway.

The journey through the canyon can take between 9 and 16 hours, depending on which route you take.

The journey will lead visitors through incredible scenery as your train weaves through the thick jungle and over vast ravines. Look out for the local wildlife from your window.

It is recommended that visitors plan one or two stops while journeying through the canyon to see local villages and sites, with many companies offering guided tours of the canyon and the surrounding areas.

25- Paricutín Volcano

Paricutín Volcano, located in Michoacán, Mexico, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the youngest volcano on Earth.

It erupted in 1943 in a farmer’s cornfield and grew rapidly, engulfing nearby villages over the next nine years before becoming dormant.

Today, the volcano stands at over 1,300 feet tall and is surrounded by a dramatic landscape of lava fields and ash-covered terrain.

Visitors can hike to the volcanic cone and explore the ruins of the San Juan Parangaricutiro Church, partially buried by lava.

Paricutín symbolises nature’s raw power and continues to fascinate scientists and adventurers alike