A Guide to Mexico City’s Most Beautiful Parks

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world. As such, many people see it as one of the few cities without any green parks. However, you’ll be surprised that this vast city offers some of the best parks. So, if you love to spend time amidst nature, you can always do it, even in Mexico City.

This article will cover some of the best parks around Mexico City. This information will give you an idea of what parks to visit if you explore the city. Also, it will give you some insights into the places to visit if you love to enjoy green sights and gardens, even if you’re in an Urban place. 

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

A Guide to Mexico City's Most Beautiful Parks

6 Best Parks in Mexico City

As a large city, you may find it overwhelming to see several parks around Mexico City. As such, if you’re searching for the best ones while you’re around, here are the six options we recommend visiting. 

Desierto de los Leones

If you’re searching for a park to enjoy a lovely afternoon picnic, you’ll find this an excellent option. This park is calm and relaxing and something even kids will appreciate. 

You can also enjoy other activities around the area, but it’s leaning more on the quiet and relaxed side. As such, it’s a perfect place to chill if you’re not in the mood for something active. 

If you want to do something active, the park has something to offer. For instance, you can enjoy a hike to Cerro San Miguel. 

You are more than ten thousand feet above sea level in this park. Therefore, the hike can be challenging. Nonetheless, the forest filled with pine and oak trees keeps the temperature cool. 

If heading out for the trails, you can stop by the monastery and enjoy fresh fish with corn-based food. 

One of the things that many tourists wonder about is the uniqueness of the park’s name. In general, most locals say that Carmelites named the park. 

You’re mistaken if you think the term leones came from the lion. It originated from the name of another convent the Carmelites had. 

Park Details

Address: Álvaro Obregón, 05800 Mexico City, Mexico
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Bosque de Chapultepec

This park was once a refugee camp for the nobles. It’s where the Aztecs, Foreign Emperors, and even the country’s former Presidents stayed. It has become a famous spot for people in the city to relax. 

If you visit this park, you can feast your eyes on the Chapultepec Castle, that’s visible at the entrance. It is a symbol of Mexico’s long-gone Aristocrat system. 

This park houses nine museums, two cultural centers, and several massive lakes. The park is massive as it measures more than a thousand and five hundred acres. 

If you want to explore this park, it needs more than several days to see everything. One of the must-visit spots within the park is the National Museum of Anthropology. 

It’s a place that showcases several things in one spot. This park also houses the works of several local artisans of the city. 

If you’re bringing kids with you, you’ll enjoy visiting the Papalote Museo del Niño. In this spot, your kids will surely enjoy some time with a personalized and interactive experience. 

Park Details

Address: Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday; 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Xochimilco Ecological Park

If you want a different type of park, you’ll find Xochimilco a unique place to check out. Overall, this park is a canal system that formerly connected the different points of the Mexico Valley. 

In this park, you can enjoy strolling through canals by riding gondolas. You’ll also find some garden plots. 

This park offers a relaxing space for tourists who want some peaceful time with nature. Here, you can enjoy watching wildlife as you go through the canals. 

Some of the activities in the park include bikes and paddle boats that you can rent for a small fee. You can also visit an in-house museum and a garden if you want to stroll. 

If you want something more fun, you can enjoy some time at the Cuemanco docks. Here, you can enjoy listening to serenades while sipping alcoholic drinks.

Park Details

Address: Anillo Perif. 1, Colonia Ciénega Grande, Xochimilco, 16036 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday; 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco 

If you want to enjoy a panoramic view of the Mexico Valley, you can visit this park. You can have a stunning vantage point here since you’ll reach the city’s peak. 

It can be challenging for tourists to reach the peak. However, if you manage to do so, the stunning scenery will make sure your hike is worthwhile. 

If you don’t want to be too active, this park has some food spots for some food to enjoy. Here, you can also taste some excellent Mexican snacks.

You can always book a food tour to enjoy the best food. To know more, read: Food Tour in Mexico City: A Journey Through Flavors.  

If you want to enjoy a night away from the busy city, consider this park as your option. One remarkable thing about this park is that you can find complete amenities for an overnight stay. 

For instance, you’ll find some camping grounds, bikes for rent, and trails for hiking, biking, and strolling. 

Park Details

Address: Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico

Alameda Central 

If you’re searching for an old park, this one’s for you. Alameda Central is generally one of the oldest parks in the city. 

In general, it’s almost as old as Mexico City. This park was launched in 1592, among the city’s most famous landmarks. As such, if you’re in Mexico City, this park is a spot you must check out. 

The park is one of the familiar places for both locals and tourists to gather around. It’s filled with excellent views, like flower gardens and water fountains dancing. 

The eastern side of the park houses the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes. This place is a stunning venue showcasing different types of art made by the country’s local and famous artisans. 

The western part houses other art, like murals made by one of the famous artists named Diego Rivera. You’ll find plenty of museums, churches, and people playing chess in the park. 

If you’re interested in visiting more museums in the city, read our article about the Museums in Mexico City.

Park Details

Address: Av. Hidalgo s/n, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours

Parque México 

The list will only be complete by mentioning Parque Mexico. This park is one of the best in the city and is suitable for tourists who want to jog or drink coffee. Also, if you check out the tree-shaded areas of the park, you’ll enjoy a former track used for horse racing.  

Overall, the park comes with an elegant structure and design. It has an abundance of vegetation and is also one of the best walking or jogging paths. You can also find food stalls around to get some food or even fountains and gardens for photo ops. 

Architecture lovers will be interested in seeing the outskirts of the park. Here, you’ll enjoy gems of architecture that pass through the streets of Mexico and Amsterdam. 

If you want to enjoy some laid-back time, you can always head to one of the coffee shops and find a spot to relax. 

If you’re interested in a spot that gives off a hipster vibe, you can always head to the nearby Parque España. It’s only two blocks away on the northwest side, and it’s also worth visiting if you have spare time.

Park Details

Address: Av México s/n, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, 06100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours

Conclusion

Mexico City is vast; you’ll find plenty of spots and places to explore. As such, if you’re interested in checking out parks, you’ll always have options in this city. We hope this list of the best parks helps you enjoy your vacation. If you have limited time, checking out one or more of these parks will be worth your time. 

If you’d like to learn more about the activities available in the city, read our article about the Things to See and Do in Mexico City.

Check out the latest posts on Mexico