10 famous landmarks in Mexico

Mexico is far more than just beautiful beaches, glorious weather and delicious food. It’s also famous for its rich culture and history, and home to some of the world’s most unique landmarks.

If you’re dreaming of the trip of a lifetime south of the border, we’re here to help. Read on for a rundown of the 10 most famous landmarks in Mexico. We have all the travel inspiration you need to put together an amazing itinerary for your trip.

And when getting ready for Mexico, don’t forget to take the Wise card with you. It lets you spend in Mexican pesos just like a local, for low fees and great exchange rates – more on this later.

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10 of the most famous landmarks in Mexico

So, what is the biggest landmark in Mexico, and which should you absolutely not miss during your trip?

Let’s dive into our list of must-see natural sites, incredible buildings and tourist attractions in Mexico, starting with one of the most famous.

📖 These are the top 10 most famous landmarks in Mexico
1: Chichen Itza 2: Monte Alban 3: Great Pyramid of Cholula 4: Tulum Ruins 5: Museo Nacional de Antropología 6: The Zocalo, Mexico City 7: Castillo de Chapultepec 8: Museo Subacuático de Arte 9: Monumento a la Revolución 10: Museo Frida Kahlo (La Casa Azul)

1: Chichen Itza

One of the most iconic historical sites in Mexico, Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by millions of people every year.

Chichen Itza is what remains of an ancient Mayan city, believed to have been built between 350 and 900 AD. It is believed it was abandoned around the time of the collapse of the mighty Maya civilization.

The site on the Yucatán peninsular is remarkably intact, featuring a network of well-preserved temples and carvings. One of the most notable sites is the famous El Castillo stepped pyramid, nestled in the heart of the jungle. It makes for a fascinating day out, but it’s recommended to arrive early to beat the crowds.

2: Monte Alban

Continuing our theme of historical ruins, it’s well worth taking a trip to Monte Alban if you’re staying in Oaxaca.

At Monte Alban, you’ll find an expansive site with ruins of pyramids, temples and even an acropolis from the Zapotec period (500 BC to 800 AD). The site was inhabited by many different peoples over a period of more than a thousand years, leaving behind everything from canals to carvings.

And another reason to visit - the incredible views. As it’s on such high ground, Monte Alban enjoys breathtaking views over the Oaxaca valley and Oaxaca de Juares historical center.

3: Great Pyramid of Cholula

Another of the most popular visitor attractions, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is also one of the biggest landmarks in Mexico that was built by humans.

Cholula in the state of Puebla is believed to be the largest pyramid in the world in terms of volume. It’s wider than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, although much shorter. It was believed to have been built more than 2,000 years ago, by either the El Tajin or Teotihuacan people.

The pyramid was often mistaken for a hill in years gone by, as parts are buried under earth and grass. A 16th century Spanish chapel now sits at the very top of the site.

Fascinatingly, archaeologists have discovered a network of tunnels and altars during excavation.

4: Tulum Ruins

The last historical site on our list, the Tulum ruins in Quintana Roo are the only ones by the sea. Here you’ll find the remains of a sea port settlement, complete with castle, lookout point and at least 10 other fascinating structures.

While you’re visiting the Tulum ruins, you may be able to squeeze in a bonus landmark. The Cenote Dos Ojos (which translates as “Two Eyes Cenote”) is not too far away. It’s a network of underground caves and diving sites, where the water is a stunning deep blue. Pack your snorkel!

If you have any time left, you can also visit Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a beautiful stretch of UNESCO-protected land near Tulum.

5: Museo Nacional de Antropología

Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology is one of the most popular museums in the country’s capital. If you’re visiting or living in Mexico City, and you’ve never been, you’re in for a cultural and architectural treat.

The museum opened in 1964 and has a unique style, which combines large courtyards and minimalist buildings with pristine gardens.

Inside, you’ll find a truly impressive collection of artifacts which bring Mexico’s rich culture and history to life. This includes everything from Aztec ceremonial headdresses to a celestial calendar, and even a huge carved head of a fire serpent.

6: The Zocalo, Mexico City

The Zocalo is one of the capital’s largest squares, and it’s the place to go if you want to see some of the city’s most majestic old buildings. Highlights include the Catedral Metropolitana and National Palace, both of which have been declared National Monuments of Mexico.

The cathedral in particular is incredible, standing in the very heart of Mexico City. It’s a grand building dating back to 1573 and boasts architectural styles ranging from Gothic and Neoclassical to Baroque.

7: Castillo de Chapultepec

If you’re staying in Mexico City, all you need to do is look up to see the Castillo de Chapultepec. It’s a grand castle built in 1785 on Chapultepec Hill, looking down upon the city.

Within its long life, the castle has been everything from a lavish presidential home to a military academy. It’s now a national museum of history attracting thousands of visitors a year.

Once you’ve finished marveling at the exterior, head inside to see colorful corridors finished with luxurious gold embellishments. There are skillfully carved statues, exquisite mural paintings and even a quirky checkerboard pavement.

The museum itself has twelve impressive showrooms, each showcasing items from the various eras of Mexico’s history. This includes the Mexican War of Independence, the Revolution of 1910 and going further back, the foundation of the Spanish Empire in Mexico.

8: Museo Subacuático de Arte

Now we come to one of Mexico’s most unique and spectacular landmarks. Located in the waters surrounding Cancun and Isla Mujeres, the Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) is the world’s largest underwater museum.

This ambitious attraction features an underwater world of over 500 life-size statues and sculptures.

The sculptures by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor are best explored on a scuba diving or snorkeling excursion. However, you can also get a glimpse of them from a glass-bottomed boat tour.

MUSA may be beautiful to look at, but it also serves a practical purpose in helping to conserve the Mesoamerican Reef. The sculptures are designed to allow algae and corals to grow on their surfaces, and also draw tourists away from the reef so that important conservation work can be carried out.

9: Monumento a la Revolución

If you’re spending time in Mexico City, you won’t be able to miss this unusual and striking monument.

The Monumento a la Revolución is a huge domed triumphal arch, located near the Plaza de la República. It was built over a period of 28 years, finally finished in 1938.

It was created to commemorate the Mexican Revolution of the early 1900s, which resulted in the liberation of the country from Spanish rule.

Interestingly, the monument is also a mausoleum. It contains the remains of notable revolutionary leaders of the time, including Pancho Villa, Venustiano Carranza and Lázaro Cárdenas.

10: Museo Frida Kahlo (La Casa Azul)

Last but by no means least, a cultural treat. If you’re a fan of internationally renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, you’ll be thrilled at the idea of visiting her home in Mexico City.

The Museo Frida Kahlo, known locally as La Casa Azul thanks to its electric blue walls, is located in the leafy Coyoacán suburb of the city.

Kahlo was born and died in the house, and it’s now been transformed into a museum dedicated to her life and work. The rooms have been carefully restored to reflect how the artist lived, alongside exhibitions of some of Kahlo’s most celebrated work.

Best of the rest - 3 other famous landmarks in Mexico

Mexico is a huge country with a fabulously rich heritage and astounding natural scenery. So it would be impossible to cover all of its must-see landmarks in one list.

But if you’re still looking for inspiration for your trip or have time left over, here are three other unmissable sites to see:

1. Copper Canyon - a vast canyon in the Sierra Madre Occidental, filled with ravines, thick jungle and local villages. It’s best explored by riding the Copper Canyon Railway.
2. El Tajin - one of the most important cities from the Classic era of Mesoamerica, El Tajin is a ruined pre-Hispanic city located in a remote area of Veracruz.
3. Basilica de Santa María de Guadalupe - a majestic church in Mexico City, which was built in 1709 and is now an important religious site and museum.

Get the Wise card to spend in Mexico for low fees and great exchange rates

Want a cheap way to spend in Mexico? Banks can charge a fortune for overseas spending, and it’s not always advisable to carry cash around.

Try the Wise card instead. It’s available for a one-time fee of just $9 when you open a Wise Account.

Wise is a money service business, offering a multi-currency account and a debit card suitable for everyday use.

You can use your new Wise card to:

• Spend and withdraw cash from ATMs in 150+ countries, including Mexico
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• Withdraw up to $100 from overseas ATMs for free (although ATM operators may charge their own fees).

It has no foreign transaction fees, or monthly costs. It’s the ideal travel companion, letting you spend all over the world.

The Wise account is also a great alternative to a Mexican bank account, if you’re considering moving there. You can send and receive money between the US and Mexico cheaply and easily, and always at mid-market rates.

Get a Wise Account today

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

Bottom line

After reading this guide, you should be all fired up for your trip to Mexico. Of course, there’s far too much here and the country is too large to see absolutely everything.

But hopefully you’ll be able to visit at least a few of the landmarks on our list, especially famous sites such as Chichen Itza or the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

If not, there’s always a future trip.

To help you plan your Mexican adventure, read our other guides on ATMs in Mexico, travel safety and what currencies are accepted there.

We also have guides to retiring in Mexico, buying property there and tips to navigate the rental process.

And of course, you’ll need to get your travel spending sorted.

Get a Wise card, and you can spend in the local currency in 150+ countries, including Mexico. Your dollars are automatically converted at mid-market exchange rates whenever you spend, for just a tiny fee. Or there’s no charge if you already have Mexican pesos held as a balance in your Wise account.

The Wise card is contactless, convenient and works wherever cards are accepted. It’s the ideal travel companion, whatever you have planned.

Learn more about Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

Frequently asked questions

What are 4 famous landmarks in Mexico?

Four of the most famous landmarks in Mexico are its historical sites - including

Chichen Itza, the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Monte Alban and Tulum.

However, as these sites are dotted around the country, you’ll need to be prepared to travel to see them all.

What are three landmarks in Mexico City?

If you only have time to visit a few landmarks in Mexico, you’ll find a cluster of fantastic cultural sites and monuments all located in Mexico City.

This includes three of the best - the Zocalo (a square featuring many historical buildings), the Monumento a la Revolución and the Castillo de Chapultepec on a hill above the city.

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