The 7 Best Day Trips Near Mexico City: Unmissable Getaways Close to the Capital

Are you searching for the best day trips near Mexico City? This sprawling metropolis is surrounded by incredible destinations that are just a short drive or train ride away.

From charming colonial towns and ancient ruins to stunning natural landscapes, there’s no shortage of amazing places to explore.

Whether you’re craving culture, history, or adventure, these day trips offer the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.

Day Trips from Mexico City #1: Xochimilco

This is one of our favorite parts of Mexico City, and is definitely one to add to the bucket list! Xochimilco features a long river running through it, with hundreds of colorfully painted boats for rent.

Head to one of the several piers in town and rent one of these boats by the hour. The cool thing is that the rentals are per hour and not per person. So the more people you have, the cheaper (and more fun) it is!

Float down the river and you will find people selling food, drinks, and souvenirs. There are also bands that will hop on your boat and serenade you! Not to mention the ride itself is very scenic. It has plenty of points of interest that you can enjoy and stop at.

Take a look at our Xochimilco guide for all of the details about one of the best day trips near Mexico City.

Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #2: Teotihuacan

Located just an hour outside of the city, this makes for the perfect day trip from Mexico City. In just this tiny town, there are some great spots to check out.

Teotihuacan is known for its incredible pyramids, but other than the pyramids you can enjoy a hot air balloon at sunrise and also eating at a restaurant inside a cave.

Teotihuacan is definitely one of the best day trips near Mexico City, and is perfect for a full day adventure.

Don't want to go on your own? There are a ton of day trips from Mexico City to Teotihuacan that you can choose from.

Want to know more about Teotihuacan? We have a full blog article that you can read by checking out the link below.:

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

The Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #3: Arcos del Sitio

This spot is located about an hour and a half north of the city, and is great to spend a few hours. Here you will find an archeological site featuring a three-tiered aqueduct from the 18th century.

Not only can you admire the aqueduct from below, but you can walk across the top! They even have a hanging bridge on the other side to add a little adrenaline to your visit, and for some great views of the aqueduct from a far,

Here you will find vendors selling snacks and souvenirs, as well as families flying kites. (It is the perfect place to do so because of the wind). Grab your camera and enjoy the beauty of this great spot!

The Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #4: Prismas Basalticos

This naturally made masterpiece is the creation of a phenomenon that happened about 2.5 million years ago! The Basalt Prisms were created by the collision of water and lava, making this a truly unique landscape.

You can walk across the suspension bridge to admire the prisms from above them, and you can walk below to get an up-close look. With a couple of man-made waterfalls cascading along them, it is a true beauty. Also, you can find a souvenir shop, restaurants, and a parking lot where you leave your car safely.

Prismas Basalticos are located in the state of Hidalgo, just 2 hours north east of the center, making for a great day trip from Mexico City.

We decided to rent a car to visit, but you can also take one of these tours that we found:

The Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #5: Puebla

This is one of our favorite cities in all of Mexico, and lies just 2 hours south east of Ciudad de Mexico. Roam the colorful streets, ride the famous Estrella de Puebla, or check out the awesome Pueblos Magicos nearby.

This is not only a great day trip from Mexico City. But with so much to do, it is an awesome weekend getaway.

Want to see all of the amazing things to do in and around Puebla? Take a look at our Puebla travel guide!

The Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #6: Taxco Guerrero

Taxco Guerrero is another Pueblo Mágico that is just a little over two hours from the Capital. Head South East to discover a place that will truly make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Enjoy the old town, ride the cable car, or discover the gorgeous nature that this area has to offer.

Want to read about all of the reasons to visit Taxco Guerrero? Well, we've written an entire article about this cool town.

The Best Day Trips Near Mexico City #7: Queretaro

Another great city that is just a couple of hours away from the capital is Queretaro. The cute city center has tons of handcrafted souvenirs and colorful streets, and there are some great restaurants and bars. 

The area is also known for its wine, cheese, and art. We love Queretaro because it features art galleries and vineyards all over the area. 

Want to see all of the cool things to do in Queretaro? Take a look at our Queretaro travel guide.

Mexico has an endless amount of places to explore, and there are new surprises around each corner. Looking to explore some cool weekend trips from Mexico City? Then we highly suggest Grutas de Tolantongo, or la Huasteca Potosina. As they feature some of the most beautiful natural wonders, they deserve a few days to visit.

Exploring different areas of Mexico? We have plenty more awesome areas throughout the country to share with you! Check out our 40 different Mexico guides.

Need help planning your trip? We're here to help! Unlike normal travel agencies, we make custom itineraries for our customers, and dedicate our time to helping you explore more while spending less. Want to learn the details? Take a sneak peak at some of our travel planning packages.

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