Getting to Know Mexico City: Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo & UNAM

Mexico City is a vast metropolis full of culture, art, history, and modern attractions. With its sprawling network of neighborhoods, each with its own character, it’s easy to get lost in the capital city’s richness. In this guide we will explore four of Mexico City’s most iconic landmarks – Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). We’ll look at what each one has to offer, their cultural importance and the best way to enjoy them all in one visit.

Xochimilco: Where Aztec and Colonial Worlds Collide

Xochimilco is an area to the south of Mexico City, best known for its canals. It is widely accepted as the last vestige of the Aztec empire in Mexico City as it has largely retained its original architecture, environment and culture. Xochimilco is mostly associated with the colorful trajineras, flat-bottomed boats that move slowly through the canals. Pedaling them with lake oars and singing traditional songs (known as jaranas) is a major tourist attraction.

The Sacred Islet of Xochimilco

The small islet at Xochimilco’s center is called chinamitl, and is believed to be sacred by many who visit it. It is notable for its nature as it has a variety of wild plants and animals native to the area. It’s also a popular spot to rent your own trajinera – you can even party on it with a mariachi band if you plan ahead – and many private companies offer customizable packages of Chinamitl tours that can range from walking tours to dinner cruises.

Coyoacan: The Colonial Charm

Coyoacan is one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Mexico City. It is known for its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and its vibrant street life. Coyoacan was once an independent city but was annexed by Mexico City in the mid 19th century. It has since become home to important political, artistic, and intellectual movements – and a favorite hangout spot for Mexico City’s youth.

Discovering Coyoacan

Coyoacan can be experienced in many ways – and that’s part of its charm. Spend your day leisurely wandering through its museums, cafés and markets, or just people-watch from an outdoor café. For a more in-depth visit you can experience Coyoacan through its gastronomy – further exploring local flavors by visiting cevicherías (ceviche restaurants) or venturing into traditional Mexican street food. Don’t miss out on the chance to try fresh fruit shakes – made with exotic fruits like maracuya (passionfruit) while taking a stroll down to La Plaza Hidalgo where you can find local artisans and craftspeople exhibiting their artworks.

Frida Kahlo: A Masterpiece of Mexican Art

One of Mexico City’s most important landmarks is the house of Frida Kahlo. After her death in 1954, the home was lovingly restored by her husband Diego Rivera and turned into a museum dedicated to her life and work. Although Frida’s work is well-known around the world, visiting the museum provides an intimate look into her closets and personal collections – giving visitors a chance to explore her legacy up close.

The museum showcases Frida Kahlo’s artwork – from her iconic self-portraits to her later “surrealist” pieces – as well as items from her home like prints, photographs, books and more. Visitors can also explore Frida’s years of medical treatments after her accident as she employed various forms of treatment such as traditional Mexican healing methods (Curanderos), acupuncture, electroshock therapy and more.

The museum also houses an impressive collection of PreHispanic artifacts and Mexican folk art pieces collected by Rivera – providing an incredible view of Mexican culture through both works of art and everyday objects. During your visit don’t forget to explore the outdoor gardens for their tranquil spaces and unique fountains.

UNAM: Mexico City’s Finest University

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is the oldest and most prestigious institution in the country and is considered a symbol of Mexican identity around the world. It was founded in 1910 as part of Mexico’s intellectual awakening and has since become one of Latin America’s top universities. The school has provided part of the framework for Mexico City’s cultural development, as it serves as a hub for science, technology, research, art and more.

Visiting UNAM means immersing yourself in Mexican culture – it’s home to a library with over 3 million books, several museums showcasing PreHispanic artifacts, and an extensive galleries featuring student artwork each year. You can also discover its murals, some painted by Mexico’s best known artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. And be sure not to miss out on its multiple lecture halls – perfect for listening to guest speakers or attending traditional lectures on any topic.

Exploring Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo & UNAM: A Must-Do Mexico City Tour

Mexico City offers an incredible wealth of history and cultural experiences to enjoy – it’d be impossible to do everything in one visit. But by exploring Xochimlico, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo & UNAM you can get an intimate look into four important cultural icons of Mexico City in just one day! Whether you choose to traverse Xochimilco’s canals or spend a leisurely day browsing Coyocan’s historic streets, or take full advantage of UNAM’s lectures and exhibits– there is something here for everyone to enjoy! And when you combine it with discovering Frida Kahlo’s vibrant history through her museum you will be able to paint a picture of Mexican city life that no other tour can provide!

If you want to fully explore Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Frida Kahlo & UNAM , but don’t have enough time or knowledge about planning the perfect tour for yourself then GetYourGuide has got your back! It’s easy to book a guided tour with GetYourGuide that takes you to each landmark while offering in-depth commentary on the places along the way! So if you’re planning a trip to Mexico City make sure you check GetYourGuide out so you don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!