For architect and director of Mextrópoli, Andrea Griborio, Mexico City is not a static backdrop—it is a living organism in constant transformation. "It’s a city that always surprises you, always moves, and where fantastic processes of transformation are constantly happening," she says. Exploring the capital through her eyes means learning to observe: understanding its plazas, its sidewalks, its layers of history, and that vibrant energy that captivates every visitor.

09:00 hrs. Breakfast and a Stroll Through La Condes

The day begins in one of the city's greenest and most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. For a proper morning start, the go-to choice is classic green chilaquiles with chicken at one of the neighborhood's local cafés or spots. After breakfast, the best plan is to get lost on foot. Andrea highlights the value of streets designed specifically for pedestrians: “I love Ámsterdam Street; its tree-lined median is absolute bliss to walk. I also love wide-sidewalk avenues like Alfonso Reyes or Álvaro Obregón. They are designed for pedestrians, and when you walk them, they are deeply enjoyable.”

11:30 hrs.  Art, Design, and Contemporary Architecture

By mid-morning, it’s time to feed the eyes with art and space. For Andrea, the experience of a museum or gallery goes beyond its collection: the architecture itself must conquer the visitor. For local design and independent initiatives: A visit to Laguna (in Colonia Doctores), a repurposed venue where exhibitions and creative projects are always underway. For galleries and contemporary art: Kurimanzutto in San Miguel Chapultepec, a benchmark for both art and architecture. For major museums with iconic architecture: Head toward Chapultepec Park or Polanco to admire Museo Tamayo or Museo Jumex.

14:00 hrs. A Historic Center Classic Feast

For lunch, the route shifts to the heart of the metropolis. When hosting international visitors or guest speakers from Mextrópoli, the undisputed destination is a Historic Center staple: El Cardenal. Whether for traditional Mexican cuisine or seasonal delicacies like chiles en nogada, it is an unfailing gathering place that pays tribute to culinary tradition.

16:30 hrs. Occupying the Alameda Central

After lunch, the walk continues toward Alameda Central, Andrea’s favorite green space in the city. “It is the first public park on the continent; from the moment it was laid out, it was born with the purpose of being a public space, and it still is,” she reflects. Having spent 13 editions of Mextrópoli temporarily filling the Alameda with urban pavilions and installations, this park represents the exact point where colonial history intersects with daily life, rallies, sketching students, and civic vitality.

18:30 hrs. Layers of History at Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

Just a short walk from the Alameda, the afternoon wraps up at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, one of the director’s favorite cultural venues. It is the perfect spot to understand how centuries of memory gather within a single square or structure—from nearby Templo Mayor ruins to Novohispanic Baroque grandeur and 20th-century murals.

21:00 hrs.  Tacos al Pastor and Cantina

Tradition To close out the day, the evening experience in CDMX demands unpretentious authenticity. The first option is immersing oneself in traditional cantina culture—timeless spots with intact identities like La Montejo or Bar El Sella. To wrap up the night, nothing beats the local devotion to tacos al pastor: a brief visit to El Califa or El Tizoncito delivers the quintessential late-night flavor of the capital.

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