Interior View of Templo Mayor Museum

Templo Mayor Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Archaeological site

One of the Top rated Museums in Mexico City


Address

Seminario 8, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06060 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Website

www.inah.gob.mx

Contact

+52 55 4040 5600

Rating on Google Maps

4.80
(77632.9K reviews)


Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: (Labour Day), 9 AM to 5 PM, Hours might differ
  • Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Why you should visit Templo Mayor Museum

A must-visit for history enthusiasts, the Templo Mayor Museum offers a rewarding experience, unveiling the grandeur of the Aztec civilization beneath Mexico City. Plan for at least 1.5 - 2 hours to fully explore the site and museum. It is conveniently located close to other historic and tourist sites in Mexico City.

  1. Explore the remnants of the Aztec empire's central temple and discover its history and artifacts. The museum offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Mexico's pre-Hispanic roots and appreciate the layers of history beneath Mexico City.

Things you should know before visiting

The site includes outdoor ruins and a large, multi-story museum. Bag checks are enforced, particularly regarding liquids. Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and bring sun protection. The main museum is located at the back of the archaeological site.

Cons & Pros

  • Fascinating artifacts and exhibits
  • Well-organized and modern museum
  • Rich cultural history and insight into Aztec civilization
  • Central location near other historical sites
  • Bilingual signage (Spanish & English)
  • Bag checks can be inconvenient (water bottle restrictions)
  • Limited outdoor shade; sun exposure
  • Initial impression from the street might be underwhelming

Highlighted Reviews

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Once through the site you enter the museum which is 3 or 4 floors of fascinating Mexican history including many artifacts from the site.

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The site looks like a big pile of rocks from the street but has tons of cool details once inside and with signage.

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I didn't expect the museum to be so big, nor the ruins themselves. It looks a lot smaller from the outside.

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Very fascinating how the site was built up on top of each other.

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The artifacts and Rich cultural history that is on display here is absolutely fascinating.

Visitor Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (19) site (12) history (11) ruins (11) Mexico (8) artifacts (7) visit (6) time (6)
Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors.
  • 5/5 milhouse 7. 2 months ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    At first I was underwhelmed as there is only a small display at the entrance then the site which you can see from the steeet. But once through the site you enter the museum which is 3 or 4 floors of fascinating Mexican history including many artifacts from the site. A must do for everyone coming to Mexico City.

  • 5/5 Matthew T. 4 months ago on Google • 30 reviews
    The site looks like a big pile of rocks from the street but has tons of cool details once inside and with signage. There are two museums, a small one with some artifacts and basic information at the site entrance and another entered through the back of the site. The latter is big and modern and has spectacular organization and artifacts. Whole experience about 1.5 hours for us, could have stayed longer.

  • 5/5 Kristina C. 1 month ago on Google • 58 reviews New
    So awesome that this archeological site is in the middle of a mega city. Learned so much! I appreciated that many of the plaques (esp outside) are in spanish & english. Came in April ‘25. $100 pesos per adult (kids under 13 are free).

  • 5/5 Mark R. 6 months ago on Google • 61 reviews
    Kind of a must see if you have any interest in history at all. You can see a fair bit of the ruins without actually going inside, but for 95 Pesos, go in. My bag was searched and I was forced to check it (because I had a bottle of water in it?); no problem, but I didn’t realize I would be out in the sun for a good bit so I left my sunglasses and hat in the bag, I needed those and my water, so be advised. After you enter, go straight as far as you can and see that display before following the route outside through the ruins. Then enter the main museum, see rooms 1-8 in order before returning back. There are bathrooms right after you enter the turnstiles as well as in the basement of the main museum. You need to exit outside and circle back to pick up your bag if you checked one. The location is central to a lot of other historic and tourist sites.

  • 5/5 Nick S. 2 months ago on Google • 71 reviews New
    Very impressive presentation! I was only expecting a few key relics after wandering among the temple ruins, and was greatly surprised by the size of the collection given the anthropology museum is literally just down the road. It was great to see a whole different collection of artifacts still intact, given ruins you walk through to see it. Very engaging and worth a visit whenever you are in El Centro.

  • 5/5 Naomi González K. 6 months ago on Google • 80 reviews
    This museum is very interesting. You can see parts of the Templo Mayor that are bellow downtown Mexico City. I highly recommend it. Bring an umbrella or a cap the sun is super bright. If you can take the time so see the exhibition carefully they have some gems there.

  • 5/5 Cate F. 2 months ago on Google • 107 reviews New
    Life changing experience. WOW. We spent so much time soaking in the ruins and then the amazing, extensive, wonderful, beautifully thought out museum just blew our minds. So many artifacts, the story of the excavation richly and dramatically illustrated. A true gem of a museum. After hours we couldn't even take in more information and just want to return. Incredible to see the 700 years of history in contrast to each other, the ancient, the old, the antique, the modern, and people flowing all over. True river of time. Beautiful excavation and presentation, a must visit in CDMX!

  • 5/5 Miriam I. 4 months ago on Google • 182 reviews
    Templo Mayor is a must-visit landmark in Mexico City, offering a unique glimpse into the ancient history buried beneath the bustling metropolis. Located near the Zócalo, this archaeological site and museum provide an incredible opportunity to connect with Mexico’s rich Aztec heritage. Why Visit? Standing so close to the ruins transports you back in time, making you wonder about the grandeur of the ancient city of Tenochtitlán and the stories hidden beneath the streets of Mexico City. It’s a perfect destination for history enthusiasts and anyone looking to explore Mexico’s cultural roots. What to Expect • The Ruins: Explore the remnants of the Aztec temple, with detailed exhibits explaining its significance and the rituals performed there. • The Museum: Though not very large, the museum is packed with fascinating artifacts, including sculptures, offerings, and items used in religious ceremonies. Tips for Your Visit 1. Plan for a Few Hours: The museum and ruins can be explored comfortably in a couple of hours, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the surrounding area. 2. Dine with a View: After your visit, treat yourself to a meal at one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the Zócalo. It’s a great way to reflect on the history you’ve just experienced while enjoying delicious food. 3. Comfortable Shoes: As with most historical sites, there’s some walking involved, so wear comfortable shoes to fully enjoy your visit. The Templo Mayor is a remarkable site that seamlessly blends history and culture. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about Mexico’s past, this is a destination you won’t want to miss.

  • 5/5 Al 5 months ago on Google • 208 reviews
    Formerly the heart of the empire, and renamed to Mexica city after the Spanish conquest. Not much to see of this site om the outside due to being razed to the ground mostly from the Spanish conquest, but the indoor museum at the back was incredible large and detailed. We can see how the layers of floor were gradually added over time to protect temples from flooding, and the temple was expanded over centuries.

  • 5/5 Maddi P. 5 months ago on Google • 297 reviews
    I really liked this! I didn't expect the museum to be so big, nor the ruins themselves. It looks a lot smaller from the outside. Very cool to walk among all the layers of the various constructions! I spent over 2 hours with the ruins and the museum building combined.

  • 5/5 Heather S. 4 months ago on Google • 491 reviews
    There is a small museum at the entrance, then you walk through some ruins outdoors, then there's a very large 5-story museum you can also visit. All of this is included in the admission price. Most of the signage is bilingual, both Spanish & English. This is absolutely worth a visit!

  • 5/5 JC N. 4 months ago on Google • 543 reviews
    Very interesting site in the middle of the city center. Guides available, but you can go without, lots of signs and the museum is nice, clean and cooled. Very fascinating how the site was built up on top of each other. Was $100 pesos per person, museum has very clean bathrooms.

  • 5/5 Hunter G. 5 months ago on Google • 565 reviews
    If you're at all interested in the history of ancient civilizations or Aztec culture then this museum is an absolute must see. The artifacts and Rich cultural history that is on display here is absolutely fascinating. We ended up spending upwards to 2 hours touring the uncovered temple ruins and the museum itself. Highly recommend if you're visiting Mexico City and want to learn a little bit about the history of the people and the place.


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