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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi
Map Pin
Av. Juarez S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
POI 1 Tour Image
Palacio de Bellas Artes, Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City
Coming on your left is the magnificent Palacio de Bellas Artes — the Palace of Fine Arts, and one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Mexico City.

Take a moment to admire this stunning white marble building in front of you. With its massive orange-and-gold dome, dramatic sculptures, and blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, Bellas Artes feels almost like a European palace dropped right into the heart of Mexico City.

Construction began in 1904 under President Porfirio Díaz, who wanted Mexico City to rival the great capitals of Europe. But between the Mexican Revolution, financial troubles, and even the city’s soft soil causing the building to slowly sink, it took nearly 30 years to complete.

And yes — if you look carefully, you may notice the palace sits slightly lower than the surrounding streets. Mexico City was built on an ancient lakebed, and many historic buildings here slowly sink over time.

Inside, Bellas Artes is considered Mexico’s most important cultural venue. It hosts concerts, opera, ballet, theater, and exhibitions, and its walls feature breathtaking murals by legendary Mexican artists including Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco.

One of the building’s most fascinating treasures is its stage curtain — not fabric, but nearly a million pieces of colored Tiffany glass forming a giant landscape of the Valley of Mexico with the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.

Not bad for a curtain.

This area has long been the cultural heartbeat of the city, where music, politics, art, and history constantly collide. And as we begin our journey through Mexico City, there’s really no better place to start.

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Place #2
Distance: 0.09mi
Map Pin
Av. 5 de Mayo 425, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Cuauhtémoc, 20000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
POI 3 Tour Image
Museo del Banco de Mexico
On your left is the Museo Banco de México, the Museum of the Bank of Mexico.

Housed inside a beautiful historic building, this museum tells the story of Mexico’s economy, currency, and financial history — which may sound a little dry… until you realize it includes gold coins, counterfeit money, massive old printing presses, and the fascinating evolution of Mexican pesos through wars, revolutions, and political change.

The building itself is worth admiring. Originally constructed in the early 1900s, it blends elegant European-inspired architecture with distinctly Mexican details, fitting perfectly into the grand atmosphere of Mexico City’s historic center.

And in a city filled with Aztec temples, colonial churches, and revolutionary history, it’s kind of refreshing to remember that money has always been part of the story too.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Palacio de Bellas Artes, Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City
Map Pin Place 2 Museo del Banco de Mexico
Map Pin Place 3 Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Map Pin Place 4 Foro Valparaíso – Art, Banking, and Hidden Elegance
Map Pin Place 5 The Supreme Court of Mexico – Justice at the Heart of the Nation
Map Pin Place 6 Museo del Estanquillo, Pancho Villa & Templo de San Felipe
Map Pin Place 7 Zócalo & Metropolitan Cathedral – The Heart of Mexico City
Map Pin Place 8 Plaza de Santo Domingo & Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Map Pin Place 9 Ex Convento de San Hipólito – Layers of Conquest and Faith
Map Pin Place 10 Glorieta de las Mujeres que Luchan – Roundabout of the Women Who Fight
Map Pin Place 11 Monumento a Cuauhtémoc – The Last Aztec Emperor
Map Pin Place 12 The Palm Roundabout – A Famous Mexico City Landmark
Map Pin Place 13 Glorieta de la Palma & The Angel of Independence
Map Pin Place 14 Diana the Huntress Fountain – One of Reforma’s Most Iconic Symbols
Map Pin Place 15 Estela de Luz – Mexico City’s Modern Monument
Map Pin Place 16 Museo Soumaya – Mexico City’s Silver Giant
Map Pin Place 17 Masaryk Avenue – Mexico City’s Luxury Boulevard
Map Pin Place 18 Parque Lincoln – A Green Escape in Polanco
Map Pin Place 19 Museo Nacional de Antropología – Mexico’s Greatest Museum
Map Pin Place 20 Chapultepec Park – Castles, Museums, and the Green Heart of Mexico City
Map Pin Place 21 Parking Options Near Chapultepec Park
Map Pin Place 22 Parking + Farewell



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as Palacio de Bellas Artes, Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City, Museo del Banco de Mexico, Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Foro Valparaíso – Art, Banking, and Hidden Elegance, The Supreme Court of Mexico – Justice at the Heart of the Nation.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Palacio de Bellas Artes, Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City (Address: Av. Juarez S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!