Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral: a visitor’s guide
What to see inside the Metropolitan Cathedral, how to visit, and why it took almost 250 years to build. Hotel Catedral is a one-minute walk away.
Hotel Catedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral fills the north side of the Zócalo and is Mexico’s most important church. Construction began in 1573 and ended in 1813: almost 250 years of work, which is why it mixes Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Hotel Catedral sits right behind it at Guatemala 16, a one-minute walk away.
What to see inside
| Spot | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Altar of the Kings | A gilded altarpiece by Jerónimo de Balbás (18th century), one of the most striking Baroque works in Mexico. |
| The pendulum | A plumb line hangs in the nave and shows how far the building has tilted as the old lakebed sinks. |
| Side chapels | Each has its own altarpieces, colonial paintings and sculptures. |
| Choir and organs | The carved wooden choir and the monumental organs in the middle of the nave. |
The Sagrario and the bell towers
Next door is the Sagrario Metropolitano, with a Baroque façade by Lorenzo Rodríguez (18th century). Up top, Manuel Tolsá’s clock tower holds statues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Guided tours to the bell towers are usually offered: ask at the entrance for that day’s times.
Tips for your visit
- Entry to the Cathedral is free. Dress respectfully and keep quiet during Mass.
- Mass and tour times change, so confirm them when you arrive.
- Pair it with the Templo Mayor, 3 minutes away, the ceremonial heart of Tenochtitlan.
- To see it lit up at night, head to Hotel Catedral’s terrace bar, which looks straight at the Cathedral.
Where to stay
To wake up next to the Cathedral, see our hotel near the Metropolitan Cathedral or our rooms with a Cathedral view. Then keep walking along Calle Madero toward Bellas Artes.
