Sitting high above one of Mexico City’s best green spaces is Chapultepec Castle. It sits on top of a hill that has been a sacred place for Aztecs and housed a military academy, imperial residence, and presidential home. Now, it’s a museum.
The castle that was once home to Mexican Emperor Maximilian I how houses the National Museum of History (in Spanish: Museo Nacional de Historia) featuring rooms dedicated to various stages of Mexican history.
Large, colorful murals are a highlight, as is a room devoted to jade furnishings. On the top floor there is a section of former residences surrounding a landscaped courtuard and observatory that have been restored to their former opulent glory. And patios surrounding the building offer wonderful views out over Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec) and Mexico City.
Photos of Mexico’s National Museum of History
More Photos of Chapultepec Castle
You can find more photos of Chapultepec Castle here.
What To Know Before You Go
- The museum is generally open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 to 5, but check with the official website to confirm that opening hours.
- You’ll have to check your bag at a checkpoint at the bottom of the hill by renting a locker for a small fee.
- It’s a bit of a hike uphill to get to the castle.
- In general, you can wander around self-guided, although there is a preferred direction in the flow of traffic.
- It’s a pleasant and easy walk from the National Museum of Anthropology to Chapultepec Castle.
- On weekends it can get quite busy, as can the rest of Chapultepec Park as families, especially with children, flock to the area.
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Mexico
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Mexico (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Mexico here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Mexico here.
Guidebooks for Mexico
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Mexico. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Sainsbury, Brendan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Guides, Rough (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Bartlett, Ray (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Mexico
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Mexico :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!