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I love to travel anytime and anywhere, but I am constantly drawn back to Mexico. If you think Mexico is all walled, all-inclusive beach resorts and busy tourist strips, you are completely missing the real magic of this country.
Time-out just released their huge list of the Best cities in the world for 2026and I was absolutely thrilled to see two of my favorite places at the top of the list: Mexico City and Guadalajara.
I’m telling you now officially: you must visit both cities at least once in your life. Here’s an in-depth look at why they’re totally awesome, what to do when you get there, and why they should be on your radar this year.
1. Mexico City (CDMX)
The ultimate cultural thriller
Time Out ranked Mexico City sixth in the entire world in 2026, and it’s easy to see why. It is a powerhouse of culture, art and food that is constantly pushing boundaries.
The atmosphere: Walking around CDMX is a sensory overload in the best way possible. It’s a huge metropolis, but no matter what neighborhood my wife Liz and I walk in, there’s always an incredible, welcoming energy that makes us feel right at home. We usually like to stay in Roma, but also try Condesa.
The city has an unbeatable, visually stunning mix of quirky colonial buildings and sleek, modern architecture.
Deep dive into culture: The locals here actively brag about their museum scene, and they have every right to do so. The city has no fewer than 182 museums!
You could spend ten years here and not see everything. I’m completely obsessed with the iconic Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) in Coyoacán, the ultra-modern, silver-colored Museo Soumaya, and the enormous National Anthropology Museum in Chapultepec Park.
If you like contemporary art, you should definitely explore the hidden galleries in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood.
My strategy: When we go, our entire trip revolves around food. CDMX has the best street food imaginable on every street corner, but the culinary revolution happening right now is insane.
We love having breakfast in the leafy, relaxed Condesa neighborhood, visiting the dark kitchens and trendy cafes of Roma Norte, and then making an evening reservation at one of the city’s globally ranked fine-dining spots.
I always try to spend a Sunday renting a bike to ride along Paseo de la Reforma when the streets are closed to cars, or to wander the shady paths of Alameda Central, right next to the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes.
2. Guadalajara
The creative heartbeat of Mexico
Guadalajara is the legendary birthplace of mariachi and tequila, but it is so much more than just its history. It is Mexico’s second largest city and the absolute epicenter of the country’s underground creative scene.
The atmosphere: Time Out previously named Colonia Americana in Guadalajara as the coolest neighborhood in the world, and I couldn’t agree more. The atmosphere there is second to none. It’s a bold, beautiful mix of art deco mansions, incredible street food carts, sleek cafes and dive bars where you can sip the best tequila of your life.
I love how this city balances its deeply traditional roots with a huge, groundbreaking creative community.
Deep dive into culture: The architecture and art here will absolutely blow you away. As you walk through the historic center, you are immediately greeted by the towering yellow neo-Gothic spiers of the Guadalajara Cathedral. But the absolute must-see is the Hospicio Cabañas (Centro Cultural Cabañas), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning, dramatic ceiling frescoes painted by legendary Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco.
My strategy: We always base ourselves in Colonia Americana so we can just walk to the best music venues and coffee shops. During the day, I highly recommend taking a quick Uber ride to Tlaquepaque, a charming artisan neighborhood full of cobblestone streets, colorful galleries, and incredible ceramics.
Walking into sculptor Sergio Bustamante’s gallery feels like entering a surreal fantasy world. Finally, you can’t visit Guadalajara without experiencing the tequila culture. We like to book a ride on the Jose Cuervo Express train for a scenic day trip to the town of Tequila proper to wander through the blue agave fields and tour the working distilleries.
A note on safety: Yes, Guadalajara has been making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. Understandably, many are hesitant to book a trip. But for what it’s worth, I recently traveled with another journalist who lives in the city, who told me that life was back to normal within a few days, and now everything is back to normal.
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