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Though the idea of a vacation in Mexico usually brings to mind images of margaritas on white-sand beaches, it seems the country is slowly but surely gaining recognition in other aspects as well. Among the most populated urban cities in Latin America and the world – not to mention The New York Times' number one "Place to Go in 2016" – Mexico City offers a particular cultural diversity evident both in its traditions and in its architecture. Considering it's the main tourist, educational, cultural, economic and political center of Mexico, it makes sense that it's the perfect scenario for the social encounters of its multicultural inhabitants and tourists.

The sites of architectural interest alone are worth the visit, with prehispanic, classic, modern and contemporary examples ranging from Juan O'Gorman and Luis Barragán to Felix Candela and David Chipperfield. Add to that the fact that its gastronomic scene has garnered much praise and attention in recent years, and you've got a perfect combo. Below is a carefully curated list of 30 sites that every architect should know and visit.

(Disclaimer: though roughly half the links direct to our Spanish site, the pictures are worth the click, we promise!)

Address: Avenida Universidad 3000

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Address: General Francisco Ramírez 12-14

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Address: Calle General Antonio León 82

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Address: Calle Diego Rivera & Avenida Altavista

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Address: Calle Diego Rivera & Avenida Altavista

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Address: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 2

Address: Avenida Paseo de la Reforma & Calzada Mahatma Gandhi

08. Museo del Templo Mayor / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez y Jorge Ramírez Campuzan

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Address: Acceso desde Plaza Seminario, Zócalo

09. Palacio de Bellas Artes / Adamo Boari - Federico Ernesto Mariscal Piña

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Address: Avenida Juárez & Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas

10. Monumento a la Revolución / Carlos Obregón Santacilia

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Address: Plaza de la República s/n

11. Plaza de las Tres Culturas

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Address: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas & Avenida Ricardo Flores Magón

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Address: Avenida Ricardo Flores Magón & Avenida Insurgentes Norte

Address: Calle 27, 60, Xochimilco

Address: Eje 1 Norte Mosqueta & Calle Juan Aldama

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Address: Paseo de Las Palmas 555

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Address: Paseo de la Reforma 51

Address: Paseo de la Reforma 27

Address: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 303

Address: Boulevard Cervantes Saavedra esq. Presa Falcón

Address: Avenida México Coyoacán 389

21. Casa Azul - Museo Frida Kahlo

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Address: Londres 247

Address: Calle Fernández Leal 43

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Address: Manantial Oriente 20, Atizapán de Zaragoza

Address: Perif. Boulervard Manuel Ávila Camacho & Paseo de la Primavera

25. Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México

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Address: Plaza de la Constitución S/N

Address: Calzada de los Misterios & Zumarraga

Address: Paseo de la Reforma & Lieja

28. Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

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Address: Justo Sierra 16

29. Castillo de Chapultepec

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Address: Bosque de Chapultepec / Acceso por Paseo de la Reforma

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Address: Museo 150