Iztapalapa

No reviews yetCity Mexico City, Mexico

HandFountainIzta02, Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico

Utopía Meyehualco 07, Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico

About Iztapalapa

Every Holy Week, a cast of thousands of local residents turns the streets of old Iztapalapa into Jerusalem, and up to two million spectators come to watch. The Passion Play is the most famous expression of a borough that is far more than a dormitory district: with close to two million inhabitants, Iztapalapa is the most populous of Mexico City's sixteen boroughs, spread across the dry eastern basin of the former Lake Texcoco.

Long before the Spanish arrived, Iztapalapa was a lakeside city of the Aztec world, and the volcanic Cerro de la Estrella above it hosted the New Fire Ceremony that renewed time every 52 years. The old town keeps its eight traditional barrios, chapels and the much-loved Santuario del Señor de la Cuevita.

Recent years brought striking new ways to see it all. Cablebús Line 2 floats over painted rooftops, the Cabeza de Juárez stares out over the eastern avenues, and the gigantic Central de Abasto market keeps the whole capital fed. Come with curiosity, use public transport and pair sights with local food markets.

Best seasonHoly Week for the Passion Play; November to April for dry weather

Ideal stay1-2 days from central Mexico City

ArrivingMetro Lines 8 and 12, Cablebús Line 2 and the elevated trolleybus

Exploring Iztapalapa: 10 Must-See Spots

Nature 1

Cerro de la Estrella National Park

This volcanic hill rising above Iztapalapa is protected as a national park and was sacred in Aztec times. Paths climb through scru...

Museums 1

Museo del Fuego Nuevo

On the slopes of Cerro de la Estrella, this small site museum explains the New Fire Ceremony, the Aztec ritual held every 52 years...

Events 1

Passion Play of Iztapalapa

Since the 19th century, residents of Iztapalapa's eight traditional barrios have staged the Passion of Christ each Holy Week, with...

Viewpoints 1

Cablebús Line 2

This urban cable car runs for more than ten kilometers across Iztapalapa, from Constitución de 1917 to Santa Marta, and is among t...

Shopping 1

Central de Abasto

One of the largest wholesale food markets in the world, the Central de Abasto supplies much of the fruit, vegetables, flowers and...

Landmarks 1

Cabeza de Juárez

A huge sculpted head of Benito Juárez looks out over eastern Iztapalapa from a tall base, raised in the 1970s to honor the reformi...

Temples and Shrines 1

Santuario del Señor de la Cuevita

In the old town, this sanctuary holds the image of the Señor de la Cuevita, a figure of Christ deeply venerated by Iztapalapa's tr...

Hikes 1

Sierra de Santa Catarina

A chain of small extinct volcanoes along Iztapalapa's southeastern border, partly protected as an ecological conservation area. Tr...

Parks 1

Parque Cuitláhuac

Named after the Aztec ruler who was once lord of Iztapalapa, this large public park was created on former landfill ground in the b...

Family 1

Utopía Meyehualco

One of the new Utopía community parks built across Iztapalapa, this complex in the Meyehualco area combines gardens, sports facili...

Reviews

No reviews yet. Been to Iztapalapa? Be the first to share your experience.

Write a review

Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.

Share your photos

Been to Iztapalapa? Add your best shots to the gallery.

More places in Mexico City

Coyoacán

Mexico City, Mexico

Xochimilco

Mexico City, Mexico

Cuernavaca

Morelos, Mexico

Ixtapa

Guerrero, Mexico

Bacalar

Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cancún

Quintana Roo, Mexico

Chetumal

Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cobá

Quintana Roo, Mexico

See all places in Mexico →

Photo credits

Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Armandoxxx456a, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wotancito, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ismaep, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: ProtoplasmaKid, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: PetrohsW, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: X SUR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Juan Francisco Contreras Fernández, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Secretaría de Cultura CDMX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Eneas De Troya, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Yavidaxiu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: Wotancito, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Luisalvaz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: ProtoplasmaKid, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Secretaría de Cultura Ciudad de México from México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: vladimix, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Jubilo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Secretaría de Cultura Ciudad de México from México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Enrique Grandos Salas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Yavidaxiu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Gobierno de la Ciudad de México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Wotancito, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0