Pyramid of the Sun
Among the ancient world's largest.
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The ruins of a great ancient city north-east of Mexico City, which in the first centuries AD was the largest city in the Americas, with an estimated population of around a hundred thousand, among the largest in the world in its time. It was built centuries before the Aztecs, who found it abandoned and named it Teotihuacan; it is on UNESCO's list. The city is crossed by the «Avenue of the Dead», a straight avenue over two kilometres long lined with platforms and temples. Its highlights are the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids of the ancient world, the Pyramid of the Moon at the end of the avenue, and the Ciudadela with its temple decorated with carved heads. Climbing the pyramids is not allowed in 2026, to protect the monuments, but walking the Avenue of the Dead between the vast pyramids is unforgettable, and the views from the plazas are wide. Early in the morning colourful hot-air balloons float over the site, and you can book a flight. The site is vast and exposed to the sun at over 2,000 metres, so bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes. Arrive at opening, before the heat and the tour buses.
Among the ancient world's largest.
Over two kilometres long.
Colour over the pyramids.
San Juan Teotihuacán, State of Mexico; about 40 km north-east of Mexico City, an hour by bus
No: climbing the pyramids is not allowed in 2026, to protect them. You can walk the Avenue of the Dead and the plazas around them, or see them from a balloon at dawn.