'I had low expectations when I visited this destination. It's now my favourite place in the world.'

Mexico City is super cool. I, on the other hand, am not. Which may explain why I had never wanted to go there. But now I can't wait to go back.

Mexico City is a cross between New York and Barcelona — it's a massive MASSIVE international destination, and yet there are pockets that feel super European and cute, complete with cake shops, flower stalls and little parks with fountains, where locals walk their dogs.

It's foodie heaven, it's margarita madness and there's so much to see and do!

So let me convince you why you should go and all the things to do while you're there…

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Where to eat in Mexico City.

You can't go to Mexico City without experiencing ALL the food. We're talking everything from street stalls to super fine dining. Want a taco? They're everywhere.

My hot tip is to try the street stalls with the most people hanging around them, or book a tour like this one we did on Airbnb and try the ones the locals love.

When in doubt, traditional tacos el pastor from chain taco restaurant Taqueria Orinoco are pretty darn good, too.

Head out to fancy Michelin-star restaurants like Pujol in the swanky neighbourhood of Polanco, where head chef Enrique Olvera conjures up courses of amazingness for around $300 a head (a hefty investment, but honestly incredible).

We also checked out Quintonil, which is ranked number eight in the world. EIGHT!

The food in Mexico city is incredible. Image: Supplied.

There are so many cool bars and restaurants, it's hard to choose a favourite but El Tigre Silencioso in Roma Norte serves great cocktails and great food in a very European-style terrace.

And don't forget the Churros… I loved El Moro — they have stores all over town.

And if you're still hungry after all that, grab a bag of freshly-made chips with fresh lime juice and chilli from a street vendor on your way home. You'll thank me later.

Where to drink in Mexico City.

Remember that Taco tour I mentioned? It was also a mezcal tour. Here I am on that night with a jar of mezcal complete with a rattlesnake in it.

Yes, it's called "venom sotol" and it's a traditional drink. I will never want that again. I will want a margarita again though — and Mexico City has margs to die for… and any other cocktail you can imagine.

Head to a rooftop bar for a view over the city — my pick was Supra in Roma Norte.

Image: Supra in Roma Norte.

Or go down to 5 De Mayo in the Centro Historico — the historic part of town — and enjoy the ambience inside at olde worlde LaOpera, which dates back to the early 19^th Century.

There are many tequila-tasting bars and mezcal places around the city too – sip your tequila, and you'll fit right in.

Mescal tasting. Image: Supplied.

What to do in Mexico City.

A bus tour.

I never used to be one of THOSE people but I am convinced these days that a hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to get your bearings at the start of a holiday, especially somewhere like Mexico City which is SO DARN BIG.

These tours are great because you get a sense of where things are in the city, where you may want to go back to later, and you can just hop off when you see something you want to explore (hence the name, right?)

We boarded a Turibus tour and hopped off at the old part of town, the Centro Historico, where I walked up the 5 De Mayo — a famous street filled with gorgeous old buildings and historical sites — and toured the Zocalo, the main square, and the surrounding buildings including the cathedral.

Here I am in my very sexy sunhat — note that sitting on the top of the bus means you're outside for the whole tour, so bring sunscreen and a hat of your own (unless you want to look like this!)

Image: Supplied.

See art.

Art is a big deal in Mexico City. We're talking street art — of which there is SO much — and actual gallery-hung art, which is everywhere.

Street art enthusiasts should head to famous Regina St, or go directly to the district of Roma Norte, the whole area is filled with graffiti artists' work.

For something more traditional, you have a lot of choices but Mexico's most world-famous artist could be Frida Kahlo, and the Frida Kahlo Museum 'Casa Azul', in Coyoacán, where she lived is a must see.Note that you must book online before you go. Her husband Diego Rivera is equally noteworthy, and you can visit his most famous mural at Museo Mural Diego Rivera, as well as see his works among many others at the Palace of Fine Arts, an amazing building filled with enormous works that put Mexican muralism on the global art scene.

Hit the outdoors.

Chapultepec Park is Mexico's answer to Central Park (and twice the size) and is easy to get to — walking distance if you're staying in the trendy Condesa area.

This huge green space is filled with museums, a castle, a zoo, a lake and markets… and is a lovely place to have some respite from the bustle.

For something completely different, if you're up for a day out, Xochimilco is about 90 minutes south of the CBD and is definitely worth a visit (though I didn't get there). It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and it is one of the weirdest/greenest tourist adventure in Mexico City as you float through canals in traditional trajinera boats.

You can buy food and drinks to have on board, as you glide down the waterways, taking in the scenery and the birdlife… and a spooky island covered in dolls is a weirdly nightmarish spot to visit here if you're keen. Or brave.

Take a side trip.

For a different take on Mexican food and a slice of old school Mexican life, we headed to Oaxaca, an hour flight away from Mexico City, which makes it easy to do as a day trip.

There are ruins, cathedrals, bars, galleries, SO MUCH graffiti art and so many beautiful buildings, all adding up to a truly authentic and traditional experience.

Image: Supplied.

We did a food tour that we had seen on Somebody Feed Phil (if you haven't watched the show, you really should) with Omar Alonso, who takes groups into the food market, to the best taco stand in the city and to some of the best restaurants around — it's an experience I'd highly recommend.

Also, we headed out to the ruins at Mont Alban, which date back to 500 BC and are seriously impressive — a whole city built by the Zapotecs which include temples, palaces, marketplaces and more.

Image: Supplied.

To top it all off, we gate-crashed a wedding that the whole town turned out for, with hundreds of costume-wearing dancers parading through the streets. It set the bar pretty high for any weddings going forward, so be warned, any engaged people.

Wedding crashing. Image: Supplied.

Things you should know.

• Mexico City is at high altitude — and many people (my husband included) get altitude sickness here. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, headache and fatigue — so stay well hydrated and rest often. Luckily symptoms usually pass within a couple of days and electrolyte drinks are stocked in all the convenience stores for added hydration.

• Ubers are super cheap here — and make life easy if you're not game to try the well-organised trains or buses.

• Traffic in Mexico City is the worst. If you're driving across town for lunch, leave twice as long to get there as you think. Trust me.

• Don't drink the water — bottled water is everywhere and even the locals drink it.

• It's such a visitor-friendly city — I didn't feel unsafe walking around at all, but just like in any big city, protect your belongings in crowded areas and don't walk alone in dimly lit areas at night. Use your common sense, people.

So have I convinced you yet? Happy travels!

Feature Image: Supplied.