Teotihuacan Pyramids Map
The Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone is large — the Avenue of the Dead alone stretches 2.4 kilometres from south to north. The site has five entry gates positioned around its perimeter. Gate 1 is the main entrance closest to the Temple of Quetzalcóatl. Gate 3 is nearest to the Pyramid of the Sun. Gate 4 is closest to the Pyramid of the Moon and the least congested gate. The best route for most visitors runs south to north from Gate 1 through the Ciudadela, along the full Avenue of the Dead, to the Pyramid of the Moon.
Understanding the layout of Teotihuacan before you arrive changes the experience significantly. The site is much larger than most visitors expect, and without a clear mental map of how the structures relate to each other, time is easily lost walking in the wrong direction or doubling back across the site.
This guide gives you everything you need to navigate Teotihuacan confidently — where the gates are, how far apart the main structures are, the logical route through the site, and how to use the different gates strategically depending on your priorities.
The Site Layout: Key Orientation Points
Teotihuacan is oriented along a north–south axis — the Avenue of the Dead runs from south to north, with the Temple of Quetzalcóatl at the southern end and the Pyramid of the Moon at the northern terminus. The Pyramid of the Sun sits on the eastern side of the avenue, mid-way along its length.
Think of the site as a spine and ribs: – The spine is the Avenue of the Dead — 2.4 km running north to south – The southern anchor is the Ciudadela compound containing the Temple of Quetzalcóatl – The eastern highlight is the Pyramid of the Sun, accessible via Gate 3 – The northern terminus is the Pyramid of the Moon and Plaza de la Luna – The western murals (Tetitla, Atetelco) branch off to the west mid-route – The eastern murals (Tepantitla) branch off to the east near the Sun Pyramid
The Five Entry Gates
The best gate depends on your priorities. Gate 1 is the main entrance and the natural starting point for a south-to-north walk. Gate 3 is closest to the Pyramid of the Sun. Gate 4 is closest to the Pyramid of the Moon and is the least crowded gate. Gate 5 is near La Gruta restaurant and the site museum.
Gate 1 — Main Entrance (South)
Location: Southern end of the site, off the Carretera México–Pirámides Closest to: The Ciudadela and Temple of Quetzalcóatl Best for: Starting a full south-to-north walk; tour buses; most visitors arriving from Mexico City by bus or taxi Parking: Large parking lot immediately adjacent Crowds: Busiest gate — most tour buses drop off here
Gate 1 is the logical starting point for a complete visit. Entering here, you are immediately adjacent to the Ciudadela — the southern anchor of the Avenue of the Dead — and the full length of the site stretches north in front of you.
Gate 2 — Western Side (Mid-Site)
Location: Western side of the site, roughly mid-way along the Avenue of the Dead Closest to: The western section of the avenue; platforms and compounds along the mid-route Best for: Visitors who have already seen the Ciudadela and want to focus on the pyramids Parking: Parking available Crowds: Less busy than Gate 1
Gate 3 — Pyramid of the Sun (East-Central)
Location: Eastern side of the site, near the base of the Pyramid of the Sun Closest to: The Pyramid of the Sun and the Tepantitla mural compound Best for: Visitors who want to go straight to the Sun Pyramid; photography of the east facade in morning light; independent visitors arriving by car Parking: Large parking lot adjacent Crowds: Moderate — less than Gate 1 but still busy on weekends
Gate 3 is the best choice if the Pyramid of the Sun is your primary destination. From Gate 3, the pyramid is a 5-minute walk west. This gate also gives quick access to the Tepantitla murals on the eastern side of the site — a combination that works well for visitors interested in both the main pyramid and the murals.
Gate 4 — Pyramid of the Moon (North)
Location: Northern end of the site, near the Plaza de la Luna Closest to: The Pyramid of the Moon and Plaza de la Luna Best for: Visitors who want to see the Moon Pyramid first; starting a north-to-south walk; least crowded entry option Parking: Parking available Crowds: Consistently the least congested of the main gates
Gate 4 is the best choice for visitors who prefer to start with the Pyramid of the Moon and walk south along the avenue, ending at the Ciudadela. This route is less common and means you will often be walking against the flow of the majority of visitors — which in practice means fewer people ahead of you on the main structures.
Gate 5 — Eastern Perimeter (East-South)
Location: Eastern perimeter, near La Gruta restaurant and the site museum Closest to: La Gruta cave restaurant; Museo de Sitio; Tepantitla murals Best for: Visitors arriving from San Juan Teotihuacan town; visitors combining a site visit with lunch at La Gruta; visitors prioritising the site museum Parking: Limited Crowds: Light — primarily used by local visitors and museum-focused visitors
Key Distances and Walking Times
| Route | Distance | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gate 1 to Ciudadela | 200 m | 3 min |
| Ciudadela to Pyramid of the Sun | 1.3 km | 20 min |
| Pyramid of the Sun to Pyramid of the Moon | 1.1 km | 15 min |
| Gate 1 to Pyramid of the Moon (full avenue) | 2.6 km | 35–40 min |
| Gate 3 to Pyramid of the Sun | 400 m | 5 min |
| Gate 4 to Pyramid of the Moon | 300 m | 4 min |
| Pyramid of the Sun to Tepantitla | 500 m | 8 min |
| Avenue of the Dead to Tetitla | 600 m | 10 min |
| Full visit route (with stops) | 5–7 km | 3–5 hours |
The Recommended Route
For a first-time visitor arriving through Gate 1, the following route covers the complete site in logical order:
Stop 1 — The Ciudadela and Temple of Quetzalcóatl (30–45 min) Enter through Gate 1 and turn left immediately into the Ciudadela enclosure. The Temple of Quetzalcóatl sits at the centre of the compound. Examine the feathered serpent carvings on the facade closely — stand within 2–3 metres to appreciate the detail. Walk the perimeter of the Ciudadela compound to understand its scale.
Stop 2 — The Avenue of the Dead (walking section, 20 min) Exit the Ciudadela north onto the Avenue of the Dead. Walk north, pausing at the Viking Group and Superimposed Buildings on the western side — less visited structures that illustrate the layered construction history of the city.
Stop 3 — Pyramid of the Sun (30–45 min) The Sun Pyramid comes into full view on the right as you approach from the south. Circumnavigate the base before climbing — the full perimeter walk takes 15 minutes and gives the best sense of scale. Climb when access permits.
Stop 4 — Continue north along the avenue (15 min) Walk north from the Sun Pyramid past the remaining platform compounds to the Plaza de la Luna.
Stop 5 — Pyramid of the Moon and Plaza de la Luna (30 min) Climb to the available platform level for the panoramic view south along the full avenue. Spend time in the Plaza de la Luna — the enclosed space is one of the most atmospheric at the site.
Stop 6 — Tepantitla murals (20–30 min, optional) Return south from the Moon Pyramid and branch east to Tepantitla for the Paradise of Tlaloc murals. Allow an extra 30 minutes and approximately 1 km of additional walking.
Stop 7 — Site Museum (45 min, optional) Near Gate 5, the Museo de Sitio displays the key artefacts from excavations across the zone. Best visited at the end of the site tour when you have the context to appreciate the objects.
GPS Coordinates for Navigation
| Location | Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Gate 1 (main entrance) | 19.6846° N, 98.8572° W |
| Gate 3 (Pyramid of the Sun) | 19.6927° N, 98.8432° W |
| Gate 4 (Pyramid of the Moon) | 19.7017° N, 98.8453° W |
| Pyramid of the Sun | 19.6925° N, 98.8438° W |
| Pyramid of the Moon | 19.7069° N, 98.8438° W |
| Temple of Quetzalcóatl | 19.6823° N, 98.8490° W |
| La Gruta restaurant / Gate 5 | 19.6930° N, 98.8381° W |
Parking
Parking is available near each of the five gates. Cost is MXN 100–150 per vehicle, payable at the parking attendant on entry. The Gate 1 and Gate 3 parking lots are the largest and most convenient for visitors arriving by car. For full parking details, see our Teotihuacan parking guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Teotihuacan?
The total archaeological zone covers approximately 83 square kilometres, though the accessible visitor area is much smaller. The main north–south axis from the Ciudadela to the Pyramid of the Moon is approximately 2.6 km. A full visit involving all main structures covers 5–7 km of walking.
Can I use Google Maps at Teotihuacan?
Yes — Google Maps has the site mapped including the gate locations. Mobile data coverage within the site can be variable. Download an offline map or screenshot key gate positions before arriving.
Which gate is best for tour buses?
Gate 1 is the primary tour bus drop-off and pickup point. Most guided tours from Mexico City use this gate.
Is there a free shuttle between the gates?
There is no free shuttle. Golf carts for hire operate near some gates for visitors with mobility limitations. Walking is the standard mode of getting between structures.
Can I exit from a different gate than I entered?
Yes. Your ticket is valid for entry at any gate and you can exit through any gate. If you enter at Gate 1 and finish at the Moon Pyramid end, you can exit through Gate 4 rather than walking back to your entry point.
Where is La Gruta restaurant on the site map?
La Gruta is located near Gate 5 on the eastern perimeter of the site, on the Carretera México–Pirámides approximately 500 metres east of the Pyramid of the Sun. It is accessible both from within the site (exit through Gate 5) and from the outside road. For full details, see our Teotihuacan restaurants guide.
