Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun | History, Facts & Tours

What is the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán?

The Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun is the heart of Teotihuacán, Mexico — a towering, ancient structure built around 200 CE. It's the largest pyramid in the complex and the third largest in the world. Despite its fame, we still don’t know who built the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, and that mystery only adds to its pull.

This massive sun pyramid wasn't made by the Aztecs — in fact, it predates them by centuries. When the Aztecs stumbled upon Teotihuacán in the 1400s, they believed it to be the place where the gods created the sun and moon. That’s how the city got its name: Teotihuacán, or “the place where gods were born.”

Aligned with astronomical precision, the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán is thought to have honored a solar deity, though no definitive proof remains. One half of the iconic Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun and Moon duo frames the Avenue of the Dead — the city's central spine.

While you can’t go inside the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun today, just standing before it at sunrise feels like time slows down — especially on a Teotihuacán sunrise tour, when the golden light hits the stone just right.

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How tall is the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán?

Visitors ascending the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, Mexico.

The Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun stands at 65 meters (213 feet) tall, making it the tallest pyramid in Teotihuacán and the third largest pyramid in the world by volume. That’s taller than a 20-story building, and only slightly shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza.

This massive sun pyramid in Mexico dominates the Avenue of the Dead, its five-tiered steps rising dramatically from the valley floor. From the top—back when climbing was allowed—you could see all of Teotihuacán, from the Pyramid of the Moon to the surrounding highlands. It was the kind of view that made the early sunrise at Teotihuacán feel like a spiritual awakening.

Today, you can still walk around its base and feel its scale. But if you want the full panorama? Book a Teotihuacán sunrise tour or hot air balloon ride—that’s where the magic now lives.

Inside Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun: What’s beneath the surface?

Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico, with tourists exploring the ancient site.

Beneath the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, archaeologists uncovered a man-made tunnel—five meters deep and nearly 100 meters long—dug directly under the pyramid’s base. The tunnel leads to a chamber believed to be a ceremonial space or possibly a tomb, though no remains have been found.

Recent research using electrical resistivity and radar imaging continues to explore what's inside the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun. While the exact purpose remains uncertain, findings like offerings of obsidian, ceramic fragments, and animal bones suggest it may have been a sacred site for rituals long before the pyramid was completed.

You can’t enter the tunnel, but knowing it exists adds a whole new layer of mystery to the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán.

Explore the Pyramid of the Moon

Historical tidbits about Teotihuacán

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What surrounded the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán?

In ancient times, the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun stood at the heart of a vast ceremonial city. Surrounding this enormous structure were homes, temples, palaces, and platforms used for rituals—each aligned to the stars and built with an obsessive sense of symmetry. The city wasn’t just powerful; it was organized, sacred, and alive.

What is the Avenue of the Dead?

Running directly past the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, the Avenue of the Dead was the city’s main artery—nearly 2 kilometers long. It connected the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and countless smaller pyramids and platforms. It wasn’t actually filled with tombs, but with life: markets, processions, music, incense. Everything flowed through this grand avenue.

The layout: how was Teotihuacán built?

From the air, Teotihuacán reveals its genius. A massive urban grid, built without metal tools or beasts of burden, yet laid out with mathematical precision. Surrounding the sun pyramid were thousands of apartment compounds, murals of jaguars and pumas, ceremonial courtyards, temples, and a water drainage system that rivals modern engineering. The city’s design followed the cosmos—built to reflect Orion’s Belt.

Why is the Teotihuacán sunrise tour so popular?

Seeing the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun at sunrise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As dawn breaks over the ancient city, golden light spills across the stones, and the mist rises from the valley. It's no wonder the Teotihuacán hot air balloon tour is one of the most sought-after experiences in Mexico. Fewer crowds, cooler weather, and unbeatable views.

Book your Teotihuacán Hot air balloon ride today!

How to visit the Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacán, Mexico

To visit the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, you’ll need to travel about 50 minutes northeast of Mexico City. The easiest options are:

By car or Uber (most convenient if you're tight on time)
Public bus from Autobuses del Norte station (look for the sign “PIRÁMIDES”)
Teotihuacán sunrise tour or hot air balloon ride with roundtrip transfers

Sun Pyramid at Teotihuacan with tourists exploring the ancient archaeological site.

Gate 2 (Puerta 2) is the most direct entry to the pyramid of the sun at Teotihuacán. It drops you right near the base, saving time and energy for the climb.

Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun with tourists exploring the ancient site in Mexico.

Get there by 9am to beat the crowds and harsh midday sun. The pyramid faces east, so early mornings offer the best light — especially for that perfect Teotihuacán sunrise shot.
Weekdays are quieter; Sundays get busy with locals (entry is free for Mexican citizens).

Teotihuacan timings

Can you go inside or climb the Pyramid of the Sun today?

As of now, you can’t climb or go inside the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun. The steps have been closed to visitors since the pandemic, and climbing remains restricted to preserve the structure.

Don’t worry — you can still walk around its massive base and capture stunning shots. For the best view of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán, head to one of the small platforms across the Avenue of the Dead or climb the lower platforms near the Pyramid of the Moon. These angles show off its scale without the crowds.

Tourists exploring Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Pyramid of the Sun vs Pyramid of the Moon: What’s the difference?

The Pyramid of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacán might look similar at first, but here’s the difference: the Pyramid of the Sun is larger and sits at the heart of the city. The Pyramid of the Moon, though smaller, is dramatically aligned with the Cerro Gordo mountain, offering better photo angles and symmetry.

The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, Mexico is the third-largest in the world — it dominates the skyline. But if you're chasing views, the Pyramid of the Moon is where you’ll get the best panorama of the whole city layout.

All tickets to Teotihuacan include access to both the Pyramid of the Sun

Facts about the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun

Built in: Approx. 200 CE
Height: 65 meters (213 feet)
Base size: 225 meters by 225 meters — almost the size of 10 football fields
Location: Pyramid of the Sun, 55800 San Juan Teotihuacán de Arista, México
Type of structure: Stepped stone pyramid, aligned with astronomical events
Material used: Volcanic stone, adobe bricks, and rubble fill
Nicknames: Temple of the Sun, Sun Pyramid, the Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacán
Deities & rituals: Likely dedicated to a sun deity; used for ceremonies during equinoxes and seasonal cycles — exact purpose remains unknown
Significance: Largest pyramid in Teotihuacán; part of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon complex; centerpiece of the Avenue of the Dead

Frequently asked questions about the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun

What is the Pyramid of the Sun made of?

The Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacán, Mexico was built using volcanic stone, adobe, and rubble. Originally, it was coated in stucco and painted red — a visual spectacle under the blazing sun.

Where is the Pyramid of the Sun located?

The Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacán Mexico is located in San Juan Teotihuacán, 55800, about an hour northeast of Mexico City. It's the centerpiece of the ancient city along the Avenue of the Dead.

Is the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun Aztec or pre-Aztec?

The sun pyramid of Teotihuacán is pre-Aztec. It predates the Aztecs by over 1,000 years. When the Aztecs discovered it in the 1400s, they named the site “Teotihuacán” — the place where the gods were born.