May 27, 2024
6 min read
The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Mexico City
One of the oldest and largest cities in the world, Mexico City has something for everyone. Every corner will surprise you, from tours of world-famous artists' homes-turned-museums to tasting some of North America's best Korean street food. There's a lot of information out there, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about Mexico City's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.
Centro Histórico (Zócalo)
Centro Histórico is near many landmarks and has a great nightlife scene.
"The historic center, and beating heart of Mexico City. It's vibrant, moving, and often jammed full of people—like Times Square but with more soul. You can see the birth of the nation here, standing at the largest plaza in Latin America... There is a whirlwind of taquerias, murals, secret spots, and captivating architecture that gives Centro such a distinct feel." -
Conde Nast Traveler"Here, you'll find opulent colonial palaces, crooked Baroque churches, murals by Diego Rivera…and the magnificent ruins of the Templo Mayor… Pop-up parties have begun to appear on rooftops…and edgy art galleries have appeared in former office buildings...It's still a place that belongs to everyone." -
Travel + Leisure
Roma
Roma is an upscale and hip area, perfect for foodies and shoppers.
"Filled with fin de siècle mansions, art deco dwellings, and art nouveau–style storefronts, any architecture lover needs to stroll through this colonia. Originally a middle-class residential neighborhood, it was left destroyed after a massive earthquake rocked Mexico City in 1985. Today, La Roma has found new life as a hot spot for artists, 20-somethings, and tourists from all over." -
Travel + Leisure"...home to tree-lined esplanades, sceney restaurants from world-renowned chefs, stunning architecture, and Mexico City’s reigning axis of cool…the edgier Roma is where you’ll find third-wave coffee shops and pricey hipster boutiques." -
GQ"[There are] sparkling parks of palms and jacarandas, galleries, traditional markets, boutiques, world-class restaurants and places to stay. There are tacos you can try everywhere, and mezcal bars to unwind in. Roma is teeming with hip Mexican creative types and expats, with most streets spilling over with restaurants, bars and cafes." -
The Independent
San Miguel Chapultepec
San Miguel Chapultepec is an upscale residential area, loved by locals for its secluded charm.
"San Miguel is a perfect place for peaceful walks past magnificent private homes secreted behind humble neocolonial facades, for whiling away hours in quiet corners of the Bosque de Chapultepec, or for sipping hibiscus mead brewed right here in the city." -
Travel + Leisure"If you peek your head behind some of the foreboding doors on San Miguel’s tree-lined streets, you’ll find art galleries, creative food and stately homes. Next door to one of the biggest city parks in the world, it makes for a perfect detour from the typical tourist itinerary." -
Washington Post
Condesa
Condesa is an upscale, hip area with a fantastic food and shopping scene.
"Mexico City’s Hottest Culinary Neighborhood...Condesa certainly is Mexico City’s latest borough to make international waves, which can be seen in its rising culinary prowess—and the sheer number of foreigners moving here…The castle views got me first—the silhouettes of the mountains and volcanoes, second—and then the parks." -
Vogue"This tree-lined district in Mexico’s capital is getting more and more popular, rich with bars, restaurants, parks and boutique shops..A laid-back escape from the megacity vibes of Mexico City, the chic colonia of Condesa has long been popular among international crowds but especially so since the pandemic." -
The Independent
Coyoacán
Coyoacán is a charming residential area frequented by locals and visitors for its artistic landmarks.
"Best known as the location of Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, this “place of coyotes” proved to be equal parts serene and invigorating — the understated cultural soul of a city and, in many ways, a getaway within Mexico City itself." -
New York Times"Even after decades of being swallowed by Mexico City's urban sprawl, Coyoacán has managed to retain a certain degree of village charm on its cobbled streets and colorful plazas, not to mention it can be surprisingly quiet." -
Lonely Planet
Juárez
Juárez is a hip residential area frequently visited by locals for its great food and shopping scene.
"The Juárez neighborhood has evolved in recent years. Once gritty, the area is now teeming with great boutiques, restaurants, parks, and bars. Unlike Mexico City's ritzy Polanco district, the Juarez is a little more low key." -
Conde Nast Traveler"…much of the stunning late 19th-century architecture remains, making it an attractive spot to explore. Over the last few years, this centrally located neighborhood has seen a revival, becoming one of the capital’s most en vogue areas with new bars, galleries, restaurants and cultural offerings appearing every week." -
ForbesZona Rosa
Within Juárez, Zona Rosa is Mexico City's primary gayborhood and nightlife destination.
"If proximity to vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife is a priority, travelers should consider staying in or near the Zona Rosa. This lively neighborhood comes alive after sunset, offering various bars, clubs, and entertainment options." -
Travel Pulse"The smells of Korean barbecue and Mexican street food mingle in the air of Zona Rosa, a central neighborhood of Mexico City… Establishments now mimic Seoul’s vibrant nightlife with eye-catching neon lights, and they’ve adapted their menus to include smaller, faster versions of Korean dishes." -
Eater
Santa María La Ribera and San Rafael
Santa María La Ribera and San Rafael are neighboring residential areas, loved by locals for their artistic charm.
"Santa María and the adjacent area of San Rafael are home to more than a dozen galleries and art spaces…[they have] always been low-key repositories for Mexican design… families move up and down the marble stairs of the gorgeously old-fashioned Geology Museum, built in 1910, while elderly couples dance beneath the striking glass dome of the Moorish Kiosk…" -
Travel + Leisure"The San Rafael and Santa Maria neighborhoods are two under-appreciated gems in the center of Mexico City. They retain their residential, hometown vibe … [while offering] Taco stands and mom-and-pop places…with a fewer trendier cafes and popular restaurants thrown in…known for its alternative art gallery and exhibition spaces." -
Culture Trip
Polanco
Polanco is an upscale area, perfect for hipsters, foodies, and shoppers.
"A wealthy residential neighborhood northwest of downtown Mexico City, Polanco was originally built up in the 1930s... Today, the colonia is perhaps best known for its art galleries, luxury shopping malls, and high-end dining—it's home to some of Latin America’s best restaurants and a number of cutting-edge cocktail bars." -
Conde Nast Traveler"A small stroll through this buzzy neighborhood is enough to fall in love with its vibrant spirit. In Polanco, office buildings sit side-by-side with luxury apartments and colossal antique residences. The eclectic combination has turned the area into a hub of premier restaurants, international brands, acclaimed museums and galleries…" -
Travel + Leisure
Colonia Cuauhtémoc
Colonia Cuauhtémoc is a hip area and has long been home to many businesses.
"Colonia Cuauhtémoc Is Our New Favorite Neighborhood in Mexico City…tastemakers and those who follow them have migrated north to Colonia Cuauhtémoc, a sliver of a neighborhood next to the bustling Avenida Paseo de la Reforma... this central business district has welcomed numerous independent shops and restaurants." -
Conde Nast Traveler"The glass-and-steel towers lining Mexico City's grand ceremonial avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, [which] connects the Centro to the Bosque de Chapultepec, the city's biggest park, and the trio of art institutions clustered at its northern end — the National Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Tamayo Museum for contemporary art." -
Travel + Leisure
