Navigating Mexico City's Neighborhoods

La Condesa

La Condesa is one of the greenest neighborhoods in Mexico City. Avenida Amsterdam, the circular street around Parque México, was named one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out Magazine—and it’s hard not to love. The streets surrounding Avenida Amsterdam are equally pleasant for a walk. You’ll find hundreds of coffee shops, restaurants, and shops, many with charming, green terraces. La Condesa is also known for its “Spanish Californian” style houses.

Roma Norte

Roma Norte has a similar vibe to La Condesa but with its own flair. It boasts some of the best restaurants in town, along with many bars and clubs, making it lively both day and night. It’s also a great neighborhood to explore on foot.

Polanco

Polanco is less traditional than the rest of the city and one of its most upscale areas— some even call it Mexico City’s Beverly Hills.

You’ll find cute restaurants and coffee shops here, though they tend to be pricier. Polanco is an excellent spot for shopping, offering both international and local brands.

La Júarez

La Juárez is known for its emerging hipster scene and is becoming quite trendy. You’ll find many restaurants, bars, local shops, and art galleries here. I personally consider this neighborhood like “Downtwon”. La Juárez is also famous for La Zona Rosa (LGBTQ+ friendly area) with vibrant nightlife. It’s less polished than other neighborhoods, giving it a more authentic feel.

San Miguel Chapultepec

Ranked the 30th coolest neighborhood in the world in 2023 by Time Out Magazine, San Miguel Chapultepec is a lush area perfect for walking. You’ll find charming coffee shops, art galleries, and local stores, offering a glimpse of life for Mexico City’s upper middle class. Though less known than other areas, it’s home to architectural gems like Casa Gilardi. Its proximity to Parque Chapultepec makes it one of the loveliest neighborhoods in the city.

Centro

Downtown Mexico City is where you’ll find the city’s most beautiful monuments and museums. It’s an absolute must-visit for its architecture and history. The Zócalo, the city’s main square, is one of the most impressive places in Mexico City and the second-largest square in the world.

Bosque de Chapultepec

One of the largest urban parks in the world. Its first section, which is closed on Mondays, is home to Chapultepec Castle, a must-see. The second section is quieter and less touristy, but it’s my favorite. It’s amazing how despite walking through the park dozens of times, I always discover new hidden spots—like a forest full of secrets.

Coyoacán

While Coyoacán is famous as Frida Kahlo’s neighborhood, there’s more to it than just her Blue House, now a museum. Coyoacán is a culturally rich area with colonial, colorful houses, small businesses, and narrow streets that make you feel like you’re in a small town, far from the city’s hustle and bustle. Take your time wandering through its charming streets to discover its beauty.

San Ángel

San Ángel is less well-known than Coyoacán but is one of my favorite parts of the city, and I think it’s worth a visit. It feels like stepping back in time with its colonial houses, cobbled streets, churches, and picturesque squares. Saturdays are the best time to visit, when local painters sell their artwork and the bazaar market is open.

However, I also love strolling through San Ángel on any weekday when it’s quieter, and I can enjoy the peaceful, green streets.

Chimalistac

Chimalistac is a high-end, intellectual, and artistic residential neighborhood with no bars or restaurants. However, if you have plenty of time in Mexico City, it’s worth exploring this unique area. You’ll find cobbled streets, beautiful fountains, quaint squares, and one of the most photogenic doors in the city.

Xochimilco

Xochimilco, often called the "Venice of Mexico City," is a truly unique place to visit. The colorful and charming trajineras (traditional boats) and the chinampas (floating gardens) have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On top of that, the famous axolotls are native to Xochimilco's canals. It’s a must-see in Mexico City.

San Rafael

San Rafael was recently named among the coolest neighborhoods in the world. This neighborhood is slowly gaining popularity

with its historic casonas, the opening of coffee shops, art galleries, and even the first Michelin star awarded to a taco stand, Califa de León. While it may not be at the top of my list for tourists, I couldn’t leave it off entirely.

Santa María La Ribera

Santa María la Ribera is another neighborhood that has been gaining popularity in recent years. The highlight of the area is, without a doubt, the Kiosko Morisco, an architectural gem of Moorish inspiration originally built to represent Mexico at the 1884 World’s Fair.

Cuauhtémoc

Cuauhtémoc neighborhood (not to be confused with Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc) is a fancier version of Zona Rosa in La Juaréz. Lively at night and peaceful during daytime with many bars, restaurants and coffee shops. There are fewer pins in Cuauhtémoc in my map, why? Even though I believe you should visit it if you have enough time, it’s not where I’d spend most of my energy if I were visiting Mexico City as a tourist.

Anzures, Narvarte, Escandón, Nápoles, Del Valle, Parque Hundido…

While I haven’t pinned many locations in these neighborhoods, they’re safe and enjoyable to visit. However, I don’t find them particularly interesting for tourists, aside from the spots highlighted in the guide.