The Best Neighborhoods in Mexico City: get to know them all

Mexico City is one of the most interesting Latin American cities for its variety, its multiculturalism and its wide artistic offer that depends, in large part, on the number of neighborhoods in which the Mexican capital is divided and the particularities that distinguish each of these sites.

Among the best things to see and do in Mexico City to discover its best neighborhoods are taking a guided walk through the historic center in Cuauhtémoc, visiting Frida Kahlo's house in Coyoacán, visiting the lagoons of Xochimilco, getting lost in the streets of Roma and admiring the architectural beauty of Polanco.

The Cuauhtémoc neighborhood is one of the most popular and picturesque in Mexico City. Located in the downtown area, this neighborhood has become a meeting point for tourists and locals looking to get to know the culture, gastronomy and nightlife of Mexico City.

One of the main attractions of the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood is Reforma Avenue, a wide tree-lined artery that crosses the center of the city and is home to some of the most emblematic buildings of the Mexican capital. The Torre Mayor, the Angel of Independence or the Monument to the Revolution are just some of the buildings that can be found on this avenue.

The Cuauhtémoc neighborhood is also known for its wide variety of restaurants and bars, where it is possible to taste the most authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine or take a gastronomic tour. In addition, some of the best hotels in the city are located in this neighborhood, which makes it an excellent option for those looking for lodging in a central location.

For its part, the Historic Center of the capital is one of the most fascinating and full of history places in the capital. With its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and historic monuments, this neighborhood has become an unmissable circuit for lovers of culture and architecture and is often included in the best tours of Mexico City.

Details of interest

• How to get there: on line 4 buses, by cab or on the city's hop on-hop off tourist buses.

Coyoacán is a neighborhood with a lot of history and tradition located in the south of Mexico City. Known for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, this neighborhood is a place full of charm that attracts tourists and locals alike.

One of the main attractions in Coyoacan is the Frida Kahlo Park, also known as the Blue House. This museum is the home where the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo lived and worked, and today it is possible to visit it to learn more about her life and work.

Another of Coyoacán's attractions is Plaza Hidalgo, the heart of the neighborhood and a place full of life and color. This square is home to the church of San Juan Bautista, one of the main temples of the neighborhood, as well as a variety of restaurants, cafes and craft stores that made it one of the favorite places of Frida Kahlo and her husband, painter Diego Rivera.

Coyoacán is also famous for its great cultural offerings, which include the University Cultural Center, the Julio Castillo Theater and the National Museum of Popular Cultures. In addition, in this neighborhood it is possible to find some of the best Mexican food restaurants in the city, as well as a great variety of bars and cantinas that offer typical drinks of the region.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by bus line 1, by Metro line 2, by cab or by hop on-hop off city tour buses.

Garibaldi is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Mexico City, located in the historic district. Known as the birthplace of the mariachi, this place is a place full of life and joy that attracts tourists and locals alike and is reminiscent of the typical culture of Mexico City.

Garibaldi's main attraction is, without a doubt, Plaza Garibaldi, a public space where you can enjoy traditional Mexican music performed by live mariachi bands. This place is ideal for those looking for a night of music and fun, as it has several bars and cantinas that offer drinks and typical dishes of the region.

In addition to music, Garibaldi is also known for its historic buildings, such as the Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Merced, a colonial church dating from the seventeenth century. It is also possible to visit the Tequila and Mezcal Museum, which offers a unique experience to learn more about these typical drinks of the region and is considered one of the best museums in the Mexican capital.

Finally, Garibaldi is an ideal place for those looking to buy souvenirs and Mexican handicrafts, as it has several stores and stalls where it is possible to find all kinds of typical products, from hats and guitars to fabrics and jewelry. In addition, one of the best alternatives to discover the neighborhood is to do it on a bicycle tour.

Interesting details

• How to get there: by bus line 4, by cab or by the hop on-hop off tourist buses of the city.

La Condesa is one of Mexico City's most emblematic neighborhoods, especially known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, art deco architecture and cosmopolitan lifestyle, this place is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

La Condesa is characterized by its restaurants, bars and cafes, which offer a wide variety of gastronomic options. From traditional Mexican cuisine to international and exotic dishes, this neighborhood is a paradise for food and drink lovers.

In addition to gastronomy, La Condesa is an ideal place for art and culture lovers, as it has several art galleries, museums and theaters that offer a wide variety of exhibitions and cultural events, especially if you plan to visit Mexico City in the summer.

Finally, in La Condesa you can also enjoy the outdoors, as it has several parks and green areas, such as Parque Mexico and Parque España, where it is possible to exercise, walk or just relax.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by bus on line 2, by Metro on lines 1 and 9, by cab or by the hop on-hop off tourist buses of the city.

Xochimilco is a neighborhood located south of Mexico City, known for its canals and floating gardens. This place is one of the main tourist attractions of the city and a living sample of the cultural and natural wealth of the country.

The main attraction of Xochimilco are its canals, which can be toured in trajineras, boats decorated with flowers and colors typical of the region. During the tour, it is possible to enjoy the local music and gastronomy, as well as the impressive views of the floating gardens and historic buildings surrounding the canals.

In addition to the canals, Xochimilco is famous for its markets and craft stores, where it is possible to find typical products of the region such as textiles, ceramics, sweets and typical Mexican food.

Finally, Xochimilco has several green spaces and parks, such as the Ecological Park of Xochimilco and the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, ideal for those seeking a quiet and relaxed environment for walking or exercising outdoors.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by Metro on lines 1 and 2, by cab or on the city's hop-on-hop-off tourist buses.

If you want to get to know one of the most exclusive and sophisticated neighborhoods in Mexico City, you can't miss Polanco, which is known for its luxurious and cosmopolitan lifestyle. This place is a favorite among tourists and locals with high purchasing power.

Polanco is famous for its luxury stores, fine dining restaurants and art galleries, which offer a unique shopping and dining experience. In addition, the neighborhood has some of the most exclusive hotels in the city and is one of the best places to visit in Mexico City at night for its rich offer of discotheques and nightclubs.

Polanco is also a great place to enjoy art and culture, as it has several internationally renowned museums such as the Soumaya Museum and the Jumex Museum, which offer exhibitions of contemporary and classic art.

Finally, Polanco is an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors, as it has several parks and green areas such as Lincoln Park and Chapultepec Forest, where you can exercise, walk or just relax.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by bus on line 2, by Metro on line 1, by cab or by hop on-hop off tourist buses in the city.

Roma is one of the most iconic and bohemian places in Mexico City. Located in the central area of the city, known for its alternative and artistic lifestyle, this place is a favorite among tourists and young locals.

Roma is famous for its cultural offerings, including art galleries, theaters and cultural centers that offer a wide variety of exhibitions and events. In addition, the neighborhood is known for its restaurants and cafes, which offer a variety of dining options, from traditional Mexican food to international dishes.

The neighborhood boasts unique architecture, including art nouveau and art deco buildings, as well as some of the city's most iconic buildings. Roma is an ideal place to walk and enjoy the tree-lined streets and parks, such as Parque Mexico and Parque España, and to see the locations where Alfonso Cuarón's film named after the neighborhood was shot and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2019.

Finally, Rome is a great place for nightlife, with bars and nightclubs offering a unique experience in the city. From cocktail bars to live music clubs, this neighborhood has something to offer for every taste.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by bus on line 19, by Metro with line 1, by cab or on the city's hop on-hop off tour buses.

San Angel is one of the most picturesque and oldest neighborhoods in Mexico City, located in the southern part of the city. Famous for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, this place is ideal for a quiet and relaxing tour, especially during the winter in Mexico City.

San Angel is characterized by its craft stores and art galleries, which offer a wide variety of high quality products and unique designs. In addition, the neighborhood has open-air markets, where you can find everything from traditional food to art objects.

The neighborhood also has a large number of old colonial-style buildings and houses, which have been kept in excellent condition over time. The center of San Angel, which is considered an open-air museum in Mexico City, is a picturesque square surrounded by old buildings that now house restaurants and high quality stores.

San Angel is an ideal place to enjoy art and culture, as it has several museums and cultural centers that offer a wide variety of exhibitions and events. One of the highlights is the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, which offers a unique insight into the life and work of these two iconic Mexican artists, beyond the Casa Azul.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by Naucalpan buses, cab or the city's hop on-hop off tour buses.

Narvarte is a neighborhood in Mexico City located in the Benito Juarez district, in the center-south of the city. It is one of the youngest neighborhoods in the city, with a large number of modern buildings and high quality services, so it also offers an ideal opportunity to get to know an alternative profile of Mexico City.

There you can find restaurants and cafes, which offer a wide variety of gastronomic options, from traditional Mexican food to international dishes. You can also visit bars and nightclubs in the area, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy the city's nightlife.

In addition to its gastronomic and entertainment offer, Narvarte is famous for its green areas and public spaces, such as the Parque de los Venados, a large park that offers a lot of green and recreational spaces for the whole family.

The neighborhood also has an excellent location, with easy access to several of the city's main avenues, so you can get there by public transportation or on Mexico City's hop-on-hop-off tourist buses.

Details of interest

• How to get there: Taxqueña buses, Metro line 2, cab or hop-on-hop-off tourist buses in the city.

The Zona Rosa is a neighborhood in Mexico City located in the Cuauhtémoc district, in the north-central area of the city. It is one of the most cosmopolitan neighborhoods in the city, known for its vibrant nightlife and its wide range of restaurants, bars, stores and hotels.

The neighborhood is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international tourists looking for a vibrant and fun nightlife experience. The streets of the Zona Rosa are lined with bars and nightclubs offering a wide variety of music and atmospheres, from electronic music to Latin and rock music.

In addition to its nightlife, the Zona Rosa is known for its fashionable stores and its wide range of restaurants, ranging from inexpensive options to gourmet fine dining restaurants. It is also possible to find antique stores and art galleries in the area, and the Torre Latinoamericana is located nearby.

From the Zona Rosa, you will also have easy access to several of the city's main avenues and tourist attractions, such as Paseo de la Reforma and the Angel of Independence.

Details of interest

• How to get there: by bus on line 19, by Metro on line 1, by cab or by hop on-hop off city tour buses.