Districts · Mexico City
Mexico City by district
Mexico City is huge. The Centro Histórico is the historic core; the Alameda and Bellas Artes area sits just west; Paseo de la Reforma runs south-west from there past the Angel of Independence to Chapultepec; Roma Norte and Condesa lie south of Reforma; Polanco and Coyoacán are further out. Distances are big and traffic is heavy: think in terms of one district per half-day.
About these names
Addresses use street, number and colonia: give the driver the colonia and a landmark, and use the app's pin.
- Centro HistóricoseesleepeatSuits: First mornings, the Zócalo and museums, old cafésColonial core with cathedral, Templo Mayor, pedestrian streets and many old restaurants; busy by day and quiet on Sunday evenings.2 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Alameda and Bellas ArtesseeeatSuits: Art, architecture and a parkThe Alameda park, Bellas Artes and the streets around Eje Central; walkable from Centro.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Roma NortesleepeatseeSuits: Cafés, restaurants, design and a leafy baseTree-lined streets, art nouveau houses and many restaurants; walkable and a good base for a longer stay.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- CondesaeatseeSuits: Parks, bars and cafésA relaxed neighbourhood beside Roma with parks and dining; walkable from Roma Norte.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- ChapultepecseeSuits: Museums, park and a hilltop castleA vast park with the anthropology museum and the castle; give it a half-day or a full day.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- PolancoeatseeSuits: Upscale dining, shopping and museumsSmart, walkable district next to Chapultepec with restaurants and galleries; pricey.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Coyoacán and San ÁngelseeSuits: Old villages, markets and the Frida Kahlo MuseumLeafy southern districts, a car ride from Roma; book tickets ahead for popular museums.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- XochimilcoseeSuits: Boats on the old canalsA half-day trip with trajineras; go with a plan and agree the price.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) (75–120 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Polanco, Coyoacán and San Ángel, Xochimilco. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Centro Histórico: Colonial core with cathedral, Templo Mayor, pedestrian streets and many old restaurants; busy by day and quiet on Sunday evenings. Suits: First mornings, the Zócalo and museums, old cafés. Price band $$.
- Alameda and Bellas Artes: The Alameda park, Bellas Artes and the streets around Eje Central; walkable from Centro. Suits: Art, architecture and a park.
- Roma Norte: Tree-lined streets, art nouveau houses and many restaurants; walkable and a good base for a longer stay. Suits: Cafés, restaurants, design and a leafy base. Price band $$$.
- Condesa: A relaxed neighbourhood beside Roma with parks and dining; walkable from Roma Norte. Suits: Parks, bars and cafés.
- Chapultepec: A vast park with the anthropology museum and the castle; give it a half-day or a full day. Suits: Museums, park and a hilltop castle.
- Polanco: Smart, walkable district next to Chapultepec with restaurants and galleries; pricey. Suits: Upscale dining, shopping and museums.
- Coyoacán and San Ángel: Leafy southern districts, a car ride from Roma; book tickets ahead for popular museums. Suits: Old villages, markets and the Frida Kahlo Museum.
- Xochimilco: A half-day trip with trajineras; go with a plan and agree the price. Suits: Boats on the old canals.
- Sleep area Centro Histórico hotels: suits First mornings, the Zócalo and museums, old cafés, price band $$.
- Sleep area Roma Norte hotels: suits Cafés, restaurants, design and a leafy base, price band $$$.
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX), about 9 km5.6 mi from the centre, 40–75 min by the usual route.
- Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), 75–120 min by the usual route.