⬇ Download the book (PDF) ⬇ Pocket sheets for walking (PDF)

I’m Brian! Welcome to my personal guide to my favorite things in Mexico City. Note that it’s not exhaustive or complete.

Note that I have an apartment for rent to visitors. We lived there from 2014–2018, and still visit regularly, so it’s a home with soul more than a corporate apartment, but still with every amenity you need when you’re traveling. There are more photos at its Airbnb listing, where you could book, or you can contact me and reserve directly fee-free. To do so, or for more information, email me at [email protected] or text/WhatsApp/call (+1) 929-279-2727.

Mexico City is a huge place, and so my recommendations are listed according to the geographic area.

If you only have an evening:

• Make sure you stroll and eat in Roma (the hippest neighborhood, and our home for years) or Condesa (previously the hippest neighborhood, leafier and full of art deco architecture)

If you only have a few hours during the day:

• Go to the Zócalo (main square downtown) and do part of my walking tour of the Centro Histórico, the 500-year-old colonial downtown

If you have more days, then (in this order of priority):

• visit the unmissable Museum of Anthropology in Polanco, Anthropology and Chapultepec,
• add UNAM, Coyoacán and San Ángel,
• more time in the Centro Histórico walking tour
• add more time in Polanco, Anthropology and Chapultepec
• dedicated Frida/Diego time at their various houses and studios, UNAM, Coyoacán and San Ángel, and the Xochimilco and the Dolores Olmedo
• a day trip to the Teotihuacan pyramids

Even more time allows for the Cable Car, Train and Santa Fe – an amazing day out – the Xochimilco and the Dolores Olmedo floating gardens, the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a day trip to colonial Taxco or the larger colonial city of Puebla.

New to the city? Read Getting Around and Practical Tips first. And when the sun goes down, see Bars, Cantinas and Mezcal.

View of Parque México and the Condesa neighborhood

Guide contents

• 1. Centro Histórico walking tour
• More Centro Histórico
• 2. Roma, Condesa and Juárez
• 3. Polanco, Anthropology and Chapultepec
• 4. Far West: Cable car, train and Santa Fe
• 5. South: UNAM, Coyoacán and San Ángel
• 6. Far South: Xochimilco and the Dolores Olmedo
• Santa María la Ribera
• More Mexico City
• Food
• Restaurants
• Bars, cantinas and mezcal
• Getting around
• Practical tips
• Short trips from Mexico City
• Teotihuacan pyramids
• Morelos monasteries
• Top Mexico destinations
• Contact