Condesa Mexico City: A Guide to Mexico City’s Best Neighborhood
Condesa is one of my favorite areas in Mexico City to stay. When most people think of Mexico City they probably think of noisy chaotic streets full of people. But Condesa is entirely different. It is full of quiet tree-lined streets and nice cafes and restaurants.
Even though Condesa is starting to get a bit overrun with foreigners it is still one of our favorite areas to stay in Mexico City. The parks and streets are beautiful and peaceful allowing you to escape a little bit from the madness of Mexico City.
So keep reading to find out all the best things to do in Condesa, the best places to eat in Condesa, and more! ✨
Where is Condesa in Mexico City?
Condesa is located in central Mexico City between Chapultepec Park and Colonia Roma. It is only 5 km from the Zocalo and the Central Historico of Mexico City.
On Google Maps, you will see La Condesa only covers a small area. But Colonia Condesa includes the whole area circled in blue below and that area is what people mean when they talk about Condesa.
Since Condesa is located right next to the trendy Roma neighborhood people will also often refer to Condesa-Roma as a single area. People living in Hipodromo will also often say that they live in Condesa as they refer to Colonia Condesa which is more well-known.
What is Condesa known for?
Condesa is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets, leafy parks, art deco architecture, and lively restaurant and cafe scene. Walking through Condesa feels like its own city inside Mexico City as it is so different from the rest of it.
For a long time, Condesa has been a wealthier area of Mexico City which has always attracted younger people with a bit of money. This means that the rent here is much higher than in most parts of Mexico.
So do not expect to find a dirt-cheap place to stay here. But accommodation is still much cheaper than in most European and North American major cities. And given Condesa’s beauty, vibrant restaurant scene, and peacefulness it’s definitely worth it.
If you are looking for chaotic streets and the impressive colonial buildings of Mexico City you will have to head to the Centro Historico which is easy to reach by metro, bus, Uber, or taxi from Condesa.
Read also: Why visit Mexico City? 13 Reasons for First-Timers! 🇲🇽
10 Unique Things to do in Condesa
The best thing to do in Condesa is to go for as many walks as you can, soak up the peaceful yet vibrant city life, and eat different cuisines at different corners. We have spent about 1 month in Condesa and listed here the places we love the most, make Condesa so special and you should not miss out!
1. Explore Parque Mexico
Mexico City has many great parks but Parque Mexico is our favorite. It is packed with big leafy trees and no matter what time of day you visit there is always a great atmosphere. It is full of people walking their dogs, exercising, or just hanging out.
Particularly on Sunday, there is a really cool vibe when the park is packed with locals. There is a large concrete area that is full of people playing sports, skateboarding, dancing, playing music, and selling food. Don’t miss out on this one!
Read also: 18 Awesome Free Things to do in Mexico City 🤩
2. Walk Avenida Amsterdam
Taking a walk along Avenida Amsterdam is one of our favorite things to do in Condesa. Avenida Amsterdam is a road that circles around Parque Mexico and has a tree-lined pedestrian walkway in the middle of the road.
The shaded path is lush and green and allows you to escape from the concrete jungle. You will see lots of people going for runs and walks along here with their dogs. There are also a few fountains along the road, some colorful buildings, and many cafes and restaurants.
Read also: 13 Best Cities in Mexico for Digital Nomads (Pros & Cons) 🧑💻
3. Go on a Free Walking Tour
Yes, Condesa has its own walking tour! Estacion Mexico offers really good free walking tours (tip expected) that leave every day at 11 am and 3 pm in English and Spanish. The tour will take you through Condesa and Roma and its history.
This way we learned that Hipodromo is the Spanish word for race course and that Avenida Amsterdam used to be a horse track. Makes a lot of sense when you see its loop shape on the map and of course, when you walk it in real 🏇
Book a Free Walking Tour in Condesa here or a private one here 👇
4. Spot the Dog Walkers of Condesa Mexico City
One thing you will notice in Condesa is that there are a lot of dogs, especially in Parque Mexico. It’s common for people living in Condesa to have a dog walker while they are at work, so you will see dog walkers with huge numbers of dogs.
It is super impressive how the walkers keep the dogs under control. They line the dogs up along the footpath in groups of over 20 and the dogs just patiently sit there. So when you are walking through Parque Mexico keep an eye out for the dog walkers.
Read also: Look after a dog in Mexico City for a free place to stay! 🐶 Sign up to TrustedHouseSitters via this link for free + use code HAPPYHEALTHYNOMADS at checkout for a 25% discount on your membership!
5. Check out Parque España
Parque España is like the smaller version of Parque Mexico and is another beautiful leafy park in Condesa. It is a great place to go for a walk, merge with the locals, and do some people and dog watching.
Looking for a Gym in Condesa, Mexico City?
Parque España has a great free outdoor workout area and is one of my favorites in Mexico. The calisthenic area is naturally shaded under beautiful trees and there is more than enough space and equipment to get a good workout in.
If you prefer an indoor gym there are many great options in Condesa too. Condesa is generally a part of Mexico City in which lots of people like to stay fit, so you will find many highly rated classes, workout studios, and gyms in the area. Plus yoga and pilates.
Read here: How to exercise for free with fun while traveling 🏋️
6. Grab a Coffee
As with any trendy neighborhood in the world, there are a lot of good cafes in Condesa. So it is a great place to head out for a coffee or grab to go when walking Avenida Amsterdam.
Our favorite spot was Orquidea Cafe which is located right on Avenida Amsterdam. It is a small cafe but they make great coffee and have a nice seating area out on the street.
We also liked the look of Cafe Guardatiempos which has been in Condesa for a long time. It only opens at 11 am which is a bit late for our coffee time but if that suits you I recommend checking it out.
Does our Condesa guide help you out? Say thanks with a coffee here! 💛
7. Try Artisanal Mexican Craft Beer at Trappist
Condesa is not only a great place to grab a coffee but also to go out for a drink. If you are looking for a wide selection of Mexican craft beers then Trappist has you covered.
Trappist is a cozy little bar with a relaxed atmosphere, an inside and outside seating area, and knowledgable friendly staff. There you can also try Cerveca Cosaco a craft beer made in Mexico City!
Read also: 10 Food & Craft Markets in Mexico City you have to visit 🎪
8. Check out Condesa’s fantastic Book Stores
Condesa is the home of great bookstores including second-hand and new ones in the English language. If you are looking for a new book and a nice place for a coffee head to Cafebrerira which has multiple locations throughout Mexico City and one in Condesa.
Cafebrerira is a beautifully designed bookstore with multiple floors and a full-on integrated coffee shop. The idea is to have a coffee while browsing through the books but many people only go there for the vibe too.
When it comes to buying books we prefer second-hand books and Condesa actually has a few second-hand bookstores. We found Antonia Book Store to be the best. They have mostly Spanish books but a good selection of English books as well.
Read also: Don’t miss the Butterfly Migration close to CDMX! 🦋
9. Ride a Bike on Sunday in Condesa Mexico City
Every Sunday one of the main roads in Mexico City called La Reforma is closed for cyclists and people rollerblading. Avenida Mazatlan in Condesa is also closed off to cars for this, so it is a great time to go for a bike ride or watch the happening on foot.
Riding your bike down Reforma is a unique experience as thousands of people take part. It’s also a great way to stay fit while you are traveling. You can rent a bike with your credit card at Ecobici which has stations around Mexico City or book a guided tour here 👇
Read also: Easy tips for staying fit while traveling 🚴
10. Visit Chapultepec Park
Chapultepec Park is the largest park in Mexico City and is located right next to Condesa. It is the second largest park in the whole of Latin America and receives over 15 million visitors a year, so you have to check it out!
It’s a great place to relax under the trees and go for a walk or a run. There are also multiple attractions inside the park such as monuments, lakes, art exhibitions, museums, and a castle that is worth visiting.
In particular, I would make sure to visit Chapultepec Castle and the Anthropology Museum. The Anthropology Museum is one of the best museums in Mexico City and my favorite museum in all of Mexico. You can book a guided tour here 👇
Where to eat the Best Tacos in Condesa
To fuel up for all the walking you will do in Condesa you can grab some tacos. After all, you are in Mexico! Find here my favorite taco places in Condesa.
Tacos Hola El Güero
Tacos Hola El Güero is a well-known taqueria in Condesa Mexico City and popular with foreigners and locals. They make tacos de guisado and they are some of the best tacos in Condesa.
Guisado means stew and you can choose from many different meat and veggie (even vegan) options to put on your taco. The tacos are huge and only cost 25 pesos (1.5 USD) so you can get filled up for a low price.
Read here: 12 Taquerias in Mexico City you will love! 🌮
Tacos Don Juan
Tacos Don Juan is another local favorite that makes some of the best tacos in Condesa. They make a variety of tacos such as birria, el pastor, and beef. So it’s a good place to sample different types of tacos to find out what your favorite is.
🌮 Book a taco tour in Mexico City here 👇
Where to eat the Best Vegan Food in Condesa
Condesa is also a great place to sample Mexico City’s best vegan food. You will find here pretty much every cuisine made with plant-based ingredients. Yum and healthy!
Vegan Ramen Mei
Vegan Ramen Mei is a restaurant in Condesa that we think makes the best vegan ramen in the whole of Mexico. The owner Mei is from Japan and you can really tell as the ramen tastes very authentic. The service is also excellent.
Mei’s original Ramen restaurant is on the West Coast of Mexico in Puerto Vallarta but the newly opened location in Mexico City tastes just as good. Make sure to try some of the entrees and drinks too as they are super good, authentic, and homemade as well.
Veguisima
Veguisima is one of our favorite vegan restaurants in Mexico City that makes super tasty bowls, burritos, and burgers that are also very healthy.
We first visited this restaurant back in 2020 during the pandemic and it has grown in popularity and size since then. There is quite a lot of seating on the street which is nice on a sunny day.
I can highly recommend choosing one of the bowls. They mix a wide range of interesting flavors and ingredients that make the dish really bright and colorful.
Read here: 14 Vegan Restaurants in Mexico City not to miss! 🥑
Or book a vegan food tour in Mexico City here👇
Churreria El Moro
Churreria El Moro is a classic place to grab some delicious churros in Condesa and they are by default vegan! They have been in the same location right next to Parque Mexico since 1935 and are very popular with locals and tourists so be prepared for a long line.
On Sundays and other busy times, the line gets so long that I do not think it is worth the wait. But if you walk past and see that there aren’t many people quickly rush in and grab this sweet traditional treat.
Where to Stay in Condesa
Condesa is a relatively small area so no matter where you stay you will be relatively close and within walking distance of everything. We really like being close to Parque Mexico and Avenida Amsterdam so I recommend booking accommodation close to it.
Airbnb Condesa Mexico City
If you are looking to stay in Condesa for a few days or weeks then Airbnb is definitely the best option. We have booked private rooms via Airbnb in Condesa for around 20 USD a night or 500 USD a month.
Condesa is for sure not the most affordable place in Mexico City so you will have to pay much more for a private apartment. If you are looking for somewhere more affordable to stay you could look into neighboring areas or Chapultepec. Roma isn’t any cheaper.
👉 Book your Airbnb in Condesa here
Hotels in Condesa Mexico City
There are plenty of hotels in Condesa however they can be quite pricey. But if you want a nice place at a reasonable price you should check out Stella Bed and Breakfast. Double rooms are 70 USD per night that look super comfortable and have breakfast included.
Book Stella B&B here or search for more hotels here 👇
Hostels Condesa Mexico City
Many of the best hostels in Mexico City are in the Historic Center but there are still a few good ones in Condesa.
Casa Pancha is a modern hostel in Condesa that has very good ratings. It is expensive for Mexico with dorm beds going for around 30 USD! But if you want a super nice hostel in Condesa it is a good choice.
Otherwise, if you are looking for cheaper hostels (half-price to Condesa) you should look around the Centro Historico and then just travel to Condesa.
Book Casa Pancha here or search for more hostels here 👇
House Sitting Condesa Mexico City
If you are flexible with your dates and are looking for a truly local experience then you should check out TrustedHouseSitters. We looked after two dogs close to Chapultepec Park and stayed in Condesa in a modern apartment for free in exchange. 100% recommended!
Sign up to TrustedHouseSitters via this link for free + use code HAPPYHEALTHYNOMADS at checkout for a 25% discount on your yearly membership! 🐶 Read about our experiences here.
Read here: All you need to know about TrustedHouseSitters 🐈
Is Condesa Mexico City Safe?
Safety is a question many people always ask about in regard to Mexico including Mexico City. We have traveled all over Mexico and we find the country is much safer than the media would have you believe. Condesa is even safer.
Condesa is one of the wealthiest areas of Mexico City and the crime rate here is very low. So if you are staying in Condesa you don’t have to worry and only use common sense as you would at home or in any other bigger city.
Book: Flexible travel insurance with SafetyWing. Read about our experience plus other options here ✈️ We are already 2+ years insured with SafetyWing!
Read here: Best travel & health insurance for digital nomads 🩺
That’s my Roundup of Condesa Mexico City – You will love it!
Every time we visit Mexico City – it is one of our favorite big cities in the world – we stay in Condesa or neighboring Roma. Now you know why! Condesa is a unique little green paradise in the otherwise very busy Mexico City metropolis and has lots to offer.
Condesa is also a great place to be if you are a digital nomad, dog lover, tree hugger, book worm or foodie. Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or which part of Mexico City is your favorite.
READ ALSO
- 10 Best Markets in Mexico City
- 12 Reasons to visit Mexico City
- 13 Best Cities in Mexico for Nomads
- 18 Top Free Things to do in Mexico City
Hey there! Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us to generate income and keep creating content for you. So we greatly appreciate your support! Thanks!
Hi, I am Allan, a travel, health and fitness fanatic from New Zealand. I'm a former lawyer who turned into a full-time nomad in 2020. For the last 4+ years I've been traveling the world. I'm always on a hunt for good food, activities on a budget and workouts on the go. I hope you find my tips helpful and get inspired to travel more!
