One of the things that made me fall in love with Mexico City was the variety of neighborhoods in the heart of this massive city, making it feel much smaller and more intimate than I could ever have expected. The best part is that these colonias are clustered together making it incredibly easy and enjoyable to walk, bike, take public transport, or Uber from one to the next.
Colonias Roma and Condesa are next door neighbors and sometimes the line where one ends and the other begins is quite blurry. They have a lot in common and feel similar in many ways, but they do have their distinct vibes. I’ve written about the best things to do in Roma Norte so go and check that out too if you haven’t already!
La Condesa definitely feels more residential than commercial compared to La Roma and other colonias in Mexico City. The streets are quieter, tree-lined, and have plenty of beautiful colonial homes to admire. The best way to experience La Colonia Condesa is to wander on foot.
La Condesa, just like pretty much all of the colonias in Mexico City, is a vibe. Its charm goes beyond the cute cafes and stylish bars (of course the bars and restaurants are fabulous, they just deserve their own separate post). It’s the ordinary things like the shady sidewalks, eclectic architecture, lush park, and welcoming atmosphere that you don’t want to miss in between your coffee dates and dinners out.
Keep reading for how I would show a friend around Condesa, Mexico City and experience its magic!
Parque Mexico
We’re going to start this list off strong with the lively Parque México, the very heart of Condesa. This oasis in the middle of Mexico City is filled with lush plants and walking paths. It’s not huge, nothing compared to the size of El Bosque de Chapultepec, but you could spend anywhere between 30 mute to an hour depending on how long you decide to stop and watch the dogs play in the dog park. Besides wandering along the foot paths, there’s a small duck pond and play ground that the kids can enjoy, a relaxing audiorama, and a dog park to admire all different kinds of dogs playing freely. There are a few options nearby the park Churrería El Moro for churros and hot chocolate, coffee from Blend Station, or boba tea from Gong Cha if you want to indulge in a snack or drink while walking through the park.
Play Pool
There’s a great pool hall in Condesa called Salón Malafama. It’s a cool, spacious place with about ten pool tables to play a few rounds, have a couple of beers, and enjoy some bar food (the parmesan fries are bomb) for the evening. The pool tables are for rent at $150 pesos per hour. There is also seating by the bar and they even have board games if you want to keep the fun going.
BTW: It’s cash only
Visit the Local Product Market
We’re going to start this list off strong with the lively Parque México, the very heart of Condesa. This oasis in the middle of Mexico City is filled with lush plants and walking paths. It’s not huge, nothing compared to the size of El Bosque de Chapultepec, but you could spend anywhere between 30 mute to an hour depending on how long you decide to stop and watch the dogs play in the dog park. Besides wandering along the foot paths, there’s a small duck pond and play ground that the kids can enjoy, a relaxing audiorama, and a dog park to admire all different kinds of dogs playing freely. There are a few options nearby the park Churrería El Moro for churros and hot chocolate, coffee from Blend Station, or boba tea from Gong Cha if you want to indulge in a snack or drink while walking through the park.
Play Pool
There’s a great pool hall in Condesa called Salón Malafama. It’s a cool, spacious place with about ten pool tables to play a few rounds, have a couple of beers, and enjoy some bar food (the parmesan fries are bomb) for the evening. The pool tables are for rent at $150 pesos per hour. There is also seating by the bar and they even have board games if you want to keep the fun going.
BTW: It’s cash only
Admire the Architecture
What makes this part of Mexico City so unique is hands down the architecture. There is an incredible mix of designs from across the last three centuries and all of the decades in between and their unique styles. La Condesa definitely feels very residential and that probably has a lot to do with its abundance of stand alone homes. The art deco buildings are particularly eye-catching with their strong, geometric angles and beautifully finished facades. Walking the shady sidewalks, getting a little lost, and admiring all of the beautiful houses and buildings is absolutely a must if you want to get a real feel for Condesa.
Fun Night Out on Tamaulipas
Avenida Tamaulipas is Condesa’s most happening street for bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. You can get some great food at Yamasan (ramen) or El Tizoncito for traditional tacos al pastor.
If you want to party the night away then you won’t be short of options here. If you’re looking for something more chill and are interested in trying Mezcal then check out the cool and affordable mezcaleria, La Botica.
Google Location
Walk Along Avenida Mazatlan
If you haven’t caught on by now, I love walking, and I think walking is the absolute best way to experience any city. Avenida Mazatlan is a beautiful stretch to walk in the heart of the Condesa area. It’s a straight and wide pedestrian path that takes around 25 minutes to walk one way. There are more beautiful buildings, quaint cafes, and lots of cute dogs along the way.
Parque España
One last green space that’s worth passing by is the small park, Parque España. Grab a paleta (ice cream popsicles) from La Pantera Fresca or Bendita Paleta nearby and take a lap around the park and swoon over more dogs at doggy school or playing in the dog park. If you go weekend mornings after 10am, try the street tacos de barbacoa found on Antonio Sola street and grab a juice at the stand next door while you’re at it!
