Located in the Cuauhtémoc borough of central Mexico City, La Condesa housed the artistic upper class during the early 20th century. Eventually those residents moved to newer neighborhoods, making way for younger, creative types who were seeking cheaper rent. Today Condesa, which draws comparisons to hipster neighborhoods in Brooklyn, has become a foodie destination within Mexico City, with readily available cuisine tours of the area and nearby La Roma.
La Condesa is a popular place to stay for many travelers visiting Mexico City.
Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and Michoacán Avenues are the main spots for nightlife.
The neighborhood’s Parque Mexico was previously a racetrack and now serves as the center of the district.
Roma and La Condesa were among the areas hit hardest during the September 2017 earthquake, and the local residents and businesses are still recovering.
Centrally located in Mexico City, La Condesa is easily accessible by several major transportation lines, including four nearby metro stations (Patriotismo, Chilpancingo, Chapultepec, and Juanacatlán) and the Insurgentes route on the city’s Metrobus system. There are bike-sharing stations located in the neighborhood, and it’s a 30-minute drive from the Mexico City International Airport.
If you’re visiting La Condesa on a day trip, keep in mind that, as in most of Mexico, many businesses and shops close between 2pm and 4pm. Traffic may be heavy and boutiques may be closed around that time. Also, Mexico City’s peak tourist season typically runs from November to May, so popular areas like La Condesa may be more crowded.
Art lovers won’t want to miss the Frida Kahlo Museum, located about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Roma and La Condesa in Coyoacán. Also known as the Blue House (La Casa Azul) because of its can’t-miss cobalt blue walls, the historic home—which was Kahlo’s birthplace—now serves as a museum filled with works from the famous Mexican artist and her husband Diego Rivera, along with the couple’s Mexican folk art, photographs, memorabilia, personal effects, and other items.
