Mexico City is best enjoyed walking. Between busy avenues and lively plazas, the city is full of picturesque lanes and boulevards that invite you to slow down and take a closer look. Stroll along them, and you’ll discover historic museums, charming cafés, tree-lined squares, and even hidden corners steeped in legend.
If you're planning a visit to CDMX, here's our guide to the streets most worth wandering. Explore them, and you’ll get to know our capital like a local while soaking up the city’s unique energy.
We start at the busiest and most iconic spot: Calle Madero, which connects the Zócalo with the Torre Latinoamericana. Pedestrian-only from end to end, it’s always bustling with families, tourists, street performers, and office workers.
As you walk, you'll come across historic churches like San Francisco and La Profesa, as well as colonial buildings that now house shops, jewelry stores, museums, and cafés.
Look up to admire centuries-old architecture, then glance around at ground level to see modern shop windows. That constant interplay between historic and contemporary is what makes Madero Street—and the entire Historic Center—so fascinating.
Just steps away from Madero, Calle 5 de Mayo offers a quieter, more local experience. While it also connects iconic landmarks—the Zócalo and Palacio de Bellas Artes—the vibe here is calmer. You’ll find historic façades, traditional eateries, and a slower pace.
Two of our hotels are located right on this street: Zócalo Central & Rooftop and Canada Central & Rooftop. Staying with us means one of the city’s most charming streets is right at your doorstep.
A few steps from the Zócalo, Calle Moneda (“Coin Street”) is one of the city’s oldest thoroughfares, dating back to Aztec times in Tenochtitlan.
Here you’ll find the National Museum of World Cultures, with art and artifacts from civilizations across the globe. Continue a bit further, and you’ll reach the Antigua Academia de San Carlos, the first colonial art school and museum in the Americas.
Short yet rich in history, this street offers a deep dive into the traditions and culture that still shape today’s Mexico City.
In the trendy Roma neighborhood, Orizaba Street bursts with life, lined with leafy trees and elegant buildings from the early 1900s. Many were built with imported European marble and designed in Art Nouveau and Neoclassical styles, a reflection of Porfirio Díaz’s modernization era.
Along the way, you’ll encounter cafés, bookstores, bars, and restaurants that make Roma so iconic. The street links lively parks like Plaza Rio de Janeiro, with its replica of Michelangelo's David, and Plaza Luis Cabrera, a hub of outdoor art and culture.
Intersecting with Avenida Álvaro Obregón, Orizaba guarantees there’s always something new to explore.
Famous for its bohemian, cosmopolitan vibe, La Condesa is best represented by Avenida Amsterdam. The circular avenue surrounds Parque México and showcases elegant mansions from the 1920s and 1930s, indie designer boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.
It’s also one of the city’s best spots for people-watching. Joggers, cyclists, and dog-walkers give this leafy street a lively yet relaxed atmosphere—perfect for strolling like a local.
In upscale Polanco, Avenida Masaryk is synonymous with luxury. Here you’ll find high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and art galleries.
Walking along Masaryk feels completely different from exploring the historic or bohemian neighborhoods, but it’s a must for anyone who enjoys window-shopping or savoring fine dining in one of Latin America’s most elegant districts.
Heading south to Coyoacán, Francisco Sosa Avenue is one of the city’s oldest streets. With cobblestones and colonial houses, it retains a peaceful, almost timeless charm.
Follow it into the Chimalistac district and discover highlights like the Fonoteca Nacional, the Plaza and Church of Santa Catarina, and the Casa de Cultura Jesús Reyes Heroles, with exhibitions, craft fairs, and a delightful café.
Just off Francisco Sosa, the Callejón del Aguacate (Avocado Alley) is steeped in legends of apparitions and mysterious tales. Spooky stories aside, it’s also a quiet, colorful corner with historic houses that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time—a favorite for unique photos.
From the vibrant Historic Center to the quiet corners of Coyoacán, strolling these streets is the best way to experience Mexico City’s contrasts, culture, and energy.
To make the most of your visit, stay close to the action. Central Hotels offers three properties in the heart of the Historic Center—perfect for exploring on foot.
Enjoy superb service, privileged location, and complimentary 24-hour drinks and light meals at Café Central.
On your next visit to Mexico City, stay at Central Hotels: the ideal starting point for discovering the city’s most iconic streets.
Travel, culture and traditions in Mexico City.
