The 27 Best Things to Do in Polanco, Mexico City’s Swankiest Hood

There are so many incredible things to do in Polanco that you really need a few weeks to fit it all in. Fortunately, Polanco and I go way back, so I’ve rounded up 27 of the most amazing sights and experiences to be found in this swanky, Mexico City neighborhood. This way, you can pick your poison for things to do in Polanco according to what jives with your time on the ground, as well as your vacay style.  

With its celebrated dining scene, luxury shopping, striking architecture, world-class museums, and impeccable parks and green spaces, Polanco is the epitome of glitzy and luxe. There’s so much fabulousness to be consumed in this privileged enclave of Mexico City that you’d be wise to keep an eye on that hole burning through your pocket! 

Built in the 1940s as a haven for Mexico City’s affluent residents, Polanco is located in the southwest of the city, just above Parque Chapultepec. The colonia is bursting with sleek business towers, modern malls, bespoke shopping, Neo-Baroque mansions, foreign embassies, and high-end hotels. All of this lends Polanco a très sophisticated, international feel, which is reinforced in the nomenclature of its streets. Keep an eye out for calles honoring famous figures from around the globe, like French novelist Jules Verne, American poet Edgar Allen Poe and Czech President Tomas Masaryk.

Don’t expect anything about Polanco to be down-to-earth like other Mexico City neighborhoods. Around here, locals serve lewks dripping with wealth and swank.

Personally, I love Polanco’s cosmopolitan energy and polish. It’s where I stay whenever I’m in town because it’s extremely safe, and it makes a great base for exploring the rest of Mexico City. I’m also a hardcore walker, and Polanco’s gorgeous, tree-lined boulevards and parks are a joy to roam.

Ready to curl up in the lap of luxury? Here’s all my insider dish on the very best things to do in Polanco!   

The Great Outdoors | Best things to do in Polanco

Parque Lincoln

This pretty park buttresses the Polanquito area of Polanco, and makes for a great, green timeout. You’ll find a large, relaxing pond, an aviary, a small art gallery, and an open air theater (more on that below). There are also several honorary statues of politicians and pacifists, like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and the park’s namesake, Abraham Lincoln.

Bosque Chapultepec

Twice the size of Central Park, the sprawling Bosque Chapultepec offers more to do in Polanco than you can fit in a day. Or possibly even a week! The park is filled with museums, a large lake where you can rent paddle boats, botanical gardens, a few restaurants, and even a zoo. But if we’re strictly staying outdoors, Bosque Chapultepec is my favorite place in Mexico City to lace up and join the locals for a run.   

Roam Polanco’s calles to admire the architecture

You’ll discover some of Mexico City’s most rapturous architecture in Polanco. Roam the neighborhood’s streets and marvel at mansion after mansion that’s built in striking, Neo-Baroque style. In particular, the streets around Parque Lincoln, which is where Polanco’s first homes were built, dazzle with ornate facades and elaborate stone carvings. 

Parque America

Located on the wide and leafy Avenida Horacio, Parque America is a lovely escape in the heart of Polanco. It’s the perfect place to savor an ice cream and take a relaxing stroll. If you’ve got kids with steam to blow off, there’s a children’s skateboarding park. The surrounding streets are also excellent for cycling, running and long walks. 

Pasaje Polanco

Sneak a peek inside Pasaje Polanco, a mixed-use living and commercial space built on Avenida Masaryk in 1938. The vision for a California-style architectural project was led by Francisco Serrano, who strove to bring a post-Art Deco vision to his hometown. Continuously occupied since its inception, Pasaje Polanco remains an important example of Mexico’s attempt to marry Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival architecture. 

Art & Culture | Best things to do in Polanco

Museo Soumaya

Lebanese-Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim built Museo Soumaya to house his remarkable private art collection. The museum, named in homage of Slim’s late wife, Soumaya, houses a substantial cache of important Mexican art, as well as Slim’s extensive collection of works by European masters like Salvador Dali, Tintoretto and Esteban Murillo. In fact, the museum is home to the largest collection of sculpture castings by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris – 380 to be exact. Outside, 16,000 hexagonal tiles adorn the 6-story, silver building, making the museum itself a thing to behold. 

Museo Jumex

Hosting an impressive collection of contemporary artworks alongside cutting-edge exhibits and installations, Museo Jumex is one of Mexico City’s biggest promoters of experimental and innovative art. Inside, you’ll find paintings, drawings, light installations, and works from renowned figures like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Cy Twombly, among many others. The museum’s architecture is also worthy of note. The boxy building capped off by a sawtooth roof is constructed entirely with locally-sourced materials, and is the first Latin American design by renowned British architect, Sir David Chipperfield. 

Parroquia de San Agustin

You’ll spot the towering stone facade of Parroquia de San Agustin just in front of Parque America. Designed by architect Leonardo Noriega Stávoli, San Agustin was built in 1941, and occupies the entire 53,000 square-foot block where its pitched. From afar, you can’t miss the striking, Modernist building embellished with Gothic touches. Up close, you’ll be touched by the evocative reliefs above the doorway that depict the first 7 Augustinians to arrive in the Americas.

Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola

This triangular-shaped, Modernist church is topped by a roof that’s comprised of sunny, ceramic tiles. Inside, a kaleidoscopic, stained-glass window is an absolute feast for the eyes. Show up on a clear day to catch this sacred space awash in vibrant sprays of chromatic sunlight.

Museo Nacional de Antropología

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia tops the list of the things to do not only in Polanco, but in all of Mexico. The museum, located inside Parque Chapultepec, features the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art, which is spread throughout 23 exhibition halls. Visiting transports you back through Mexico’s richly-layered past, where you’ll discover some of the country’s most famous archaeological treasures. Don’t miss the Aztec Calendar, known as the “Sun Stone,” the recreation of Pakal’s tomb in the Maya exhibition room, or the sinister, jade mask of the Zapotec Bat God.

Teatro Angela Peralta

Another prolific example of the Californification of Mexico City’s architecture is Teatro Angela Peralta. This 2,500-seat theater was inspired by the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Built in 1939 at the edge of Parque Lincoln, the theater today is an idyllic, open-air setting for jazz shows and theater productions.

Cocktails & Cuisine | Best things to do in Polanco

Polanquito

Polanquito is a cluster of culinary streets that boast some of Mexico City’s most irresistible gastronomic temptations. In this vibrant section of Polanco, colorful awnings flank sidewalk cafes and luxurious restaurant terraces, where you’re guaranteed to have some of the poshest dining experiences in town. Come for the delectable food and drinks, stay for the unbeatable people watching.     

Ticuchi

Sexy, moody, trendy. Ticuchi is a serious vibe, and my top pick for a night out in Polanco. This is the spot to luxuriate in the Mexican magic of agave-based drinks, from tequila and mezcal, to the Sonoran clear bacanora, and the Chihuahuan spirit, sotol. For a little nosh, the kitchen turns out small but excellent seasonal plates. Flock to this low-lit bar with your coolest friends, or sneak in with your favorite lover.

Pujol and Quintonil

Exactly how swanky is Polanco? It boasts not one, but two, 2-star Michelin restaurants. Fine-dining establishments Pujol and Quintonil are neck-in-neck as the highest-rated restaurants in Mexico. That’s no small feat in a country that’s a globally-renowned, foodie heaven! Make sure to book well in advance. Reservations at these hot spots fill up stat!  

Malix

Full disclosure – twice I’ve booked at Malix, and twice I’ve had to cancel, which makes me twice as desperate to indulge! This Polanco eatery has a terrific rep owing to chef Alonso Madrigal, who’s triumphed in the kitchens of other Mexico City darlings, like the acclaimed Rosetta. Malix promises a seasonal menu that’s delightfully produce heavy, with veggie plates divined around hearty plants like potatoes, mushrooms and beetroot.  

Licoreria Limantour

Licoreria Limantour currently ranks # 7 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. I can vouch for its coveted position – this Polanquito bar shakes and stirs some of the best cocktails I’ve ever imbibed. So celebrated is Limantour that bartenders from all over the country flock here to learn from the best in the business. If mixology is your thing – or even if it isn’t – a stop at this iconic bar is a must on your things to do in Polanco list. 

Cafe Toscano

This vintage-themed restaurant in Polanco is one of my favorite breakfast spots. The inside of Cafe Toscano is cozy and adorably decorated, while the outside terrace is calling your name for a cappuccino and people watching — which is exactly what I was doing when I snapped the cover image for this article, LOL. At the back of the restaurant you’ll find a tea room offering a vast selection of herbal infusions. Even better — and quirkier — next to the kitchen is a pint-sized boutique that’s stocked with a range of bath and beauty products for purchase.    

Churreria El Moro

Churreria El Moro has been sprinkling sugar and cinnamon on Mexico City for more than 100 years. You’ll find various locations of this local institution serving fluffy churros and hot chocolate all over town. But opting for your sweet treats at the Polanco outpost is a great excuse for a delicious timeout that won’t break the bank in this part of town. 

Cafe Niddo Polanco

This pretty-in-pink cafe tucked away on the ground floor of a Polanco apartment complex is as Instrammable a place as they come. Cafe Niddo turns out a mouthwatering array of baked-goods, like traditional Mexican breads, muffins, donuts, and cookies. But you’re here for one thing, and one thing only — the gooey, flaky, sinful amazingness known as the cheese stick. You can thank me later!  

Luxury & Bespoke Shopping | Best things to do in Polanco

Luxury Shopping on Avenida Masaryk

Cartier. Gucci. Fendi. Louis Vuitton. Hermès. Polanco boasts the crème de la crème of Mexico City luxury shopping. Take a stroll down Avenida Masaryk, where you’ll find many of the world’s top fashion houses lined up just waiting for you to spend! spend! spend! 

Antara

A chic, open-air mall filled with all the usual suspects, like Zara, Lululemon and Abercrombie & Fitch, Antara makes for a solid retail-therapy stop. For those with deeper pockets, designer stores like Carolina Herrera and Hugo Boss will hit the spot. If you work up an appetite or need a break from shopping, Antara has plenty of restaurants, along with beautifully-designed nooks and crannies for lounging. 

ONORA

Onora is where you come to be enchanted by artisanal Mexican beauty. This fetching storefront on Miguel Hidalgo is where you’ll find exquisitely hand-crafted designs sourced from a wide array of Mexico’s craft communities. Expect beautiful, high-quality textiles and homewares fashioned with technique and tradition in mind.

TANE

Stunning made in Mexico baubles are the name of the game at TANE, which has been in the business of crafting artisanal statement jewelry since 1942. Pop inside of TANE’s cobalt Polanco showroom to discover nuanced pieces with their signature, contemporary design lines. Or hang outside to do what the cool kids do – get one in for the Gram under the Viva la Vida and Mexico Mi Amor signs.  

Xinu Perfumes

Discover a uniquely aromatic experience at Xinu Perfumes, a beautiful perfumery featuring scenty things crafted exclusively from plants found in the Americas. Their luxury incense, candles, perfume, and body care smell heavenly, and come packaged in gorgeous, hand-crafted and reusable designs. Don’t just take my word for it. Xinu’s exotic, olafactory potions have stirred up buzz in Architectural Digest Mexico, French Vogue and the New York Times

IKAL 

IKAL is a temple to avant-garde Mexican and Latin American designers. The store showcases a tempting confection of housewares, clothing, accessories, and objets d’artes  crafted by meticulously curated artisans, artists and designers. If you’re looking for all the things on the map of cutting-edge, Mexican fashion, welcome to IKAL.

LAGO

Keen to dress or furnish your home in the style of Polanco’s impeccable locals? Look no further than LAGO. This beautiful, flagship space promotes the wares of emerging Mexican and Latin American designers. Bespoke clothing, linens, furniture, scents, jewelry, and everything else you never knew you needed are meticulously sourced from regional trade shows. Show up with an empty suitcase!   

The Wrap

Believe it or not, there’s even more things to do in Polanco, so stay-tuned for a follow up post! For now, you’ve got plenty to explore in this bustling and elegant Mexico City colonia. But if you feel like branching out of Polanco, my ultimate guide to the perfect 4-days in Mexico City is your next stop!

Have any questions about things to do in Polanco? Did I leave something out? Reach out in the comments below!

As always, inspired travels Amiga! 💜

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