Mexico City is large and full of life. Many people could probably spend years exploring the whole city and still not find everything. However, when you only have a few days, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. And when you need a shopping day or want to pick up some trinkets to remember your trip by, it can be hard to pick the best shopping center.
Below, we have covered the top 6 places to go shopping in Mexico City. These malls, districts, and booths have everything from traditional handicrafts, to clothes, to food. There are plenty of stores in each area to keep you busy for a whole day (or longer).
Keep reading to learn more about the 6 essential shopping areas in Mexico City and what each place has to offer.
Table of contents
1. Antara Fashion Hall
Antara Fashion Hall is a mall with a little bit of everything. This open-air mall is three stories tall, has about 100 stores, around 6 restaurants at any given time, and a movie theater.
If you’re looking for something familiar, there are some well-known global stores like Calvin Klein, Sephora, and Nike and some smaller local shops. However, there are also some more local brands if you want something new.
This hall has more than just shopping as well. On top of their movie theater, the Antara Fashion Hall offers activities for late-night adventures too. With places like cocktail lounges and clubs, you can pass the night away in this shopping center just as easily as you did the day.
There is also a large food court with different restaurants and fast-food chains. Various seats, plants, and flowering trees are scattered throughout the mall to make the space welcoming and give plenty of space to sit and take a break.
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2. Barrio Alameda
Barrio Alameda is perfect for more urban and retro customers. It is pet-friendly and has stores that sell vintage clothes and old-school vinyl products. Many stores are local, with more traditional clothing, accessories, and handicrafts for guests to pick from.
The building was built in the 1920s and lends itself to be a great spot to relax and get away from the city’s metropolitan area. It has been carefully rebuilt and restored to make it safe while retaining the history of buildings in the 1920s. It is a great place to go for locals and tourists alike.
The top floor even has a great restaurant right on the roof with a gorgeous view. There are all sorts of foods to try, from ice cream to pizzas to traditional Mexican foods.
3. Avenida Presidente Masaryk
Avenida Presidente Masaryk is considered one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world. On top of high-end designer brands in the area, such as Armani, Gucci, Vuitton, and Tesla.
There is a National Conservatory of Music as well as historic shops in the district. A botanic garden, a zoo, and Chapultepec Park are also within walking distance.
If you are hungry, there are also restaurants and coffee shops in the area. If you want a place to relax, the district offers plenty of small green spaces and parks.
Even if you can’t afford the high cost of luxury items and high-end restaurants, it is a beautiful walk where you can go window shopping and spend a few hours. There are some side streets where less famous, and more local, places to eat and shop are hidden.
4. Mercado de Artesanias
If you want more traditional Mexican crafts and designs, the Mercado de Artesanias might be your shopping center. This area is full of booths with locals selling colorful pottery, crafts, and fabrics made by hand. Puppets, paper mache devils, folk art, and alebrijes are just a few of the wares for sale.
However, this is a very traditional-style market. It is better if you know some Spanish, and are willing and eager to bargain with people as the prices are often over-inflated at first. Also, it is best to bring cash, as only a few places have credit card readers.
There are well over 200 stalls in the area, some selling food and drinks as well.
5. Mercado de San Juan
If you want traditional foods as well as an artisanal area, the Mercado de San Juan is another great option. Not only do they have rows and rows of fruits, vegetables, and raw meats, but there is also a side that has some great items for tourists to buy.
Many vendors are also willing to offer samples, especially if it isn’t one you’ve ever had. All of the fruits, vegetables, and meats are fresh. However, grab-and-go foods like sandwiches are also available if you don’t plan to make your food.
If you are more adventurous, there are even options like insects that you can try. There may also be exotic meats like ostrich and crocodile if you are eager to try something new.
6. Centro Santa Fe
The Centro Santa Fe is one of the biggest malls in all of Mexico and a perfect place to go shopping. Everything you could ever want is in the mall, and it is pretty affordable.
There is even an ice skating rink and a cinema. A few large department stores are in the mall if you just want something familiar and easily recognizable. The food is great, offering fare from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as Italian, and some English cuisine if you are starting to miss home.
Conclusion
Any of these shopping centers can keep you busy for the whole day. They are full of colorful crafts, trinkets, food, and clothing. Some even have fresh food so you can try cooking traditional Mexican fare for yourself.
No matter how expensive your tastes are, or what you are looking for, any one of these areas would be a great way to spend time in Mexico City.
