Mexico City is a bustling metropolis known for its fascinating history, amazing Mexican cuisine, and friendly locals. So, if you’re visiting Mexico City for the first time, you’ll probably want to go sightseeing, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, and sample the local street food scene.
Shopping in Mexico City is another thing to look forward to during your vacation. There are masses of fantastic places for retail therapy in Mexico’s capital city, from luxury shopping centers to local markets and traditional open-air bazaars.
I visited Mexico City with my husband for three days in September 2024. Although I didn’t have much time to shop, I found some fantastic places I highly recommend visiting. Along the way, I picked up some great clothes from local Mexican designers and some cute souvenirs to take home.
Here’s my guide to the top places to shop in Mexico City. I’ve included my favorite places from my first time in Mexico City and others I want to visit in the future.
Audette
Audette is a gorgeous handbag label created by Aude Jan and Charles Gout, two French fashion designers. They met in Paris and moved to Mexico City, where they create high-quality bags and accessories made out of Italian leather and cactus leather from Mexico.
Audette creations are known for their unconventional shapes and contemporary design, such as their “Denim” line that’s actually crafted from fine Italian suede. Aude Jan and Charles Gout design with responsibility in mind, often repurposing leftover stock from larger luxury brands.
Audette has been mentioned in Vogue Mexico and also caught the eye of the experts at the MoMA in New York City. Their boutique in the Roma Norte area of the city is well worth a visit if you love luxury handcrafted bags at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Location: Frontera 105, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.
Xinú
This beautiful perfume shop is one of my favorite places to shop in Mexico City. This beautiful place is quite unlike any perfume store you might have visited before, and the perfumes created by owner Verónica Alejandra Peña Austin are unlike any standard shop’s offerings.
When you arrive at Xinú, you might think you’ve come to the wrong address because it looks more like a residential building surrounded by lush greenery. But when you press the call button and climb up the black-painted staircase, you’ll reach a fabulous glass-walled space where you can sample the botanical scents on a lab-style table.
The scents are displayed beautifully under glass cloches, which you can lift to sample the individual components. Then, you can test the perfumes on tester cards and on yourself, assisted by the incredibly knowledgeable staff.
Xinú perfumes are made with natural ingredients and they’re all pretty gender-neutral. Once you find a fragrance you love, you can purchase it as a cologne, a candle, or a scented body product. The bottles are beautiful, too, and the staff showed us ways to reuse them once we’ve finished up all the scents.
I highly recommend visiting Xinú while you’re in Mexico City. I had a really fun experience there, and my husband enjoyed it more than he thought he would.
Location: Alejandro Dumas 161, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México.
Rapsodia México
If you hate turning up to special occasions and discovering someone wearing the same outfit, you definitely need to pay a visit to Rapsodia México.
Rapsodia is a high-end fashion boutique stocking beautiful clothes ranging from Boho chic dresses to jeans and leather jackets. It’s a great place to pick up something unique you almost certainly won’t see anyone else wearing back home.
Rapsodia also offers online shopping with a personal shopper service, but they only deliver within Mexico. So, if you see something you love in the boutique, buy it while you can!
There are two branches of Rapsodia in Mexico City – the details listed below are for the store in the popular Polanco district.
Location: Av. Ejército Nacional Mexicano 843, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11520 Ciudad de México.
El Bazaar Sabado
El Bazaar Sabado is one of the traditional markets that are very popular in Mexico City. This market takes place in an old colonial site and is only open on Saturday.
Markets like El Bazaar Sabado are a great way to experience Mexican culture and tradition. You’ll find dozens of local artists, artisans, and designers selling handcrafted textiles, homewares, jewelry, and more. Lively music plays while you browse through the vendors’ stalls, and you’re sure to be tempted by the delicious aromas of Mexican street food.
I picked up two gorgeous handmade bowls to take home, and you could definitely find some great souvenirs here. Some of the market stalls accept credit cards, but cash is often preferred, so be sure to bring some along.
Location: Plaza San Jacinto 11, San Angel TNT, San Ángel, Álvaro Obregón, 01000 Mexico City.
Reforma 222
Although exploring traditional markets and discovering local designers is exciting, sometimes you want to visit a modern shopping mall with familiar brands. If that urge strikes while you’re in Mexico City, head to Reforma 222, one of Mexico’s upscale shopping malls.
The mall sits in a prime location on Paseo de la Reforma, fairly close to the Ritz-Carlton Mexico City and other top hotels in Mexico City. Sunlight floods through the mall’s large glass windows, while lush foliage makes the shopping experience more relaxing.
Reforma 222 has 4 floors filled with boutique stores and global brands from Adidas to Zara, so you’re sure to find stores to suit your taste and budget. When you need a break from all that shopping, you’ll also find plenty of fast food options in the food court, a movie theater, and even a gym.
Location: Módulo en, Av. Paseo de la Reforma 222-Planta Baja, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Mexico City.
Avenida Presidente Masaryk
Avenida Presidente Masaryk is one of the pretty tree-lined streets that run through the affluent, artsy Polanco neighborhood. It’s a must-visit destination if you love designer brands and good food, and is known as the most luxurious street in Mexico City.
Here, you can browse through cute boutiques featuring local designers and top international brands. Be sure to call into Pasaje Polanco, an open-air shopping court designed in Colonial Californian style. I picked up a beautiful dress and a sweater set there, both made by Mexican designers.
When you’re ready to take a break from shopping, indulge in some people-watching as you sip your coffee or an aqua fresca outside one of the coffee shops.
Location: Polanco, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico.
Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela is a paradise for anyone who loves art, antiques, and other handicrafts. It’s a traditional Mexican market in Mexico City’s historic center, which opened in 1968 to promote Mexico’s cultural heritage.
The Ciudadela Market now has over 350 stalls to browse through, selling a wide range of authentic Mexican crafts. The choice ranges from clothing and jewelry to tile-framed mirrors and alebrijes (traditional folk art sculptures). Vendors travel to the market from all over Mexico, so you’ll also find regional specialties like Oaxacan textiles and Taxco silver from Guerrero.
This vibrant market also has plenty of places to stop and relax with a snack or coffee, or pick up some coffee beans and locally-made chocolate bars.
It goes without saying that Mercado de Artesanias La Ciudadela is the perfect spot to pick up souvenirs of your visit to Mexico City. Many stalls now accept credit cards, but you’ll probably get a better bargain if you pay in cash.
Location: Balderas S/N, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06040 Ciudad de México.
Centro Santa Fe
If you’re visiting Mexico City with family, especially in the rainy season, Centro Santa Fe is a great way to pass a few hours and entertain your kids. Around 20 million shoppers visit the 500+ stores inside this massive, multi-floor shopping complex each year, and the sheer size of this mall is amazing!
You’ll find all the major international brands at Centro Santa Fe. Its department stores and trendy boutiques sell clothing, including mid-luxury brands like Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolce & Gabbana, jewelry, toys, furniture, and much more. You can buy just about anything here, and it’s the perfect place to pick up some excellent deals too.
When your kids get bored of your shopping expedition, you can take them to the movie theater, arcade, or skating rink, or you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the spa. There’s also a large food court on the top level, and other places to eat are dotted throughout the mall.
Location: Vasco de Quiroga 3800, Lomas de Santa Fe, Contadero, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, 05348 Mexico City.
La Lagunilla
La Lagunilla is a popular shopping district where you’ll find one of Mexico City’s largest markets. This is a good place to get a taste of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and experience local culture.
La Lagunilla market has three sections: one selling clothing, another selling furniture, and a third section selling fresh produce. Tourists and locals also visit La Lagunilla to browse through dozens of thrift shops and street-side stalls selling everything from clothing and vintage furniture to leather shoes and accessories.
Call into La Lagunilla on a Sunday, and you’ll find the traditional weekend tianguis in full flow. This is an open-air market where local artisans, artists, and traders sell their antiques, contemporary art, and other traditional handicrafts. Shopping in the tianguis is a unique experience, so be ready to bargain for a small discount – the traders will expect it.
Location: C. Comonfort 32, Peralvillo, Morelos, Cuauhtémoc, 06200 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.
Antara Fashion Hall
When you’ve spent the day exploring Mexico City, Antara Fashion Hall is the perfect spot to relax with some retail therapy.
This open-air mall has a very relaxing atmosphere, helped by the beautiful flowering trees that turn the main promenade into a peaceful green space. If you need to rest your weary feet after a busy day of sightseeing, there’s an impressive food court and plenty of seating around the mall.
Of course, you won’t go to Antara just to sit down and relax. The shopping is also great here, with department stores featuring global brands like Burberry, Armani, and The North Face sitting alongside smaller stores showcasing homegrown talents. You can also process tax refunds on-site at the Fashion Hall, so there’ll be no need to deal with that when you get to the airport.
Location: Av Ejército Nacional 843, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11520 Mexico City.
As you can see, there’s a wide range of shopping experiences to be explored in Mexico City.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury shopping mall selling global brands, cute boutiques showcasing amazing local artisans, or a traditional open-air market where you can find bargain antiques and delicious street food, Mexico City has something to suit every shopper.
So, if you’re planning a vacation in Mexico City, make some time in your plans for a little retail therapy. You’re sure to enjoy some unique experiences and find something wonderful to take home with you!
Wonder where to eat after a long day of shopping? Check out my article about the best restaurants in Mexico City next!
