Located in Mexico City, the sub-district of Polanco is a famous, upmarket area close to many main attractions. It is home to Mexico’s wealthiest families, politicians and celebrities. The district caters for all tastes, with an abundance of luxury boutiques and shopping malls, fascinating museums and a plethora of charming restaurants.
Polanco lies to the north of popular Chapultepec Park and consists of five “colonias” or neighbourhoods. The border of the district incorporates the thoroughfare of Paseo de la Reforma and Bosque de Chapultepec which houses several historic landmarks and museums. To discover pre-Columbian era artefacts and architecture, head for the National Museum of Anthropology. It’s the largest, most visited museum in the country. One of the main attractions of Polanco is Chapultepec Castle. Once a sacred place for the Aztec Empire, it has served many purposes throughout its existence. Today it is home to the National Museum of History, an observatory and picturesque verdant parkland. Alternatively, art lovers will adore Museo Soumaya and its glittering, disc covered contemporary structure standing tall in Nuevo Polanco. With over 66,000 artworks encompassing 30 centuries, it is sure to tempt visitors through its doors. Explore unique masterpieces from Rodin, Dalí and Tintoretto and sculptures from Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica. Nuevo Polanco is also home to luxury department stores, designer boutiques, art galleries and some of Mexico’s finest eateries. Avenida Presidente Masaryk is known as Mexico’s “Fifth Avenue” or “Rodeo Drive”. It’s the most expensive and exclusive shopping street in Latin America.
Polanco can be reached on foot from Bosque de Chapultepec and Paseo de la Reforma. It takes around 30-40 minutes to walk to central shopping street Avenida Presidente Masaryk. Alternatively, travellers exploring other zones of Mexico City can journey via metro to Polanco or Auditorio stations. Buses operate close to the perimeter of the main street along Autopista Urbana Norte. Visitors can also opt to travel by taxi or Uber.
The first department store arrived in Polanco in the 1960s, but the area didn’t come into its own until after 1985. An earthquake reshaped the city, and businesses and boutiques which once populated the “Zona Rosa” district became part of Polanco. The area is popular with visitors seeking solitude away from the hustle and bustle of downtown areas of the city. Its abundance of shops, museums, restaurants and cafes ensures Polanco it caters to everyone in the travelling party.