You’ll no-doubt see Roma Norte popping up as one of the best places for tourists to visit when planning your trip to Mexico City.
Roma Norte is packed with leafy tree-lined streets, colourful murals, art galleries, trendy cafes and some AMAZING food spots. It’s safe, distanced from the busy traffic of other areas in the city and easily-walkable – perfect for exploring on foot (or bike) to soak it all in!
Oh, and if you’re wanting to get out and explore all that Mexico City has to offer, make sure to read our Ultimate Mexico City Guide. It’s packed with the best things to do, the best places to go, and much more!
One Day in Roma Norte Itinerary
If you only have one day to explore Roma Norte, this is how we’d spend it to make the most out of this charming neighbourhood based on our experience there.
Morning: Breakfast at Café Toscano Roma
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Café Toscano Roma, a local favourite that’s perfect for a relaxed morning.
We opted for their special sweet pastry of the day, which was one of six on offer. The round, flat pastry that came was filled with some kind of delicious jam and cream. It was great! We also tried their molletes, which is toasted bread with refried beans, cheese, and a slightly spicy pico de gallo – a Mexican comfort food classic.
We paired this with a macchiato (lovely and strong) and orange juice (cold and fresh)!
The café’s outdoor seating is ideal for people-watching while you wake up with your caffeine fix. You’ll immediately feel the laid-back vibe that makes Roma Norte so inviting. The inside is equally enjoyable if you’re not yet ready for the sunlight!
🕙 Opening times: Mon – Fri from 08:00, Sat – Sun from 09:00
Late Morning: Free Walking Tour with Estación México
After breakfast, it’s time to walk off the delicious food and dive into Roma Norte’s history and culture with a free walking tour by Estación México. They offer tours daily at 11:00 and 15:00, but we’d recommend the morning one so you can get insider tips on the best bits of Roma Norte. One of those tips turned out to be the BEST birria tacos in the area – we’ll get to that in a minute.
Booking the tour online is super easy, and the guides are amazing and knowledgeable. They’ll walk you through Roma’s most iconic landmarks, historic sites, and cool hidden gems while sharing fascinating stories about the area’s history and roots. It’s a great way to get your bearings and understand why Roma Norte is such a beloved part of Mexico City.
🎫 You can book on Estacion Mexico’s website here.
The tour takes about 2 hours, so once you’ve finished you’re just in time for lunch.
If you’re interested in more FREE activities to do in Roma Norte (or Mexico City as a whole), check out our list of the Best 13 Free Things to Do in CDMX.
Lunch: The best birria tacos 🌮
Head to Birria Estilo Jalisco – Food Stand for unreal birria tacos for lunch! This is a spot recommended to us by our walking tour guide as ‘the best birria tacos in the city’, and he was absolutely right – they were so delicious!!
It’s always good to get recommendations from locals when travelling – we’re so glad we listened. We promise, you will not be disappointed!
🕙 Opening times: Mon – Sat from 13:00 – 21:00, closed Sun.
Afternoon: Explore Roma Norte’s Highlights
Now that you’ve got a sense of the area, it’s time to follow your feet as you explore Roma Norte’s stunning streets at your own speed. Head to these must-see spots along your way:
- 🌳 Parque México: This lush, art deco park is the heart of Roma Norte and a great place to relax. Grab a bench or stroll around the pathways lined with trees and fountains.
- 🏠 Casa Lamm: A beautiful cultural centre housed in a historic mansion, offering exhibitions, workshops, and a lovely café. Even if you’re not taking a class, the architecture alone is worth a visit.
- 🖼️ Galería OMR: If contemporary art is your thing, stop by this cutting-edge gallery that showcases Mexican and international artists.
Dinner: Taquería Orinocos
More tacos?! Well, when in Rome…
We LOVE tacos, and this being Mexico we were more than happy for another round. Head to Taquería Orinocos – one of the most popular chains serving tacos in Mexico City. Just because it’s a chain doesn’t mean they’re bad – the tacos were 10/10 every single time!
We actually went back here quite a few times during our time in the city. Sometimes you might have to queue up to get in, but the wait is absolutely worth it. With tacos starting from MX $25 (£1 / US $1.30) it’s such good value too, especially for those on a budget!
Evening: Mezcal, Tequila & a Leisurely Stroll
As the sun sets, Roma Norte’s nightlife comes alive. You can’t leave without trying some of the city’s best mezcal or tequila! Some great bars in the area are:
- 🥃 La Clandestina – A cozy mezcaleria with a wide selection of mezcal that’s great for beginners and experts alike. The atmosphere is super laid-back and welcoming.
- 🍹 Licorería Limantour – Famous for its award-winning cocktails, this spot is a bit more fancy but well worth it if you’re in the mood for something special.
- Or if a simple cold beer is all you need, head to any bar you find – just check they’re alright with you just having drinks since some restaurants require you to order food too.
Almost everyone working at a bar in the capital will speak at least a little English, but if you need to ask in Spanish, keep this handy phrase in mind:
🇲🇽 Hola, ¿puedo/podemos tener una mesa sólo para bebidas, por favor?
🇬🇧 Hi, can I/we have a table just for drinks, please?
Once you’ve had a drink (or three), take a leisurely stroll through the neighbourhood’s charming streets. Roma Norte’s architecture is a beautiful mix of old and new, with wide colonial avenues and colourful street art at almost every turn.
Roma Norte is safe to walk in at night, but it’s always wise to maintain awareness and take the usual safety measures you would anywhere else.
How to get to Roma Norte
Getting to Roma Norte is easy, whether you’re flying into Mexico City or arriving by bus.
If you’re arriving by bus we’d recommend Busbud for ALL Mexico bus travel. It’s super easy to use, available in English and tickets can be booked in advance without the need to go to a bus station counter.
✈️ From Mexico City International Airport to Roma Norte
You can either get a taxi or you can hop on the public transport, which is excellent in Mexico City by the way!
🚕 Taxi
A taxi will cost around MX $300 (£12 / US $16). It can either be booked at one of the counters outside the airport or on Uber (which can be even cheaper). The journey takes around 30 minutes depending on where you’re being dropped off.
🚉 Public Transport
If you’re taking public transport, we’d recommend this route:
- Take the Metrobus from right outside the terminal to San Lázaro.
- Hop off and walk the 3 minutes to San Lázaro Metro station.
- Take the Metro Line 1 towards Observatorio until you reach Insurgentes station.
This’ll get you to the edge of Roma Norte district which it’s as close as you can get on public transport! The journey takes around an hour, and works from either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
If landing into Terminal 1, you can also opt for taking the Metro Line 5 to La Raza station, then switch to Metrobus Line 1 (6 min walk) and get off at Insurgentes/Metrobus Durango. This’ll take a similar amount of time!
Tip: To travel on public transport you will need a metrocard which you can purchase from major bus stops and metro stations. You can purchase this card from the same machine to top up the credit on your card and it only costs MX $15 (£0.60 / US $0.80).
Explore more details on getting a metrocard in Mexico City here.
🚌 From Major Bus Stations
You can grab a taxi or Uber once again, or hop on the Metro towards Roma Norte. The cost of the Metro from the major bus stations is around MX $11 (£0.40 / US $0.6), so this is a much better option if you’re on a budget.
Tip: As with all public transport anywhere in the world, be careful of your possessions. If you’re going to use it at night, be extra vigilant – we’d recommend only riding during the daytime for safety.
🚏 From TAPO Bus Station: take Metro Line 1 from San Lázaro to Insurgentes, which takes around 30 mins. Alternatively, catch the Metro B line from San Lázaro to Buenavista and switch over to the Metrobus Line 1 to take you to Insurgentes/Metrobus Durango station.
🚏 From North Bus Station: catch Metro Line 5 to La Raza and then switch to Metrobus Line 1 to Insurgentes/Metrobus Durango, which takes around 35 minutes.
As we said above, travelling on Mexico City’s public transport requires a metrocard. Check out our guide to getting a metrocard before you travel to avoid the confusion when you arrive!
Where to Stay in Roma Norte
Roma Norte is probably the most popular area for first-time visitors, so you’ll find plenty of great accommodation options to fit all budgets. Here are some options we think look excellent, but if you’d prefer you can see all the hotels available on Booking.com or Hostelworld:
- ($) Kasa Kaktus – where we stayed! It’s a small, cosy, plant-filled hostel with private rooms. It’s only a short walk to the centre of Roma Norte, and it also has self check-in so you don’t have to worry if your flight gets in late. It’s not an overly social hostel, so it’s better for couples.
- ($) Colmena Tonala – another budget option, but it’s not a hostel.
- ($$) Hotel Stanza – a more modern hotel. Plus, it’s located in the heart of Roma Norte, so you’re close to everything.
- ($$$$) Brick Hotel – a luxury (but expensive) option with a boutique atmosphere. Located in a gorgeous historic building.
One day in Roma Norte can be enough to fall in love with this vibrant neighbourhood, however we can guarantee you’ll definitely want to return for more! With its delicious food, artsy atmosphere and lively nightlife, Roma Norte is one of those gems with a little of something for everyone.
After you’ve enjoyed Mexico City why not take a quick 2 day trip to Puebla? This gorgeous small city just 2 hours from Mexico City is perfect for a small escape from the capital. Experience the Best of Puebla in 2 Days with our ultimate guide!
Just a heads up - some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. This means we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the site and keep more blog posts coming your way. Thanks for your support!
Comments
If you'd like to chat directly, pop us an email at hello@lawsoftravel.com or drop a comment below and we'll reply as soon as we can!