Plaza Lindavista

What it is. A mid-size shopping centre on Avenida Montevideo, the commercial heart of Lindavista —a 1940s middle-class colonia in the north of the city laid out with wide avenues and detached houses. The mall covers the everyday range: fashion, services, a cinema, a supermarket and a food area with a gourmet section.

Why a visitor might come. Not for the shops, which are the same chains found everywhere, but because it is the practical stop in this part of town: it is the obvious place to eat, withdraw cash or shelter from an afternoon downpour when you are visiting the north. The Basilica of Guadalupe is a short ride away, and the Deportivo 18 de Marzo metro interchange is nearby.

Practical notes. Open 11:00–20:30 on weekdays, until 21:00 on Saturday and 20:00 on Sunday. Paid parking on site. Indios Verdes and Deportivo 18 de Marzo are the closest metro stations, both a short local bus or taxi ride from the door.