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The 8 Best Museums in Mexico City

Mexico City Museums Insider Guides
by Odette Herrera Dec 11, 2016

There are around 150 buildings catalogued as museums by the National Council for Culture and Arts within Mexico City’s limits. As interesting as all these places might be, you’ll need to make a strict selection to maintain a feasible itinerary. If you’re wondering how to decide among the overwhelming amount of options, this is the right place.

Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.

1. MUAC

 MUACCiudad de México, MexicoThis museum located on UNAM’s campus “Ciudad Universitaria” presents extraordinary temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, and it’s considered one of the best venues of its kind in Latin America. It’s worth having breakfast or lunch in its restaurant.

2. Frida Kahlo Museum

 Frida Kahlo MuseumCiudad de México, MexicoThis spot is a “must-see” in Coyoacán neighborhood and one of the most visited museums in Mexico. The “blue house”, as it is known, was the place where Mexican artist Frida Kahlo borned, died and lived for some time with Diego Rivera.

3. Museo Nacional de Antropología

 Museo Nacional de AntropologíaCiudad de México, MexicoThis museum has the most important collection of anthropological and ethnographic pieces of pre-Hispanic cultures in Mexico. Its exhibition is so large that it can be overwhelming, so take a good time to visit it or focus on the areas of the most popular cultures like Mayan, Aztec (or Mexica) and Teotihuacan. It’s better to come on weekdays.

4. Chapultepec Castle

 Chapultepec CastleCiudad de México, MexicoThis beautiful palace houses the National Museum of History which exhibits different collections of treasures that have seen the history of Mexico, such as furniture, paintings, clothing, coins, etc. The castle is located on top of a hill so the panoramic views from its gardens and terraces are amazing.

5. Museo de Arte Moderno

 Museo de Arte ModernoCiudad de México, MexicoThis museum houses extraordinary temporary exhibitions of modern art, both by Mexican and international artists. If you’re around Bosque de Chapultepec, is a good site to visit.

6. Museo Memoria y Tolerancia

 Museo Memoria y ToleranciaCiudad de México, MexicoThis place is highly recommended because even though it presents very difficult and sad world issues (genocides, discrimination and violence), it gives a great museum experience to all its visitors, while promoting respect and tolerance for human diversity.

7. Palacio de Bellas Artes

 Palacio de Bellas ArtesEjido del Centro, MexicoThe Palace of Fine Arts is the maximum house of art in Mexico. In its interior we can admire spectacular murals of artists like Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo and Siqueiros. It houses some of the best temporary exhibitions that come to the country, as well as great music, dance and theater shows.

8. National Art Museum

 National Art MuseumCentro, MexicoThis amazing museum has over 3,000 pieces of art, mainly paintings made from the 16th century to the first half of the 20th century. It is located in one of the most beautiful buildings in Mexico City’s downtown.

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