10 Best Museums in Mexico City
I often hear people say that Mexico City has more Museums than any other city in the world. Who knows if this is true.
Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world, so it is not surprise that they have the most of anything.
If you haven’t learned this hard truth already, Mexico City will surely teach you that quality is more important than quantity. This may not be true for everything, but it is certainly true for Museums. Beware of lists of “My 20 favorite Museums in Mexico City.” Please.
Each of the 10 Museums listed below has contributed greatly to my understanding of Mexico City, and Mexican culture . I will list the museums as well as tell you why you should visit. I hope you enjoy them.
Museums are one of my favorite parts of Mexico City.
My Number One Suggestion for Creating a Museum Itinerary in Mexico City
Mexico City’s Museum Scene is very much driven by exhibitions. While the first four Museums of the list don’t really change and are more focused on History, the rest play host to some of the best exhibitions I have ever seen.
If you pick carefully, you’ll be in for a treat. But the worst thing you can do is waste time visiting a museum while it is in between exhibitions.
The list below is pretty fail safe. If they’re having an exhibition, I feel comfortable telling you that it will probably blow you away.
The only caveat is the two contemporary ones are sometimes too contemporary, if you know what I mean, but not always. Most of the time I’ve been impressed by their exhibitions and, believe it or not, visiting then has made me feel like I actually understand what contemporary art is!!
Museo Templo Mayor
This underrated museum gets my number one spot because I don’t think there is any place in Mexico City, where you can stand, and see the entire history of Modern Mexico in one image.
This image is that of the Magnificent Cathedral Metropolitana towering over the ruins of the Ancient Templo Mayor.
The Museo Templo Mayor tells the story of the conquest of El Gran Tenochtitlan by the Spanish Conquistadores. Unlike the much more famous counterpart, The Museum of Anthropology, this museum is bilingual and tells the story in English and Spanish.
This museum tells the story of how the Grand Pyramid of Tenochtitlan was torn down and its stones were used to construct the Catholic Cathedral that remains today. It gives an outstanding introduction to the complex history of the Aztec Empire that existed before the conquest.
Even if you’re not a history Buff, this museum does a great job of telling the story of Mexico City. You will have a much better appreciation and understanding of the city you are visiting after experiencing this museum.
This is why I give it the number one spot and I recommend you visit it as close to the beginning of your trip as possible. This museum is a trip maker!
This is the first stop on our Free Walking Tour of Zocalo, and also featured on our Mexico City Downtown Walking Tour for Gay Travelers.
I highly recommend that you pair this museum with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral next door. Also don’t miss the three outdoor models of the island of tenochitlan before the Spanish conquest.
I promise you will understand Mexico City so much better after visiting this Museum!
Chapultepec Castle
Immaculately restored European style castle, enormous Mexican Murals, and panoramic views of a modern Megalopolis,
Chapultepec Castle offers images that will live in your mind, and your instagram feed, forever.
Like all museums on this list, I recommend that you go in the morning (check the website for the opening hour)
Afterwords grab a bite to eat at some of our recommended restaurants at every price point in neighboring San Miguel Chapultepec, or take a self guided walking tour of the history of Zona Rosa.
You may also be motivated to visit Mexico City’s most famous legal marijuana distribution point, which is located right next door to this museum.
Museo Nacional del Arte
Mexico’s National Art collection is housed in a magnificent Spanish mansion which is in and of itself a work of art. I consider this museum to be a must see for all visitors.
A visit to MUNAL will give anybody an unforgettable introduction to the unique mexican astetic and a memorable understanding of the mexican landscape.
This Museum hosts frequent exhibitions of some of Mexico’s most famous artists and themes.
They also do a good job of bringing in famous European aritsts in small exhibitions.
This museum is one of the first stops on our Downtown Mexico City Walking Tour for Gay Travelers.
Arte Popular
I had no idea what a rich history there was in Mexico for handmade arts and crafts. There are so many styles from so many regions and all of them are very unique and beautiful.
I discovered how fun Mexican Arts and crafts were when I got my first Apartment in mexico after living in an AirBnb for 9 months.
The Culture of Arts and Crafts is part of Mexico that not everybody knows about. So many come and go and never discover this rich part of Mexican History.
In my Article about Puerto Vallarta, I throw shade at the fact that . . .
. . . of all the boutiques there are, only two of them contain any semblance of Mexican Artisans.
Nowhere introduces the history of Mexican Artisans better than this museum. If you don’t have 9 months to discover this rich tradition, like I did, do yourself a favor and discover it here at this museum.
Museo Jumex
A towering monument to Contemporary Art, Museo Jumex sponsors some of the most forward thinking exhibitions in the world.
This is a very exhibition focused museum. It’s best to read about what you’re going to see on their website to see if it interests you.
To be honest, I had never heard of any of the artists who have been exhibited here, and Museo Jumex introduced each one, and their historical significance, in a thorough way that inspired me to get to know the artists more.
Fun Fact: Me and my best friend have the distinct honor of having attended every exhibition of the JUMEX since I moved to Mexico City in 2018. Discovering all of these artists has been like discovering a new world. Friendships like these have been possible for me in Mexico City.
MUAC
Located on the campus of Mexico’s National University (UNAM),this is another Contemporary Art Museum that has affected me greatly as an art fan.
MUAC is more likely to feature artists who use their work to talk about contemporary event. Such as Ai Weiwei and Carlos Amorales.
Featured as one of the principal stops on our Tour of Ciudad Universataria home of UNAM, Mexico’s National University.
Franz Meyer (Local favorite that you’ll not find on the big travel blogs who simply compile their ‘best of’ lists on google without even visiting the city)
Host of The Famous Annual World Press Photo Exhibition, which takes place every fall, Franz Meyer is an annual favorite.
They are known for some of the best exhibitions of all of the city as well as an impressive collection of Spanish colonial furniture and home decorative arts.
Located inside of a convent next to an impressive church, Franz Meyer is an experience not to be missed.
San Carlos
I’ll be honest, words escape me in my attempt to describe this Museum.
This is a local favorite among the artists in Mexico City. If you like Artists, like me, this is your crush’s favorite museum.
I have seen Mexican neoclassical painting here as well as that from around the world.
I have also enjoyed the photography that I have discovered here in exhibitions.
Museo del Arte Moderno (MAM) or Museo Tamayo
I list these two together because I tried to choose between the two of them and found it impossible. Both are exhibition driven and have hosted some of my favorite exhibitions I have seen in my years living in Mexico City. They are both located in Chapultepec Park and are across the street from each other.
Check out both of their websites and see which one is hosting an exhibition that interests you. If they both are, lucky you, you can see them both in a morning.
Museo del Arte Moderno (MAM)
You may notice ‘Casa Azul’ or ‘The Freida Khalo House’ missing from my list. I find the line to be too long and the inside to be very disappointing. Most people who recommend that museum have never been.
I find the Museum of Arte Moderno (MAM) to be a much better introduction or display of Freida Khalo’s Work. The permanent collection is constantly revolving and the exhibitions here can really be great.
Museo Tamayo
Famous Oaxacan Painter’s namesake museum, Museo Tamayo is host to some impressive contemporary art exhibitions. In June of 2022, I call 2022 the year that Mexico City truly returned from the pandemic and began to function at full speed, Museo Tamayo presented a fantastic exhibition of Genderqueer Mexican Painter Julio Galán.
The foyer of the Museum was illuminated with the colors of the rainbow.
I remember waiting in line to get into the museum, and finding myself in line with LGBTQ+ people of all ages. It was a wonderful feeling.
I will always remember Mexico City Pride of 2022, and the entire month of June, to be when Mexico City rose up and declared itself one of the gay communities in the world that is being its most authentic self and worthy of getting to know.
While there is no way to count how many people attended the 2022 Gay Pride Parade (Mexico City is not very preoccupied with numbers like that), I can’t believe that it was not the biggest pride celebration of that year.
Museo Nacional de Anthropología
This museum is #1 on the “Travel Bloggers who Only Spent One Week In Their Destination” set.
I saved my controversial statements for the end. Most foreigners who say that they LOVED this museum are lying. I can’t deny that it is an impressive collection of Artifacts and History of all the ancient tribes who predated the Aztec Empire in the history of Mexico.
Here you will find dense academic history, and no, it is not translated into English.
If that sounds like too much for you, I may skip this one, despite the peer pressure and hype, this Museum is way over the head of most English Speaking Tourists.
They do have a nice cafeteria downstairs with delicious and very traditional Mexican Food. I took my friend here on his last day. We wandered around the museum and let the entire experience of his trip sink in before taking an uber to the airport.
If you walk through this Museum, try to keep a Birds Eye view. Don’t get too caught up in the actual details. The architecture and visual experience as you walk through is impressive, albeit a little dated.
This is a good thing to hit last on your trip, because, while there is really nothing here that you will understand, there is plenty here to inspire your next trip or perhaps further reading on your new found obsession, ‘Ancient Mexico.’
