somewhere in notes

With more than 150 museums, it might be difficult to pick where you want to go while visiting Mexico City. Been there. Went through that. Even after having spent almost 1.5 weeks in the capital of Mexico, it still felt like I missed some great museums. (Makes sense with that amount of museums…) I tried my best. I enjoyed.

Here is a little list with the museums I did get to visit while being in Mexico City.

VISIT THESE MUSEUMS IN MEXICO CITY

TAMAYO MUSEUM

Located in Chapultepec Park, this museum focuses on modern and contemporary international art, with a strong focus on artists from Latin America. It was founded by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, and the architecture blends beautifully into the park surroundings. It’s a great stop if you’re already exploring this green area of the city.

I loved the space, the way they put the exhibitions and don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and have a coffee and pastry at the little Odette café outside.

MUNAL

At the Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL), you’ll find a great collection of Mexican art from the 19th and early 20th century, giving a solid overview of how Mexican identity was shaped through art after independence. It’s located in the Historic Center, so easy to combine with other landmarks. The building itself, especially the staircase, already makes a visit worth it. But the collection of art is very impressive. Highly recommend to visit this museum while visiting Mexico City!

MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO (MAM)

Museo de Arte Moderno is also located in Chapultepec Park. It mainly focuses on Mexican modern art from the 20th century, including works by artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It was pretty crowded when I went, which made the experience a little less comfortable. But that could just have been the timing. In general, definitely worth a visit and as I will likely say for all the museums in this list, the space itself was also beautiful and there is a sculpture garden too!

MUAC

Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) is a little bit more outside of the city center, but really worth a visit if you are planning to see more in the university part of the city. Located on the campus of UNAM, this museum is dedicated to contemporary art from the late 20th century onward. The architecture is modern, and the exhibitions seem to be more experimental and conceptual.

MUSEO CASA ESTUDIO DIEGO RIVERA Y FRIDA KAHLO

I was not too far from Museo Casa Studio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo after visiting the El Bazar Sábado and figured I would pass by and see if it was crowded. It wasn’t, so for a small fee I could enter the buildings and have a look into the lives of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Located in San Ángel, this functionalist house-studio designed by Juan O’Gorman gives insight into how Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo lived and worked.

SOUMAYA

I visited the Soumaya (free) in Polanco, mainly because it was my last day and I hadn’t explored this part of the city yet. The building itself is already iconic, with its sleek, curved exterior. If you’ve looked up pictures or videos of Mexico City, you might have seen it. Inside, the collection is extensive, showing works from European old masters to Latin American art. Being Dutch, I was surpired to see some work from Van Gogh here. As you make your way upstairs, the crowds gradually thin out, making for a more relaxed experience.

MUSEO JUMEX

This museum sits right next to Soumaya and is also free to visit. I didn’t stay long, but I still enjoyed exploring what it had to offer. It focuses on contemporary art and regularly hosts international exhibitions. Also in Polanco, it provides a nice contrast to Soumaya. It’s more minimal, more tightly curated, and very current in its programming. When I went, they had an exhibition about football. Of course good timing with the 2026 World Cup.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Plan to spend several hours in the National Museum of Anthropology. After three hours, we weren’t even halfway through. Located in Chapultepec Park, it’s one of the most important museums in Latin America. The collection spans pre-Hispanic civilizations like the Aztec and Maya, with iconic pieces such as the Aztec Sun Stone.

It offers a look at the region’s history, from ancient cultures to traditions that continue to shape Mexico today. I was very impressed, and would have loved to just divide the museum visit into two days.

GUILLERMO TOVAR DE TERESA MUSEUM

Our visit to Guillermo Tovar de Teresa Museum was a perfect escape from the afternoon rain. This beautiful early 20th-century home located in Roma Norte offers a glimpse into the life of Mexican historian Guillermo Tovar de Teresa. The interiors are elegant and filled with books, art, and personal objects, making it feel far more intimate than most museums. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit it, but if you’re already in the area, it’s a fun visit!

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF POPULAR CULTURE

While wandering around the streets of Coyoacán we ended up having a look at the National Museum of Popular Culture. It focuses on Mexican folk traditions and popular culture—think crafts, textiles, ceramics, and temporary exhibitions tied to festivals or regional traditions. A great way to understand everyday culture beyond fine art.

Museo Palacio Postal

First of all, gorgeous building. I was staying in the historic center so this was one of the museums I visited around there. Officially known as the Postal Palace (Palacio Postal), the architecture alone (eclectic with Art Nouveau influences) makes it worth visiting. Inside, you learn about the history of mail in Mexico, with collections of stamps, letters, and communication systems over time.

CASA GILARDI

This is not specifically a museum, but a visit to a home designed by Luis Barragán. The house was completed in 1976 and is one of his last works. You need to book in advance, but it’s absolutely worth it. Famous for its use of color, light, and the indoor pool space that feels almost surreal. Also the guide actually grew up in the house, and told about the space with passion, answered everyone’s question and was open for a little chat about art and architecture after.

FUNDACIÓN CASA WABI – SABINO

Fundación Casa Wabi – Sabino was one of my favourite art gallery visits in Mexico City. Concrete walls, interesting art and a cute little café. Located in the Santa María la Ribera area, it focuses on contemporary art and cultural exchange. The main foundation in Oaxaca was designed by Tadao Ando, which says a lot about the architectural ambition behind the project.

Some other museums worth mentioning that I didn’t make it to, but would have liked to visit another time:

• Casa Azul (Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo’s home)
• Palacio de Bellas Artes (iconic building + murals)
• Museo Anahuacalli (temple-like museum built from volcanic stone)

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Which museums would you like to visit in Mexico City?