The Best Museums in Mexico City

Museums in downtown Mexico City

Every museum tour in CDMX should begin at the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes in the heart of downtown Mexico City. A stunning example of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, it’s worth a visit both to admire the interior and exterior of the building itself – which features sculptures and murals from renowned artists – and to explore the National Architecture Museum and the Opera House which are found inside it.

Continuing the tour of beautiful buildings, a few minutes’ stroll from here is the historical Palacio Postal, a unique post office whose architecture is sure to impress. Afterwards, take the ten-minute walk to the poignant Museum of Memory and Tolerance, whose permanent exhibition educates visitors about the importance of tolerance around the world.
Doubling back towards the city center, you’ll find museums for all tastes: if you’re an art fan, there’s the MUNAL National Art Museum, while history lovers shouldn’t miss the Museum of the City of Mexico, a former palace turned museum which looks back at the history of CDMX.
Finally, a quirky option for science fans is the Museum of Light and its variety of educational exhibits.

Appreciate the charms of Chapultepec

A permanent presence from Aztec times to the present day, Chapultepec Park is a must-visit location for any museum buff.
Start with the National Museum of Anthropology, a top-rated tourist attraction which is actually the largest museum in Mexico, housing permanent and temporary exhibits whose collections include artifacts such as the Aztec Stone of the Sun. Then, climb the hill up to Chapultepec Castle, the only royal castle in Latin America, where you can experience a piece of Mexico City’s past in the National Museum of History and take in the stunning views of the park as you stroll.
When it comes to art, Chapultepec Park has a variety of options. The Modern Art Museum, with indoor and outdoor exhibits; the winding Caracol history museum; and the Rufino Tamayo Museum, where you can admire the artist’s own collection of pre-Hispanic art, are definitely worth a visit as you explore the park’s many attractions.

Polanco’s art scene

For art lovers, the short trip over to Mexico City’s upscale Polanco district will offer the ideal way to spend the afternoon. Here you’ll find the Soumaya Museum, a spectacularly unique building housing artifacts that take visitors on a journey throughout several eras of art. Its huge collection features examples from renowned Mexican artists as well as modern European names.
Just next door, we find the more understated, though no less impressive, Jumex Museum. Dedicated to contemporary art, this museum is home to permanent and temporary exhibits from a variety of international artists.

Author: Álvaro Barush Sanchez Gamiño

General Manager at NH Collection Mexico City Reforma

I have had the fortune of living in the three main cities of Mexico over the last 9 years, full of culture and irreplaceable tradition, each with its impressive unique architecture and extraordinary people who make it even better. My name is Álvaro Barush and I was the General Manager of NH Collection Guadalajara Providencia, in the beautiful "Pearl of the West", Guadalajara, Mexico, and NH Collection Mexico City Centro Histórico. Currently developing as General Manager at NH Collection Mexico City Reforma. Both experiences have been unique and extraordinary, enriching me both personally and professionally, and I hope to continue meeting extraordinary people and unique cultures, creating memorable experiences for each one.