You arrive to a foreign city still reeling by the jet-lag; you don’t know your way around, so you take out your map or tourist guide and choose your next stop. Suddenly, you realize the suggestions are repetitive. But in the back of your mind you know that if you don’t visit certain places people will assume your trip was unsuccessful. So, you take out your phone, browse some sites, and plan a new route that promises to be fun. Midway you stop to think about the pros and cons and suddenly you are not so sure you made the right decision. Maybe you might have been better off with the rest of the tourists.
Mexico is a country of contrasts. You can see a man driving a luxurious car, and on the same street you will spot a man asking for spare change to feed his family.
Here the past and present live in tandem. You only need to look at “Plaza de las Tres Culturas” (The Three Cultures Square) to see the remains of a Pre-Columbian civilization, the Colonial era, and modernity, all in one place. As a tourist, it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by this richness of culture and contrasts and choosing the places to visit can be a tough decision indeed.
Mexicans are proud of their culture and their heritage, and they are happy to share their history with the rest of humanity. You might choose this destination because of its warm beaches, its joyful mariachi, or its delicious food; however, Mexico has a lot more to offer. Mexican art is the most important contribution the country has made to the world, and it lives within the lakes, modern museums, and chinampas (rectangular areas to grow crops on shallow lake beds.)
Mexico City is the one of the most important capitals of art. The city is the fifth largest in the world, which means it is almost impossible to go through it in only one day. Therefore, we will recommend you the perfect art route to enjoy the best art Mexico has to offer.
Polanco
It is a neighborhood located in an upscale area of the city that houses some of the most important museums in the world. The Soumaya Museum, the Jumex Museum, and the Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros exhibit the best of conceptual and contemporary art. From there, you can go to the Inbursa Aquarium to see sharks, seahorses, clown fish, or penguins.
Chapultepec
Chapultepec is more than a forest; it is the home of war stories, castles, and emperors. You can start your journey at the Museum of Modern Art, which is close to the entrance of the forest. One of the most interesting aspects of Chapultepec is that you won’t have to worry about transportation; most of the museums are relatively close to each other, and are at a walking distance. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology, Rufino Tamayo Museum, Museo del Caracol, and of course, the Chapultepec Castle. If you want to go a little farther, make a stop at the Casa-Estudio Luis Barragán to enjoy the exquisite architecture designed by him.
Revolucion
You can appreciate a nice view of the city if you go climb up the Monumento a la Revolucion.
The remains of national heroes like Madero, Carranza, and Villa can be found inside the building. Just a stone’s throw away you will find a little museum that will tell you all about Mexico’s history from 1867 to 1917. The latter is a highly important year because it is when the Mexican Constitution was signed, ending the bloody revolution for good. The San Carlos Museum is also close-by, and it exhibits European art from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. Its collection is one of the most important ones in all of Latin America.
Alameda Central
It’s located at the heart of the city, and it is the cultural soul of Mexico. You will find amazing buildings inspired by the French architecture of the nineteenth century. Around the Alameda Central you will be able to visit the Franz Mayer Museum and the Santa Veracruz Church, which is one of the oldest churches in The Americas. You can also go to the Hemiciclo a Juaréz, the MUNAL, the Latin American Tower, and the Palacio de Correos (Main Post Office). If you’re looking for a place to party, you must go to Plaza Garibaldi, but not before you visit the Tequila Museum. After a night with the mariachis, you can visit Tlatelolco, which shows the remains of a pre-Columbian civilization. Here you is where you will find the Plaza of las Tres Culturas previously mentioned.
Centro
The city center holds most of the country’s history. You can take a tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral, or the National Palace. If you don’t want to deal with crowds visit the House of the First Print Shop in the Americas, the Museo Nacional de las Culturas or the Jose Luis Cuevas Museum. If you want to imbue the culture of this country even further, visit the great Templo Mayor, the Old San Ildelfonso College, or the Estanquillo.
Coyoacan
Diego, Frida, Guati, and Trotsky lived in the neighborhood of Coyoacan where down its streets, you will see blue houses, modern pyramids, and old buildings rise. Rumor has it that Diego Rivera tried to kill Trotsky after he found out about his affair with Frida. Rivera went to his house and shot him. That same house is located in Coyoacan. In this area of the city, Frida used to shop at the mercados; nowadays, it is the place where bohemians find shelter. Here you can visit the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares. If you are willing to walk a little farther, don’t forget to go to the Fonoteca Nacional and the Cineteca Nacional.
Insurgentes Sur
South of the largest Latin American avenue you will find the Poliforum Siqueiros, a place to marvel at this painter’s famous murals. You can visit San Angel and go to the Museum and Church Del Carmen to see some mummies. After that, you can make a stop at the Museo Carrillo Gil or the Casa-Estudio of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo (designed by Juan O’Gorman). If you go further south, you will find Ciudad Universitaria and inside this tiny city, you will see the murals of Rectoria, the Main Library, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Remember to check out the 20 Photos You Need To See Before Visiting Mexico To Understand Its History.
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