Off The Beaten Path Mexico City: little known museums and hidden gem architecture

Every guide of Mexico City includes the highlights like Museum of Anthropology and History, Templo Mayor Museum and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. But if you’ve seen them all, or maybe are looking for something different, something less touristy, a local gem of art and architecture, this guide is for you!

These are my top off the beaten path museums and hidden architecture gems in Mexico City.

9 Off the Beaten Path Museums Mexico City

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia e Historia is a must and if you see my guide on Mexico City, you know my favorite museum is the Museo de Arte Popular. Tons of tourists flock to the amazing museums of Frida Kahlo’s Blue House or the Museo Soumaya or take a day trip to Teotihuacan. So many others visit mercados and restaurants for Mexican food, but here are 9 lesser known museums for the true art connoisseur.

1) Museo Dolores Olmedo

This hidden gem in Mexico houses the personal collection that its founder Dolores Olmedo donated to Mexico. It has works from famous artists like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Angelina Beloff and Pablo O’Higgins, as well as pre-Hispanic art, popular art, and novo-Hispanic art. Check out updates on their page.

2) Palacio de Iturbide (Fomento Cultural Banamex)

This building dedicated to the arts and culture is in the old Iturbide Palace filled with cultural artworks collected by the Banco Nacional de Mexico, Banamex. The palace was built between 1779 and 1785 and later shortly used by the first Emperor of Mexico, Agustín de Iturbide, in 1822. It later changed hands, but in 1964 Banamex bought it and restored it to its original beauty, with some adaptations to the inside to accommodate spaces for art and cultural diffusion.

I remember going to FONART trying to find Mexican souvenirs. All of their award winning folk art pieces were bought by Banamex. They are incredible patrons of the arts and promote traditional art forms so they don’t disappear.

Entrance is free and they offer free guided tours as well!

3) Museo Experimental El Eco

This contemporary art museum is devoted to interdisciplinary art, to experiment new artistic practices and emotions. The museum itself is a work of great architecture from its founder Mathias Goeritz, built in 1953. The National Autonomous University of Mexico bought it and restored the museum in 2004 and reopened it in 2005 as an experimental art space. You can find program and exhibitions on its website.

4) El Anahuacalli

To gain more appreciation of Diego Rivera’s artistry, The Anahuacalli is a must. Designed and built by the artist in 1941, it holds 2,000 pieces of indigenous artifacts from his private collection. This beautiful museum manages “to spark continuity between modern art and pre-Columbian aesthetic.” Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 5:30pm.

Take a tour of the museum to get a better understanding of each artifact.

5) Galería OMR

Galería OMR is truly off the beaten path and in Roma Norte. It is a contemporary art gallery and has housed exhibitions from artists like Pia Camil, Gabriel Rico, Jorge Mendez Blake, and Troika. While in Colonia Roma, you cannot miss this free hidden gem for art lovers. Check their website for current exhibitions and hours. Entrance in free.

6) Kurimanzutto

kurimanzutto was founded in 1999 by Mónica Manzutto, José Kuri, and Gabriel Orozco as a way to support the new generation of artists so they could consolidate their careers both in Mexico and internationally.

Today, the gallery represents 33 artists, both national and international, and is a space for open research and critique, for risky projects rarely seen in commercial galleries. It is definitely an interesting and unique gallery to visit in Mexico City. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays with free entry.

7) Museo Franz Mayer

This museum is a cultural trust administered by the Bank of Mexico, dedicated to preserve, research and present the extensive pieces by collector Franz Mayer. We also find among the permanent collections, the Collection of Pupular Art by Ruth D. Lechuga and William Spratling, and Marguerite Rostan’s traditional Mexican attire collection. The museum itself is in a historic building in Mexico City’s Historic Center.

It is a great and fun museum to visit if you’re in Mexico City, the entrance fee depends on the exhibition. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

8) Centro de la Imagen

This center has a very vast collection of the photography history of Mexico and Latin America. They also hold amazing contemporary exhibits around photography. This center is in the Historic Center of Mexico City, inside the Biblioteca Nacional. It is free to enter, check their exhibitions.

9) Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros

In the old house of the master David Alfaro Siquerios, famous Mexican painter and muralist, is the SAPS Museum where his works and archives are exhibited as well as a space for expositions and educational opportunities about contemporary art.

9 Hidden gems of Mexican architecture

I love seeing the different architectural styles when I am in Mexico City from pre-Hispanic to modern times. They sure don’t disappoint from Teotihuacan to the Cathedral seeing the Spanish influence or the French one in Reforma and Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the Torre Latinoamericana. Each tells a part of Mexico’s history and if you love modern architecture you cannot miss these.

1) Casa Luis Barragán

Architects and art lovers worldwide will tell you that visiting one of Luis Barragan’s works of architecture is a definite must while in Mexico City. Barragan, the only Mexican to have ever won a Pritzker Prize (the architectural equivalent to a Nobel Prize), built some of his most iconic landmarks in, and around, the city. There are 5 on this list.

The artist’s own home, Casa Barragan, is as stated by the UNESCO: “a masterpiece in the development of the modern movement that merges traditional and vernacular elements, as well as diverse philosophical and artistic currents throughout time.” The property remains just as his owner left it after his passing in 1988.

You can book a tour but spaces are limited, so if you’re keen on seeing the place of work of this great artist plan ahead. You can also visit the bookstore for free.

General Francisco Ramírez 12, Colonia Ampliación Daniel Garza

2) Casa Pedregal by Luis Barragán

Casa Pedregal was built between 1947 and 1950 by the famous Mexican architect Luis Barragán. The pink house follows sober, square and a modernist line, while the inside shows protruding light and Barragán’s incredible attention to detail. Barragán fuses nature with tradition, creating his own, unique style.

This amazing architecture work was extensively restored and opened to the public. In what were the equestrian headquarters, stands Tetetlan, a community center and one of Mexico City’s hidden gems with a restaurant, and a library with Luis Barragán‘s style of visualizing the volcanic rock underneath.

To visit the house you need to make an appointment.

Av. de Las Fuentes 180 – B,
Jardines del Pedregal

3) Cuadra San Cristobal By Luis Barragán

Another masterpiece built by Luis Barragán and Andres Casillas is Cuadra San Cristobal in the northwest of Mexico City. The elements of the compound guide the visual and spatial experience as a pink wall divides it in two: the residential and the equestrian. Two large portals in the wall, big enough for a horse and rider, connect the areas. In the middle of the site, there is a pool for the horses with a massive orange fountain.

This equestrian estate embodies Modernism but at the same time evokes the ranches and haciendas of Mexico. Definitely one of the most visually stunning spaces designed for equine purposes.

Contact cuadrasancristobal@gmail.com to make an appointment.

20 Calle Manantial Oriente, Colonia Los Clubes, Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico

4) Convento de las Capuchinas By Luis Barragán

Luis Barragán renovated the Convento y Capilla de las Capuchinas in Tlalpan. He was both benefactor and architect which allowed him immense freedom which left lasting influences of Barragán throughout, including furnishings, tableware and altar cloths. He was able to integrate the visual arts into a harmonious project that spoke to the architect’s faith, as well. The former colonial house was turned into one that plays with colors, reflected light, and symbolism.

Call (52) 55 5573-2395 to make an appointment.

43 Calle Miguel Hidalgo, Colonia Tlalpan Centro, Tlalpan, Mexico City

5) Casa Gilardi By Luis Barragán

This is the last project completed by Luis Barragán before he died. Like in other works, Barragan plays with contrasting colors and lines. The exterior plays with bright pink, whites and yellow, while the interior the interior we have bold yellow hall leading to the indoor pool in a bright blue room with red accents.

To visit make an appointment at casagilardi@gmail.com.

82 Calle General Antonio León, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec

6) Estudio de Frida y Diego de San Angel

Two other iconic forces within Mexican culture, are Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably heard of or visited one of Mexico’s best museums La Casa Azul, Frida’s house and museum. To get further insight into these artists’ lives one should visit their house-study in San Angel, a colonial neighborhood in the south of the city. Designed by contemporary artist and architect Juan O’Gorman.

Within this sanctuary of art, the visitor can see some of their personal belongings and inspirations, including a vast collection of regional and pre-Columbian art. Frida Kahlo’s blue house is much more visited, making this museum an off the beaten track gem to visit.

The Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm and costs $35 pesos ($1.5 USD).

7) Biblioteca Vasconcelos

This incredible ’megalibrary’ in downtown Mexico City , stands at 38,000 square meters (409,000 sq ft). You will find yourself at a loss for words seeing its futuristic design of mismatched blocks floating above the lobby, transporting you to different worlds.

Alberto Kalach and Juan Palomar designed this great architectural feat, surrounded by a botanical garden providing green and educational spaces within Mexico City. It is not normally included in must visit lists in Mexico City guides, but it is definitely one of the hidden gems in Mexico. My dad has never been and he was born and raised in Mexico City so it really is off the beaten path in Mexico City.

Eje 1 Nte. S/N, Buenavista, Cuauhtémoc, 06350 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México

8. Casa Orgánica

Of course Casa Orgánica had to be on the list! The architect Javier Senosian opened his home as a museum for a couple of years. It is closed to the public but you might be able to ask for a private tour.

Senosian wanted his house to have that organic feel and blend with nature. It is full of curves and textures and feels like you are in earth’s womb. The interior’s hallways feel like arteries or passageways inside the womb with spacious rooms with built-in furniture. The exterior is covered in grass and bougainvillea blending it with its background until a huge shark emerges.

It is playful and innovative, a true testament to Mexico’s creative architects.

Acueducto Morelia 26, Vista del Valle, 53296 Naucalpan de Juárez, Méx., México

9) Kiosco Morisco

A beautiful Kiosk close to the Biblioteca Vasconcelos that has sparked rumors about where it comes from, some believe that it was a gift of China, others that a sheikh gifted it. It is a beautiful place to sit down and enjoy a nice conversation.
Kiosco Morisco, Calle Salvador Díaz Mirón S/N, Cuauhtémoc, Santa María La Ribera, Mexico City, Mexico.

Love this post! Pin it for later?