Mexico City is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. With a history that goes back thousands of years, the city has an incredible offer of museums and cultural spaces that reflect its heritage and diversity.

Hostel Barrio is located in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City, so it’s immersed in the culture, art and history that can be enjoyed in the city. But where to start? Here are the top 5 museums and cultural spaces near our hostel.

Foro Valparaíso

Located in the foundational building of the Banco Nacional de México, one of the most significant baroque constructions in the historic center, this cultural space of Citibanamex has an impressive collection of 117 works of art focused almost exclusively on Mexican artists.

The exhibition tells the story of Mexico, with works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco, among others.

Website
Address: Venustiano Carranza #60, centro histórico.
Free entrance

Museo del Estanquillo

This museum exhibits Mexican writer Carlos Monsiváis’s personal collection, including paintings, photographs, toys, albums, calendars, advertising and books. The collection offers diverse perspectives on Mexico’s political, social and cultural life throughout its recent history.

The building that houses it, known as “Esmeralda”, was built in 1890 and has become an icon of the historic center. We recommend going up to the top floor, where there’s a terrace with a very particular view of the streets surrounding the museum.

Website
Address: Isabel la Católica #26, centro histórico.
Free entrance

Templo Mayor

The Templo Mayor Museum is located in the same place where the most important ceremonial center of the Aztecs was located.

It consists of 8 exhibition halls that house thousands of archaeological pieces that offer an interesting perspective of Aztec life, highlighting Tlaloc, god of water, and Huitzilopochtli, god of war. The main piece of the museum is the stone representation of Coyolxauhqui, goddess of the moon, decapitated and dismembered by her brother Huitzilopochtli.

Website
Address: Seminario #8, centro histórico.
Entrance fee: $90 MXN (Sunday free admission for Mexicans)

MUNAL

The National Museum of Art offers a global and synthesized vision of the history of Mexican art between the second half of the 16th century and the first half of the 20th century. In addition to its permanent exhibition focused on Mexican art, here are presented some of the most interesting and important temporary exhibitions that come to the city from other countries.

The building that houses it is considered one of the most important architectural works of the country in the early 20th century. It is a true architectural jewel.

Website
Address: Tacuba #8, centro histórico.
Entrance fee: $85 MXN (Sunday free admission)

Museo Mexicano del Diseño

Fundación MUMEDI A.C. was created to promote graphic and industrial design in the country and to awaken greater interest in Mexican design, both historical and contemporary, in the rest of the world.

This is how the history of design in our country and its trajectory through the years is exhibited here. It is a space of convergence for the art of design in all its aspects. Here you can find temporary exhibitions covering industrial, graphic, architectural and even fashion design, from national and international talents invited to express their vision of Mexico.

Website
Address: Francisco I. Madero #74, centro histórico.
Entrance fee: $60 MXN

These 5 museums and cultural spaces are a sample of the cultural and artistic richness of Mexico City. Best of all, they are just a few minutes walk from Hostel Barrio, so staying with us, you can visit them at any time.

We hope to see you soon in the coolest hostel in Mexico City’s historic center!