Mexico City is having a moment. The second-largest city in Latin America, rich in history and tradition, perpetually welcomes new sets of restaurants, bars, shops, faces—and, of course, fairs and galleries. Zona Maco, the city’s annual art fair, saw record attendance this year, totalling 81,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors. Mexico City ranked among the world’s best and most livable cities for expats in 2024 in lists by Forbes, Time Out, and countless others.
The Mexican capital’s growing number of art residences at galleries like JO-HS and Fundación Casa Wabi has made it a magnet for artists. “There is no other city like Mexico City in the Americas that brings together the ancient, cultural, and contemporary,” said Chicago-based gallerist Mariane Ibrahim in a statement when she opened her Mexico City outpost in 2023. “The result of this combination, of tradition and modernity, offers all ingredients an artist needs, a platform for creativity.”
This guide provides a comprehensive look at Mexico City for art-loving visitors. Leveraging insider tips from gallerists, we’ve assembled a curated selection of galleries, museums, homes, and hangs that shouldn’t be missed.
The gallery scene in Mexico City thrives on the interplay between established venues and experimental spaces. This juxtaposition produces a flurry of avant-garde exhibitions and globally recognized art.
“Mexico City’s art world has always been born out of a collaborative and experimental energy drawn from the country’s rich cultural history,” said Taylor Fisch, curator of archives at kurimanzutto, in an interview. “It thrives when people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines come together to consider that history while redefining what it means to create art in Mexico today.”
These must-visit galleries are propelling the city’s art scene forward:
In Roma
This neighborhood is where the action is—fun bars, bustling restaurants, and a majority of the city’s galleries.
In San Miguel Chapultepec
This residential area just under Chapultepec Park is home to only a few—but some of the best—cafés and galleries in town.
In Polanco
This upscale neighborhood boasts some of the city’s most luxurious shops, restaurants, and showrooms.
In Condesa
This lush, tree-lined neighborhood is popular among international crowds.
In Reforma
This busy commercial area is anchored by Paseo de la Reforma, a wide avenue that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City.
As a hub for art, business, and culture in Latin America, Mexico City is home to some of the region’s most impressive institutions and collections. From pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary art, there’s something for everyone.
These museums and private collections are not to be missed:
- Museo Anahuacalli: Founded by Diego Rivera, Museo Anahuacalli houses the artist’s vast collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. The building, designed by Rivera and architect Juan O’Gorman, is a work of art in and of itself, resembling an ancient teocalli (temple).Museo Tamayo: With its cutting-edge architecture, Museo Tamayo opened in 1981 in the lush Chapultepec Park. It was established to house the art collections of Rufino Tamayo, a renowned painter who fused European styles with Mexican folk art, and his wife, who donated their collection to the nation. Highlights include masterpieces by world-famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko.
In Mexico City, colonial-era mansions sit alongside Brutalist buildings, and Baroque churches share the streets with modern museums and galleries. This living museum of architecture boasts a number of must-see buildings, including:
- Casa Gilardi: Luis Barragán, a renowned Mexican architect, is celebrated for his bold use of space, color, and light. One of his final projects, Casa Gilardi, features a vibrant yellow corridor, a stunning indoor pool, and serene spaces that underscore his legacy as one of the 20th century’s most influential architects.
- Nido de Quetzalcóatl: A visionary project by Javier Senosiain, known for his iconic organic architecture, this surreal residential complex is inspired by the serpent deity Quetzalcóatl. It features undulating structures and psychedelic colors that blend into the surrounding nature.
- Torres de Satélite: This set of colorful geometric towers symbolize modernity and progress in mid-20th-century Mexico. They represent a visionary collaboration between two of Mexico’s most influential architects, Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz.
Art aside, Mexico City’s dining scene has long been a major attraction. In between shows and tours, this is where the art world goes to refuel and mingle.
For drinks
- Piano: This sleek yet retro bar in Juárez is known for its casually cool crowd that lingers until late.
- El Minutito: Perfect for a leisurely drink or meet-cute, this Italian-style café-bar has a cinematic vibe.
- NIV: There’s a buzz about this wine and cocktail bar, which serves a small menu of locally loved dishes in Condesa.
- Ticuchi: Serving Mexican fare, this dimly lit bar in Polanco is perfect for a date night or intimate group outing.
- Salon Palomilla: Step into a sultry lounge with an open roof, a spot-on cocktail menu, and live DJs.
- Hiya Wine Bar: Seemingly straight out of Tokyo, this wine bar and restaurant is a small gem tucked behind the kitchen at popular sushi spot Yoru.
