If you’re interested in visiting the best spots in Mexico City, you don’t want to miss Palacio de Bellas Artes. This building is among the city’s most popular and visited destinations. Now, if you’re interested in learning more about it before you go, this article is the best guide for you.
Here, we’ll cover all the essential things you need to know about the Palacio de Bellas Artes. We’ll include location, basic information about the place, and things to see and enjoy. We’ll also cover the nearby restaurants and hotels if you’re searching for them.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
About the Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of Mexico City’s most important cultural centers.
Notable musical, theatrical, operatic, and literary events and important photography, painting, sculptural, and sculpture exhibitions. As a result, the building was dubbed Mexico’s Art Cathedral.
This beautiful museum is one of Mexico City’s most famous tourist attractions. The outside of the architecture is striking, with a yellow and orange tiled roof and an Art Nouveau exterior. As for the inside, there are huge murals by Diego Rivera and museums and theaters.
Mexico City has the most significant number of museums compared to any other city, and this place is one of the best. To discover more museums in the city, read our article on Top Museums in Mexico City.
Operating Hours
This building is open to the public every day except Mondays. From Tuesday to Sunday, it operates from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Entrance Fee
The Palacio de Bellas Artes has an entrance fee of 75 MXN per adult (around 5 USD), while children under 13 and those with disabilities are free. Sundays are free entry days for both foreigners and Mexicans. Unfortunately, you cannot reserve tickets online or book in advance. As such, you must purchase them at the museum ticket office on the day.
Contact Info
Address: Av. Juárez S/N, Centro Histórico Cuauhtémoc, 06050 CDMX
Email: palaciodebellasartes@inba.gob.mx
Phone Number: +52 528 647 6500
Website: Museo Palacio de Bellas Artes
Location
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is the heart of Mexico City’s historic center. It sits right next to the park Alameda Central which lies on the west side of the downtown area.
How to Get to Palacio de Bellas Artes
The easiest way to get to Palacio de Bellas Artes is by taxi. The city is known for having the highest number of operating taxis. As such, you’ll always find one at any point in the city. Simply tell the driver you’re going here, and he’ll know where to go.
Another option to get to the place is by taking the Metro System. Metro Lines 2 and 8 run nearby, so you can quickly get to the museum on the way to the palace. The stop for Bellas Artes is right there.
If you want a more affordable option, you can always book an Uber since the place is within the city. The museum is reachable through online maps and navigation if you have a car with you.
Parking
While the Palace of Fine Arts doesn’t have a parking lot, numerous private parking lots are available for visitors. Since they are private, they come with a small fee, but it’s the only option to get since you’re amidst the city.
Activities To Do at Palacio de Bellas Artes
Since it’s a museum, you’ll mostly enjoy sightseeing and learning about the history and culture of Mexico at the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Nonetheless, you can find plenty of events in this building since it’s a frequent venue for such, particularly the national theater section.
Besides its architectural beauty, this building also hosts cultural events in its national theater, such as musicals, dances, operas, and literary performances.
Several famous murals can also be found at the palace museum, including those painted by Rufino Tamayo, the famous Mexican muralist.
If you want to know more activities and places to visit in the city, read our article about the Things to See and Do in Mexico City.
Attractions at Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes consists of one extensive building. As such, you won’t find that many attractions, unlike the city’s vast parks. Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean you’ll only find a few things around to enjoy and see. Here are some of the things you’ll surely enjoy when you enter the museum:
History
Within the building, you’ll learn the history of the building and how it started. To give you an idea, the famous Italian Adamo Boari started the museum in 1904, but work was halted both before and during the Mexican Revolution.
It should have taken four years to finish, but it took 30! Porfirio Diaz laid the inaugural stone before construction got interrupted.
Architect Federico Mariscal restarted the project in 1932, and the museum as we know it today was finished in 1934. In 1904, reports suggested that the theatre had sunk around four meters, similar to the rest of Mexico City.
Architecture
This museum features striking architecture, one of its most unique and awe-inspiring features. As such, you’ll surely enjoy it when you visit the place.
One thing to note is that architecture does not represent a single architectural style. Instead, it represents an amalgamation of deco, neoclassical, and nouveau movements.
Due to the change of architect mid-project, the interior was designed by Mariscal, whereas Boari designed the exterior. Different sculptures designed by Leonardo Bistolfi and Agusto Querol Subirats decorate the interior and façade.
Different Sections
The entire museum can be divided into three sections since it’s extensive. These sections are:
- The Offices of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes
- The Main Hall and Adjoining Rooms
- The Theater
The main hall is home to both the Museum of Architecture and the Museum of Fine Arts, located on the main hall’s top floor.
Murals
Apart from the renowned museums of fine arts and architecture, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is also renowned for its murals. These murals are well-loved by the museum’s visitors, and it’s something to see if you’re in the building.
Generally, you can find some pieces made by Tamayo on the first floor. However, most of the pieces are situated on the first floor of the main hall.
Events
As mentioned earlier, the museum is a popular venue for several events. As such, you can always check the official website for upcoming events during your stay in the city.
The place is most notable for hosting the Ballet Folklórico de México twice weekly and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional.
It is also a site of almost constant art exhibitions, including poetry, artwork, sculpture, literature, and music. Besides the Premio Quorum, the Premios Ariel is also held there annually.
For these reasons, UNESCO recognized it as an artistic monument in 1987, making it Mexico’s most important cultural center.
Nearby Restaurants
The Palacio de Bellas Artes sits amidst the historical center. As such, you can always find nearby restaurants. As such, if you’re visiting during the middle of the day and you want to grab some lunch or snacks, here are some nearby options:
Limosneros
Address: Ignacio Allende 3, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Operating Hours: +525555215576
Website: Limosneros
Miralto
Address: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, TORRE LATINOAMERICANA 2-PISO 41, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525555181710
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Website: Miralto
Testal – Centro
Address: Dolores 16, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ejido del Centro, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525555101358
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Website: TESTAL – Centro
Vegamo
Address: Revillagigedo 47, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06070 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525571586934
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Website: Vegamo
Taqueria el Caifan
Address: Balderas 34, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525555122512
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Nearby Hotels
The Palacio de Bellas Artes sits amidst the historical center. As such, you will have endless options for hotels and other types of accommodation within the vicinity. As such, if you want to enjoy this museum and the nearby attractions, here are some best options you can book:
Zocalo Central Hotel
Address: Av. 5 de Mayo 61, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525551305130
Website: Zocalo Central Hotel
Hilton Mexico City Reforma
Address: Av. Juárez 70, Colonia Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525551305300
Website: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
Hotel NG Collection Mexico City Centro Historico
Address: C. de la Palma 42, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525551301850
Website: Hotel NG Collection Mexico City Centro Historico
Hotel Historico Central
Address: Simón Bolívar 28, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525555212121
Website: Hotel Historico Central
Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
Address: 16 de Septiembre 82, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone Number: +525510837700
Website: Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
Conclusion
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is one of the most visited places in Mexico City, and it’s not surprising to see why. This building boasts elegance, and all the art pieces it exhibits are worth seeing. As such, it’s a must-visit if you’re in the city.
With this guide, we hope you prepare for your visit. The rest of the concern is to enjoy the museum and let your eyes feast on the beauty of Mexican Culture and History through this building.
If you’re interested in learning more about this city, you may find some interesting facts by reading our article about some Amazing Facts About Mexico City.
