My last day in Mexico City was reserved for visiting one of the most visited attractions in the country’s capital: Frida Kahlo Museum. I really wanted to go and find out more about this woman who, until planning this trip, I had only seen her face in a photo.
>> See my complete itinerary through Mexico here.
And as this day was shorter because I traveled to Cancun in the afternoon, I didn’t plan anything else. But I really wanted to enjoy the last moment in Mexico City, so I went to visit and have lunch at the Coyoacán market, which is close to the museum.
The museum, also known as Casa Azul, is the house in which the painter was born, lived and died. Frida Kahlo, one of the great names in Mexican art. It became a cultural icon of the country.
The museum has works by the artist, but not many. If you’re interested in seeing her work, you should go elsewhere. The museum is for those who want to know the history of Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo and Calderón.
I thought that was great because that’s what I wanted. I was interested in finding out about that person I saw in a photo and who caught my attention because he had a strong, striking face, and I had no idea who or what he was.
Frida Kahlo’s life was marked by much pain. She had polio as a child, suffered accidents that almost killed her, had countless surgeries and had to use orthopedic equipment. And her love life is a separate chapter. She was married to the painter Diego Rivera, but had other loves.
And his life is exposed throughout the house through his work, photos, materials…. It shows what he’s been through, but it also has a lot of color.
Visiting the house is as if you would meet Frida at any moment. Be it in the room where, due to the pain, she spent a lot of her time. Whether in the kitchen where she prepared her favorite Mexican dishes, or in the studio where things are as if she were going to arrive for another work of art. She is in the mood of the house.
And it’s everywhere in Mexico. Many people may have never heard of Frida Kahlo, but they have probably seen her face. It is printed on cultural spaces, engravings, photos, shirts and much more.
Because she was often alone and at home, Frida Kahlo painted many self-portraits. That’s why her face is so publicized.
The visit
The Frida Kahlo Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Mexico City. In other words, there is a queue. I went on a Tuesday and arrived before it opened, and even then I waited in line for about 40 minutes. And it only increased.
There is the option of purchasing tickets in advance online with an appointment and avoiding the queue of those who did not buy tickets. But do this right before you travel. I left it to buy it in the city and when I went to try it there was no more.
But if it’s any consolation, the day I went there was a queue even for the advance ticket staff. So take your time. But pay attention! If you don’t have a ticket, go early so you don’t run the risk of missing out.
The museum is not large and despite the crowd, it was possible to circulate well around the house and gardens, which in fact deserves some time. In addition to the permanent collection, there are temporary exhibitions.
You can visit freely. I stayed for a little over an hour. I would have visited more calmly if I hadn’t been worried about my travel schedule.
Visiting hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5:30pm, with the exception of Wednesdays, when the museum opens at 11am.
Address: Rua Londres, 247 – in the Coyoacán neighborhood
Prohibited: 250 Mexican pesos on weekdays and 270 pesos on weekends. See all rates and other visiting information on the museum’s official website.
With your ticket to the Frida Kahlo Museum you get a free pass to visit the Diego Rivera Museum located in the same neighborhood.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is closed due to the pandemic. But you can take a Virtual Tour. Enjoy!
How to get to the Museum
I was staying in the center of Mexico City and took the subway to the Coyoacán neighborhood, where the Frida Kahlo Museum is located. It is a little far from the center.
I used the line 3 yellow and got off Coyoacán station. And this guideline is useful for taking the subway from practically every part of the city. From the station to the museum it is approximately 1.5km. It’s not far and I walked, but due to the busy day, I ended up wasting time.
It is common to combine a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum with a trip to Xochimilco, a neighborhood with canals where colorful boat tours take place. I wanted to know you, but there wasn’t enough time. If you want to visit both places, book the whole day.
I enjoyed the rest of my time right there in Coyoacán. Which is also a great option. The neighborhood is friendly and has gastronomic and cultural options. You can easily spend the whole day there, especially on weekends with busy streets and squares.
For those who prefer to continue in Frida Kahlo’s universe, you can visit the Diego Rivera Museum to whom she was married, and also the Leon Trotsky House Museumyour lover.
I took advantage of the little time I had left and went to the Coyoacán Market for lunch, and it was really good! It is 2 blocks from the museum and you can easily walk there.
It was a Tuesday and the market was quiet and pleasant. A good part of it is dedicated to crafts and other arts. But like a good market it has food. I prioritized the gastronomic area, chose one of the stalls and made good use of my lunch time.
I really like markets, but I ended up not going to others in Mexico City. I really liked the one in Coyoacán, it has good prices, I had friendly service and you can visit it alongside the museum.
From the market I immediately returned to the Hostel and from there I went to the airport, but I would have liked to have stayed longer in Coyoacán.
SEE TOO:
>> Complete itinerary through Mexico.
>> What to do in 4 days in Mexico City.
>> What it’s like to travel by bus through Mexico.
>> How much does an economical trip through Mexico cost.
>> All posts from Mexico.
>> Where to stay in Mexico City.
>> Rent a car in Brazil.
