An Art Lover’s Guide to Coyoacán in 24 Hours

Espacio Escultórico

The best place to start is at UNAM’s Espacio Escultórico, especially given that it both opens and shuts the earliest of all our artistic Coyoacán offerings. Situated right in the south of the delegación, you can only drop by on weekdays, but it’s worth the effort as this sculpture park is filled with some really beautiful and quirky exhibits, most notably the super Instagrammable, multi-colored square sculpture.

Espacio Escultórico, Centro Cultural Universitario, Mario de La Cueva, Coyoacán, Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México

Espacio Escultórico | © echelonbaxter@ymail.com/Flickr | © echelonbaxter@ymail.com/Flickr

MUAC

After you’ve wandered around the sculpture park for a while it’s best to move to the nearby MUAC which is also situated in Coyoacán’s massive Ciudad Universitaria district. It opens at 10AM and is best for those who love contemporary art, given that it has a permanent archive of pieces from a vast selection of artists, as well as a solid reputation for hosting temporary exhibits by fascinating names like Anish Kapoor.

MUAC, Escolar, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Cd. Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5622 6972

MUAC | © Roberto Lopez/Flickr | © Roberto Lopez/Flickr

Central Library

If you have time, make a brief stop at UNAM’s Central Library, which is best known for its external artwork by famed Mexican muralist Juan O’Gorman. Both artist and architect, O’Gorman was actually born in Coyoacán, so stopping off at this highlight of the city is a real double whammy for art lovers in Coyoacán. If you really want to take a look inside as well, then it’s open from 8.30AM daily.

Central Library, Circuito Interior S/N, Coyoacán, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5622 1625

Central Library | © Carlos Álvarez/Flickr | © Carlos Álvarez/Flickr

La Casa Azul

After exploring the art related spots in the south of the delegation, take the metro from Copilco up to the Viveros station. From there, you can enjoy a brisk stroll through the picturesque Viveros de Coyoacán to the most famous art destination of the area – La Casa Azul, a.k.a. Museo Casa Frida Kahlo. A veritable icon of the Mexican capital, it opens daily at 10AM, but be prepared to spend a decent chunk of time queuing for entry. Go on a weekday to mitigate potential wait time.

Casa Azul, Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5554 5999

La Casa Azul | © Helga Salinas/Flickr | © Helga Salinas/Flickr

Mercado de Coyoacán

Well-known as the market where Frida Kahlo did her shopping and lunching, the Mercado de Coyoacán is a must-visit of the neighborhood, especially if you love food. However, it’s also ideal for art lovers given the amount of quirky artesanías you can find on sale here; there’s everything from delicately hand painted mirrors that will slip neatly in your hand luggage, to elegant glass products and traditional Mexican dolls. Keep in mind that it’s highly tourist oriented and that reflects in the prices.

Mercado de Coyoacán, Ignacio Allende, s/n, Coyoacán, Del Carmen, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 4072 1596

Day of the Dead skulls in the Mercado de Coyoacán | © Guillerminargp/WikiCommons | © Guillerminargp/WikiCommons

Museo Nacional de la Acuarela

Once you’ve been to the market, the exploration of Coyoacán center can begin. It’s worth noting that the following art hotspots can be done in any order you choose, but we think that a quick stop-off at the Museo Nacional de la Acuarela wouldn’t go amiss post-lunchtime. As the city’s only (as far as we know) watercolor museum, it makes for an enchanting visit and one that surely shows a different, lesser-seen side to Mexican art.

Museo Nacional de la Acuarela, Calle Salvador Novo 88, Santa Catarina, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5554 1801

Museo Nacional de la Acuarela | © AlejandroLinaresGarcia/WikiCommons | © AlejandroLinaresGarcia/WikiCommons

Arte Hoy

Moving on from the watercolor museum, head to one of the better contemporary art galleries in the center of Coyoacán, Arte Hoy. Just two blocks from the heart of the neighborhood, this gallery was inaugurated in 2011 and features a roster of artworks that principally center on the sculptural. It’s perfect if you also want to learn about 20^th and 21^st century Mexican art that perhaps goes a little deeper than the legendary, albeit ubiquitous, Frida Kahlo.

Arte Hoy, Viena 249-bis, Coyoacán, Del Carmen, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico, +52 55 5554 0155

Courtesy of Arte Hoy | Courtesy of Arte Hoy

Casa de Luna

Avoid Casa de Luna at around the hours of 2PM-3PM each day as they shut for lunch, but outside of these hours definitely try and stop by. Making for a more intimate artesanía buying experience, the long-standing Casa de Luna sells all manner of arts and crafts items, from nichos to jewelry, and even Day of the Dead souvenirs. The thing that sets it apart from the many similar Coyoacán stores however, is the contemporary art gallery that sits above it.

Casa de Luna, Francisco Ortega 23, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5659 7325

A post shared by Alejandro Vazquez Tostado (@alexvt) on Oct 1, 2014 at 12:17pm PDT

Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares

A final stop off point on your art tour of Coyoacán – the Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares. A key destination in the city as a whole, it also conveniently stays open til 8PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, so you can enjoy the art into the evening. From huge courtyard murals, to quaint patios and rotating exhibitions that explore the wealth of Mexican artistic heritage, the Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares is one you won’t want to miss.

Museo Nacional de las Culturas Populares, Av Miguel Hidalgo No.289, Coyoacán, Del Carmen, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 4155 0920

I'm off to Coyoacán again later today to research for an upcoming article. Why wouldn't you want to return to a neighbourhood with art like this?! . . . . . . #mexicocitydf #méxicocity #cdmx #cdmx2017 #northernlauren #blogueras #bloguerasmx #travellingram #visitméxico #viajeras #viajera #travelmexico #womenwhotravel #travelblogs #streetartmexico #coyoacán #museonacionaldelasculturaspopulares #travellingram #barriomagico

A post shared by Lauren | Northern Lauren (@northernlauren__) on Feb 17, 2017 at 9:41am PST