An Art Lover’s Guide to Mexico City in 24 Hours

Begin with an exploration of the celebrated Mexican architect Luis Barragán. His house-studio, where he lived until his death in 1988, is now a museum – and the star attraction is the building itself. It’s a clean-lined concrete construction that plays with light and color; an essential introduction to the Pritzker Prize winner. Entrance is only permitted by taking the one-hour-ish guided tour – tickets are limited, so book early.

It’s then a 10-minute stroll to kurimanzutto, a contemporary art gallery exhibiting works by international and local creatives. It had a nomadic start to life – the team would host pop-up exhibitions in unexpected places: a shipping container, supermarket parking lot and a restaurant among them. This permanent address has retained that free-flowing spirit, displaying creations by an eclectic mix of boundary-pushers.

A 10-minute Uber ride from kurimanzutto is the Museo Tamayo, a rather imposing concrete block inspired by the pyramids of pre-Hispanic cultures. It houses the collection of Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo and his wife Olga, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore. Also look out for the temporary exhibitions – open-air jazz, expert-led lectures and guided tours are among the possibilities.

It’s a pleasant 10-minute stroll through leafy Bosque de Chapultepec – the largest green space in Mexico City – to the Museo Nacional de Antropología. It’s the largest museum in the country, showcasing archaeological and ethnographical artefacts from the pre-Hispanic cultures of Mexico. There are 23 permanent exhibition halls here, so don’t expect to cover the whole museum in one viewing. Instead, pick two or three rooms to explore. If there’s one exhibit you should see, though, it’s the Aztec Sun Stone – a 25,000kg (55,000lb) circular sculpture discovered in the Zócalo, the central square in Mexico City.

A 15-minute cab ride south of kurimanzutto is Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s family home and now a museum showcasing her paintings and personal belongings. You can tour the residence itself, snooping around the living rooms, kitchen, studio and gardens. Arrive on the last Wednesday of the month and you can explore accompanied by an actor in full Frida garb. Whatever day you visit, though, it’s likely to be busy. Book your tickets well in advance.

Next, take a three-block stroll down Ignacio Allende street to Mercado de Coyoacán, a busy covered market where Frida did her weekly shop. Cut down the alleys and explore the colorful displays – you’ll find bright textiles, vibrant calaveras (skulls) and woven baskets. This is also a food market, so stop at one of the many stalls for a pick-me-up. Tostadas Coyoacán does a mean trade in generously topped, crunchy tortillas.

Hop in a cab – or call an Uber – and head to Roma, the trendy colonia (neighborhood) depicted in Alfonso Cuarón’s Oscar winner of the same name. The walls here are a canvas for some of the top urban artists in the world, plus the best local talent. An aimless wander will undoubtedly reveal some incredible murals, but for a more targeted exploration head to La Romita, a small neighborhood and hotbed for street art.

End your arty day in Mexico City digging into gallery-worthy dishes at the Hotel Casa Awolly restaurant. The menu revolves around corn, chili and produce from the Mexican Pacific, but just as delightful is the interior design. The boutique hotel is wonderfully kitsch, the work of Belgian-born, Mexico-based star designer Dirk Jan Kinet. Finish the evening at the pergola-shaded rooftop bar, sipping some of the finest cocktails in the capital.