10 Lesser-Known Museums in Mexico City: Wonderful Cultural Gems Very Much Worth Your While!
Looking for lesser-known museums in Mexico City that are worth a visit? Mexico’s capital is a haven for museum enthusiasts, boasting around 168 establishments that range from world-famous institutions like the National Museum of Anthropology and Frida Kahlo Museum to more niche spaces that offer unique perspectives on art, history, and culture.
If you´re looking to go off the beaten path museum-wise, here are some lesser known museums in Mexico City you might want to include in your CDMX itinerary.
Lesser-Known Museums in Mexico City
1. Museo del Objeto MODO (Museum of the Object)
This quirky museum focuses on everyday objects, design, and pop culture. Located in a pretty corner in trendy Colonia Roma, it houses a unique collection of objects that includes vintage household appliances, cooking ware, vintage advertising, toys, beauty products, and many other “common things”.
MODO tells stories through the diverse items that reflect everyday life over around 200 years.
The exhibitions often tackle themes like nostalgia and consumerism, making it a must-visit for design lovers. If you’re curious about how objects have shaped Mexican culture over time, you´ll love this place.
- Location: Colima 145, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Museo del Objeto
2. Museo Casa estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
While Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) in Coyoacán attracts Frida Kahlo fans from all over the world, Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo offers a quieter glimpse into the couple’s life and work habits.
The twin modernist homes, one for her and one for him, which are connected by a small bridge, were designed by architect Juan O’Gorman upon Diego Rivera’s request, which resulted in one of the first functionalist architectural structures in Latin America.
It was in these two house-studios where Frida produced the works that would later consolidate her as an artist (What the Water Gave Me, The Watchful Eye, and The Deceased Dimas) and Diego produced most of his easel work.
Frida Kahlo lived here from 1934 until 1941, when she returned to her paternal home, the famous Casa Azul, upon her father’s death, where she lived until her death in 1954. Diego Rivera, for his part, lived in the Museo casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo until his death in 1957.
- Location: Diego Rivera s/n, San Ángel Inn, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City
- Website: Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo
3. Museo Nacional de la Acuarela MUNACUA (National Watercolor Museum)
Tucked away in a charming house with lush gardens in the picturesque Coyoacán neighborhood, MUNACUA is focused on the art of watercolor. In fact, it is the first museum in the world dedicated to this painting technique.
Featuring works by prominent Mexican and international artists, this lesser-known museum in Mexico City regularly hosts shops for aspiring artists. The serene atmosphere inside and the pretty gardens make MANACUA a perfect escape from the city’s hustle.
Museo Nacional de la Acuarela was founded by water colorist Alfredo Guati Rojo in 1967. He directed the premises until his death in 2003.
- Location: Salvador Novo 88, Barrio de, Santa Catarina, Coyoacán, Mexico City
- Website: Museo Nacional de la Acuarela
4. Museo del Chocolate MUCHO (The Museum of Chocolate)
Housed in a stunning antique mansion in the colonia Juárez neighborhood, Museo del Chocolate is, as the name implies, a haven for chocolate lovers. With nine rooms dedicated to this delicious treat, you can learn about the origin and evolution of chocolate from pre-hispanic times until today.
This delicious museum delves into the history and cultural significance of chocolate in Mexico, centering on displaying its origins, production processes, and its role in Mexican cuisine.The collections include artifacts and objects around the mexican, european, american, and asian experiences of making and enjoying chocolate.
Their on-site cafe serves delectable treats, which include hot and cold chocolate and cacao beverages, cakes, and other dishes and desserts. They also have a store where you can purchase a variety of goodies, and a number of workshops if you´re interested in learning different chocolate elaboration techniques.
- Location: Milán 45, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website:Museo del Chocolate
5. Casa Museo Guillermo Tovar de Teresa
This elegant house museum celebrates the life and art legacy of historian, writer, and collector Guillermo Tovar de Teresa.
Housed in a beautifully preserved mansion in trendy Roma Norte, the house-museum displays a stunning collection of Mexican art, paintings, sculptures, photographs, antique furniture, and embroidered tapestries, as well as international tableware and over 20,000 books. Entering the Porfirian mansion built in 1910 will transport you to another era.
Casa Museo Guillermo Tovar de Teresa consists of a hall flanked by a Venetian mirror manufactured in 1817 in Puebla, the reception room, the Red Room, the Blue Room, the dining room, the Chess Hall, the bedroom, the library, the Victorian Garden and the patio, al decorated with antiques and art.
This lesser-known museum in Mexico City is now part of Fundación Slim’s establishments, along with Museo Soumaya. Like their other museums, they open seven days a week and the entrance is free.
- Location: Valladolid 52, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Casa Museo Guillermo Tovar de Teresa
You might want to read: 15 Things to Do in Mexico City on Mondays
6. Museo del Perfume (MUPE)
This boutique museum is dedicated to the art and history of perfume, showcasing an exquisite collection of perfume bottles, fragrances, ads, and other related items.
Museo del perfume explores the role of scent and fragrance in culture and history, offering a delightful sensorial experience in a conceptual space that includes six rooms in a stunning antique mansion in Mexico City’s Historic Center.
The collection consists of perfume bottles made from different materials like Italian Murano glass, French Baccarat crystal, silver, and more. The delicate containers range from the late XIX century to the 1990s, and you´ll find several from famous fragrance houses like Coty, Calvin Klein, and Chanel.
- Location: Tacuba 12, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Museo del Perfume
7. Museo Kaluz
Located in a beautifully restored colonial building, Museo Kaluz focuses on Mexican art from the 18th century to contemporary times. Its rotating exhibitions feature works that explore themes of identity, history, and urban life.
One of the most recent openings in CDMX’s cultural scene, Museo Kaluz is housed in and impressive 18th-century palace that was once the home of an Augustine order on their route from Spain to the Philippines.
Over the years, the premises were used as economic living quarters, then a best Western Hotel, and finally it opened its doors as Museo Kaluz.
Their collection includes more than 1,000 art pieces that include works from internationally acclaimed artists like Diego Rivera. José Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo, and others. The museum’s rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the city, offering a nice place to take a breather while observing the capital from a unique perspective.
- Location: Hidalgo 85, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Museo Kaluz
8. Museo Franz Mayer
Situated in Mexico City’s Historic Center, the Franz Mayer is a hidden gem for art, design, and history aficionados. Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century building that once served as a hospital (Antiguo Hospital de San Juan de Dios), the museum boasts a gorgeous collection of decorative arts from around the world.
Founder Franz Mayer was a German-Mexican financier and passionate art collector who dedicated his life to preserving exquisite pieces of craftsmanship. Today, the museum showcases an extensive array of furniture, ceramics, textiles, silverware, and clocks, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent aesthetics of past centuries.
One of the highlights of the Franz Mayer Museum is its temporary exhibitions, which often explore themes related to contemporary design, photography, and cultural heritage. The tranquil courtyard garden, adorned with lush greenery and a central fountain, provides a peaceful retreat.
- Location: Av. Hidalgo 45, Centro Histórico, Guerrero, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Museo Franz Mayer
9. Museo de El Carmen
Nestled in the picturesque and exclusive neighborhood of San Ángel in Mexico City, Museo de El Carmen offers a fascinating journey into Mexico´s colonial past. Housed in a former Carmelite monastery that dates back to the 17th century, the museum preserves the history and artistry of the religious order.
The premises themselves provide a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, featuring intricate stone carvings and a serene cloister that is surrounded by well-tended gardens. Once inside, you can explore an eclectic collection of furniture, religious art, and artifacts that give an insight into the daily life and spiritual practices of the monks who once lived here.
Museo de El Carmen also harbors a crypt, which in turn holds a collection of naturally mummified bodies discovered during restoration work in the 20th century! These mummies, preserved by the monastery’s unique conditions, add a macabre yet captivating dimension to the museum.
Beyond its historical significance, the Museo de El Carmen often hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events, making it a vibrant cultural destination. A visit to this lesser-known museum in Mexico City is a step back in time, offering a quiet and reflective escape from the bustling streets of Mexico´s capital.
- Location: Av. Revolución 6-no 4 y, San Ángel, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City
- Website: Museo de El Carmen
10. Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde
Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde, located in the trendy Roma neighborhood of Mexico City, is a tribute to one of Mexico’s most celebrated poets. This cultural space, housed in the early 20th-century home where López Velarde spent the final years of his life, honors his great influence on Mexican literature.
The house-turned-museum offers a close glimpse into the poet’s world through its carefully preserved rooms, personal belongings, and a collection of photographs and manuscripts. The intimate setting allows visitors to connect with the poet’s creative spirit and the melancholic beauty that defines his work.
Beyond its role as a museum, the Casa del Poeta is a vibrant cultural hub that regularly hosts poetry readings, workshops, and literary events throughout the year. The venue also serves as a meeting point for writers and artists, continuing the tradition of fostering creativity and intellectual exchange that was set by the house´s former owner.
Whether you´re inspired by López Velarde’s legacy, want to learn about ir, or are seeking a quiet corner to take a break from the city bustle, Casa del Poeta Ramón López Velarde is a poetic retreat in the heart of Mexico City.
- Location: Av. Álvaro Obregón 73, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
- Website: Casa Poeta López Velarde
10 Lesser-Known Museums in Mexico City: Conclusion
With so much to see and do in Mexico City, it is pretty easy to overlook some of its numerous hidden gems that are scattered throughout the city.
CDMX’s most famous landmarks are stunning and part of most people´s itinerary, which is wonderful. However, it is also a good idea to include some cultural and historic jewels that are not exactoly on the tourist radar, including the many unique lesser-known museums in Mexico City.
