National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología)
The Basics
Designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez, the National Museum of Anthropology is Mexico’s largest museum and houses the largest collection of ancient Mexican art in the world. Each of the 23 permanent exhibit halls is dedicated to a different cultural region or indigenous group, offering an in-depth look at the country’s history. Because of the museum’s size and the breath of the collection, many visitors need more than one day to explore it all.
Recent reviews from experiences in Mexico City
Things to Know Before You Go
The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available in the lobby at no additional cost.
All bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and packages must be checked before entering the exhibit halls.
The use of flash photography is not allowed in the museum.
How to Get There
The National Museum of Anthropology is located on Avenida Paseo de La Reforma and Calzada Gandhi in Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec), on the edge of the Polanco district. The Chapultepec and Auditorio metro stations are nearby, and the museum is a stop on the Turibus route, Mexico City’s hop-on hop-off bus service.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Even though this museum is the city’s most visited, its vast size allows enough room to accommodate the crowds without feeling cramped. On Sundays, Mexican residents receive free admission, so you’ll most likely encounter the most visitors then. Note that the museum is closed every Monday.
Nearby Chapultepec Castle
Just south of the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park, Chapultepec Castle is famous for being the only castle in North America to have housed royalty. Named after the Aztec word chapoltepēc, meaning “at the grasshopper’s hill,” the impressive hilltop structure is home to the National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia). The museum’s permanent collection includes paintings, documents, artifacts, and clothing from different periods in Mexican history and serves as a venue for concerts and theater productions.
- Things to do in Central Mexico
- Things to do in Taxco
- Things to do in Acapulco
- Things to do in Puerto Escondido
- Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
- Things to do in Monterrey
- Things to do in South Padre Island
- Things to do in San Pedro La Laguna
- Things to do in Panajachel
- Things to do in Guerrero
- Things to do in Oaxaca
- Things to do in Jalisco
- Things to do in Western Highlands
- Tamayo Museum (Museo Tamayo)
- Mexico City Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
- Chapultepec Castle (Castillo de Chapultepec)
- Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
- Polanco
- Chapultepec Park (Bosque de Chapultepec)
- La Feria Chapultepec
- Papalote Children's Museum (Papalote Museo del Niño)
- Angel of Independence (Monumento a la Independencia)
- Centro Historico
- La Condesa
- Jumex Museum (Museo Jumex)
- Soumaya Museum (Plaza Carso)
- Inbursa Aquarium
- Reforma 222
- Aztec History in Mexico City
- Mexican Cuisine
- Best Day Trips from Mexico City
- 3 Days in Mexico City: Suggested Itineraries
- Best Museums in Mexico City
- Frida Kahlo’s Mexico City
- Mezcal Tastings in Mexico City
- How to Spend 2 Days in Mexico City
- How to Experience Holy Week in Mexico City
- How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City
- Aztec History in Mexico City
- Must-See Museums in Mexico City