Palacio de Bellas Artes

Mexico's marble opera house: Art Nouveau outside, Art Deco inside, crowned with murals by Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros — including Rivera's famous remake of the mural Rockefeller destroyed. The lobby is free; the mural-museum floors cost 90 pesos (free Sundays). If you can, see the Ballet Folklórico (Wed/Sun) to watch the Tiffany glass 'curtain' in action.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What else is near Bellas Artes?

Loads: the Alameda Central park beside it, Rivera's 'Sueño de una tarde dominical' mural at the Museo Mural Diego Rivera two blocks away, the Palacio Postal (the gilded post office) across the street, and Torre Latinoamericana one block east. You can build a full day within 400 meters.

Is the Ballet Folklórico worth it?

Yes — Amalia Hernández's company has been distilling Mexico's regional dances into a spectacular two-hour show for decades, typically Wednesday evenings and Sunday (morning and evening). Tickets roughly 450-1,500 pesos. The bonus: the theater's million-piece Tiffany glass curtain of the volcanoes, which you only see at performances.

How do I get to Bellas Artes?

Metro Bellas Artes (Lines 2 and 8) exits practically at the door, and half the city's Metrobús and tourist routes pass by. It anchors the west end of the Centro, next to the Alameda park — you'll almost certainly walk past it anyway.

Where's the best photo of Bellas Artes?

The 8th-floor café of the Sears building directly across Avenida Juárez — buy a coffee and you get the classic postcard angle over the orange dome. Golden hour is the money shot and the line for a window table reflects that.

How much does Palacio de Bellas Artes cost?

The lobby is free to admire. The Museo del Palacio — the upper floors with the giant murals and temporary shows — runs about 90 pesos Tuesday-Saturday, and Sundays are free for everyone (expect lines). Performance tickets are separate, via Ticketmaster or the box office.

Which murals are inside Bellas Artes?

The heavyweights: Diego Rivera's 'Man, Controller of the Universe' (his recreation of the mural Rockefeller Center censored and destroyed), Siqueiros's 'New Democracy,' plus major works by Orozco, Tamayo and González Camarena — all on two walkable floors. It's the densest mural collection in the city.

What are the museum's hours?

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, closed Mondays. The theater operates on its own performance schedule, so an evening show is possible even on days the museum is closed.

Can I go inside the theater without a show ticket?

Generally no — the concert hall with the glass curtain is only open for performances and occasional guided tours. The museum ticket covers the mural floors and architecture, which is still most of the visual payoff. Check the cartelera; even a cheap concert seat gets you in.

Nearby in Ask Mexico City

• Museo del Palacio de Bellas ArtesMuseum0 km · 0 min walk
• Palacio de Bellas ArtesAttraction0.01 km · 0 min walk
• Torre LatinoamericanaAttraction0.16 km · 2 min walk
• Latin American Tower ViewpointAttraction0.16 km · 2 min walk
• Casa de los AzulejosRestaurant0.16 km · 2 min walk