Museo Soumaya, Mexico City (must see)
Situated in the Nuevo Polanco area of Mexico City, the Museo Soumaya stands as a remarkable private institution. Offering free admission, this museum is proudly owned by the Carlos Slim Foundation and houses an extensive and diverse collection of art, religious relics, historical documents, and coins, belonging to Carlos Slim and his late wife, Soumaya, who serves as the museum's namesake. With a focus on European artists spanning the 15th to the 20th century, it boasts masterpieces from renowned creators.
Founded in 1994, the museum took a major stride in 2011 with the inauguration of its new location, an architectural marvel that came at a staggering cost of over $70 million. Designed by the skilled Mexican architect Fernando Romero, who happens to be married to one of Carlos Slim's daughters, the new building is an awe-inspiring sight, resembling a glistening silver cloud, reminiscent of a Rodin sculpture. The collaborative efforts of engineering maestros Ove Arup and Frank Gehry ensured its grandeur and magnificence.
Why You Should Visit:
With no ticket cost, this has got to one of be the best-valued museums ever!
While the top floor of Rodin sculptures makes the highlight, each floor is absolutely packed with paintings, sculptures, letters and artifacts.
The outside of the building itself is a piece of art that mandates as many pictures as the art inside.
Impressively, the interior architecture is just as striking and mirrors the circular feel of the exterior.
Tip:
Make sure that you go all the way to the top and try not to use the elevator to really appreciate the building.
Founded in 1994, the museum took a major stride in 2011 with the inauguration of its new location, an architectural marvel that came at a staggering cost of over $70 million. Designed by the skilled Mexican architect Fernando Romero, who happens to be married to one of Carlos Slim's daughters, the new building is an awe-inspiring sight, resembling a glistening silver cloud, reminiscent of a Rodin sculpture. The collaborative efforts of engineering maestros Ove Arup and Frank Gehry ensured its grandeur and magnificence.
Why You Should Visit:
With no ticket cost, this has got to one of be the best-valued museums ever!
While the top floor of Rodin sculptures makes the highlight, each floor is absolutely packed with paintings, sculptures, letters and artifacts.
The outside of the building itself is a piece of art that mandates as many pictures as the art inside.
Impressively, the interior architecture is just as striking and mirrors the circular feel of the exterior.
Tip:
Make sure that you go all the way to the top and try not to use the elevator to really appreciate the building.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mexico City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Museo Soumaya on Map
Sight Name: Museo Soumaya
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Mexico City, Mexico (See walking tours in Mexico City)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Mexico City, Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Mexico City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mexico City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zona Rosa Walking Tour
Zona Rosa, or "Pink Zone" in English, is a vibrant neighborhood near the historic center of the Mexican capital which is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse cultural scene. The neighborhood's name comes from the pink-colored tiles abundantly used to pave the local streets.
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The area rose to prominence in the early 20th century as a residential district for the wealthy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Chapultepec Park Walking Tour
Nicknamed "the Lungs of Mexico City", Chapultepec Park is a vast oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the Mexican capital, sprawling over 686 hectares of land, providing a vital source of oxygen for the city. Rich in natural beauty, historical landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere, throughout centuries, this park has inspired various works of literature, poetry, and visual art, further... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Historic Center Walking Tour
Mexico City is the oldest capital in the Americas and is one of the two founded by indigenous people. Originally known as Mexico Tenochtitlan, the city was built by the Mexicas (aka Aztecs) in 1325. According to a legend, the Mexicas' principal god, Huitzilopochtli, pointed out the site of the future settlement with an image of a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Coyoacan District Walking Tour
Translated from the Nahuatle language as “The Land of Coyotes”, Coyoacán is a relatively quiet neighborhood in the southern part of Mexico City. Formerly a rural village, over the years Coyoacán has become a rich pocket of art and history in the capital, closely associated with some iconic figures of the 20th century and the tumultuous times in which they lived.
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of its most famous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historic Center Food Tour
A combination of history and tradition in Mexico City permeates all aspects of life, including food. For centuries, food and drink have been an inseparable part of the city's culture. Within Mexico City's bustling historic center, you can find a variety of culinary gems that offer a taste of what we call diverse Mexican cuisine.
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
One of the must-visit spots here is the San Juan Market.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Must-Try Mexican Foods in Mexico City
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Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Must-Buy Local Products from Mexico City
Both historic and modern day Mexico's are worth each other in terms of cultural and artistic heritage. The country's capital Mexico City is a showroom of what the label "Made in Mexico" stands for in its entirety. Whether it's authentic food, drink or piece of craftsmanship...