The Tamayo Museum, officially Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporáneo, grew out of the art collection that Oaxacan painter Rufino Tamayo and his wife, Olga, gave to the nation. It opened in 1981 in Chapultepec Park and today shows contemporary art from Mexico and around the world. Its building, by Teodoro González de León and Abraham Zabludovsky, is worth the trip on its own. It’s 1.6 km from Hotel Emma Boutique.
Practical information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance from the hotel | 1.6 km |
| Getting there | About a 20-minute walk, or Chapultepec Metro (Line 1) |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00; last entry 17:30; closed Mondays |
| Cost | Paid admission; free for everyone on Sundays |
| Suggested time | 1 to 2 hours |
Between exhibitions, the museum closes for a few days while new shows are installed. Check its website before you go.
What to see at the museum
- The building: stepped volumes of textured concrete, opening onto the park; it opened on May 29, 1981.
- Temporary exhibitions: the program focuses on contemporary art by artists from Mexico and abroad.
- The collection: work by Rufino Tamayo and the modern and contemporary art he and Olga Tamayo gathered.
- The central courtyard: the double-height space the galleries are arranged around.
- The museum shop: art books and design objects, open the same hours as the museum.
Getting there from Hotel Emma Boutique
- On foot (about 20 minutes): walk west to Paseo de la Reforma and follow it toward Chapultepec to Calzada Gandhi; the museum is on the north side of Reforma, across from the Museum of Modern Art.
- By Metro: from Sevilla, 200 m from the hotel, take Line 1 toward Observatorio to Chapultepec, the next stop; then walk about 15 minutes.
- By Metrobús: Line 7 runs along Paseo de la Reforma; get off at Gandhi station.
Tips for your visit
- Don’t go on a Monday: the museum is closed, and so is the park’s First Section.
- Before heading out, check its website to make sure it isn’t closed while a new exhibition is installed.
- Free guided tours in Spanish run on some weekdays; check times and capacity on its website.
- Pair it with the Museum of Modern Art across Reforma, or the National Museum of Anthropology, a few minutes’ walk away.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
What are the Tamayo Museum’s opening hours?
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30. It’s closed on Mondays.
How much does the Tamayo Museum cost?
Admission is paid except on Sundays, when it’s free for everyone. Check the current fee on its website.
How do I get to the Tamayo Museum from Roma Norte?
Walk about 20 minutes along Paseo de la Reforma to Calzada Gandhi, or take Metro Line 1 from Sevilla to Chapultepec.
Where to stay near the Tamayo Museum?
In Roma Norte, Hotel Emma Boutique is 1.6 km from the museum and 200 m from Sevilla Metro, with rooms for 1 to 5 guests.