Palacio de Bellas Artes: How to Get There, What to See and Visiting Tips

The Historic Center's most iconic building

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is Mexico's foremost cultural venue: theater, museum and monument in one. Its white marble façade and golden dome, at the eastern end of the Alameda Central, are among the most recognizable sights in Mexico City.

Its history explains its double personality. Construction began in 1904 under Italian architect Adamo Boari, as a new National Theater for the centennial of Independence. The Revolution halted the works for years, and Mexican architect Federico Mariscal completed them; the Palacio opened in 1934. That's why the exterior is Art Nouveau with neoclassical touches, while the interior is Art Deco, with colored marble, metalwork and geometric lines.

This guide covers how to get there, what to see inside and how to make the most of your visit. If you'd like it literally around the corner, Hotel Bellas Artes is at Av. 5 de Mayo 10, a 1-minute walk from the Palacio; you can book directly on our website.

How to get to the Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio stands where Avenida Juárez meets Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, in the Historic Center. These are the most practical ways to get there:

By Metro

Bellas Artes Metro station serves Lines 2 (blue) and 8 (green) and exits practically at the foot of the Palacio. Line 2 connects to the Zócalo in one direction and toward Tacuba in the other; Line 8 heads south. Another nearby station is Allende (Line 2), a few minutes' walk away.

Tip: at rush hour (early morning and evening) trains are packed. If you're traveling with luggage or in a group, consider a taxi or a ride-hailing app.

By Metrobús

Several Metrobús routes cross the Historic Center, with stops around the Alameda, Eje Central and Avenida Hidalgo, a few minutes' walk from the Palacio. Because routes and stations change over time, check the official Metrobús map or a maps app to pick the line from your starting point.

On foot from Hotel Bellas Artes

From the hotel it's the simplest route: step out onto Avenida 5 de Mayo, walk west and, once you cross Eje Central, the Palacio is right in front of you. It's a 1-minute walk. Bellas Artes Metro station is the same distance away, which makes the hotel a good base for getting around the rest of the city too. More details on our location page.

By taxi or app

Ask to be dropped on Avenida Juárez or on Eje Central next to the Palacio. Avoid the end of evening performances if you need a pickup: traffic around the Alameda slows down.

What to see inside the Palacio

The murals

The Palacio holds some of the most important works of Mexican muralism, on the upper floors of the lobby:

• Diego Rivera — El hombre controlador del universo (Man, Controller of the Universe): Rivera painted it in 1934 as a new version of the mural commissioned for New York's Rockefeller Center, which was destroyed because it included Lenin.
• José Clemente Orozco — La Katharsis: an intense, critical work about violence and modern society.
• David Alfaro Siqueiros — Nueva Democracia (New Democracy) and other panels, in his dynamic, almost sculptural style.
• Rufino Tamayo — Nacimiento de nuestra nacionalidad and México de hoy: two richly colored murals showing another way of understanding mural painting.

There are also works by other muralists, such as Jorge González Camarena. Allow at least an hour for the murals alone.

The Tiffany glass curtain

The Main Hall (Sala Principal) holds one of the building's treasures: a glass curtain made by Tiffany of New York from a design based on the work of Gerardo Murillo, "Dr. Atl." It depicts the Valley of Mexico with the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes. The surest way to see it is to attend a performance in the Main Hall; check the official website for special showings of the curtain.

The architecture

• Exterior: white marble, sculptures and a dome clad in golden and orange mosaic. Walk around the building: each façade has different details.
• Interior: the Art Deco lobby, with marble, lamps and metal railings, is as interesting as the galleries.
• Exhibitions: the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes presents high-caliber temporary art exhibitions. Check what's on before your visit.

Ballet Folklórico de México

The Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández has performed at the Palacio for decades. Its shows travel through dances and music from different regions of Mexico in traditional costume, and they're among the city's most popular cultural experiences. Dates, times and prices change: check them and buy tickets through the official channels of the Palacio or the Ballet, ideally in advance.

Besides the ballet, the Main Hall stages opera, symphonic concerts and dance. The full program is published on the Palacio's official website.

Tips for your visit

• Hours and tickets: we don't publish hours or prices because they change; always check the official Palacio de Bellas Artes website before you go.
• Mondays: like many museums in the city, the galleries usually close on Mondays; confirm on the official site.
• Photography: shoot the exterior from the Alameda or from the upper floors of the buildings opposite, where you can see the whole dome.
• Evening performances: arrive early to get through the entrance check and find your seat. There's no strict dress code, but many people dress up for the occasion.
• Combine your visit: the Alameda Central, the Palacio Postal and Madero Street are minutes away. Our walk through the Alameda and Madero Street starts right here.
• Eat before or after: see our guide to where to eat near the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Staying next to the Palacio

Sleeping one minute from the Palacio changes the visit: you can go in early, head back to rest and return in the evening for a performance without thinking about transport. Discover our hotel near the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the balcony suites overlooking Avenida 5 de Mayo. For more downtown museums, see our guide to the best museums in Mexico City.

Frequently asked questions

Which Metro station is at Bellas Artes?

Bellas Artes station, on Metro Lines 2 and 8, is right next to the Palacio. Allende station, on Line 2, is also close.

How long does it take to visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes?

To see the murals, the lobby and a temporary exhibition, allow one to two hours. If you attend a performance, add the length of the show.

Where can I see the Tiffany glass curtain?

It's in the Palacio's Main Hall. The surest way to see it is to attend a performance; check the official website for showings of the curtain.

Which hotel is closest to the Palacio de Bellas Artes?

Hotel Bellas Artes is at Av. 5 de Mayo 10, a one-minute walk from the Palacio and from Bellas Artes Metro station.