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.

Opening hours, prices and tickets (November 2026)

The Palacio's museum, which covers the lobby murals and the exhibition galleries, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and closed on Mondays. General admission is MXN 90, and entry is free on Sundays. These are the figures published by INBAL, Mexico's fine arts institute, as of November 2026; check the museum's official website before you go, especially on public holidays or when an exhibition is changing over.

Museum hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00. Closed Mondays.
General admission: MXN 90. INBAL has said its museum fees will not rise in 2026.
Free entry: students and teachers with a valid ID card, over-60s with an INAPAM (Mexican senior citizen) card, and children under 13.
Sundays: free for all visitors, according to INBAL. It's also the busiest day, so arrive at opening time if you want the murals to yourself.
Photos and video: a photography permit costs MXN 30. Professional cameras and video equipment need the museum's prior authorization.
Buying tickets: museum admission is paid at the box office inside the Palacio; bring some cash just in case. Tickets for Main Hall performances (ballet, opera, concerts) are sold at the Palacio box office and on Ticketmaster.

From the door of Hotel Bellas Artes, the box office is a 1-minute walk: as soon as you reach the corner of 5 de Mayo and Eje Central, the marble façade and the dome are right in front of you. Being that close lets you do something a day visitor can't: if the line looks long, go back to your room and try again an hour later. Sundays also lend themselves to a double plan: the 9:30 am Ballet Folklórico show ends around 11:30, by which time the museum is open and free.

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.

Days and times: on the autumn 2026 program, the company performs in the Main Hall on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm and on Sundays at 9:30 am, with a second Sunday show in the afternoon or evening (6:00, 8:30 or 9:00 pm, depending on the date).
Running time: about two hours.
Box-office prices (2026): MXN 1,600 in the Luneta (orchestra stalls), MXN 1,350 in the Anfiteatro (balcony) and MXN 350 in the Galería, the top tier. Ticketmaster adds service fees. The company has offered 20% off for Mexican families paying cash at the box office on the day (Luneta and Anfiteatro only) and a 2-for-1 deal on Thursdays on Ticketmaster; ask whether they still apply.
Where to buy: at the Palacio de Bellas Artes box office or on Ticketmaster. For weekend shows and high season, book a few days ahead.
What to wear: there is no official dress code. Smart casual is fine; many people dress up a little more for the evening shows.

The Wednesday show lets out around 10:30 pm. At that hour, the walk back to Hotel Bellas Artes is one minute along Avenida 5 de Mayo, a well-lit street that stays busy on performance nights, so there's no waiting for a taxi in the traffic that builds around the Alameda as the audience leaves.

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: you'll find the November 2026 figures near the top of this guide. They can change on holidays or with a new exhibition, so confirm them on the museum's official website before you go.
Mondays: the museum is closed. The façade, the esplanade and the Alameda are still there for a stroll, and Main Hall performances follow their own schedule.
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.

What are the Palacio de Bellas Artes opening hours?

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and closed on Mondays (as of November 2026). General admission is MXN 90 and entry is free on Sundays. Main Hall performances have their own times.

How much are Ballet Folklórico tickets and where do I buy them?

In 2026, box-office prices are MXN 350 in the Galería, MXN 1,350 in the Anfiteatro and MXN 1,600 in the Luneta. Buy them at the Palacio box office or on Ticketmaster, which adds fees. Shows run on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm and on Sundays at 9:30 am plus an afternoon or evening slot.

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.

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