San Ildefonso

The former Colegio de San Ildefonso is a magnificent colonial structure set around several imposing, multistoried arcades with halls now decorated by some of Mexico’s most spectacular murals. Even better, it serves as one of the city’s most ambitious and engaging art museums, with an edgy, wide-ranging focus that never fails to surprise. Recent years’ exhibitions have featured avant-garde foreign artists like Vik Muniz and Ron Meuck; homegrown blockbusters like Javier Marín; Candida Höfer’s striking architectural photography; and Marilyn Manson’s macabre visual works. Try to get a peek into the Colegio’s old amphitheater, where one of Diego Rivera’s first major commissions looks better than ever.

Mexico City has no shortage of museums—in fact, it’s second only to Paris in the total number of cultural institutions that are open to the public—and many of them are free. Art lovers may find it challenging to narrow down the museums to prioritize during their visits, but San Ildefonso should definitely be on the list. This former Jesuit college, constructed in the 18th century, is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the capital, and its exterior and interior offer plenty of photo ops for the camera-toting visitor. Inside, its exhibits feature works that reflect two main goals: to highlight the artistic patrimony of Mexico by showing the diverse forms and styles of Mexican arts and crafts, as well as exhibit works borrowed from international museums that haven’t been shown elsewhere in the country.