Best Murals in Mexico City

By Julie Meade, author of Moon Mexico City

Murals abound in Mexico City, many of them painted by masters of the medium such as Diego Rivera. If you’d like to see the best of the best, make sure you visit these marvels on your next visit to Mexico City.

Centro Histórico

The city’s most famous mural is Diego Rivera’s series Epic of the Mexican People in Their Struggle for Freedom and Independence, in the north patio of the Palacio Nacional. Just a few blocks north, at the headquarters of the Secretaría de Educación Pública, there is a stunning series by the iconic Mexican artist. Here, Rivera covered the walls of two adjoining patios with elaborate depictions of Mexican history and culture.

At the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, find interesting murals by Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Fermín Revueltas Sánchez, and Jean Charlot, among others, in addition to extensive works by José Clemente Orozco in the main patio.

Alameda Central

See monumental works by some of Mexico’s modern art masters at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, including David Alfaro Siqueiros’s Nueva Democracia (New Democracy), commemorating the Revolution of 1910. Cross the Alameda to see one of Rivera’s most entertaining works in the Museo Mural Diego Rivera.

Polanco

There are several murals by Siqueiros inside the Sala de Arte Público David Alfaro Siqueiro, a nonprofit gallery that occupies the artist’s former home. Different artists periodically repaint the building’s facade.

Insurgentes Sur

The three-dimensional mural covering the arts space Poliforum Siqueiros astonishes in its proportions, colors, and ambition. Inside, Siqueiros’s La Marcha de la Humanidad covers the walls and ceiling of an entire room.

Doctores

The wild and spectacular toy museum Museo del Juguete Antiguo México in the Doctores neighborhood is covered in wonderful murals and graffiti art, and the owner is an expert in the many murals of the surrounding neighborhood.

Ciudad Universitaria

Image of brick building covered in intricate mural. — The facade of the Biblioteca Central. Photo © Jeewee/Dreamstime

Juan O’Gorman designed the giant volcanic-stone mosaic that covers the facade of the Biblioteca Central. Next door, a famous work by Siqueiros adorns the Rectoría.

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Moon Mexico City

by Julie Meade

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Julie Meade

About the Author

Julie Doherty Meade grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and spent her childhood hiking, camping, and traveling throughout the Golden State. After graduating from college, she took her first trip to Mexico, where she was immediately drawn to the country's warm people and fascinating culture. The following year, Julie returned to Mexico and decided to extend her stay indefinitely.

For almost ten years, Julie lived, worked, and traveled throughout Mexico. She saw Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos speak to a crowd in San Cristóbal de las Casas, helped run a fine art gallery in San Miguel de Allende, and taught English to five-year-olds in Mexico City. During her years in the capital, she was schooled in advanced Mexican slang, developed a strong affinity for early-morning café con leche in old Chinese coffee shops, and spent hours seeking out the best bookstores, most interesting architecture, and tastiest bites in the city's diverse neighborhoods.

Julie lives with her husband, Arturo, her son, Mariano, and her chihuahua, Tequila. She writes and copyedits for several publications and visits Mexico every chance she gets. Julie is also the author of Moon Mexico City.

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