Museo Nacional de Antropologia

The National Museum of Anthropology is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico, which was opened on September 21, 1964, by then-President Adolfo López Mateos, who dedicated it to the people of Mexico.

The museum is located in the Chapultepec Park area of Mexico City. It was built during the early 20th century and designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez.

It's home to an impressive number of ancient artefacts, including some that date back thousands of years. The museum boasts over 1 million pieces in all!

It's one of the largest museums in the world by square footage—and it's definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something new and exciting to do in Mexico City.

The building consists of three floors for permanent and temporary exhibitions. The permanent collections are divided into six main groups: Prehistory; Mesoamerican cultures from the Preclassic period to the Spanish conquest; Colonial period; Modern times (19th century); Ethnology; Archaeology (Pre-Hispanic).

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Mexico City
El Zocalo
Plaza de la Constitución, popularly known as Zócalo, is the main square in the center of Mexico City. It has been an important gathering place since Aztec times
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a charming concert hall in the historic center of Mexico City which hosts exhibitions and performances ranging from ballet to opera
Chapultepec Castle
Chapultepec Castle is an immense stone edifice that sits atop a hill in the heart of Mexico City built by the Spanish in 1725 as a large manor house for their viceroy and commander-in-chief of the colony, New Spain.
Museo Nacional de Historia
Shows Mexico's history from Cortes to the 1910 Revolution
Mercado de San Juan
Mercado de San Juan is a popular food market in the heart of Mexico City, known for its vast selection of colourful produce, and many varieties of exotic meats
Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela
Mercado de La Ciudadela is a traditional Mexican market specialized in handicrafts located in the historic center of Mexico City with over 350 vendors

Related Tours

The Historic Heart of Mexico City: Half-Day Walking Group Tour

Embark on a journey through 700 years of history in the heart of Mexico City and discover its historic centre on a pleasant walking tour stopping at many of the most popular and important landmarks that not even the locals know. Your professional tour guide will share with you anecdotes and curious facts that will make your tour a cultural experience that you will never forget.

On this half-day group tour, you will:

  • Start your tour at the Anthropology Museum, where you will see the Sun Stone, also known as the Aztec calendar, the Coatlicue;
  • Enjoy a Metrobus ride with your guide, to the Historic Center until you reach the famous Alameda Park, the oldest urban park in the Americas;
  • See the emblematic Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City's most important performance space;
  • Learn about the history of the Postal Palace (Correo Mayor or Main Post Office);
  • See the Palace of Iturbide, a massive 18th-century mansion located in the historic heart of Mexico City;
  • Pass by the House of Tiles (Casa de Los Azulejos), an 18th-century palace covered in hand-painted tiles;
  • Walk along Francisco I. Madero Street, one of the original pedestrian streets named after an important figure of the Mexican Revolution;
  • Visit Templo Mayor, the most important building in the city of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) as it was the place where the religious ceremonies were performed.

Our tour starts at the Anthropology Museum, one of the most renowned and significant museums in the world, where you'll be able to appreciate select items from the extensive pre-Hispanic art collection housed within the museum's walls offering a profound insight into the rich cultural heritage and history of Mexico. The highlight of the museum is the Aztec Hall, where you'll see the famed Aztec Calendar Stone (Sun Stone). This massive monolithic sculpture, with its detailed carvings, is a symbol of Aztec cosmology and artistry. 

During the tour, our guide will provide insights into notable artefact that offer a glimpse into the beliefs, way of life, and spirituality of the diverse ancient Mexican civilizations. You will learn about the museum's design, by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, a marvel of modernist architecture in itself. The centerpiece is the vast central courtyard, dominated by a striking 11-meter-tall stone umbrella structure known as "El Paraguas" (The Umbrella), which is supported by a single column and features intricate carvings. 

After a short metro bus ride, you will continue through the centre of Mexico City, an area full of emblematic buildings. Your guide will talk about the history of the area and how it represents a focal point for Mexicans today. You will continue along Madero Street, one of Mexico City’s most iconic and bustling pedestrian street stretching from the Torre Latinoamericana to the Zócalo, to enjoy the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of the area. 

You will see the Postal Palace and the Iturbide Palace and also The Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) a stunning cultural landmark and an architectural masterpiece, known for its magnificent Art Nouveau and Art Deco design. Discover the historic House of Tiles, a must-see attraction on Madero Street. Its façade is covered in blue and white tiles from Puebla, and it houses a restaurant, making it a popular spot for both tourists and locals. 

Finally you'll explore the Templo Mayor and walk through its ruins, where your guide will tell you how the monumental building arose in layers over time, as well as the grisly details of the Aztec religion. The Metropolitan Cathedral cathedral is built on the site of the sacred Aztec precinct, including the Templo Mayor. After the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, the cathedral’s construction began as a symbol of the new colonial order and the spread of Christianity. 

Join us on this comprehensive and immersive group tour thorugh the history and culture of ancient Mexico. Walk in the footsteps of the Aztecs and explore the spiritual heart of one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas!

Chapultepec & the National Museum of Anthropology: Group Tour

Chapultepec is a vast park that is home to dozens of museums, monuments and landmarks. Join our group tour and explore two of the most important sites: Chapultepec Castle, which has been the official residence of Mexican presidents since 1940; and the National Museum of Anthropology, where you'll find some of the most spectacular pre-Hispanic artefacts in all of Mexico.

On this half-day group tour, you will:

  • Visit the main rooms of the National Museum of Anthropology and see The Sun Stone or Aztec Calendar, one of the main highlights of the museum;
  • Discover the extensive collection of artifacts from Ancient Mexican Civilizations, including the Aztec, Maya, Olmec and Toltec cultures;
  • Enjoy a guided tour of the Chapultepec Castle, the former residence for Mexican Emperors which still reigns as the only castle in North America that actually served as a residence for Royalty;
  • Explore Chapultepec Castle Gardens, one of the attractions of the park that locals and tourists alike love to visit;
  • Marvel at striking 20th-century murals depicting Mexican history from the hilltop, and be awed by the breathtaking panorama of Mexico City;

Join us on this 5-hour group tour through the heart of Mexico City, unveiling the grandeur of Chapultepec Castle, the only royal palace in America, and the rich cultural heritage preserved in the National Museum of Anthropology. This immersive experience combines history, architecture, and anthropology, offering a profound insight into Mexico's illustrious past. 

Enter the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most prestigious museums in the world, renowned for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. The museum's exhibits are organized by cultural regions, offering a comprehensive journey through Mexico's ancient civilization. The museum, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, is a masterpiece of modern architecture. It features a large central courtyard with a distinctive, umbrella-like stone structure known as "El Paraguas" (The Umbrella). 

See one of the most famous exhibits, the Aztec Calendar Stone (Sun Stone), a massive monolithic sculpture that is intricately carved and rich in symbolism. The Maya exhibit includes stunning artifacts such as jade masks, pottery, and stelae, providing insight into the sophisticated Maya civilization. The museum also features the colossal stone heads of the Olmecs, believed to represent rulers or deities. 

Then head across Chapultepec Park, this iconic forest is twice the size of New York's Central Park and is the largest green area in Mexico City, one of the largest and busiest cities on the continent. 

Your tour continues with a guided visit to Chapultepec Castle, which played various roles throughout its existence, from an imperial residence to a military academy and now a museum. The castle, placed on top of a hill at 7,628 feet (2,325 mts) above sea level, features a mix of architectural styles, with opulent rooms, grand staircases, and ornate details. The addition of a neoclassical facade and the beautiful interior designs reflect European influences. 

Stroll through the numerous halls and rooms of the estate, admiring an array of sculptures and paintings of historical figures. Encounter murals by 20th-century Mexican artists, including David Alfaro Siqueiros, that vividly depict the fall of the Empire, the Revolution, and Mexican Independence. 

Then, discover the enchanting Chapultepec Gardens, designed in a European style, with manicured lawns, symmetrical flowerbeds and carefully planned walkways. One of the most captivating aspects of the gardens is the panoramic view of Mexico City, from the terraces, you will enjoy sweeping vistas of the sprawling metropolis.

Chapultepec Castle and the National Museum of Anthropology await, offering a journey through history that will leave you inspired and enlightened. 

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