If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you should definitely be familiar with this artistic genius couple: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Many people have seen details of their life from the Selma Hayek-led movie, Frida. But did you know you can visit their home in Mexico City?
Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, 10–5:45 | Wednesday, Saturday, 11–5:45
Entry $120 pesos (about $8USD) with Photography permit an extra $60 pesos (about $4USD)
Metro stop: Coyoacán
The home belonged to Frida’s family and is where she was born, lived most of her life, and is where she died. The home is recognizable for its cobalt-blue walls, and is dominated by a large courtyard garden. It is set in the charming neighborhood of Coyoacán, which has had a reputation as the neighborhood of intellectuals since the 1920s. It has served as a museum since 1958.
Entrance to the Museum.
Some of the rooms have been kept as they were at her death, including her bedroom and studio. Some have been transformed into gallery space which holds some of her works, sketches, letters and photographs. She had a wonderful collection of pre-Columbian artworks that are scattered throughout the rooms and the garden.
Gallery space at Casa Azul.
It’s easiest to get there via taxi, but with the Mexico City metro being so cheap ($0.33 per trip) and easy to navigate, it’s worth the time to go on your own. After all, part of the experience of being in a new place is traveling like the locals! I suggest you print this metro map, as they are hard to find once you’re there. You will go to the Coyacán stop (line 3 – light green). There will be a big shopping mall outside of the metro stop. From there you can either take a taxi or take a short walk, less than 10 minutes. You will walk to the main street, Av. Rio Churubusco, walk under the highway overpass, and take a left (side note: there’s a great restaurant here where we ate lunch, called Chupa Cabras). Walk until you see Centenario, and take a right. Walk a few more blocks to Londres and take a left. There you will see the bright blue house!
Metro stop in the top left corner. Museo Frida Kahlo is number 17 on this map.
Lots more photos below. Enjoy your trip to Casa Azul!
A miniature puppet theatre created by Frida.
Frida’s kitchen at Casa Azul.
Diego Rivera’s workspace at Casa Azul.
Frida’s workspace at Casa Azul, and me looking in the mirror she used to paint her self-portraits.
Frida’s ashes are contained in this pre-Columbian pottery vessel on the far left.
Frida’s daybed, with a mirror above so she could paint in bed.
Frida’s prosthetic leg.
A collection of Frida’s clothing. Many of these make appearances in her self-portraits.
