Frida Kahlo Museum: Everything You Need To Know

The Frida Kahlo Museum is an essential stop for any culture-lover coming to Mexico City.

The former home of the famous Mexican artist and her husband, Diego Rivera, The Blue House (as it is also known) features original works, exhibitions, collections, and personal artifacts.

The next time you’re in the capital, make sure to stop by for a fascinating insight into one of Mexico’s most famous artists.

About Frida Kahlo

A Mexican icon, Frida Kahlo is revered as one of the country’s greatest ever artists. She was born on July 6, 1907, in the building now called The Blue House in which the Frida Kahlo Museum sits.

A life marked with pain, Kahlo contracted polio at the age of six which caused a stunt in the growth of her right leg and saw her spend nine months in bed. At 18 years old, she was once again struck by disaster when a car plowed into the bus she was riding. She suffered catastrophic injuries including numerous broken bones and a damaged spinal cord.

Immobilized once more, Kahlo began to paint.

She was ingratiated into artistic circles in Mexico City, meeting Diego Rivera, the man who she would marry in 1929. The Blue House became their main residence as the two prospered both throughout Mexico and internationally.

The couple’s relationship was fiery, to say the least. Numerous infidelities (including Diego sleeping with Kahlo’s younger sister Cristina) put a huge strain on the pair. The couple divorced in 1939, only to remarry a year later.

Kahlo’s declining health, including an amputation on her right leg, meant she suffered great pain in the later stages of her life. She died on July 13, 1954, at the age of 47 from a pulmonary embolism, although there have been suggestions of suicide.

Although her life drew to a close, she is now heralded as one of Mexico’s most forward-thinking artists who pushed boundaries few others could see.

History of The Blue House

The place of Frida Kahlo’s birth and death, The Blue House is much more than the materials from which it was constructed.

Built in 1904, the building itself wraps around a central patio while the exterior was built in the French style which was popular at the time. It’s gone through a number of transformations over the years, but the most noticeable is its cobalt-blue exterior walls put in place by Rivera and Kahlo in 1937.

The two shared the home for a number of years, but four years after Kahlo’s death, the building was turned into a museum, honoring her life and legacy.

Now it houses many important personal objects and some of her most significant works including Long Live Life, Frida and the Caesarian Operation, and Portrait of My Father Wilhelm Kahlo.

3 Things To See and Do

The Blue House holds important artifacts relating to Frida Kahlo including some of her most famous pieces. When you visit the museum, take the time to stop and study the fascinating items on display to get more of an understanding of Kahlo and the life she led.

See her art work

The Blue House holds many original works by Frida Kahlo including her famous piece Portrait of my Father, Guillermo Kahlo (1952), an oil on canvas piece depicting the artist’s dad. You should also make sure to check out Frida and the Cesarean (1931), a graphic visualization of a cesarean that never actually happened after she went through a miscarriage.

View the dresses of Frida Kahlo

Since November 2012, The Blue House has run an exhibition known as Appearances Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo. In it, you will be able to view some of the traditional Mexican dresses that formed part of her iconic look. The artist was well known for her gorgeous and colorful dresses which were both artistic and practical.

Study her personal objects

The Blue House, as the primary residence of Kahlo, also holds fascinating personal objects that give us much more of an idea of her day-to-day life. Items such as her easel give us a unique insight into the life of this great painter.

Opening Hours

Tuesday: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm

Please note the Frida Kahlo Museum is also closed on Mondays and has an altered schedule on the following dates:

January 1 (Closed all day)
May 1 (Closed all day)
September 15 (Special museum hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
December 14 (Closed all day)
December 24 (Special museum hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
December 25 (Closed all day)
December 31 (Special museum hours: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm)

Our trips including the Frida Kahlo Museum

As Mexico City travel experts, Journey Mexico has many different trips that stop off at The Blue House. Each one is customizable to your own personal tastes, just chat to one of our advisors today for more information.

Culinary tour with a visit to The Blue House

Mexico, and Mexico City, in particular, is a mecca for food-lovers. Explore traditional markets, take cooking classes, and sample some of the finest cuisines in this incredible tour which takes you to Puebla, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. During your stay in the capital, you will, of course, stop off at The Blue House to explore Frida Kahlo’s work and life.

Weekend escape to Mexico City

Explore the heart of Mexico with this weekend escape. You will discover its historic city center, visit the Luis Barragan Studio, and meet some the city’s most exciting young designers. The trip also includes a stop at The Blue House and a journey around Coyoacan, the enchanting neighborhood in which it resides.

Mexico City Private Tour

This private tour of Mexico City will take you on a five-day cultural exploration of one of the most exciting cities in the world. You will discover its historic center, visit Zocalo (one of the largest plazas on the planet), head to Palacio de Bellas Artes (the grandest opera house in Mexico). On top of that, you will also head to Teotihuacan to explore its famous archeological sites and, finally, visit The Blue House and tour the Frida Kahlo Museum.

Where to stay

If you’re thinking about visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum, you will probably need somewhere to stay. Check out the three gorgeous luxury apartments below which are great options for a Mexico City adventure.

Siqueiros Dream

The former art studio of famed Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, this three-bedroom vacation rental is part of Mexico City’s artistic heritage. Revamped with trendy metal, wood, and glass furnishings, Siqueiros Dream is now an elegant and modern place to relax. Culture lovers will adore its prime location in the heart of Polanco, a trendy neighborhood with chic boutiques and close to museums.

Botanico

Recently renovated, the three-bedroom Botanico is an ideal apartment for those with an eye on a cultural tour. Nestled in the gorgeous Polanco neighborhood, you’ll be close to plenty of Mexico City’s educational highlights including the National Museum of Anthropology, Modern Art Museum, and Soumaya Museum. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the city from the apartment’s balconies, a great place to discuss your day’s activities.

Rodin

This gorgeous three-bedroom apartment sits in the trendy neighborhood of Polanco, the perfect spot for an exploration of the city. Design lovers will adore Rodin’s gorgeous views over the city which take in architectural gems including the Jumex Museum and its saw-tooth roof. It comes with a contemporary design, large gourmet kitchen, and wonderfully comfortable bedrooms.