in Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
MALBA Museum
Buenos Aires' premier modern art museum showcases Latin American masterpieces from the 20th century including works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Argentine artists in a striking contemporary building.
MALBA — Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires — is Argentina's foremost modern art museum and one of Latin America's most significant public collections of 20th and 21st-century work from the continent. Opened in 2001, the building was designed by the Argentine firm Gastón Atelman, Martín Fourcade, and Alfredo Tapia in a contemporary glass-and-stone idiom occupying a full city block in the Palermo district at Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415.
The permanent collection spans approximately 220 works donated or purchased since the museum's founding, with particular depth in Argentine, Brazilian, and Mexican modernism from the 1920s through 1970s. Frida Kahlo's "Autorretrato con mono y loro" (1942) is the collection's most widely recognized single work, displayed in a dedicated room on the main gallery floor. Works by Diego Rivera, Tarsila do Amaral, and Antonio Berni anchor the Latin American modernist sections, while Argentine artists including Xul Solar, Emilio Pettoruti, and Carlos Alonso are represented in depth.
The museum's layout centers on a full-height atrium with glass walls visible from the street. Main gallery spaces on two floors present the permanent collection in thematic and chronological sequence. A dedicated cinema screens Argentine and Latin American film including silent cinema cycles, documentary series, and contemporary experimental work. The museum library and research center is accessible by appointment.
Admission is charged on a sliding scale; free entry is provided every Wednesday and discounted rates apply for students and seniors. English-language guided tours of the permanent collection are offered on weekends and can be booked at the admissions desk. The café and bookshop adjacent to the main entrance on Figueroa Alcorta carry art books, design objects, and titles focused on Latin American culture.
Rotating exhibitions supplement the permanent collection year-round, often drawing work from major international institutions. Exhibition schedules and advance tickets for major shows are available on the museum's official website.
Hours: Thursday-Monday noon-8:00 PM, Wednesday noon-9:00 PM, closed Tuesday
Best for: art lovers, culture enthusiasts, photographers, couples
Visit / Book / Contact
Location
Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, C1425 CABA, Buenos Aires
-34.5774, -58.4054 — View on map
Highlights
- Frida Kahlo's 'Autorretrato con mono y loro' (1942) among 220 permanent works spanning Latin American modernism
- Works by Diego Rivera, Tarsila do Amaral, Xul Solar, and Antonio Berni in thematic galleries across two floors
- Dedicated cinema screening Argentine and Latin American film, silent cinema, and documentary cycles
- Contemporary glass-and-stone building with full-height street-facing atrium in the Palermo district
Tips
- Free entry on Wednesdays
- Visit cafe for light lunch with art book shop
- Excellent rotating exhibitions alongside permanent collection
- Guided tours available in English
FAQ
Is there a free entry day at MALBA?
Yes. Admission is free every Wednesday. The museum is open Wednesday from noon to 9 pm. Other days require a standard admission fee, with discounts for students and seniors.
How long does a visit to MALBA take?
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours in the permanent collection. A visit including a temporary exhibition, a film screening, and time in the café typically extends to half a day.
Is photography allowed inside MALBA?
Photography for personal use is permitted in the permanent collection galleries without flash. Temporary exhibitions may have individual photography restrictions posted at the gallery entrance. Commercial photography requires advance authorization from the museum.
Accessibility
MALBA's building has lift access between floors and is fully wheelchair accessible throughout the permanent collection and temporary exhibition spaces. The entrance on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta has a ramped approach. Accessible toilets are available on each floor.
When to visit
Wednesday afternoons are the quietest visiting time and offer free entry. Weekend mornings attract the highest visitor numbers, especially during major temporary exhibitions. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.