Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires

The Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires

"Like any great city, Buenos Aires has its Museum Mile. For art, standouts include the National Fine Arts Museum (MNBA), with its mix of Argentine and European pieces, as well as the Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum (MALBA), highlighting the works of Latin American artists. Walk the boulevard between the MNBA and MALBA to see some of the city’s most luxurious real estate. From the MNBA, cross Figueroa Alcorta and swing by the University of Buenos Aires Law School and Floralis Genérica , a 65-foot, stainless-steel kinetic sculpture representing a massive flower. Follow Figueroa Alcorta to Castilla, then turn left into Grand Bourg Park, a stately, if petite, plaza surrounded by imposing palaces, or take a right into Palermo Chico with its circular streets, grand mansions, and palaces. By Travesías"

If You Only Have Three Days in Buenos Aires

15 Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires | Condé Nast Traveler

"Filled with avant-garde 19th- and 20th-century works, the MALBA showcases pieces by Frida, Diego Rivera, Antonio Berni, Wilfredo Lam, among others. It's recommended to check out one of the temporary exhibits, which sometimes deviate from the Latin theme." - Celeste Moure

10 Best Museums To Visit in Buenos Aires | Condé Nast Traveler

"If you have to pick one museum to see in Buenos Aires, MALBA should be your pick. The modern building, surrounded by the Palermo parks and ambassadors' mansions, is known for its permanent collection of famed contemporary Latin American artists, with works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Fernando Botero, Antonio Berni and Tarsila do Amaral in its arsenal. Its dynamic team of curators has also put together some of the most interesting temporary exhibits in the city too; one season, they may highlight Argentine or Latin American art, and another, International, modern, or Contemporary. Ninina Bakery, a top coffee and pastry café, recently took over the restaurant space to bring quality eats to the museum—so don't miss a refueling pitstop there." - Allie Lazar

Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Tabitha Russell Wilhelmsen

Google

Wonderful museum especially if you’re like me and not super experienced with Latin American art. Broad range of styles and interesting exhibitions. Definitely recommend a visit if you’re in BA! Good vanilla latte in the cafe too :)

Mark McLovin

Google

To be honest, I didn't like it at all. The building it's beautiful but the expositions are nothing special to visit on my opinion. Only three floors and you will spend maximum twenty minutes inside. So boring, it's cheap entrance but unless you like weird street art, dont waste your time.

Gustavo Thomaz

Google

I went there on Wednesday, which is 4000 pesos for everybody. I recommend visiting on that day, the museum wasn’t over crowded. The expositions are very interesting and they really live up to the Latin American part of their name: there were works of artists from many countries. My personal highlights are Abaporu by Tarsila do Amaral; Kahlo and her parrot and the universalist paintings. Our north is the south.

Hernan Hernandez

Google

Walking by the area and decided to stop by. There are two main levels worth of exhibit space. Both offer unique experiences.

Kathy H

Google

Rainy day so waited a good while in line to buy a ticket. Museum was busy but didn’t feel crowded. Size and variety of art was nice. Cute gift shop and cafe. Great rainy day activity- then just a few blocks away is a big mall…

V H

Google

Very small museum with a few notable art pieces. I would make the trip for the cafe alone though, its terrace is beautiful!

Jennifer Lee

Google

The meseum is very small, and I won't recommend it unless you have nothing else to do in town

Felipe Latorre

Google

Well curated and organized, clean, a lot to see, and comfortably air conditioned. The only thing I found is that every staff member I interacted with seemed unhappy with life. The upstairs cafe needs some love, as we decided not to have a coffee because there was trash on almost all the tables, and the staff was dismissive and just conversing amongst themselves. Either way, just come for the art.

Tabitha Russell Wilhelmsen

Google

Mark McLovin

Google

Gustavo Thomaz

Google

Hernan Hernandez

Google

Walking by the area and decided to stop by. There are two main levels worth of exhibit space. Both offer unique experiences.

Kathy H

Google

V H

Google

Very small museum with a few notable art pieces. I would make the trip for the cafe alone though, its terrace is beautiful!

Jennifer Lee

Google

The meseum is very small, and I won't recommend it unless you have nothing else to do in town

Felipe Latorre

Google

Tatiana S.

Yelp

El Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) es una colección privada de obras de arte, propiedad del millonario y mecenas argentino Eduardo F. Costantini. El museo consta de tres plantas. En el primer piso se encuentran obras de arte contemporáneo, en el segundo se exhibe la colección principal, y el tercer piso está dedicado a exposiciones temporales. Dentro, hay un buen café y una pequeña tienda donde se pueden comprar copias de pinturas en forma de pósteres y postales. El boleto de entrada se puede comprar en el lugar. Los miércoles, el precio es la mitad.

Charles S.

Yelp

MALBA is outstanding. The building itself is beautiful and the exhibits are impressive. We also had lunch at the restaurant and later coffee in smaller coffee shop on the second floor. Not surprisingly Argentine and Brazilian artists are heavily represented with fewer artists from elsewhere. That said the two pieces by Frida Kahlo are extraordinary. Don't miss the area on the main floor behind the gift shop. There are some wonderful works by artists i had never heard of who produced their art while confined in mental institutions. .

Tabitha H.

Yelp

If you are an art fanatic, the MALBA is a must go. Coming from the US, I've never seen much Latin America art in museums and I've been to some pretty major ones across the nation. I was thoroughly impressed by the collection of art created by Latin America artists! The museum took me around 2-3 hours to complete and this is coming from someone who read everything, listened to all the audio guides available (which are free and amazing), and also stopped to eat a croissant for a while (that was an unpleasant experience- waited over 20 min to get my croissant and coffee). At the time of writing this review, it was around $5 USD ($5000 ARS) or I think $2.50 USD on a Wednesday. Would super recommend going!

Joseph S.

Yelp

We visited MALBA Art Museum in October 2023. Great museum overall! The architecture of the building is a great backdrop for the art displayed inside the museum. We were treated to a drag performance in the art gallery which came as a complete surprise to us but we were living for it. Great art on display. Loved seeing work from Frida Kahlo and Edgardo Giménez among others. You can imagine how surprised we were to see the huge statue of the drag queen Divine, being residents of Baltimore where Divine was from. There was an admission fee the day that we visited. I think some days are free to the public or reduced cost. We took an Uber to get here so I am unsure what the situation is with parking. Clean restrooms. Nice little cafe to stop, take a break, and have a drink and maybe a sweet treat too. The staff was very professional and polite. Great museum experience!

Mayi B.

Yelp

We had an amazing experience at the museum. It was interesting showcasing unique art and collections from Latin America. Context in Spanish and english. We enjoyed our visit very much.

Michael E.

Yelp

Pretty good collection, interesting pieces.

Bob U.

Yelp

nice museum for lots of local and latin art and culture. private so there's an entry fee. there was a Frida Kahlo "exhibit" there, not sure if it's permanent. it's in quotes because has two of her small self-portraits, a couple of old photos and letters. you're allowed 5 mins in the small room which is about right, but you stand in line for like 30 mins to get in. kinda not worth it. but the rest of the museum is great

Javier T.

Yelp

Bonito museo con obras muy interesantes, buena cafeteria y bien organizado. La gente fue muy amable

Yu H.

Yelp

It's one of a few places you need to pay entrance fee. It's only two floor but the arts are cool and there is a place you can play around. Some exhibitions have only Spanish translation. I wish they have English translation. It's kids friendly and they will have a great time. 1-2hour is enough. Check the website before you go. It opens till 8pm but as far as I remember, they close on Wednesday or Tuesday.

Elizabeth T.

Yelp

A great permanent collection of Latin Artists, including: Xul Solar, Antonio Berni, Cicero Dias, Julio le Parc, Ary Brizzi and so many more. We lucked out and caught the Narciso Plebeyo show as well. Lovely museum. Add 1-2 hours to take time for the absolutely delicious cafe, everything is good.

Nick R.

Yelp

Give this museum a pass. Vastly overrated. Rude staff. Disappointed in the gift shop. Staff member was buried in his phone. Left my purchase on the counter.

Gabriel S.

Yelp

Every time we come to Argentina, we visit Malba, a great museum with a solid collection, a welcoming architecture, and engaging exhibits. What a let down it was this time. First, their restaurant: We arrived past noon, so we went first for lunch at their restaurant, which used to be fantastic pre-pandemic, refined, practical, with excellent service and a wonderful menu. Now we found a total disaster, it was crowded, confusing, discombobulated, an had an unappealing menu, food that was blah, and nothing like before. Took ages for the food to arrive, it was the wrong food, and the waiter seemed absolutely careless, of perhaps just overwhelmed by the endless throngs. Not enough staff? Do no seat that many people. Poor food, slow service, uncaring staff. Way too many people. With that menu... a real Recipe for Disaster. The exhibits: Frida and Diego? really? two paintings, an exceedingly small room packed to the brim where you can't see anything, No Diego at all, some photos you can easily find on the Net. Just a low marketing device, really a poor move, c'mon!. The rest: well, the upper floor was closed to the public, so not much to see, and what was there to be seen we mostly gave it a pass, with some remarkable exceptions. The gift shop: we always try to contribute with a purchase, even if small, this time... (silence). I had a high regard for this museum/collection, and recommended it many, many times. Not anymore. Get a grip, please, the pandemic is now mostly water under the bridge, so no excuses.

Guillermo M.

Yelp

We went to MALBA and the experience was just wonderful! They had an exhibition of Mexican art, they had pieces of art from Frida Kahlo, Siquerios and Maria Izquierdo who I love! The price is super low $120 Argentinian pesos, around $7-8 dollars. Plan to walk a lot. Plan to enjoy a lot. You can go to the Japanese garden, after the museum. There is a restaurant in the museum. We opted not to eat there, Because there are many wonderful restaurants in BA.

Jahayra M.

Yelp

Love this museum. A collection of some great artists. My only complaint that it is not big enough. It gets crowded fast so come in early in a weekday and enjoy. Great little coffee shop inside the museum and gift shop.

Cindy S.

Yelp

The museum collection is nice, but the people who work at the gift shop are rude and approach customers with an air of superiority. My husband is Argentine and a professor of Latin American art and literature in the United States. He went to buy a canvas bag in the shop, and the cashier who was working there (in his thirties with black hair) treated him like garbage. He insulted my husband and told him to never come back to Argentina. Two of the other cashiers thought it was funny. Never in my life have I seen such ill-mannered and nasty cashiers at a gift shop. The director who runs the place needs to realize that the gift-shop cashiers are a reflection of the museum. They should be fired.

Lanny C.

Yelp

Some of the most amazing art I've ever seen and I've been to museums in NYC, Paris, and London. Hugely interactive exhibits and just great modern art. The lines are soooo long that I recommend you go before it even opens. The guards did pull us off the line when they saw us with young children (after we had already been waiting 30 min) which was nice but it still took another 30 min inside to wait. The museum is not overly large which makes it tenable. This is a must see!

Chris C.

Yelp

MALBA is a wonderful small museum in the heart of Buenos Aires. There are three floors of exhibit area around an open central lobby. It appears the top floor is geared for temporary exhibits and the second floor for the permanent collection. I really liked the permanent collection and how the exhibits flowed together. The museum also has a very nice cafe right outside. A perfect visit and eat location!

Richa T.

Yelp

I really do like this museum although a few of these are a few pieces that were a bit too avant-garde for my taste. Pros: + Easy access from the main roads + Extensive collection + Moderate entrance fee + They do have translations in multiple languages + Wi-fi + Also walking distance from El Museo de Bellas Artes - definitely take some time to visit this too. Cons: - Some of the exhibits I could easily do without - particularly the video ones - crowded!

Amber K.

Yelp

Great contemporary art museum. Bright and airy space, not too overwhelming with just three stories. The current exhibit features Antonio Berni, an Argentine whose fictional characters, Juanito and Ramona, are featured throughout. Juanito showcases what it's like to live in the slums, and Ramona enlightens us on women's rights. Worth seeing!

Catherine B.

Yelp

A good amount of interesting works, but being from Chicago I found this museum underwhelming. I wish there were more pieces to look at.

Alberto R.

Yelp

Great Latin-American modern art collection. Missing works by Cruz-Diez and Jesus Soto.

Christopher M.

Yelp

We had a rainy day in Buenos Aires and thought the Malba was a perfect way to spend an hour or so. It should be noted it is not big at all. My wife and I enjoy art, and it took us an hour to see everything. If one were an art fanatic I would still say you only a couple of hours here. Also, if you have a Samsung phone you get half off admission, so make sure you show it to them! 249/365

Toby Y.

Yelp

Beautiful museum in the same vein as the MOMA in NYC. Cafe has great and wireless, and at 100 pesos a person, not a bad deal at all. Also, the political views of the curators are brilliantly progressive and quite thought provoking.

Emily C.

Yelp

Very cool (and small) museum. I thought the light exhibit they currently have was fascinating. Was only $5pp. Good if it's a day with bad weather like we had. For whatever reason, when we showed them our Samsung phone it was 2 for 1 admission!

Lee L.

Yelp

Lovely if not small permanent collection. Great architecture and cafe inside. $10US general admission .

Sonya S.

Yelp

If you're visiting Buenos Aires a visit to the Malba is a MUST! The permanent collection is a stunning example of the political and aesthetic depth of Latin American art. Special exhibits never disappoint, nor do the special events. They have an art night where there is a party inside and on the patio - but arrive early for this type of event as it fills up fast. The film series are also incredible, and for foreigners in Buenos Aires it is excellent as you will be able to see wonderful films in English, French, German, etc. I have seen a Melville retrospective there which was wonderful. Finally the gift shop and cafe are both charming. Definitely worth a visit, and give yourself a few hours at least!

@travelleisure

"MALBA houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary Latin American art, including works by Frida Kahlo." - Travel + Leisure Editors

The Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires

If You Only Have Three Days in Buenos Aires

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