Buenos Aires has a diverse collection of beautiful neighborhoods that make it one of the most exciting and dynamic travel destinations in Argentina. A tour of the various barrios is an absolute must for anyone visiting this wonderful city. Each one of them has a powerful personality and a character that draws all those who set foot in them. The neighborhood you choose to go to does not matter, you can be sure to have a great time no matter where you go to while visiting Buenos Aires. Here is a closer look at Buenos Aires neighborhoods and what makes them worth experiencing.
- La Boca
La Boca is one of the most photographed barrios in Buenos Aires. With streets lined with buildings painted in red, yellow and blue, it makes it for perfect Instagram moments and all the proof you will ever need to show that you really did visit the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. The little neighborhood of La Boca is teeming with life, with tourists and hawkers everywhere you look. It is located on the mouth of the Riachuelo River and was originally a neighborhood with houses for shipyard workers.
Exciting places to visit within La Boca include the Fundacion Proa, which is a contemporary art museum with beautiful pieces. If you are a football fan, like most Argentinians are, you definitely need to check out the La Bombonera and watch the local team play.
Looking for a place to eat? El Obrero is a local restaurant that serves exquisite local food. If you want a more refined dining experience, head over to the Patagonia Sur, run by Francis Mallman, a world-famous chef.
- Palermo
This part of Buenos Aires is packed so full of attractions that you will be spoilt for choice. It is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, divided into several districts. It has everything you will ever need to see in your trip to Buenos Aires, from great museums to amazing restaurants and parks. You will never run out of things to do or places to go in Palermo.
Must see attractions in Palermo include the Galileo Galilei planetarium, a beautiful botanical hotspot inside the Parque Tres de Febrero. This same park also contains an impressive and beautifully maintained Japanese garden. You should also check out some of the museums in Palermo, including the Latin American Art Museum, the Evita Museum and the National Museum of Decorative Arts.
The best way to experience everything that Palermo has to offer is to go exploring on foot. Although it will take longer, and you won't manage to visit all the best hotspots in just a few days, you will leave Buenos Aires feeling much more fulfilled, having experienced much of the local culture first hand. While in Palermo there are boundless attractions for you to explore starting from bars and restaurants up to museum, parks and artisanal markets. However, Palermo itself is divided in districts that provide a diverse experience for their visitors:
- Palermo Soho
Named after the famous New York Soho Street, Palermo Soho is one of the most famous districts of Palermo. Offering a variety of cafes and restaurants, this area is a magnet for tourists from all over the world who come to explore the magnificent nightlife experience and deciduous-cooking restaurants. Nonetheless, the Palermo Soho offers something for afternoon and evening tourists. During the afternoon you can have the opportunity to enjoy a cerveza in any of the main plazas: Plaza Armenia or Plaza Serrano and take a walk afterward to see the markets with crafts and tchotchkes. However, in the evening you can enjoy the tasty and popular parrillas at Don Julio or La Cabrera and get a feel of the local flavor food.
- Palermo Viejo
Located in the middle of the two most famous districts in Palermo, Soho, and Hollywood, Palermo Viejo is known and distinguished with its streets which are lined with oak cobblestone and represented by the old Spanish and Italian architecture. This area too is crowded with tourists who come to visit and enjoy the different specialties of famous restaurants and cocktails from different bars. While visiting the area, you must also take a tour at Plaza Cortázar, a place where artists and designers meet along with many local giving you a glimpse of the Palermo’s cultural background.
- Palermo Hollywood
Just like the Palermo Soho and Viejo, Palermo Hollywood is part of the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. However, compared to the other two districts, Hollywood provides a basket full of choices for nightlife lovers who enjoy the play of sharply-dressed Porteños or satisfy your needs by relishing the cocktails and drinks offered by 20 square blocks of bars and restaurants. However, be cautious to look for celebrity faces because in this area is quite probable you get to see one, as it is home to numerous radios and TV studios, which is also where it took its name from.
Even though each district provides tons of choices for food, the Full City Coffee House is a great breakfast spot. The Peron Peron is another cheap and delicious dining option. You can also go to the Proper Restaurant for their famous menus.
Palermo also has a lot to offer in the way of exciting nightlife. It has some of the best clubs in Buenos Aires, including the Club 69 and Uptown. It is almost impossible to be disappointed when you consider all that Palermo has to offer.
Also, before traveling there, make sure to make the hotel reservations in advance so that you don't have to worry about anything upon your arrival. There are many hotel worth staying at which offer a stylish decor, relaxing atmosphere, open terrace and affordable price. Make sure to check out, Craft Hotel which provides simple and stylish atmosphere, Five Cool Rooms, Mine Hotel, Legado Mitico, and Atempo Design Hotel,
- Recoleta
Recoleta, is by far one of the most elegant neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Even though for many people it is perceived as a neighborhood of the rich, in fact it is quite diverse. It provides a variety of opportunities from which you can choose from. It is a mixture of fine and luxurious dining and street food and home to some of the most visited cemeteries.
One Recoleta attraction not to be missed is the Cemetery, impressive not only for its unique architecture but also for its historical value. Founded in 1822, the Cemetario is an interesting place where important figures are buried, such as Eva Peron, presidents of Argentina, Nobel laureate Carlos Saavedra Lamas. The site covers around 14 acres and contains 4,691 vaults, all above ground.
When it comes to choosing the perfect hotel for your trip in Recoleta, there is no better hotel which fulfills the criteria better than Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt. The hotel is furnished with elegance and its details which will make you want to stay longer. From its French windows and its hardwood floors, the hotel is a neighborhood must visit, if not for sleeping than for its terrace and patio which are perfect places to enjoy the hotel’s perfect façade.
- Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is a former port town along the Rio de la Plata. It is home to the best restaurants, hotels and high-class boutiques in Buenos Aires. Enjoy the rustic cobblestone streets lined with red brick buildings along a beautiful waterway.
Interesting places to visit in Puerto Madero include the Puerto Madero ecological reserve, an 864-acre park with picturesque waterfront trails and lots of birds to watch. You can access it by crossing over the Puente de la Mujer bridge.
There are also two retired ships on the Puerto Madero docks that double as museums. They are definitely worth checking out on your tour of Puerto Madero.
For food, visit the Sottovoce for wonderful Italian cuisine, and Cabana Las Lilas for some of the best meats in town. You should know, however, that food in Puerto Madero tends to be more than a little overpriced.
- San Nicolas
Also called El Centro, San Nicolas is the business district of Buenos Aires. It lies to the north of Monserrat.
San Nicolas is a barrio that is rich in history. First, it was one of the first barrios in Buenos Aires. Second, in 1812, the Argentine flag was first raised in the San Nicolas chapel. It is also home to the Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world.
Interesting places to visit in San Nicolas include the El Obelisco, the 67 meters tall Buenos Aires landmark. You should also walk down Avenida 9 and Avenida Florida, and visit any one of the hundreds of cafes and clothing shops. There is also the Teatro Colon opera house, the home of theatre in Buenos Aires.
- Monserrat
If you love history, this is the place to be. Monserrat is home to the most important historical buildings in Buenos Aires. It covers only a small area of 0.8 square miles and is located smack in the middle of San Nicolas, San Telmo, Balvanera and Puerto Madero.
Interesting places to visit in Monserrat include the Plaza de Mayo, where the war for independence against Spain was won. You should also check out the Museo del Bicentenario, a museum of modern Argentinian artifacts, and the Casa Rosada, where the president greets the public. Both of these buildings can be found within the Plaza de Mayo.
Other interesting places include the Cabildo, or City Hall, and the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral. If you are hungry, go to the Cafe Tortoni for a French-style meal, the Chan Chan for Peruvian cuisine, or the El Imparcial for amazing seafood.
- San Telmo
San Telmo is another of Buenos Aires' really old barrios. It started out as the poor part of town, but today is one of the most multicultural parts of the city, with tons of European immigrants everywhere you look.
The beautiful neighborhood has cobblestone streets and charming buildings. If you love to dance, this is where you need to be. Tango at Plaza Dorrego and El Balcon, or the El Viejo Almacen for a more laid back feel. The Lost Hip Hop Culture club is also great if you want to move your body a little more well into the night.
Be sure to visit the Calle Defensa on Sundays. It is the best place to buy souvenirs and antiques at a cheap price. For food, go to Los Infernales if you want Argentine street food or the Saigon for the best pho. Parrilla del Plata is the best spot for some good steak.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Some of the best and most popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires that you absolutely have to visit for your tour to be complete. Add these destinations to your itinerary the next time you visit Buenos Aires, and you will finally be able to totally immerse yourself in the culture of the city and experience everything that it has to offer.
Read more about travel to Argentina at our Travel Planning Pages.
