Best Neighborhoods in Buenos Aires

Argentina Travel Posted on 12/27/2021

Planning to stay a couple of days in Buenos Aires? Read our local guide on the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city. Museums, green spots, crafts fairs and historic monuments you can not miss if you visit the capital of Argentina. 



The best Neighborhoods in Buenos Aires

1. San Telmo

San Telmo has more bohemian vibes than the rest of Buenos Aires. The touristy parts are cute and quaint, while the less touristy areas are more relaxed and have a hipster neighborhood feel. With smaller, vintage streets, graffiti and plenty of markets big and small scattered around, San Telmo’s feel create a great nightlife hub. Chill in the cooler, more low-maintenance bars this neighborhood has to offer.

What to visit?

  • Plaza Dorrego and the craft fair (only on Sundays).
  • Lezama Park.
  • Casa Ezeiza: a “conventillo”, a traditional house where families used to live in small rooms with a shared court and kitchen. 
  • The San Telmo Market (antiques and local food).
  • The Zanjón de Granados (old tunnels) and the Minimal House (owned by a liberated slave). 
  • Modern Art Museum



2. Palermo

Palermo is known as the place to be for Buenos Aires nightlife. This neighborhood is where many foreigners reside and where you can find super trendy cafes and nightlife while at the same time, maintaining a tranquilo, residential vibe. Picturesque streets with an adorable restaurant on each corner is the epitome of Palermo; here the prices may be higher, but as are all trendy neighborhoods around the world.

What to visit?

  • Plaza Serrano, the heart of the nightlife district.
  • The Botanical Garden
  • Palermo Woods, during the day. It’s rather solitary at night.
  • The Eco-parque, a park with animals (you can see monkeys, a local type of hare called mara, capybaras, and peacocks). 
  • The Planetarium
  • The Racetracks
  • Museo Evita, dedicated the life of Eva Perón
  • Museo de Arte Decorativo. 



Rosedal in Palermo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires.




3. Recoleta

Recoleta is the Argentine Parisian neighborhood. This wealthy barrio features a famous cemetery, a great variety of cafes, big parks, museums and shops. It’s one of the popular areas of the city for travelers who can have easy access to the Museum of Fine Art, interesting nightlife and green places to enjoy running. Recoleta also features spectacular buildings, manors and hotels like the traditional Hotel Alvear or the Palacio Duha. 

What to visit?

  • Recoleta Cemetery, famous for hosting Eva Perón, and other important figures of Argentina’s History.
  • The craft market (only on Sundays)
  • The Museum of Fine Arts
  • The Floralis Genérica, a giant metal flower.
  • The Law University of Buenos Aires.
  • The Hotel Alvear, and its tea room.
  • La Biela, a “café notable”, an historic coffee store.



4. Puerto Madero

There is no part of Buenos Aires that is as convincingly a part of the 21st Century as Puerto Madero. This port area, recently renovated and now sporting an ever growing number of skyscrapers, calls to mind London’s Canary Wharf or Dublin’s Docklands, and has a similar history. Today, the port’s squared off areas of water give one space to enjoy the city skyline, as well as providing a pleasantly pedestrianized ambience. The renovated warehouses now sport countless bars, restaurants and apartments. Behind them, in glass plated modern towers, are some of the city’s most luxurious hotels and offices. This high end area certainly costs a little more to be enjoyed, but almost no other area of Buenos Aires is as safe and comfortable.

What to visit?

  • Puente de la Mujer, Women’s Bridge
  • Fragata Sarmiento, a ship-museum
  • Reserva Ecologica, bike and walking trails ending at the rover coastline.
  • Juana Manso Monument.
  • Amalita Fortabat Art Collection


buenos-aires-puerto-madero





5. Microcentro

This is what people from Buenos Aires call the downtown area. It’s known as the financial district and features the most important historic buildings like Casa Rosada, Cabildo and the Cathedral. The famous Plaza de Mayo and not far away, the iconic Obelisco. Rather isolated at night, life concentrates near Corrientes Av and its theaters. The Opera House of Buenos Aites called Teatro Colón can be visited near downtown too. It is a neighborhood of Buenos Aires that you must cross out from your travel bucket list!

What to visit?

  • Plaza de Mayo: Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral and the Bicentenary Museum.
  • Plaza San Martín and Kavanagh building
  • Obelisco
  • Colón Theater
  • Mayo Av and the Barolo building
  • The Congress
  • Manzana de las Luces, tunnels of Buenos Aires.


This is a good starting point, Buenos Aires has many more barrios. Are you staying in a different area and need local tips? Contact us and learn more.

Questions? Write to Us