Since the city is so big and the neighborhoods each have there distinct character and highlights we have sorted out the best highlights per neighborhood below. The neighborhoods covered are:
- Microcentro / Centro
- Retiro
- La Boca
- Recoleta
- Palermo
- Belgrano
- San Telmo
- Puerto Madero
Microcentro
The Microcentro is the very heart of the city. It’s one of the liveliest and busiest areas in the city with countless shopping opportunities and numerous sites of historical interest.
Microcentro - Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is the original town center and was founded in 1580. The very first monument of the city, the Piramide de Mayo was erected here. It was also this square where the independence of Argentina was declared in 1810. The square is surrounded by some of Buenos Aires’ most beautiful buildings such as the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada), the Catedral Metropoletana and the Banco de la Nación. Every Thursday at 3pm the mothers of the victims of the military dictatorship of the ‘80’s gather on the square to mourn. They never got answers on what happed to their sons.
Microcentro - Casa Rosada
The Casa Rosada also known as the “Pink House” is Argentina’s presidential Palace located on the Plaza de Mayo. The president does not actually live in the Casa Rosada, but does hold office here. The building was the setting of many important facts in history. It was this building’s balcony where popular first lady Evita Perrón held her famous speech for the Argentinean workers. The presidential museum has various presidential possessions on display and has lot of information on the presidential history. Every other hour you can witness the official changing of the guards. Free tours of the Casa Rosada take place at 4pm on weekdays (English only on Friday at 4pm). Arrive at 3 to reserve a spot on the tour.
Address: Hipolito Yrigoyen 211 Buenos Aires
Tel.: 11-4343-3051
Microcentro - Catedral Metropolitana
The Catedral Metropolitana is an impressive religious building on the Plaza de Mayo. It holds the tomb of Argentina most celebrated hero General José de San Martin. The impressive pillars make it one of the most eye-catching buildings on the square. Tours in Spanish take place at 11:30am, 1:15pm and 4pm on weekdays.
Address : Rivadavia & San Martin
Opening Hours:
Mo-Fri: 8am-7pm ; Sat-Sun: 9am-7:30pm
Microcentro - Teatro Colón (closed till May 25th 2010)
The Teatro Colon is both a masterpiece from the outside as well as inside. The theatre was inaugurated in 1908 with Verdi’s opera “Aida.” The building is built in the Italian Renaissance style. The magnificant theatre has a capacity of 2500 seats. The theatre has its own symphonical orchestra, ballet and opera. During the day tours are given in the theatre.
Address: Cerrito 618 (between Tucuman and Toscanini)
Due to re-open on May 25th 2010, check the website for more info
website: www.teatrocolon.org.ar
Centro - Calle Florida
Buenos Aires’ most lively street is La Call Florida, which is a long pedestrian street full of shops, shopping passages and galleries. The street has a vibrant energy and it’s fun to visit and shop. You can find some excellent leather shops, bookshops and fashion boutiques. The primary shopping area of Calle Florida goes as far as Avenida Corrientes. At the crossing with Avenida Cordoba is the beautiful Galerías Pacifico, a shopping passage with some fine 19th century architecture and frescoes. The passage possibly is the most exclusive shopping passage in entire Latin America and houses a nr of fantastic and very elegant shops. On the top floor of the Galerias Pacifico you will find the cultural centre “Borges” and a ballet school (Julio Bocca).
Centro - Edificio Cavanaugh
If you’re a sucker for big and tall buildings (like us) and if you’re in the neighborhood, it’s quite worthwile to check out the impressive Cavanaugh building. At the time when it was constructed (1936) it actually was the highest building in Latin America. The building is 30 stories, 120 m/394 ft high. It’s used for housing purposes and in fact still is one of the most desired addresses in Buenos Aires. It’s not possible to visit the interior, but the best place to get a full view of the building is from the corner of Calle Maipu and Arenales.
Address: 1065 Calle Florida (corner with San Martin).
Retiro
Retiro is one of the busiest and liveliest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. It’s the very heart of the financial district. Besides, with the Retiro Railway station, and some of its widest avenues Retiro is one of the biggest transportations hubs of the city. There are some impressive and very busy multilane avenues of which Avenida 9 de Julio in fact is said to be the widest in the world. Here you can find the impressive and fine Plaza San Martin home to the Malvinas/Falkand memorial.
Retiro - 9 de Julio
9 de Julio in fact is the world’s widest avenue. With its 140 meters and 12 lanes it’s actually quite a sight. We crossed it and it took 3 traffic light and in total perhaps 10 to 15 minutes to cross this mega-avenue. The name is derived from July the 9th,
1816, the day Argentina declared Independence from the Spanish Rule. You can imagine that when it was constructed several blocks of historical houses were smashed down, which perhaps is a pity. The Avenue is not the most pleasant site to sit down and have a drink, but it is impressive and in the end how many people can say that they crossed the widest street in the world J? Check it out, you will pass by it sooner or later anyway. The avenue is also home to the Obelisk a 67,5 m high marking commemorating the fourth century of the foundation of Buenos Aires and passes some great buildings and landmarks such as the Teatro Colon and the Plaza San Martin.
La Boca
La Boca is a real “people’s” neighborhood. It’s the place where many of the immigrants of the 1880-1930’s came ashore and built their houses as they worked in the port and docks.
La Boca – Caminito
El Caminito (little walkway) probably is Buenos Aires’ most visited tourist attraction. Although regarded as touristy and tacky by some we think that still it’s an interesting place to visit and you can take some cool photos to bring home. The Caminito is characterized by its many colourful houses made of scrap corrugated metal and wood from old ships. There are tango shows on the streets and there are some shops to buy som souvenirs. If you come to Caminito at the weekend, you will also be able to do a little souvenir shopping at the Feria de la Ribera arts and crafts market, which starts at the front of Caminito and goes around in front of the Riachuelo river.
Safety note: You’re fine on the Caminito, but don’t wonder to far of the Caminito as Boca is not Buenos Aires’ best neighborhood.
La Boca - Boca Juniors Football Match at la Bombonera stadium
Boca is one of the biggest football clubs in Argentina and is the former club of Diego Maradona. Boca really is the “people’s“ club whereas Riverplate, Buenos Aires’ other big football clubs is said to represent the cities upper middle class. If you have the opportunity to see a Boca game you certainly should not miss it as the atmosphere at la Bombonera is indescribable, especially if Boca plays against its biggest rival Riverplate. If Boca does not play, a Riverplate match at the Riverplate Stadium is also a great experience.
Recoleta
The neighborhood Recoleta is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. You will see some very chique streets with magnificent buildings which remind one of cities like Paris or Barcelona. There are some interesting sites and plenty of fancy shops and restaurants. It’s very worthwhile to spend half a day to admire the pretty neighborhood and the main sights.
A recommended walk is:
Start at the Plaza Francia, continue to Cementerio de La Recoleta, Hard Rock Café Buenos Aires, Museo de Bellas Artes, Facultad de Derecho (Faculty of Law) and Modena bar. If you keep walking along the Avenida Figueroa Alcorta you come at the Museo Renault (there is not much there, but the bar is good), the MACBA and the passage Paseo Alcorta (for shopping). Between the faculty of Law and the MACBA is the neighborhood Barrio Parque. This is the most expensive area of Buenos Aires and you’ll see massive mansions and embassies.
Recoleta - Cementerio de la Recoleta
A frequently visited site in Buenos Aires is the exclusive cemetery of Recoleta. Perhaps it’s a bit odd to visit a cemetery, but it really is a special place where you can see that people went into great effort to honor and remember their loved ones. Recoleta is the most exclusive cemetery and it’s only affordable for the wealthiest elite. Many famous people have been buried here like Eva Perron (you’ll still see flowers at here grave), past presidents, politicians, etc.
Address - Junín 1760, Recoleta
Free admission
Open all days 7am-6pm
Recoleta – Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is probably Argentina’s best modern arts museum. If you need to make a choice between Buenos Aires’ fine museums this is your best choice. Various masterpieces by great artists like van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, and Argentinean master artists are on display here.
Address: Av. del Libertador 1473
Tel.: 54-...
Website: http://www.mnba.org.ar
e-mail : prensamnba@velocom.com.ar
Open Tue-Fri 12:30 – 8:30pm ; Sat, Sun, holidays 09:30am-8:30pm
Free Admission
Palermo – Parque 3 de Febrero
This massive park is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon to relax after a heavy night out. Its creators wanted to create a green haven of tranquility within the city that would hold all the plants and vegetation found in all corners of the country. There are several places of interest in the park.
- The Jardín Japonés (Japanese garden) is a beautiful part of the park with koi ponds and a lovely teahouse.
Address: Av. Figueroa Alcorta y Av. Casares
Tel.: 4804-4922
Open: 7 days per week 10:00 – 18:00 - El Rosedal is the very heart of the park. Over 12000 roses grow here around a lovely pond and it is onne of the nicest parts of the park.
Address: Av. del Libertador y Av. Sarmiento - Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays. This botanic garden was built in 1898 by Carlos Thays, who was responsible for creating several green areas in Buenos Aires. The botanic garden is set up according the various continents Asia, Africa, South America, Northern America and Europe. There is a particular great quantity of cats here, so if you like cats this certainly is another reason to come and visit.
Address : Santa Fe 3951
Tel.: 4831-4527 -
Planetario Galileo Galilei. If you’re into astronomy you can visit the peculiar Planetario Galileo Galilei. Shows are held frequently here that bring you across the very ends of our galaxy.
Address: Av. Figueroa Alcorta y Av. Casares
Tel.: 4771-9393/6629
Call to make a reservation
Palermo – Museo Evita
This fine museum which was opened recently is dedicated to the life of Eva Peron, locally also known as Evita (did you see the movie starring Madonna as Evita?). Eva Peron is an important and loved person in Argentina’s recent history. Eva Peron was the wife of Juan Domingo Peron who made his name/fame as minister of War and Labor during the military Junta. Eva Peron was renown and loved among the people.
Although the Junta was a brutal one, Peron pushed through a number of labour reforms such as a social security, better labour conditions and better wages. Peron was quite popular as well at that time. Eva Peron supported her husband and became very popular with the Argentinean people. She was very active as well and started the Fundacion Ayuda Social Eva Peron which was used to improve the position of the ordinary people. All workers contributed to this fund. With this money she helped to build hospitals, nurseries, homes for the elderly, holiday villages, theme parks, etc.
The interesting museum has information about her life and achievements and holds some special pictures of her public appearances, which were often witnessed by thousands of people.
Address: Lafinur 2988, Buenos Aires 1425
Tel: 54 ...
Fax: 54 11 48079433
Opening hours:
- Summer (November 1, to April 30): Tuesdays to Sundays (and holidays) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Winter (May 2 to October 31): Tuesdays to Sundays (and holidays) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission until 30 minutes before closing.
Closed all Mondays, as well as January 1, May 1, December 24, 25 and 31
Palermo – Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
The Malba was founded in 2001. It’s a privately held institution without profit targets that displays modern and contemporary arts of Latin-America. There are works on display here by famous Latin-American artists such as Argentinean Antonio Berni and Xul Solar, and Mexican Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo.
Address: Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415
Tel.: 4808 6500
Open Wed 12:00-9:00pm; Thursday –Monday and holidays 12:00 to 8:00pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing time
Entrance: 15,- Pesos
65+ 8.- Pesos
Students 5,- Pesos
Disabled, students, children under 12 Free entry
Entrance is $5 Pesos on Wednesday.
Belgrano
Like Recoleta Belgrano is quite an upscale neighborhood. Characteristic for this neighborhood are imposing mansions and countless fancy shops and boutiques.
Belgrano - Riverplate Football Match
If you’re into football/soccer one of the best things to do is to visit a Riverplate match. Riverplate and Boca are the biggest clubs of Buenos Aires (and Argentina) and the Riverplate Stadium in fact is the biggest stadium of the country. Find out if there is a match and if it’s still possible to buy tickets at the stadium. If so go to the stadium during the day to buy tickets and come back in the evening for the actual match. The atmosphere is fantastic as the fans chant and sing to their team during the entire match.
For more info check Riverplate’s official website: www.cariverplate.com.ar
Address: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 7597 (y Udaondo)
Tel: +54...
San Telmo
San Telmo is one of the most quiet and charming neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. During the 19th century this was the neighborhood for the most wealthy families of the city. As such the houses are imposing and full of character. Besides, the cobbled streets give the neighborhood a specific charm. There are some very nice restaurants here and buskers will dance tango on the streets. A visit to San Telmo is highly recommended. The best time to visit is Sunday afternoon as the main road becomes pedestrian and a fantastic antiques market is held in several streets which attracts many locals and tourists looking for a bargain.
San Telmo - Sunday market
Every Sunday San Telmo hosts a great antiques market which starts at Calle de Estados Unidos and continues all the way to Calle Defensa up to Plaza Dorrego. You will find some really cool stuff on this market so take some time to browse.
Sit down for lunch or a drink at one of San Telmo’s great and atmospheric restaurants while admiring the Tango dancers on the street.
Antiques Market Opening time: Sundays 10:00-17:00.
Address : Calle de Estados Unidos
Puerto Madero
The Puerto Madero is the definitely worth a visit. The city port which has recently undergone a complete metamorphosis has a cool and modern atmosphere and boasts some nice restaurants and nightlife. We would say that a must is a visit to the famous restaurant Siga la Vaca. One of the best all you can eat grill restaurants on the planet.
A recommended walk through Puerto Madero starts at the Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo walking south. You cross the river and walk towards the area with the luxurious buildings. Once you reach the river you’ll find street stands with sausages (chorizos) and sandwiches with bondiola (pork). Not to be missed!
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