Abasto
This area is rich in history. Carlos Gardel, the famous tango crooner, grew up and lived in this area. The Abasto Shopping Center (Av. Corrientes), once an open-air market where all of the produce in Argentina was bought and sold, is where Carlos first became famous. Gardel’s home on Calle Jean Guares is now a museum. If you’re a tango aficionado, you must see Esquina Carlos Gardel, the tango show palace.
Barrio Norte
Barrio Norte borders Recoleta, and many times the lines between the two neighborhoods are unclear because of their architectural and physical similarities. Barrio Norte is commercialized to a greater extent; the shops are marketed toward middle-upper class porteños and tourists, many of which can be found on Santa Fe Avenue.
Read more on Barrio Norte here
Belgrano
Belgrano is an upper-middle class neighborhood located north of Palermo. There are many private homes and modern apartment buildings in this area, but not a lot of tourist attractions. Belgrano does feature Buenos Aires’ small Chinatown near Arribeños and Mendoza.
Palermo
Palermo has dozens of sights and must-see attractions, which include:
- The Botanical Gardens (Avenida Santa Fe 3951 at the intersection of Avenida Las Heras) opened in 1898 as the foremost work of world-famous French landscaper and architect Carlos Thays. It’s been estimated that 5,000-6,000 plants species occupy the garden’s eight hectares. The garden is ornamented with sculptures and fountains – a great photographic opportunity.
- The Buenos Aires Zoo is a fantastic place to spend the day. You can find many animal species, as well as art and sculptures.
- The Galileo Galilei Planetarium (intersection of Belisario Roldán and Sarmiento avenues) is five floors and has a circular room with 360 seats. The planetarium is equipped with one hundred projectors approximately. You can view the moon, the sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, as well as 8,900 stars.
- Palermo is the largest and most populous barrio in Buenos Aires. It’s broken into the following districts, each with their own individual flair:
- Las Cañitas
- Palermo Chico
- Palermo Viejo
- Palermo Hollywood
- Palermo SoHo
Las Cañitas
Las Cañitas is the safest of all of the central Buenos Aires neighborhoods. The area is distinguished among the cool, stylish, and nouveau riche as the place to dine out, have a drink, party, and be seen. Many of Buenos Aires’ most beautiful men and women can be seen dining in Las Cañitas on a Saturday night.
The polo field’s proximity makes the neighborhood bars and restaurants a great place for the polo fans to catch the stars of the field dining out on the town. Buy them a drink and join them in celebrating their victories.
Palermo Chico
Palermo Chico was designed by architect Carlos Thays (the designer of the famous Botanical Gardens) and constructed in 1912. The central theme of Thays’ design is “green spaces.” The streets in this neighborhood house some of the finest, most expensive mansions in the capital.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA) can be found at: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415. There’s a very cool Ferrari café on the far right corner of the museum’s grounds. This area also houses a few embassies. (An important note: there is no subway access to Palermo Chico.)
Palermo Viejo
Palermo Viejo began as a bohemian haven for artists, writers and intellectuals. Once forgotten, and riddled with run-down buildings, it’s now the trendiest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Many of the unique fashion boutiques can be found in this charming neighborhood.
Today, you can count 50+ unique bars and internationally-flavored restaurants in this area. Of course you can find local cuisine, but this area is well-known for its international flavor.
Palermo Viejo also splits into Palermo Soho (to the south) and Palermo Hollywood (to the north). The railroad tracks and Avenida Juan B. Justo act as the separating line.
Palermo Hollywood
Palermo Hollywood takes its name from the multiple TV and movie studios, producers, writers, directors and radio stations. If you’re looking to star in a telenovela – you need to start hobnobbing around Hollywood.
The focal point of Palermo Hollywood is Plaza Serrano (a small oval park at the intersection of Serrano and Honduras). The square is the center of art, commerce and energy. Lots of energy! You can buy jewelry, clothing, paintings and many items beyond description. The funky bars, restaurants and shops that surround Plaza Serrano make it a favorite hang-out for the porteños and the tourists.
Palermo SoHo
Palermo SoHo is celebrated for its boutiques owned by local designers, with some amazing restaurants thrown in. We highly recommend Basica Vanguardia, a funky fashion boutique located at Malabia 1968. The owners speak English and they have limited quantities of designer t-shirts and jeans for men, as well as dresses and skirts for women.
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero was once a dilapidated port blemished with old granaries and warehouses. Over the past few years, an influx of money has produced some of the finest hotels, restaurants and buildings in Buenos Aires.
Cabañas las Lilas, where you’ll taste the most spectacular steak in your life, is located in the heart of Puerto Madero.
This area has seen an infusion of money and design talent, and is quickly becoming a focus of investment for foreigners. Google recently announced (Spring of 2007) that the South American Headquarters will be located in Puerto Madero which is a sign of increased investment in the area.
Recoleta
Recoleta is one of the most prestigious barrios (neighborhoods), and is widely touted as the most exquisite area in Buenos Aires. Many of the richest Argentineans reside in Recoleta. The architecture in Recoleta most resembles Paris. On Alvear Avenue, you can find many of the cities historic mansions and boutique shops. The world-renowned Cementerio de la Recoleta (Recoleta Cemetery) can be found at the intersection of Junín Street and Quintana Avenue. The intricate stonework, and the history behind the famous Argentines who rest there, inspire photographers and artists from around the world.
The Floralis Generica, Buenos Aires’ flower sculpture, lights up at night. It’s quite stunning, and a great photo opportunity. Are you a fine art aficionado? You can find Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Rembrandt at Argentina’s top fine arts museum M.N.B.A. you can find modern as well as historical art, admission is free. (Av. Del Libertador 1473)
The Recoleta Cultural Center (1930 Junín Street) exhibits avante garde and modern paintings. The center houses a cinema as well as a museum with galleries and exhibition halls.
Read more here about Recoleta
San Telmo
San Telmo is one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods and was home to the wealthiest porteños prior to the Yellow Fever outbreak in 1877. San Telmo is rich with performers on the weekends, where you can watch an intimate Tango dance, a statuesque mime and bands playing romantic music. The main attraction in this neighborhood are the tango-themed bars and private art galleries.
Calle Defensa is lined with antiques stores it’s San Telmo’s main street. The heart of San Telmo is Plaza Derrago (surrounded by Humberto, Defensa, Anselmo Aieta and Bethlem streets), officially declared as a National Historical Place. The famous Antiques fair is held on Sundays from 10am-5pm. You can find some amazing heirlooms dating back hundreds of years.
Other noteworthy attractions include:
- The “Canto al Trabajo” Monument (location: Paseo Colon 800) is a bronze sculpture of 14 human figures by the Argentine sculptor Rogelio de Yrurtia (1879-1950).
- The “Pasaje San Lorenzo” (location: Estados Unidos and Balcarce streets) – an alley spanning two blocas with the “Galeria de los Patios de San Telmo”, a classic large house of the 1700s, populated by artisans.
- The Gallery of the “Viejo Hotel” (location: Balcarce 1053), formerly a small hotel and declared as Historical Place in 1979, the Viejo Hotel became an art gallery for painters and sculptors.
- The Museum of Modern Art (location: Av. San Juan 350) houses exhibitions of contemporary plastic art.
