Neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, enchants its visitors with irresistible charm and diversity.

Go exploring among the city’s various barrios (neighbourhoods) and experience Argentine culture on a walk through its gorgeous streets. From the vividly colourful buildings of La Boca to the passionate tango rhythms of San Telmo, Buenos Aires has endless experiences to offer each and every traveller, no matter where you go.

We’ve put together some of the exciting barrios you can experience on your tour in this enchanting capital.

The biggest sights in the historical city centre

Take a step back in time to the historical centre of Buenos Aires, the “heart” of the city, where the two neighbourhoods of San Nicolás and Monserrate, collectively known as Microcentro, beckon with some of the city’s biggest sights.

The Plaza de Mayo square is surrounded by key landmarks, e.g., the iconic government building, Casa Rosada, Teatro Colón, which is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, and the Obelisk.

This area also features what is perhaps the widest street in the world, the 140-metre wide Avenue 9 de Julio, which has 12 lanes and was built to commemorate the Argentine independence (9 July 1816).

Football and vivid buildings in La Boca

If you’ve seen pictures from Buenos Aires, then you’ve definitely seen La Boca as well – there are very few places that can boast a district as photogenic as this vibrant and vivid quarter.

La Boca originally housed a shipyard where Italian and Spanish immigrants built houses from surplus materials and paint from ships in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the quarter offers one of the metropolis’s most lively atmospheres.

This historical neighbourhood is famous for two things: the iconic Caminito street, which is packed with vividly colourful buildings and street artists, the football stadium La Bombonera, which is home to the football team Boca Juniors. The world-famous football player and national icon Diego Armando Maradona, who passed away in 2020, played for this club in his younger years and again at the end of his career.

Take a closer look at tango culture in San Telmo

A visit to Buenos Aires won’t be complete until you’ve seen the passionate and sensual art of the tango up close. You can find this in San Telmo.

San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, and it is famous for its Bohemian charm and narrow, cobblestone streets filled with antiques shops, art galleries, and charming cafés.

And of course, the tango!

Tango is omnipresent in this gorgeous district, and you can catch a show in one of the traditional milongas (tango clubs), participate in it yourself, or see this beautiful dance on the street.

If you are in Buenos Aires on a Sunday, San Telmo is also home to a popular flea market, the Feria de San Telmo.

Experience unique architecture in Recoleta

Recoleta is one of the capital’s more well-off districts, and many believe that this is the quarter that gives Buenos Aires its nickname as the Paris of South America.

This charming quarter offers impressive buildings, wide boulevards, and European architecture that could easily be mistaken for a European metropolis such as Paris.

Take a walk along Avenida Alvear, where you can admire the magnificent palaces that once belonged to the aristocracy (and today serve as embassies and hotels), or visit one of the region’s excellent museums, e.g., the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, which houses works of famous artists such as Rembrandt, Cézanne, and Picasso.

Recoleta is also renowned for being the site of the country’s most visited cemetery, the Recoleta Cemetery, where many of Argentina’s most famous figures are interred, including Eva Perón, the iconic first lady who is better known as Evita.

A neighbourhood of neighbourhoods in Palermo

Palermo, the biggest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, offers you a taste of the city’s more trendy and cosmopolitan side.

This neighbourhood has multiple “sub-neighbourhoods” (sub-barrios), each offering unique experiences, e.g., Palermo Chico and Palermo Viejo.

Palermo Chico, home to the rich and famous, is the most elegant and exclusive neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. Taking a walk through this district is an amazing experience, as it offers buildings with gorgeous façades and the city’s largest green park, Los Bosques de Palermo. The area also houses countless art museums and galleries.

Palermo Viejo (viejo = old) actually consists of Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. In Palermo Soho, you can get lost on winding streets and “shop till you drop” in the district’s smart fashion and designer shops. Palermo Hollywood, which sounds more glamorous than it is, was named for its connection to the local TV and film industry and offers trendy bars, stylish restaurants, and vibrant night life.

Maritime charm in Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is Buenos Aires’ newer, more modern neighbourhood at the banks of the rive Rio de la Plata.

This former port area has been transformed into a hotly demanded destination where luxury and maritime charm are united in a beautiful combination. The old industry buildings have been renovated and are now used as exclusive homes, hip restaurants, and trendy bars.

One of the area’s biggest sights is the iconic footbridge, Puente de la Mujer (“Woman’s Bridge”), which was designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

On the wide harbour promenade, Costanera Sur, you can enjoy the view of the river, green park areas, and charming sidewalk cafés.

Be sure not to miss the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur nature reserve, which is located on the eastern side of the harbour area. This 8-km2 area forms a beautiful oasis at the heart of the metropolis where paths lead you through the reserve out to the river. It’s popular to hold picnics, go cycling, and take walks in the area, both for locals and visitors.

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