Which Buenos Aires barrio is for me?

There is no simple answer to this question. It all depends on what type of person you are, and what you want to get out of your time in Buenos Aires. The following descriptions of the main areas to stay in Buenos Aires should help you choose. 

‘Microcentro’ (City Center)

This area is central! For many people this is ideal, and it will put you close to major tourist attractions such as the Obelisk, Plaza de Mayo, the Pink House, the Cathedral, Avenida de Mayo, Congress, Florida Shopping Street, Teatro Colon, Plaza San Martin and a whole lot more. However, in other ways it is not so perfect, because this area is also the most busy with traffic, noisy, and lacking in space. You have to weigh up these pros and cons to make your decision. But if you do stay in the Microcentro, it is very easy to get around on the subte (subway) system, which serves this area well, as opposed to other further-flung parts of Buenos Aires.

Slightly North of Center – Recoleta, Retiro, Barrio Norte

These are generally the most exclusive areas of the City of Buenos Aires (particularly Recoleta), where you will find high class hotels such the Alvear, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Sofitel and the Marriott Plaza. Although they obviously come at a price! In keeping with the exclusivity of these areas, you will also find some of the most upmarket shopping centers, leather shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, art galleries, and parks in Buenos Aires. Also, you’ll be fairly close to the remarkable Recoleta Cemetery, where Evita Peron is laid to rest among many other amazingly decadent mausoleums of the rich and famous. Recoleta and Retiro (mainly near Plaza San Martín) are probably the most pleasantly upmarket areas to stay, if you have the cash required.

A little Further North – Palermo

Palermo is the largest barrio of Buenos Aires, and has several expansive green parks. Among the parks you will find the Rosedal (Rose Garden), Botanical Gardens, Japanese Gardens, the 3 de Febrero boating lake, the horse racing track, and the Buenos Aires Zoo. Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho, are full of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, boutique hotels and small designer label shops.

Palermo is served by Line D (Green Line) of the subte system, which conveniently takes you into the city center, or a little further north to Belgrano (which is another nice, tranquil place to stay, although a little bit further out of the way than the other areas mentioned here). The area is great for both families and young couples alike, and is a very popular place for visitors who decide to rent an apartment in Buenos Aires.

Go South! – San Telmo and Monserrat

These adjoining barrios, just south of the Microcentro, are the most ‘historic’ areas of the city. This is where the city was first founded, and is where some of the few remaining Spanish colonial buildings can be found, mixed in with some beautiful art nouveau and gothic styles from the following historical periods, all in a state of atmospheric decaying grandeur. Cobbled streets abound!

The rich of BA used to live in San Telmo until a yellow fever outbreak in 1871, when they first moved north away from the lowland river areas to their current residences in Recoleta and Retiro. These days, San Telmo is the home to modern Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires, where you will find many Tango shows, clubs, lessons, street performers and even Tango hotels. Sunday in San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego sees the most famous street market (antiques, tango paraphernalia, etc) here, along with the compulsory outdoor Tango dancers and singers.

Adjoining Monserrat has similar architecture, and some of the most interesting churches in the city. However, these areas can be a little sketchy (lots of almost deserted, badly lit streets with little or no police or security presence) at night, so please bear that in mind before deciding on a hotel or apartment in this more ‘atmospheric’ part of town!

Local life: Almagro, Villa Crespo and Chacarita

In the geographical center of the city, the neighborhoods of Almagro, Villa Crespo and Chacarita are wonderful areas if you want to get a taste of local life, particularly if you’re staying in Buenos Aires for more than a few days. These adjoining neighborhoods have leafy streets and plenty of excellent restaurants, bars and milongas (tango dance events) to experience, and are linked to the Microcentro by subte line B (the red line). Almagro is particularly good for tango and alternative theater, Villa Crespo is great for cafe culture, bars and shops, and Chacarita is something of a culinary hotspot, where the city’s up and coming chefs experiment in the kitchens of restaurants on and around Avenida Jorge Newbery.

So there you have it, a list of the main areas to stay in Buenos Aires. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments.

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