PALERMO Buenos Aires | Your Guide to the City’s Trendiest Neighborhood

The Palermo Buenos Aires neighborhood is one of the most well-known. With good reason. Easily walk the streets, visiting hip cafes, breweries, and eateries.

The Palermo Buenos Aires neighborhood is full of life. On your first visit to Buenos Aires, this is the place where you’ll hear about the most. A lot of foreign-led activities happen here (dinners, trivia, etc.) because of its central location within the city and the myriad of things to do.

I have spent a ton of time in Palermo over my several stays in Buenos Aires. As much as I love the other neighborhoods in the city, it’s easy to find myself back here. This Buenos Aires neighborhood guide to Palermo will guide you toward all the best restaurants, cafes, museums, and places to stay.

Summary of the Palermo Buenos Aires Neighborhood

Palermo is one of the largest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and is also one of the most popular, especially with foreigners. Palermo has three distinct smaller areas: Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Soho, and Palermo Chico. If you attend large group events for foreigners, chances are, they will mostly be around one of these areas.

In case you are asking yourself, “What is the difference between Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood?” I’ve got you covered.

Palermo Hollywood

Palermo Hollywood is slower and laid back. The streets are not busy and there are tons of great cafes and restaurants, leaning more toward the upscale end of things. This area is less noisy at night.

Palermo Soho

This is the most central and trendy area of Palermo. It’s where the majority of the nightlife occurs, and there are a ton of international food options. Craft beer is also making waves here and you can find several great spots for a birra. If you like going out at night, I suggest staying in this area, particularly near Plaza Serrano.

Palermo Chico

This is the calmest area of Palermo. There are definitely a few restaurants and cafes around, but not quite as many as in Palermo Soho. It is more of a museum and residential zone in the city.

Trendy Vibe of Palermo

Walking around Palermo, you might forget that you’re in a South American capital. Several of the streets are made of cobblestone and are flesh to the sidewalk, so there are no curbs. The walls are covered in street art, funky posters, and graffiti. Tall trees and branches hang over the street, creating the feel of a garden inside a city.

As you walk the streets, especially at night, you’ll see the unique and funky fashion sense of the Porteños (people from Buenos Aires) come out. Trendy people are having beers and cocktails at outside bars at all hours of the day and night (especially in Palermo Soho).

Transportation in Palermo

The subte line D (green) runs right through the center of Palermo, along Avenida Santa Fe. The stops located within the Palermo area are Bulnes, Scalabrini Ortiz, Plaza Italia, Palermo, Mtro. Carranza, and Olleros.

Two Mitre Train Lines also pass through Palermo with stops at: 3 de Febrero, Mtro Carranza, and Lisandro de la Torre (next to the park).

There are loads of buses that pass through Palermo as well. The majority of which can be found along Avenida Santa Fe, closer to Plaza Italia.

The Buenos Aires public transit system is one of the best in the world. Get a Sube Card and use it to ride the bus, subte, and train lines.

What to do in Palermo Buenos Aires

It would be easy to spend your entire trip in Palermo alone. I don’t recommend that but it’s certainly possible. It feels safe to walk around, there are endless food and drink options, and you can find so many things to do.

Where to shop in Palermo Buenos Aires

The best shops are near Plaza Serrania and Plaza Armenia.

There are also weekend markets in Buenos Aires where you can find a ton of other treasures, including handmade clothing, mate supplies, toys, etc. around those plazas.

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Visit the Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Parks)

Palermo has the most nature of all the neighborhoods, with some of the best parks in Buenos Aires. In the northeast section of Palermo, you can find massive and sprawling parks called Bosques de Palermo (Palermo forests). They are perfect for a stroll, an afternoon merienda, mate, or a picnic.

3 de Febrero Park

This park is large and very well-manicured. Inside, you can find the Spanish fountain and a rose garden with thousands of roses. This is a great place to bring a blanket, have a picnic, or read under the trees.

The Jardin Japonés

This garden is on the smaller side, and costs about 2 USD to enter. It’s very peaceful, and it is exactly as you would imagine a Japanese Garden to be: red bridges over the water, koi fish, beautiful trees. There is a great restaurant inside the gardens, which serves very authentic Japanese food.

The Eco Parque

This is one of my favorite parks in the city. It used to be a zoo, which was shut down in 2017 and now focuses on conservation. However, you can still find many animals inside the park: camels, giraffes, flamingos, guanacos, peacocks, coipu, and TONS of Mara Patagonica (rabbits with long back legs).

There are also 4D events inside the park that discuss birds, streams, etc. about Buenos Aires. The park is exciting for both children and adults. I went with my mom and sister and had a great time.

The Carlos Thays Botanical Garden

These gardens are stunning. It is not a big area, but you can spend a lot of time in here. It’s so peaceful and lush that you forget you’re in a massive city. It’s free to enter and you’ll see several retirees reading the newspaper in the mornings. Closed on Mondays.

Where to Eat and Drink in Palermo

Palermo is a full of great spots to eat, drink, and be merry. I’ll mention a few of my favorites here, but it won’t be hard to stumble on many of your new faves.

Cafes and Bakeries in Palermo

Sheikob’s Bagels

Address in Google Maps: Uriarte 1386, C1414DAL

This bagel spot in Palermo Soho opens at 10 am. Here you can get a fresh homemade bagel with cream cheese or a bagel sandwich. Uniquely, it’s also possible to get drop coffee here, and no espresso drinks. You can pay with a credit card, but they’ll charge you an additional 10%. The bagels are fresh, though the cream cheese is too liquidy.

Oli Cafe

Address in Google Maps: Costa Rica 6020, C1414

This cafe (in Palermo Hollywood) is a fantastic spot to drink coffee, read a book, bring your laptop, do some work, or have lunch with a friend. It’s brightly lit with a lot of natural sunlight coming in. The coffee is good, but the pastries are fantastic and super fresh. I recommend the bagel with dill, capers, cream cheese, pickles, and fish.

Le Pain Quotidien

Address in Google Maps: Nicaragua 6002, C1414

This is a franchise around the city, however, the brunch is absolutely amazing. You get so much food on the brunch menu, which is meant for 2 people, though it could easily serve 3. Great outside patio seating.

Salvaje Bakery

Address in Google Maps: Dorrego 1829, C1414

This cool bakery is right on the border between Palermo Hollywood and Colegiales. It’s a funky alternative bakery with great food options, fantastic smells, and 90’s rock is king.

Moshu Treehouse

Address in Google Maps: Guatemala 4570, C1425

This is a unique cafe/restaurant made with recycled materials, designed to make you feel like you’re inside a tree. Great brunch options, including vegan and vegetarian options. It’s in Palermo Soho.

Trendy Restaurants and Bars in Palermo

Uptown

Address in Google Maps: Arévalo 2030, C1414CQP

This Palermo Hollywood bar is a lounge/restaurant in the earlier hours of the evening but turns into a dance club as the night goes on. Get there before midnight so you can walk through the entryway that is designed to look like a New York City subway car. You should make a reservation, or you might be stuck waiting in line for over an hour.

Ser y Tiempo Bar de Vinos

Address in Google Maps: Gorriti 5910, C1414BKL

This is a fantastic place to listen to live jazz music. They have affordable bottles of wine and a great environment. You can sit inside or outside.

Punch Curry Bar

Address in Google Maps: Costa Rica 4818, C1414 BSN

Located in the heart of Palermo Soho), this Southeast Asian restaurant has Indian and Thai dishes with REAL spice (hard to find in this city). I highly recommend the Thai Salad and the Tom Ka Kai soup.

Mercado Soho

Address in Google Maps: Armenia 1744, C1414

This market is in Palermo Soho and is located in a trendy building with multiple food and drink options. It’s very similar to the Mercat Villa Crespo. You and your friends can order in different places, but still enjoy all together at any of the available tables.

Backroom Bar

Address on Google Maps: Jorge Luis Borges 1975, C1414

This is a trendy wine and cocktail bar. The lights are low and has a romantic evening vibe to it. There are tables inside and outside. There is even a small library inside.

Niño Gordo

Address on Google Maps: Thames 1810, C1414DDL

In my opinion, this is the best restaurant in the city. It has a Michelin Star, and with good reason. It’s a little on the pricey side, but every bite is worth it. It’s a fantastic fusion restaurant with a super cool style and design. Don’t miss this spot.

Tres Monos

Address on Google Maps: Guatemala 4899, C1425

If you’re into cocktails, this is your spot. They have a ton of interesting choices at affordable prices. They’re listed as #7 on the list of 50 Best Bars in the World.

Cochinchina

Address on Google Maps: Armenia 1540, C1414

This bar is listed as #22 on the list of 50 Best Bars in the World. The atmosphere is great, they have cool decorations and designs, good drinks, and it is one of the few places in the country that will automatically give you water (for free).

Activities in Palermo

There is a lot to see and do in Palermo beyond the markets, parks, cafes, and bars.

Museo Evita

Address on Google Maps: Lafinur 2988, B1738ECL CABA

This is a small museum, with a few rooms showing Eva Peron’s outfits, early life, and political aspirations. To be honest, the museum leaves a lot to be desired. I was hoping to learn more about her life, but I left feeling a bit confused. Maybe watch the movie Evita before you go to have a more complete idea of her life.

MALBA

Address on Google Maps: Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, C1425CLA

The MALBA (Museo de America Latina Bellas Artes) is a contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and you can get a discounted price on Wednesdays.

Planetario Galileo Galilei

Address on Google Maps: Av. Sarmiento s/n, C1425 CABA

This is a domed planetarium. You need to make online reservations for any event but tickets are very affordable. Every once in a while they have free entries, but you will need to line up. Inside the building, you’ll find interactive exploratory games and screens.

Check out the Street Art

Palermo is full of bright and fun street art. The best places to find funky streets are the small alleyways near Plaza Serrano. The work is constantly changing but it always gives you the hip Palermo Buenos Aires vibes.

The Hipódromo de Palermo

Address on Google Maps: Av. del Libertador 4101, C1426 CABA

This is actually quite an interesting place. It’s free to enter, and there are also free bathrooms. There are horse races a few evenings a week. There are some beer kiosks and food trucks on the grounds, and in the evenings it is a really pleasant and interesting experience.

Play Trivia (in English or Spanish)

There are a couple of different groups that run trivia around the Palermo neighborhood on Tuesdays and Wednesdays/Thursdays.

The main trivia group meets every Tuesday at Barú. Each week they alternate between English and Spanish.

Palermo Buenos Aires Argentina FAQs

Is Palermo Buenos Aires safe at night?

Yes. I have often walked around Palermo alone at night. Because it is such a busy neighborhood, full of life and nightlife, there are always people walking around. Not once have I felt unsafe in Palermo. Buenos Aires is a big city, so you should always keep your wits about you, but I believe it is one of the safest neighborhoods.

Where is Palermo in Buenos Aires?

Palermo is a neighborhood in the northwest part of Buenos Aires. It borders the Costanera Norte, where you can find the Jorge Newberry Airport. If you look at a map, it is the area with the most greenery.

Why is it called Palermo Hollywood?

As you walk around Palermo, you’ll see how artsy and creative an area that it is. This could stem from the fact that many radio, television, and film studios are headquartered in this area of the city.

Is Palermo a nice part of Buenos Aires?

Yes, Palermo is considered to be one of the nicer neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, along with Belgrano and Nuñez. However, Palermo’s central location makes it one of the best and most convenient neighborhoods to stay in.

Where to Stay in Palermo

Because the Palermo neighborhood in Buenos Aires attracts so many foreigners, there are a ton of great places to stay.

Click here to see a full list of where to stay in Buenos Aires.

Casa Caravan

Casa Caravan is a “plant-based concept house” with a beautiful yard and swimming pool. Breakfast is included. The location is centrally located in Palermo, near shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. You can also do a walking tour.

BOOK NOW to stay in this beautiful garden hotel

First Palermo Hotel

This is the perfect location, just two blocks from Plaza Serrano, where all the action happens. There is a rooftop swimming pool during the warmer seasons. Rooms are clean and cozy.

BOOK NOW to stay in the heart of Palermo Soho

Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo

This hotel is located right on the southern edge of Palermo Hollywood, and close to a subtle station. There is an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. Breakfast is included.

Stay in this beautiful hotel in Palermo Hollywood, BOOK HERE NOW

Check out these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods

Get to know these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods. Each area is unique and has its own charm.

Guide to the Best Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires

Palermo Final Thoughts

From Palermo Soho to Palermo Hollywood, this Buenos Aires neighborhood continues to be a star throughout the years. The streets are cute, safe, and covered in greenery. There are great markets, hip cafes, and international food options. If you have just a few days to spend in Buenos Aires, you’ll find everything you need here.

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