BALVANERA Buenos Aires | Your Guide to the Furniture Neighborhood
Balvanera Buenos Aires is not anywhere near being the most famous neighborhood of the city, but it is the best place to buy furniture.
Balvanera Buenos Aires is one of the city’s lesser-known neighborhoods, and with good reason. There are not a lot of entertainment options or tourist attractions here, so not a lot of people visit. It’s mostly known amongst locals as the furniture area. This is where you should come if you want to get new goods for your home.
I lived one month in the Balvanera neighborhood, and I probably wouldn’t do it again. I felt isolated and far from everything going on. When I first reserved my apartment here, I didn’t realize how boring this neighborhood actually was.
I made this post in part to show you where to get furniture in Balvanera, and partly so you don’t make the same mistake I did. I was only there for one month, but it was a sad and lonely month.
Summary of Balvanera Buenos Aires
The Balvanera neighborhood of Buenos Aires is located between Almagro and San Telmo, just near Congreso. There are several small markets around. This is the neighborhood of furniture. Along Avenida Belgrano, you can find shops for mattresses, kitchen tables, sofas, lamps, etc. If you’re furnishing your home, this is the spot.
What is the vibe of Balvanera?
I’ll be honest here. Balvanera is not one of the great neighborhoods of the city. It feels a little depressing. There are no cute cafes, nothing of the charm of Palermo or Colegiales. Unless you are living here or buying furniture, I can’t imagine any other reason to come.
Is Balvanera Buenos Aires safe?
I never had an issue or felt unsafe during my time in Balvanera. That said, I definitely felt more comfortable during the day than the night. If you’re out at night in Balvanera, then I suggest sticking to the avenues where there are more people and more lights. The smaller streets are much darker.
Transportation in Balvanera Buenos Aires
There are several subte stops in Balvanera. While the area itself is a bit depressing, it’s centrally located and easy to get to, and the proof is in the transportation. Buenos Aires has great transportation.
On line H (yellow, goes north to south), you’ve got the stops Venezuela, Once, Pueyrredon, Corrientes, and Cordoba.
Lina A (light blue) gives you Pasco, Alberti, and Loria. With line B (red), there is Callao, Pasteur-Amia, Pueyrredon, and Carlos Gardel.
Line D (green) gives you Facultad de Medicina. There are also several bus stops all around this area. You’ve also got the Estacion Once stop on the Sarmiento train line.
Go Shopping in Balvanera Buenos Aires
As mentioned above, Balvanera is for furniture shopping. The shops range from the more economic end to extremely high-end (very ‘cheto‘). Some shops look like they were made to furnish Madonna’s Manhattan apartment. Others look like they’re meant to furnish a university student’s first apartment.
I went to several shops while looking for a sofa and dining chairs when I moved into a new apartment in BA, so I got to know many.
Cirik Muebles
I ended up purchasing a great sofa from Cirik Muebles, for both the quality and style, but also because they were a great help, and really cool to me.
Some of the higher-end shops gave us a “Pretty Woman” vibe. Big mistake. Huge!
Madereras
There are a ton of woodworking shops in this neighborhood as well. You can get custom-made pieces at a fraction of the cost. Though I did see the cheapest wooden pieces at the Puerto de Frutos in Tigre.
Plaza Miserere
Around Plaza Miserere (the Once subte stop/Estacion Once Sarmiento line), there is a massive market with shops both inside and outside. There are people selling things on the sidewalks.
Prices are lower, and you can find good deals. However, if you go, go with caution. People are packed on the sidewalks from the curb to the building, and it is known to be a bit more sketchy. Thieves abound. Don’t take out your phone or wear any flashy jewelry. Put your backpack in front.
I got my phone stolen in La Boca, and this area is even more sketchy.
Relax in the Parks of Balvanera
Plaza Primero de Mayo
Plaza Primero de Mayo is a small plaza where children play on the playground, and adults do exercise classes in the evening. There is a carousel, statues, and murals created in 1925 in honor of the workers’ struggle.
Plaza Velasco Ibarra
Plaza Velasco Ibarra is another very small corner park with a playground for children and evening adult exercise classes. It’s very much a family park. There are beautiful murals, fixed tables, and chairs.
Where to eat and drink in Balvanera Buenos Aires
Since Balvanera is a very local neighborhood and lacks the glitz of Palermo or the Bohemia of San Telmo, what you’ll find here are very simple, family-owned restaurants. But that also means much more affordable prices.
Parrilla El Litoral
I actually lived in this area for one month, so I was able to try out a few different places. My favorite was called Parrilla El Litoral. Here you can get a delicious steak, guarnicion (a side), and a glass of wine for affordable prices.
Chicho’s
Another fantastic local spot was Chicho’s. They have affordable lunch and dinner promos, and the people who work here are incredibly kind.
Dome Rooftop Bar
This is not technically in the Balvanera neighborhood, but it is close. It is on the rooftop of the Tango Hotel. It is one of the best rooftop bars in Buenos Aires.
What to do in Balvanera Buenos Aires
There isn’t much to do in the Balvanera neighborhood of Buenos Aires besides furniture shopping, shopping at Plaza Miserere/Once, and eating at local restaurants. But there are a few things to do nearby.
Tour the Congreso Building
You can do free tours of the Congress building every weekday. The English tours are at 12 pm and 5 pm. No need to make a reservation. Go to the office (on the left side of the building) about 15 minutes early to register. Don’t forget to bring an ID. This is one of the many free activities in Buenos Aires.
Madres de la Plaza de Mayo
In Plaza Congreso, you’ll find a center dedicated to the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Here you can learn about Argentina’s history with the military dictatorship through the eyes of the mothers who lost their children.
However, there is not a ton of written information, unfortunately. There are many photographs and newspaper prints. The mothers still march around the plaza every Thursday at 3:30 pm. It’s worth taking a look sometime.
Check out these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods
Get to know these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods. Each area is unique and has its own charm. Make sure to check out each Buenos Aires Neighborhood Guide below.
Guide to the Best Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires
Where to stay in Balvanera
If you do need to find a place to stay, here are a few recommendations:
Balvanera Buenos Aires Final Thoughts
Balvanera Buenos Aires is a great place to eat cheap food or buy furniture. If you’re looking for cheap rent, this could also be an option. But don’t expect any entertainment or fun things to do.
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