Buenos Aires Belgrano | A Guide to the City’s Safest Neighborhood
The Buenos Aires Belgrano neighborhood is considered to be one of the safest areas in the city. It is green and full of great cafes and parks.
Belgrano is known for its safe streets full of dog walkers, beautiful architecture, a plethora of museums, and great weekend markets. This is also where you can find the super cool and updated Barrio Chino (Chinatown).
I’ve spent a lot of time in Belgrano. I even lived there for one month during a transitional period. I always felt safe to wander the streets both day and night. It is close to Palermo if I’m looking for a night out, close to transportation, and full of great places to eat and drink.
This ultimate guide to the Belgrano neighborhood will help you discover where to eat, what to do, and where to stay in this fantastic area.
Summary of Buenos Aires Belgrano
Belgrano is one of the nicer neighborhoods in the city, and some would consider it to be the safest. It’s a middle and upper-class neighborhood, which is reflected in the architecture, houses, and several dog walkers (only rich people can afford to pay for a dog walker).
The stadium for the River Plate futbol team (El Monumental) is also found in Belgrano, as is Barrio Chino.
The Vibe in Buenos Aires Belgrano
Walking around the Buenos Aires Belgrano hood, the wealth can be felt. There are fewer people on the street (once you get off Cabildo), and a lot less chaos. There are several plazas, parks, and green spaces that contribute to a comfortable, laid-back vibe.
The restaurants and cafes also tend to be on the fancier side, which is reflected in the prices as well. Barrio Chino (next to Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano Park) is bustling on the weekends, full of Asian supermarkets, Chinese restaurants, bubble tea stands, and Korean street food. It recently got a facelift and is much more modern.
Is Belgrano Buenos Aires safe?
Yes, it is considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Ask any local and they’ll tell you the same.
Transportation in Belgrano
The Buenos Aires transportation is really good, especially in Belgrano. The subte line D (green) passes through the center of Belgrano, along Avenida Cabildo, which is the main avenue of this hood. Jose Hernandez is the first subte stop at the start of the barrio, followed by Juramento, and ending with Congreso de Tucuman, which is the last stop on the D line.
There are also loads of bus options throughout the neighborhood. All along the center of Avenida Cabildo are several bus stops that will take you to any other part of the city. Two stops of the Mitre Train line also pass through Belgrano (Belgrano C & Belgrano R), though they each head in opposite directions.
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What to do in Belgrano Buenos Aires
From Asian areas to futból games, there are so many things to see and do in Belgrano, Argentina. You will not be able to do it all in one day. Belgrano is one of the best neighborhoods to visit, as it has a vibrant and lively culture that will keep you coming back for more.
Belgrano Barrio Chino
Take a stroll through the Barrio Chino. There is a giant Chinese archway marking the start of the area. This spot has great energy and tons of restaurant options (mainly Chinese and Japanese) for when you are sick of eating Argentinian food. When the rest of the city is quiet on Sundays, Barrio Chino is booming.
In the last year, the construction of Barrio Chino finally finished. There is now a brand new street in addition to the original main street. The new street is clean and modern and lined with great Asian restaurants, supermarkets, and shops all along it. This new street greatly improved the experience of the area.
There are Barrio Chino tours available that will take you through the streets of this area and the greater Belgrano neighborhood. Barrio Chino is a must-see if you’re in Buenos Aires for 10 days.
Futbol in Belgrano
Buenos Aires has 4 major futbol teams, one of which is River Plate (main rival of Boca Jr). The River Plate stadium is on the northeastern edge of the Belgrano neighborhood. There is both a stadium and a museum here. If you’re a big fan, I suggest taking a tour of the stadium and the museum. If you’re a futbol fan, you won’t be disappointed.
One of the best things I did during my time in Buenos Aires was go to a River Plate match. There is so much energy both in the stadium and at the pre-parties in the surrounding streets. It can be tricky to get tickets if you’re not a member of one of the clubs. That said, it’s not impossible.
You can get tickets to a River Plate game at the Monumental Stadium by getting tickets directly from a local Porteño who has access through their club. If you’re a soccer fan (or even if you’re not, like me), it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I suggest going several hours early to drink fernet & Coca-Cola with the locals.
Museo Histórico Sarmiento
This history museum is located just one block from the Museo Larreta, around the same plaza. It is focused on the history of Sarmiento and his military pursuits and social causes. The museum is free, but it only has information in Spanish.
Museo Larreta
This museum holds several items from the Spanish Renaissance and Baroque periods. It was the previous residence of the Argentine-born writer Enrique Larreta. In 1962, this private residence was donated to the city and turned into a public museum.
In the back of the house is a beautiful Spanish-style garden with fountains, statues, and several types of both flora (bushes, palm trees, etc.) and fauna (wild cats). It is free to the public every Wednesday, regardless of foreigner/local status.
Go Shopping in Belgrano
Avenida Cabildo is lined with several shops of anything you ever dreamed of- sheets, jewelry, shoes, clothes, etc. Whatever you need, you can find it there. The side streets have more boutique-style shops with higher prices.
There are a couple of nice second-hand shops (Cocoliche & Galpón de Ropa), though don’t expect the prices of second-hand shops in the United States. In these shops, the quality is good, but the prices are a bit too high in my opinion for second-hand goods.
Relax in the Parks of Belgrano
Buenos Aires is full of great parks, and several of them are in Belgrano.
Plaza Alberti
This park is in the northern part of the hood, a few blocks from the Congreso de Tucuman subte stop. There is a food & veggie market on Tuesdays from 8 am-2 pm.
Plaza Manuel Belgrano
This lovely park is just a block east of Avenida Cabildo. There are several benches and grass patches. You may even get lucky and see dance classes for older folks in the afternoons, and undoubtedly people drinking mate and reading books in the sun.
You can even find one of the many Buenos Aires markets here on the weekends.
Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano
Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano is really more of a park than a plaza that stretches over 3 blocks. Just across the street is the start of Barrio Chino. Dividing Barrio Chino and this plaza/park are the train tracks for the Mitre train line.
This park has a ton of wide open green spaces, as well as beautiful trees, a gazebo, and several benches and small tables.
Plaza los Olmos and Plaza Castelli
There are two small parks diagonally from one another, split by the Mitre line train tracks on the west side of Avenida Cabildo: Plaza los Olmos and Plaza Castelli. The former is a very small pocket park just next to the Belgrano R train stop.
It’s a decent park with benches in the center in a circular fashion. The latter is a bit bigger and a bit greener, where several people go to exercise. There is also a decent playground for children.
Plaza Noruega
Plaza Noruega is also on the west side of Avenida Cabildo in Belgrano. It’s a small park with a children’s playground and a carousel, which seems to be off during the winter months.
Lago de Regatas
The eastern edge of Belgrano is full of parks and green space. The Golf Course and Lago de Regatas are technically in Palermo, however, there is a walking path that goes all around it, right on the edge of Belgrano. People walk, run, and bike there all day long. The evening is particularly peaceful by the lake.
Paseo de las Americas
Paseo de las Americas is a large park divided into two by Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. On one side, there is a wide open space with a statue in the middle, and a public exercise area (with exercise items). On the other side, you can find a skatepark and a playground.
Plaza Parque Nacionales Argentinos and Plaza El Salvador
These two parks are close to each other. Starting with Plaza Parque Nacionales Argentinos. It is a small square corner park across from Paseo de las Americas. There are several trees and spots for picnics and mate sessions.
Plaza El Salvador can be found just a couple of blocks away, on the other side of Paseo de las Americas. Here you’ll find people exercising and playing sports, and hanging out.
Where to eat and drink in Belgrano
Belgrano offers plenty of options for where to eat and drink, especially if you like brunch.
Casa Saenz Belgrano
Casa Saenz is a beautiful lunch cafe, though it is a bit on the pricy side. The food is amazingly delicious and hearty, with mainly vegetarian and vegan options. They open for lunch at noon, and I suggest getting there as early as possible to get the freshest food.
The prepared food sits out on the countertops, so people have the option to stand over it to see what’s there. But that also means people are standing over your potential lunch.
Moisha Cafe, a Jewish Cafe in Belgrano
Moisha Cafe is technically in Palermo, though it’s right on the border with Belgrano, and it feels much more Belgrano-ish, so I’m including it here. It’s a Jewish cafe with fantastic bagels, pretzels, and several coffee options.
Inside is cozy, and the people working here are really nice. Unfortunately, I did not see shakshouka on the menu, which I was hoping to find.
Gordo Vegano
Gordo Vegano is a very small vegan restaurant in the southwest part of Belgrano. The food is delicious, but the design of the space leaves a lot to be desired.
Straying from standard restaurant practice in the city, you must first sit at the table to choose what you want, then go up to the counter to order and pay, and then go back to your table with your number. It’s all a bit awkward, but if you can ignore the layout and lack of layout sense, your mouth will be treated with something special.
Santal in Belgrano
Santal (there are 3 locations) is a quiet cafe and brunch spot. It is quite relaxed and has plenty of tables, both inside and outside, on the back patio. There is a great brunch for two menu at a reasonable price. It’s relaxing to order the brunch bit by bit and enjoy the sun in the garden.
Where to stay in Belgrano Buenos Aires
There are several lovely places to stay in Buenos Aires, Belgrano, especially if you’re looking for comfort and quiet. Here are a few locations I recommend:
Check out these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods
Get to know these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods. Each area is unique and has its own charm. Check out each of the Buenos Aires Neighborhood Guides below.
Guide to the Best Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires
Belgrano Buenos Aires Final Thoughts
Belgrano is the perfect neighborhood for families or anyone looking for a safe, peaceful, and quiet area to live or stay. There are plenty of activities and great places to eat and drink. It is also close to transportation ,so you can easily move around to other parts of Buenos Aires.
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