What are the Best Buenos Aires Neighborhoods?
If you’re coming to the city and want to know the best Buenos Aires neighborhoods, this guide will help you know where to eat, where to stay, and the general vibe of each area.
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and diverse city with something to offer for everyone. From the historic streets of San Telmo to the trendy bars of Palermo, the 48 neighborhoods of Buenos Aires are as varied as they are captivating.
I have spent a lot of time in Buenos Aires over the past 20 years. I lived there in my early 20s, teaching English. Since then, I’ve returned multiple times to stay for extended periods. It is one of the international cities I know the best in the whole world.
Throughout all of my visits to the city of Fury, I’ve gotten to know the neighborhoods very well. This blog post will bring you to the ten best Buenos Aires neighborhoods. I’ll tell you the vibe of each area to help you decide where to stay and what to do during your time in Buenos Aires.
The 10 Best Buenos Aires Neighborhoods
To help you plan your visit, I have put together a list of the 10 best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, each with its own unique charm and character. From the bustling city center to the quieter residential areas, these neighborhoods are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
I have listed these ten neighborhoods (ok, more like 12 actually) below in order of popularity, where travelers tend to visit, spend time, go out, seek entertainment, etc. You can easily visit each of these neighborhoods with 10 days in Buenos Aires.
1. Palermo
When you start discovering Buenos Aires best neighborhoods, you will undoubtedly hear about the Palermo Neighborhood. Everyone loves it, and with good reason. It is full of trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs. It just feels “hip.”
This is one of the largest neighborhoods. The two most popular areas are called Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho.
Palermo Hollywood
Palermo Hollywood is in the north of the neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes around, though it feels much more like a calm and relaxing version of Palermo Soho.
Palermo Soho
Soho is where the excitement happens. In the summers, Palermo Soho streets are full of people from afternoon to the wee hours of the morning. People are enjoying the nice weather or having a drink outside with friends.
This is also where a ton of expat meet-ups tend to be, as several foreigners live in this neighborhood. Because of its popularity, it also tends to be on the more expensive side if you’re looking for apartments in Buenos Aires.
What to do in Palermo
- Visit the parks: Parque Tres de Febrero, a Japanese garden, Eco Parque, and the Botanical Gardens
- Stroll around the MALBA (modern art museum)
- Have a late dinner at a trendy restaurant
- Try some amazing cocktails
- Check out the planetarium
- Go shopping at the weekend markets in Plaza Armenia and Plaza Serrano
Where to stay in Palermo
- Casa Caravan – Plant-Based Concept House
- Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo
- First Palermo Hotel
2. San Telmo
The San Telmo neighborhood is one of the oldest and most historic in the city, known for its charming cobblestone streets and colonial-era architecture. The neighborhood is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, and is home to many antique shops, art galleries, and tango halls.
What to do in San Telmo
San Telmo is a great place to hang out. It’s pretty empty on week days, but gets busy on weekends and evenings.
- Go to the Sunday San Telmo Market
- Do the Zanjón de Granados tour
- Stroll around the Mercado San Telmo (covered market with restaurants)
Where to stay in San Telmo
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3. Recoleta
The Recoleta neighborhood is one of the most upscale in Buenos Aires, known for its elegant architecture, refined culture, and upscale shops and restaurants. The neighborhood is home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of many notable figures in Argentine history, including Eva Peron.
The nicer parts of Recoleta are definitely surrounding the Recoleta cemetery. As you venture further away from the cemetery and more towards Avenida Santa Fe, it starts to feel more “city”- busy, hectic, and bustling.
What to do in Recoleta
- Visit the Recoleta Cemetery
- See the Recoleta Cultural Center
- Go to the museums (National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires.
- Get a drink at Buller Brewery to see the cemetery from above
- Walk around the parks
- See the Floralis Genérica
- Check out the avant-garde library
Where to stay in Recoleta
4. Microcentro (Monserrat & San Nicolás)
The Microcentro in Buenos Aires is composed of two main neighborhoods called Monserrat and San Nicolás. This is the main downtown of the city where you can find a lot of the political and cultural institutions. There are a ton of free things to do in this area.
What to do in Microcentro
- See the San Martin tomb in the Catedral Metropolitana
- Check out the Casa Rosada and its museum
- Visit the Cabildo
- Walk down Calle Florida
- See a show at Teatro Colón
- Take a picture with the obelisk
- Buy a book at El Ateneo Grand Splendid
- Walk down Avenida Corrientes and its bright lights
- Go to the Palacio Cultural Libertad (previously CCK)
Where to stay in the Microcentro
5. La Boca
The La Boca neighborhood is one of the most touristy, but also the most sketchy, in Buenos Aires. It is famous for its colorful houses, which were built by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. One of the most famous soccer teams in Argentina, Boca Jrs, has its stadium here, La Bombonera.
La Boca tends to be the most touristy area of the city. Because of this, restaurant prices in the heart of the hood are drastically more expensive than any other area. If you go outside the main tourist area, prices are much more reasonable. That said, you should also be much more cautious outside of the main tourist center of La Boca.
It tends to be on the “sketchier” side, and any local will tell you as much. My phone was snatched right from my hands while having lunch at one of the local restaurants. You should go, but you should be cautious here.
What to do in La Boca
- Walk along El Caminito
- Check out the shops on Magallanes St.
- Visit La Bombonera and Boca Jr museum
- Visit the museums (Fundación Proa, Benito Quinquela Martín Museum, and MARCO
- Walk along the colorful port
6. Belgrano
The Belgrano neighborhood is an upscale residential area located in the north of Buenos Aires. It is known for its tree-lined streets, large parks, and elegant architecture. The neighborhood is home to many embassies, consulates, plazas, and museums.
Bonus: Just north of Belgrano is the neighborhood of Nuñez. It is much less popular and rarely visited by travelers, but it has a ton to offer- from great restaurants and cafes to a very safe and chill atmosphere.
What to do in Belgrano
- Visit the Museo de Arte Español Enrique Larreta
- Go shopping along Avenida Cabildo
- Walk around Barrio Chino (Chinatown)
- Hang out in a stylish cafe
Where to stay in Belgrano
7. Puerto Madero
The Puerto Madero neighborhood is modern and upscale, located in the east of the city. It is known for its renovated warehouses, which have been converted into luxury apartments, trendy restaurants, and high-end shops.
The neighborhood is also home to the “Ecological Reserve,” a large nature reserve that offers visitors the opportunity to take walks along the banks of the Rio de la Plata and see a variety of native plants and animals.
What to Do in Puerto Madero
- Visit the Ecological Reserve
- Have a choripan along the Costanera Sur
- Check out the “Puente de la Mujer” (Woman’s Bridge)
- Have a drink at a bar along the water
Where to stay in Puerto Madero
8. Villa Crespo
The Villa Crespo neighborhood is a residential area that is up and coming. It is next to the Palermo neighborhood and is full of restaurants and cafes. It is also famous for its leather shops and outlet stores. Villa Crespo is a great place to experience the diversity of Buenos Aires and to discover the lesser-known aspects of the city’s culture.
I personally love this neighborhood the most because it has the best of everything- the calm and quiet of Belgrano, but the convenience and atmosphere (just a bit more chill) of Palermo. You can easily walk a few blocks and find yourself in Palermo if you’re looking for more excitement.
What to do in Villa Crespo
- Go shopping at the outlet stores
- Buy a leather jacket
- Eat Asian food at the Mercat Villa Crespo
- Watch a short play at the microteatro
Where to stay in Villa Crespo
9. Colegiales
Colegiales is a residential neighborhood located in the northwest of Buenos Aires. Known for its quiet streets and leafy parks, it is considered one of the most tranquil and peaceful areas in Buenos Aires. The neighborhood is home to many families, students, and artists, and it’s considered a middle-class area.
The neighborhood is known for its many bars, cafes, and restaurants, particularly on the streets “Federico Lacroze” and “Juan B. Justo,” which offer a variety of dining options, from traditional Argentine cuisine to international dishes.
Colegiales is a great place to experience a more relaxed and residential side of Buenos Aires, while still having access to a variety of dining and entertainment options.
Bonus: One neighborhood next to Colegiales is Chacarita, and it is on the verge of becoming one of Buenos Aires’ next cool spots.
What to do in Colegiales
- Have a craft beer at Strange Brewing
- Have a cocktail at one of the many vermouth bars
- Stroll around the parks
10. Almagro & Caballito
The Almagro and Caballito neighborhoods in Buenos Aires are very similar. I like to group them together because they are right next to one another and have pretty similar vibes. Almagro is the first neighborhood I lived in in Buenos Aires and I loved it. It has everything you need.
What to do Caballito & Almagro
- Have a picnic in Parque Rivadavia
- Visit the book fair in Parque Rivadavia
- Go to the weekend markets at Parque Centenario
- Meet friends at the Patio de los Lecheros
Where to stay in Almagro & Caballito
Buenos Aires Neighborhood FAQ
How many neighborhoods does Buenos Aires have?
Buenos Aires has 48 neighborhoods, however, you will unlikely visit all of them. There are 10-15 main neighborhoods where all the action happens. The rest of the neighborhoods are mostly residential and far from the center. The main neighborhoods are listed in this post.
Is Buenos Aires a good place to live?
This is a subjective question. The answer is yes and no. Buenos Aires is a big city that takes a long time to cross; it is noisy, and there is always construction going on. You can hear cars honking all the time.
On the other hand, the public transportation in Buenos Aires is fantastic and easy to use. There are a ton of events happening every night in the city, so it is easy to get involved and meet people. The foreign community is really strong, and there are various types of groups to join.
Buenos Aires is a city with amazing parks and a fantastic cafe culture.
Is Buenos Aires a dangerous city?
Like any other major city in the world, Buenos Aires can be dangerous. I got my phone stolen in broad daylight. That said, I never felt afraid in Buenos Aires outside of that one terrible experience.
Keep your phone hidden and stick to the main avenues at night.
What are the best neighborhoods to live in for expats?
The majority of foreigners in Buenos Aires live in Palermo, as there are a ton of events happening there. There are also several great international food options. After Palermo, you can find foreigners living in Recoleta, Belgrano, Villa Crespo, and many other areas.
Check out the Buenos Aires neighborhoods
Get to know these Buenos Aires neighborhoods in their own personalized guide. Each area is unique and has its own charm.
Buenos Aires Best Neighborhoods: Final Thoughts
Buenos Aires is such a fantastic city, with so much to find in each neighborhood. I hope you’ll give yourself some time to wander and get to know the uniqueness of each one. There really is something for everyone in Buenos Aires.
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