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It can sometimes be tricky to find some nature in big cities, but Buenos Aires has got your back. The best parks in Buenos Aires are scattered around the city, both big and small. In this blog post, I’m going to fill you in on all the best ones, which are located in Palermo. I’ll also throw in a few extra from various parts of the city.

Palermo Parks: The Big Four

If you’re tired of the city and want to spend the day in nature, you can easily visit the big four best parks in Buenos Aires. Sometimes you’ll even forget you’re in such a massive city. Palermo has four main parks, each unique in its own way.

Carlos Thays Botanical Gardens

Entrance: The only entrance/exit is on Avenida Santa Fe, between Armenia and Gurruchaga streets.
Cost: Free
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 9am – 6:30pm. Opens at 9:30 on Saturday/Sunday. Always closed on Mondays.

I love this garden so much and out of all the best parks in Buenos Aires, this is my favorite. The surrounding streets offer the chaos of the city, but once inside the Botanical Gardens, all of that disappears. It’s easy to forget you’re in the center of a city. The garden is green and lush and calm and peaceful. Older men and women of retired age stroll around the gardens, or read newspapers on benches. School trips on field trips walk through the gardens and greenhouses. Each corner of the gardens are dedicated to a different region of the world. You’ll find streams, fountains and lily pads, statues, etc. I suggest spending some real time here to soak it all up. Bring a book, take a stroll. Breathe in deep the fresh air of the botanical gardens.

Ecoparque

Entrance: There are two entrance/exits. One is just in front of Plaza Italia in Palermo. The other is on Avenida del Libertador, near the carousel. They are at opposite ends of the park, so you can easily enter through one and exit through the other to see the entire park.
Cost: Free
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 6pm; closed on Mondays

This park can be described as fun. It was once the zoo of Buenos Aires, and still retains some of the animals that could not be re-housed when the zoo closed down in 2017. You can see dozens of Maras Patagonicas, which look like rabbits but with long back legs. There are also coipu (look like beavers), peacocks, guanacos, birds, flamingos, monkeys, a camel, a giraffe, and several ostriches. Many of the animals wander openly and freely throughout the park.

The park is long and thin but full of adventure. There are a couple different spots with 4D activities where you can learn about the streams and birds of Buenos Aires. There is also an aquatic museum (with an additional cost). In front of the aquatic museum there is a statue of a Southern Right Whale which doubles as a fountain. This is the type of whale that can be found near Puerto Madryn in Patagonia. There are also moving sea lion and elephant seal statues. Inside the park you can find bathrooms, food trucks, and a great little cafe near the Plaza Italia entrance.

There are also free guided visits:
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm
Saturday, Sunday, holidays: 12pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm

Jardin Japonés

Entrance: The entrance is at the corner of Avenida Caseres and Avenida Berro Adolfo in Palermo. The exit is behind the restaurant.
Cost: 416 pesos
Open: Everyday from 10am – 6:45pm

The Japanese garden is actually slightly smaller than you might expect, though it looks probably exactly as you might expect. There are red bridges and walking trails that extend over ponds filled with koi fish. There are several structures built with classic Japanese architectural design. The curated green plants are abundant. There is a gift shop, snack stand, and a fantastic restaurant. The food in the restaurant is truly authentic.

I went there thinking there was a possibility to be gimmicky Japanese cuisine, but it was quite authentic, and at affordable prices. It was not overly inflated as you might expect a restaurant in a park such as this to be. This may be the only park with a fee attached, but it is absolutely worth it. It’s very peaceful, even with a lot of people around. I recommend spending a couple hours here, including dining at the restaurant. Get a table on the outside patio if you’re able to.

Tres de Febrero

Entrance: There are several entrances along Avenida Sarmiento and Avenida del Libertador in Palermo.
Cost: Free
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 8am – 8pm; closed on Mondays.

This park is quite large and very well taken care of. The park also has several sections to it. There is a Spanish fountain, a large lake with wildlife, and a beautiful rose garden with thousands and thousands of different colored roses. This is a great park to hang out in. Grab a blanket and some snacks, have a picnic, read a book. It’s very relaxing and there are a ton of sections to find a place to relax in the shade. The park does close about 30 minutes before the sun goes down, so it will close earlier in the winter than it will in the summer. There is a bridge in the very back corner that allows you to cross the river and continue your walk around the lake. You can also rent boats to paddle around the lake.

Honorable Mentions: Some Other Good Parks in Buenos Aires

While the four parks in Palermo are easily the most beautiful parks in the city, they are certainly not the only ones. I’ll mention a few others below, by order of neighborhood.

Belgrano:

Lago de Regatas
Entrance: There is no specific entrance as the park is open.
Cost: Free
Open: 24 hours

This park is right on the border between Belgrano and Palermo. In the center is a large lake, and in the center of that is a giant tree with several types of birds making nests. You can take a walk around the lake. In the spring there are beautiful flowers. The most beautiful scene is at sunset.

Caballito:

Parque Rivadavia
Entrance: There are entrances at each corner of the park.
Cost: Free
Open: Everyday 8am – 8pm

This park is not large, but it is very comfortable. There is a giant statue of Simon Bolivar in the center, and several grassy spots around it. On the west end, there is a book fair with several book vendors selling CDs, records, books, magazines, etc for great prices.

Parque Centenario
Entrance: There are several entrances on the edges of this circular park.
Cost: Free
Open: Everyday 8am – 8pm

This is a big, circular park in the Caballito neighborhood, with a large lake in the center. Around the edges you’ll find people exercising and taking strolls. There are markets near the entrances to the park on the weekends.

Puerto Madero:

Parque Mujeres Argentinas
Entrance: You can enter the park along Av. Juana Manso.
Cost: Free
Open: 24 hours

This is a simple park in the Puerto Madero neighborhood. It’s never very full because it’s quite far from the main part of the city. You’ll find people exercising here, and drinking mate under the shade of the trees. There is a lot of wide open green space.

Reserva Ecologica
Entrance: The entrance is on the southern edge of Costanera Sur just behind the Fuente de las Nereidas fountain.
Cost: Free
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 8am – 6pm; closed on Mondays. Closed on rainy days.

This is a massive area that makes you feel totally removed from the city, because in many ways, you are. It’s on the very edge of the city between Puerto Madero and the River Plate. Inside the reserve is one giant loop of a dirt path. You’ll find a lot of runners or cyclists on the loop. There are a few points along the path where you’ll find a clearing in the trees and you’ll have a view of the river.

Recoleta:

Plaza Libres del Sud
Entrance: There are entrances in each corner of the park along Avenida Figueroa Alcorta.
Cost: Free
Open: Everyday 8am – 9pm

This is the park where the Floralis Generica lives. It’s not particularly large, but it does feel safe and peaceful. There are several fixed reclining chairs you can enjoy. There are also a few picnic tables around. You can also bring a blanket and find a nice spot in the shade to enjoy.

San Telmo:

Parque Lezama
Entrance: The park is open and there are entrances on all sides.
Cost: Free
Open: 24 hours

This park is on the southern edge of the San Telmo neighborhood. It is full of tree lined path and shady spots perfect for picnics and mate drinking sessions. Inside the park is a free museum showing the history of Argentina.

Buenos Aires Best Parks

Nature is all around you, even within the bustling city. Take time out to relax and read in the grass. You can even grab your family, friends, or significant other with a picnic (and mate, of course) and head to these parks for a great communion with nature. If you liked this post and are looking for other things to do then make sure to check out my post on Best Cafes in Buenos Aires!