‘What neighborhood (barrio) should I choose for my vacation in Buenos Aires city’, is a question that both guests (travelers) and our advisors sometimes struggle to answer.
We advise our guests, but only you can decide what ‘floats your boat.’ Buenos Aires Stay strives to offer balanced information to help you reach the right decision.
Firstly, we can best help you with a quick geography lesson.
Argentina is vast country subdivided into twenty-three provinces (States or Counties) and one autonomous city (Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, [ciudad buenos aires] Capital Federal).
The city of Buenos Aires and the provinces each have their own constitution and are part of a federal system similar to the United States of America. The province of Buenos Aires is huge and home to nearly 50% of the country’s population!
The province of Buenos Aires comprises of partidos (districts). Within each district is a capital city and localidades (towns).
Buenos Aires city, Capital Federal, divides into barrios (municipalities and neighborhoods).
Capital Federal covers an area of only 77 square miles home to the landmark Buenos Aires’ barrios that hug the Rio del La Plata from Belgrano in the north to La Boca in the south.
There are many more barrios in Capital Federal, but for this Buenos Aires barrio guide we intend to describe only the most popular tourist barrios. If you want to more information just drop us an email.
What can complicate matters is that Realtors (Estate Agents) and owners further subdivide the barrios. Palermo for instance, in the north of the city, has smaller unofficial neighborhoods - Las Cañitas, Soho, Hollywood, Chico and more recently Nuevo. These areas do not have boundaries, property owners often list their properties as being in one of these neighborhoods when they fall outside the barrio boundary. If a property falls outside a barrio’s boundary, we clearly make that point in our property particulars.
Within this guide to the barrios of Buenos Aires, we also include links to more detailed information on each barrio, sightseeing, eating, entertainment and hundreds of apartments for rent listed from the cheapest apartment in ascending price order. Our website makes it even easier to focus on your ideal apartment, with an advanced search feature allowing you to choose the exact amenities that you require for your Buenos Aires Stay.
Moving north to south, we describe in short the landmark barrios of Buenos Aires.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires – Belgrano
Belgrano apartments tend to be modern and upscale in a barrio that combines a charming blend of Recoleta’s architecture, Puerto Madero style, luxury apartment blocks and low-rise family homes. This is a fabulous leafy barrio with a suburban feel, where travelers can enjoy the best ice cream in Buenos Aires, explore burgeoning Chinatown and walk across to most parts of Palermo in under 30-minutes. Belgrano’s fast-pace commercial zone is located on Avenida Cabildo, located approximately 20-minutes by subway (Subte) to El Centro. If you are tourist by day and a quiet bunny by night, then Belgrano is safe haven. You will find peace and quiet away from Buenos Aires busier tours barrios.
Where should I stay in Buenos Aires – Palermo?
Palermo apartments and Palermo Buenos Aires, the largest barrio in the north of Buenos Aires City is currently the travelers’ first choice. Quality apartment blocks and tree-lined residential streets of wider Palermo, Palermo Chico and Hollywood contrast wonderfully with the hip, young, and happening low-rise Palermo Soho and upscale and modern Las Cañitas. The neighbourhoods benefit from cute cafes, abundant boutiques, first-class cuisine, and a frenetic nightlife. With many divergent neighborhoods, wonderful garden squares, the Bosques de Palermo, the Hippodrome, Japanese Garden and botanical garden, this barrio is truly a rare gem and Palermo’s grand family of neighborhoods are highly recommended.
Las Cañitas is recently regenerated and the epitome of trendy-chic. Exclusive properties, quality bistros and a busy nightlife define Las Cañitas as another thriving part of Palermo. With grand-openings occurring constantly and an eclectic foreign community, Las Canitas is quickly becoming one of the Buenos Aires most popular neighborhoods
Palermo Viejo (Soho & Hollywood)
Palermo Viejo (old Palermo) is the trendy, vibrant and arty neighborhood of Palermo’s grand family of neighborhoods. Independent designers, culinary experts and happening bars explode onto the Soho and Hollywood scenes making Palermo Viejo the “must see and be seen in” destination. Old Palermo divides into Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood; there is no end to fabulous shopping, eating, wandering, and partying until dawn. Palermo Soho during the peak tourist season and weekends is very busy both night and day and therefore noisy when you want to be a resident.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires – Recoleta
Recoleta is one of the grandest barrios in the City of Buenos Aires. Recoleta is the traditional high-class “old money” barrio of Buenos Aires located between Palermo and El Centro. Ritzy art deco apartment buildings, beautiful plazas, and fine museums make this one of Buenos Aires’ most sought after neighborhoods. Well-groomed public spaces and gourmet restaurants feature Recoleta as the barrio for luxury travelers. Recoleta is one of our favorite barrios; it has everything, it is safe and well policed.
Where should I stay in Buenos Aires – Abasto
Abasto is one of Buenos Aires’ tango districts that exude a sultry-tango- romance day and night. The home of tango legend Carlos Gardel, Abasto is famous for its traditional tango salons. Abasto shopping is a produce market turned mega-mall and brings class and commerce to Abasto whilst adding to the wonderful “euro-tecture” of Buenos Aires. This is a central area with good communications that offer easy access to the tourist areas north and south. Abasto is fast gentrifying, but possible not quickly enough for those who seek upscale luxury accommodation.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires – Downtown
El Centro or downtown is not a barrio and includes (at BAStay) parts of Montserrat, St. Nicholas and Microcentro. El Centro, the commercial centre, is Buenos Aires City’s brain-center and hums with an energy that never dies. It is the hub of all governmental action, union protests, and the best access to all of Buenos Aires City. Alongside the historical monuments are excellent shops, restaurants and plazas – it is Buenos Aires’ most ‘complete’ barrio. Loud and fast-paced days turn into laid-back nights and a refreshing pause from the day’s hustle and bustle. It is the city centre so noise and pollution are two factors that some might consider a turn-off. If you are in Buenos Aires for business or a short stopover, this is the place to stay.
Where should I stay in Buenos Aires – Plaza San Martin?
Plaza San Martin and Recoleta compete for the title of most elegant Buenos Aires’ neighborhoods. Plaza San Martin boasts incredible art deco architecture, grand plazas, and historical landmarks and is an ideal place to live, tour and breath Buenos Aires. This exclusive district was ‘pied de tier’ for Buenos Aires’ very richest landowners and their legacies are still very evident. Fabulous restaurants and shopping are abundant, this apart of Centro is close to Retiro, Florida Street and we have many apartments tucked away on nice quiet residential streets.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires- Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires’ newest ‘docklands’ barrio with striking upscale apartment buildings which attracts visitors who love modern-chic-waterside-living. Renowned restaurants with water views, a beautiful portside boardwalk, infamous all-night clubs and a city ecological reserve offer something for everyone. Towering luxury high-rises, renovated warehouse style apartment buildings, and brand-name stores line the residential streets of Puerto Madero; it prides itself on being the cleanest and safest barrio in the City of Buenos Aires for those who want and can afford first-world luxury – if you want the real Buenos Aires’ vibe this barrio can seem a little sterile.
Where should I stay in Buenos Aires – San Telmo?
San Telmo sizzles with a bohemian-chic and is a historical part of Buenos Aires. Wandering the narrow streets, visitors feel captivated by the wonderful antique shops and antique row houses. From classic bars and antique markets to new fusion restaurants and independent boutiques, San Telmo is Buenos Aires’ most heterogeneous barrio and captures the heart of locals and foreigners alike. The weekend brings a flood of commerce with a market that stretches all the way to Plaza de Mayo. At night, we still recommend taxis and avoiding the late night ‘louts’ around Plaza Dorrego.
Where to stay in Buenos Aires – La Boca? Possibly not!
Buenos Aires goes back to its immigrant roots in indulgent La Boca barrio. Home to La Caminita, the famous tourist street, La Boca evokes a carefree romance personified by tango dancers performing in the street and rowdy locals cheering on the Boca Juniors Futbol Club. Along neglected cobblestone streets, colorful houses exemplify the rejection of serious city attitudes and invites visitors to see the sillier side of Buenos Aires. This area is dangerous after the tourists depart and the police leave the streets. Hold on to your valuables, even during the day.
The city of Buenos Aires (Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires, [ciudad buenos aires]) has very distinctive barrios of great charm and character. Buenos Aires city, and indeed, Buenos Aires province are marvellous tourist destinations with something for everyone.
Book a Tour
Business Owner
Trusted Partners
[...] Where to stay in Buenos Aires [...]