Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Exclusive Spots in Argentina’s Capital

The neighborhoods of Buenos Aires each offer something unique. If you’re visiting Argentina and would like to witness the capital’s rich cultural offerings, artistic buildings, lively markets, vibrant nightlife, and flavorful food, don’t miss these 12 neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, is located on the eastern shore of the Río de la Plata estuary. 

The city of Buenos Aires is home to over 2.9 million people. It is the largest city in Argentina, with a total area of 78 square miles (203 square kilometers). 

Buenos Aires is divided into neighborhoods or “barrios.” Today, 48 neighborhoods are officially recognized — each with a unique vibe like the modern Palermo or historic San Telmo. 

Exploring Buenos Aires 

Buenos Aires is considered a modern pedestrian-friendly city. If you decide to stay in a busy neighborhood like Microcentro, you’ll be far from many of the best restaurants, boutique hotels, and attractions like Obelisco and Plaza de Mayo. 

Biking is also a common mode of transport. But if you’re not used to the Argentinian humidity, I recommend you skip the bike tour and see the sights via public transport.

Visitors can also go around the well-maintained roads of Buenos Aires by taxi, car rental, or ride-sharing services (like Uber and Cabify). The city also has efficient public transportation systems that include a subway (subte), trains (trenes), and buses (colectivos).

I recommend the subway if you’re exploring the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. This method is the cheapest, at around 30 Argentine Pesos/ARS (0.04 US Dollars), with options to buy daily or monthly passes. 

You can ride the city bus since it can reach every neighborhood of Buenos Aires. But take the trains if you’re staying in the city but visiting nearby suburbs.

12 Top Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires 

Here are my top 12 Buenos Aires neighborhood recommendations, ranked from must-visit at least once to must-visit again and again: 

1. San Telmo

There are 3 reasons why San Telmo tops my recommendations of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. 

First, antique shopping here is next-level. Second, tango street performers. Third, you can feel San Telmo’s rich history as you walk the cobbled streets of Calle Defensa. After all, San Telmo is the oldest Buenos Aires neighborhood. 

• Must-experience: If you came here for the arts, go on a San Telmo Art Walk. If you came here for the tango, check out the El Querandi Tango show near Plaza de Mayo. If you’re visiting for antiques, go treasure hunt-hopping at places like Gabriel del Campo Anticuario or San Telmo Chico. 
• Must-see places: El Zanjón de Granados (a museum with an underground tunnel), Pasaje La Defensa (a colorful and historic passage decorated in art), and Mercado de San Telmo (an indoor market with all the good Buenos Aires food you can get your hands on). 
• Where to stay: If you’re looking for luxury Five Star accommodations, there’s Anselmo Buenos Aires (a Curio Collection by Hilton). For a budget-friendly option, pick Sabatico Travelers Hostel. 

2. Palermo

While Palermo is known as a trendy neighborhood with bustling nightlife, it is also my go-to choice if I need fresh air. The largest parks in Buenos Aires and my favorite Rosedal (rose garden) are here.

I also recommend Palermo Hollywood (a sub-district of Palermo) for anyone looking for the best nightlife spots. 

• Must-experience: Pick the historic Palermo Viejo area if you can only visit one place in Palermo. It’s a magical-looking place with colonial-style structures and cobblestone streets. 
• Must-see places: Palermo Soho (another sub-district with a bohemian vibe and adorable boutique shops), Planetarium in Palermo, and MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires).
• Where to stay: Master Hostel Borges is a budget-friendly, boho-themed hostel. It’s one of my favorite homey hostels in Buenos Aires. 

3. Centro (San Nicolas and Montserrat)

The unofficially called “centro,” “microcentro,” or downtown Buenos Aires, isn’t a neighborhood. It is made up of two neighborhoods: San Nicolas and Montserrat. 

Ironically, it is also not the “center” of Buenos Aires. However, since this is where you’ll find the government and financial institutions, it is considered the city’s heart. 

• Must-experience: Plaza de Mayo is the best example of Buenos Aires plazas. It has witnessed almost every protest, celebration, and gathering. 
• Must-see places: Obelisco (a famous landmark in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio and Corrientes Avenue), Teatro Colon (stunning opera houses), Metropolitan Cathedral (an architectural and religious must-see), and Plaza de Mayo (where you’ll have a view of presidential building Casa Rosada’s famous balcony). 
• Where to stay: Set in a gorgeous 1894 colonial building, La Fresque Hotel is an impressive boutique hotel in the middle-priced range. It’s also a few steps from Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada! 

4. Chacarita

Chacarita is the best neighborhood in Buenos Aires for foodies. 

• Must-experience: If you’re coming here for the food, make sure to visit El Preferido de Palermo (for traditional Argentine foods like parrilla), Sarkis (Middle Eastern cuisine), Los Pibes Parrilla (and their Argentine BBQ), Fábrica del Taco (Mexican tacos), and La Fondue (French cuisine), among others. 
• Must-see places: La Chacra organic farm and Chacarita local markets.
• Where to stay: Don’t expect any Four Seasons or business hotels here. The best-value places to stay in Chacarita are furnished condo units like this Andes Park property.

5. Almagro

If you’re staying in the capital of Argentina for longer than a couple of days, Almagro is an ideal neighborhood to stay at. Almagro is a residential area that offers the best of Buenos Aires with its cultural spots, traditional cafes, tango venues, and iconic Argentine cuisine. 

• Must-experience: Go bar- or cafe-hopping. Almagro has multiple hidden cafes and eclectic bars (like the soccer-themed El Bandarín) on its streets. You can join food-trip tours and try traditional parillas (steakhouses) and local dishes like milanesa (porkchop-like steak, chicken, or fish). 
• Must-see places: Teatro Colón (a theater and venue for film and art exhibits) and Mercado de Abasto (a 20th-century market now turned into a vibrant shopping center). 
• Where to stay: Spoil yourself at this superb Hotel Boutique Racó de Buenos Aires.

6. Belgrano

Belgrano is home to Barrio Chino, the Chinatown of Buenos Aires. There are also a variety of dining options in this residential neighborhood.

• Must-experience: Besides Chinatown, visit Avenida Cabildo for all the must-try cafes and restaurants offering local Argentine food and international fare. 
• Must-see places: Barrancas de Belgrano (a park with a French-inspired garden) and Museo Sarmiento (a museum honoring the works of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento).
• Where to stay: Argenta Suites Belgrano ups the game by pampering you with the comfiest extra-large beds, private balconies with spectacular city views, and a location near many Buenos Aires tourist attractions.

7. Recoleta

Home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, Recoleta is an upscale neighborhood with gorgeous French-inspired architecture, cultural venues, and luxury shopping. 

• Must-experience: Go on a walking tour of Argentine arts, from Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (The National Museum of Fine Arts) to cultural centers and theaters like Centro Cultural Recoleta and Teatro El Ateneo. 
• Must-see places: Floralis Genérica (a giant metal flower sculpture), Baroque-style Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, and Recoleta Cemetery (where you can see elaborate mausoleums and the final resting place of Eva Perón). 
• Where to stay: Up Recoleta Hotel is a nice boutique hotel at the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood. 

8. Villa Crespo

If you’re looking for a good spot, Villa Crespo has numerous stores, antique shops, leather-good boutiques, and art galleries. 

Villa Crespo is also known for its up-and-coming art district and nightlife scene with a mix of tango spots, cocktail bars, late-night cafes, and live music venues. 

• Must-experience: Go to Scalabrini Ortiz Avenue and eat a traditional Jewish deli and authentic Argentine cuisine. 
• Must-see places: Shop at Mercado de Pulgas (flea market for vintage-hunting), Paseo de Compras Murillo (for local fabric and textile), and Villa Crespo Cuero (for all the leather goods your heart desires). 
• Where to stay: Miliño Apart Hotel has everything you need (kitchen, Wi-Fi, family rooms) and proximity to all the good bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. 

9. Boedo

You simply cannot skip watching a tango performance when you’re in Buenos Aires. What is the best neighborhood to witness it? Boedo, or “barrio tanguero,” whose deep connection to tango music, dance, and history is still alive. 

• Must-experience: Esquina Homero Manzi, named after the renowned tango lyricist Homero Manzi, is the venue to check out if you’re after a memorable, traditional, live tango experience. Many tango dancers dream of working at this iconic spot.
• Must-see places: Plaza Boedo (the main square), La Poesía (a super-popular, historic cafe with a lovable bohemian vibe), and Boedo’s streets (where you can hunt and take pictures of cool murals and graffiti everywhere). 
• Where to stay: Continue living in Boedo’s historic charm with your choice of accommodation. I recommend you stay at Posada Gotan, a quaint bed and breakfast perfectly set in an 1890s house. 

10. Puerto Madero

Go to Puerto Madero if you’re looking for an elevated experience. Aside from the calm Rio de la Plata waterfront setting, Puerto Madero is also known for the best upscale dining spots and busiest nightlife.

• Must experience: Stroll the yacht harbor and Costanera Sur promenade. If you have time to spare, take a detour at the nearby eco-park, the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur. 
• Must-see places: Puente de la Mujer (an iconic bridge designed by architect Santiago Calatrava) and Museo Fortabat (a museum showcasing Argentine art).
• Where to stay: Resort Experience in Puerto Madero boasts of hotel-quality rooms and amenities with lake views but with apartment-like prices.

11. Flores

Flores is another laidback neighborhood known for its authentic community feel, a range of Argentine cuisine, and a mix of tree-lined streets with historic houses.

• Must-experience: Meet locals at Plaza Flores, the main square where people gather to shop and hang out at cafes.
• Must-see places: Basilica San José de Flores (for stunning architecture) and Mercado de Flores (traditional flower and plant market).
• Where to stay: Since Flores is less known than the more touristy neighborhoods, fewer hotels are available. You won’t have problems finding clean apartments like Rent Apart Caballito or Apartamento Lautaro. 

12. Colegiales

If you want some quiet cafe time and shopping without busy tourists, Colegiales is an underrated neighborhood perfect for a non-typical tourist stop.

• Must experience: Go cafe-hopping at Cafe Colegiales and Salvaje Bakery.
• Must-see places: Colegiales has its flea market (Mercado de las Pulgas) and two major areas (Avenida Elcano and Federico Lacroze) for dining and shopping. 
• Where to stay: Live Soho Boutique & Apartments Belgrano is a clean, eco-friendly 5-star apartment with the same chill vibe as the entire neighborhood.

For more accommodation options, you may click on the map.

Helpful Tips To Stay Safe During Your Buenos Aires City Tour

• Use the SUBE card: This card can be used to pay for buses, trains, and subways. The initial SUBE card costs 635 ARS ($1) and is rechargeable at many kiosks around Buenos Aires and some other cities in Argentina. 
• Dress appropriately: Check the weather forecast when planning what to wear. Summers in Buenos Aires can be hot. 
• Check events in small neighborhoods: Go beyond the typical city tour. You don’t need to spend much money to enjoy live music, tango shows, and other cultural performances. Even small neighborhoods showcase them at their plazas. 
• Additionally, consider protecting yourself with travel insurance such as SafetyWing, which can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen incidents during your stay. Use the widget below to snag the perfect policy for your needs and travel with peace of mind knowing you’ve got your back covered, no matter what adventures come your way!

Frequently Asked Questions – Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires

What Is the Safest Area of Buenos Aires To Stay?

The safest area of Buenos Aires is Palermo, ideal for walking around town for shopping, food, and activities. For a quieter atmosphere, consider the residential neighborhoods of Belgrano.

What Is the Oldest Neighborhood in Buenos Aires?

San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. It dates back to the 17th century and is home to some of the most impressive architecture in Argentina.

What Is the Richest Neighborhood in Buenos Aires?

Palermo stands out as Buenos Aires’ wealthiest and largest neighborhood, renowned for its chic bars, upscale boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. Divided into distinct districts like Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, it offers diverse attractions and a thriving real estate market. Recoleta, famous for its historic cemetery and affluent residents, along with Puerto Madero, known for its luxury living and record-high property prices, contribute to the city’s upscale residential landscape.

What Is the Biggest Neighborhood in Buenos Aires?

Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s so big that it has smaller neighborhoods like Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho, and Palermo Hollywood. 

What Is the Famous Colorful Neighborhood in Buenos Aires?

La Boca is a neighborhood known for its street art and eclectic, vividly-colored buildings and houses. Tourists flock to Caminito, in particular. This “little path” in La Boca is considered a street museum thanks to the striking, unique art and tango performances. 

Anyone can take a free tour around La Boca. I recommend you take a paid, two-hour walking tour (USD 10 to 15/person) to learn more about the history and artists beyond the art. Paid tours come with an English-speaking travel guide, too.

Conclusion – Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has many neighborhoods, each showing a lively Argentine culture and history mix. Whether it’s the energetic feeling in Palermo or the nostalgic charm of San Telmo, each area adds something special to the city’s overall atmosphere. 

Walking around the streets, you’ll see different architectural styles, delicious food, and traditions that have existed for a long time. If you want to fully experience the local culture, Buenos Aires is a fascinating place to visit.

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