Buenos Aires Neighborhoods and Where to Stay
Puente de la Mujer, Puerto Madero
This is a list of some of the most popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and where to stay depending on your activities and preferences.
Puerto Madero
An old shipping port turned into a chic, modern neighborhood. It’s full of high rises, luxury hotels, and pricey restaurants.
You can definitely find the same quality food for much less in other neighborhoods. However, I can’t deny how gorgeous it is. It’s a perfect place for an afternoon stroll and/or happy hour drink if you just want to visit.
Stay here if you want to have a luxury vacation.
Monserrat
Comparable to Times square in Manhattan. This is where you will find the Obelisco, Casa Rosada, theaters, tango shows, leather shops, and a million people. Fair warning: the streets get a bit sketchier after dark.
Stay here if you want to be in the center of the city, walking distance to sights.
San Telmo
The heart of the city. Comprised of mostly 2-3 story colonial homes and narrow cobblestone streets. There is an amazing daily food market as well a (very crowded) street fair on Sundays worth visiting if you love high-quality artisan goods like handmade leather bags and pottery.
Stay here if you love history and culture.
Recoleta
Where rich Argentinian’s come to retire and sip cappuccinos mid afternoon. The buildings are taller than San Telmo but maintain the same grand architecture. Home to the Recoletta cemetery, the burial grounds for famous Argentinians. Right next to it is a beautiful plaza with a market on the weekends.
Stay here if you want to be near the city center but away from loud nightlife.
Palermo Chico/Botanico
Beside Recoletta is Palermo Chico, where even richer people live. The MALBA, or museum of modern art is here, and behind it are a few streets full of gorgeous 20th century homes.
Botanico is right beside it as it borders the city’s botanical gardens. The Jardin Japones, Paseo El Rosedal, and zoo are all next to each other, if you want to explore the parks. Be sure to go later in the day as the midday sun is fierce.
Stay here if you want to be in a chill area.
Palermo Soho
The cute, trendy neighborhood FULL of tourists, shops, bars, cafes, and parties. If you don’t like to plan too much this is the perfect place. Walk down any street and you will find something to do.
There are Airbnbs and boutique hotels here, often in homes or newer buildings. Book them a few blocks away from Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia to ensure you sleep well at night.
Stay here if you want to be in the mix AKA surrounded by people and activities.
Palermo Hollywood
I lived here for 6 months and absolutely loved it. Unlike Palermo Soho, this neighborhood is much quietier. It can be more expensive too, depending on where you go out to eat/drink. That said, I ate and drank incredibly well every where I went here from the morning bakeries to late night dive bars.
Stay here if you want access to a rooftop pool and full city view.
Belgrano
A bit further away from the downtown center, although just as full of activities and people. My favorite area is the Barrio Chino which has a ton of shops, restaurants, and bars within a 4 block radius. It’s a great place to hangout for a day if all you want to do is eat and relax. Not much sightseeing otherwise.
Stay here if you want to stay away from the touristy center but still surrounded by activities.
Villa Crespo
Palermo’s grungy little sister that’s also cool but has less parties, museums, and tourists. Parque Centenario, my favorite park, is here as well as my favorite hole-in-a-wall restaurant, Condarco. Avenidas Corrientes & Cordoba have heavy traffic so make sure to get a place a couple blocks away if you want a peaceful Airbnb.
Stay here if you like discovering chill local spots.
Learn more in my Argentina Travel Guide and Top Places to Visit in Argentina.
