10 of the Best Neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and How To Visit

The top of the list of neighborhoods to visit in Buenos Aires, El Centro—or San Nicolás as it’s officially called—is the heart of the Central Business District. Sightseeing tours of Buenos Aires all pass through this central hub, where you can browse designer boutiques along Florida Avenue, admire the landmark Obelisk, and peek inside the opulent Colon Theater. For the best views, drive along Avenida 9 de Julio at night; the impressive 12-lane boulevard claims to be the world’s widest.

Within strolling distance of Avenida 9 de Julio, the central district of Monserrat is the seat of Argentina’s government and church. Decades of history have taken place at Plaza de Mayo, which is one of the must-see areas in Buenos Aires and the first stop for hop-on hop-off bus tours. See the Casa Rosada, where Eva Perón (Evita) once addressed the people from the balcony, then visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis performed mass before moving to Vatican City.

Ask any local about the best districts to visit in Buenos Aires, and San Telmo is sure to make the cut. This is one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods, where the cobblestone lanes are peppered with antique shops, tango halls, and cafés. Come on a Sunday to browse the weekly market along Defensa Street, watch local tango dancers performing on the streets of Plaza Dorrego, or spend the evening at a traditional steakhouse or milonga.

Related: A Beginner’s Guide to Buenos Aires’ Parrillas (and Which Ones To Visit)

Another one of Buenos Aires’ better known neighborhoods, the well-heeled residential area of Recoleta has a distinctively European feel. Grand palatial buildings, luxury hotels, and gastronomic restaurants are framed by manicured parks and bustling plazas, best explored on a walking tour or bike tour.

Stroll through the magnificent tombs of Recoleta Cemetery, where Evita and numerous other Argentine luminaries are buried, then visit the famous El Ateneo bookstore, browse the National Museum of Fine Arts, and watch the sunset over the striking Floralis Generica statue.

Of all the historic districts in Buenos Aires, La Boca is the most vibrant. Sitting on the shores of the old port, this gritty yet colorful zone has been forged by working-class immigrants, creating a cultural melting pot that defies modernization, even today. The jumble of brightly painted houses along Caminito Street remains one of the city’s most Instagrammable landmarks, but it’s the cool cafés, burgeoning street art scene, and beloved La Bombonera football stadium that will make you linger longer.

Walk across the tango-inspired Woman’s Bridge, one of Buenos Aires’ most recognizable landmarks, to reach the waterfront district of Puerto Madero. Transformed from old docklands into one of the city’s most stylish districts, the pedestrianized island boasts a glittering skyline of high-rise office blocks that frame its modern port. Snag a table at a waterfront restaurant for the best views, set sail along the Rio de la Plata to Tigre, or cycle around the scenic Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.

With its multiple neighborhoods within a neighborhood, Palermo is a miniature city unto itself. There’s Palermo Chico, with its lavish mansions and MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires); Palermo Soho, with its shopping lanes and chic restaurants; and the nightlife hub of Palermo Hollywood. Once you’ve had your fill of hipster cafés and independent boutiques, escape to the Palermo Woods for a bike tour and explore the Japanese Gardens, the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden, and Buenos Aires Eco-Park.

Hidden away below Palermo in the western reaches of the city, Almagro rarely ranks among Buenos Aires’ top neighborhoods for travelers, but the up-and-coming district is a firm favorite among local residents. This is the place to experience life like a true Buenos Aires resident, whether that’s watching a tango show, browsing the renowned flower market, or indulging in afternoon tea at the 19th-century Café Las Violetas. It’s also a safe spot for accommodation, with two metro lines running straight to downtown.

With its smart shopping boulevards, landscaped parks, and elegant apartment blocks, Belgrano is one of Buenos Aires' most affluent neighborhoods, and there’s plenty to do. Go shopping along Cabildo Avenue, explore the waterfront parks and lake, then pass under the Chinese Archway into Buenos Aires Chinatown to sample the street food. Belgrano’s other claim to fame is its football stadium, home to the River Plate football team, one of Argentina’s most legendary teams.

Proving that Palermo doesn’t have a monopoly on trendy neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, the small Chacarita district is the hangout of choice for locals who want to escape the crowds. Take a walk around Chacarita Cemetery, where Argentine tango icon Carlos Gardel is buried, then browse the weekend handicrafts market at Los Andes Park. Foodies, listen up: Chacarita is also home to some of the city’s most sought-after dining spots—check them out on a food-tasting tour.