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Discover Buenos Aires' Diverse Neighborhoods: A Guide to Finding the Best Areas to Stay.

Updated: Oct 21, 2024



Buenos Aires is an amazing city to visit. It is a true combination of everything Argentina has to offer. To get to know Buenos Aires, the first thing you need to understand is the city is absolutely massive and is sectioned into various neighborhoods. Each of these neighborhoods has its own personality, adventures, experiences and reasons to visit. If you are visiting Buenos Aires my suggestion would be to stay as long as you can. Our plan is to go back again and stay for our whole 90 day visiting visa allowance. At that point we might have seen half of the things we want to! That's how massive the city is. 


With that being said check out my article Discover Buenos Aires where I give you a summary of the best activities and things to see throughout all of the neighborhoods. This article gives you a little taste of the things to experience in order to see key cultural aspects of Argentina as a whole. 


If you want a complete list of the best cafes, restaurants, and bars throughout the city check out A Taste of Buenos Aires, where I give you the best spots around the city to eat and taste the famous Argentinian Asado. 


Also your research would not be complete without reading my guide Exploring the Heart of Buenos Aires which deserves its own article because of how huge the City Center is, and all of the different experiences you can have there. I havent included the city center here because of how much information there is but if you want your expereince in BA to be in the city center check out that article. At this point I feel like I'm writing Harry Potter sequels with all the prequel articles I'm throwing out but Buenos Aries deserves it.


Heres a quick overview


Best Overall

  • Palermo🌅

    • Vibe: Trendy, young, and green.

    • Why stay here? If you love cafes, boutique shopping, and parks, Palermo is for you. Divided into Palermo Soho (bohemian vibe) and Palermo Hollywood (hip dining scene), it’s the perfect spot for those who want to explore the city's best nightlife and food. Here is something for everyone; quieter smaller community with some of the most interesting restaurants, bars, art, gyms, sports, and grocery. Great for longer living stays, smaller crowds, and a more hometown feel. This is also for those looking to save money but not sacrifice comfort and experience.

    • Best for: Nightlife lovers, foodies, and culture seekers.

    • Where to stay

    • Vibe: Antique and bohemian.

    • Why stay here? The birthplace of tango, San Telmo is full of cobblestone streets, street markets, and quirky cafes. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to experience the old-world charm of Buenos Aires.

    • Best for: Tango enthusiasts, history lovers, and bargain hunters

  • San Telmo 🕰️

  • Recoleta 🏛️

    • Vibe: Elegant and historic. More luxurious experience

    • Why stay here? Known for its French-inspired architecture, museums, and the famous Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Perón is buried), this area is ideal if you're looking for a more upscale, cultural experience.

    • Best for: Art lovers, history buffs, and luxury travelers.

    • Where to stay

  • Puerto Madero 🌅

    • Vibe: Modern and upscale.

    • Why stay here? With sleek skyscrapers, waterfront views, and top-notch restaurants, Puerto Madero offers a luxurious stay. It’s quieter than other areas but still within easy reach of Buenos Aires’ attractions.

    • Best for: Luxury travelers and those looking for a calm, modern atmosphere.

    • Where to stay:

  • Belgrano 🏡



Palermo (Soho)

A beautiful neighborhood known for being the hub for restaurants, bars, and street art. If you are looking to stay outside of the city center, which is what we usually do, Palermo is the best option, especially in the Soho area. The Soho area is where the most concentrated section of bars, restaurants, AirBnbs, and gyms are located. I enjoy being able to walk most places and here is where you can walk to lunch and dinner, home from the bar, to the gym, and even to the grocery stores and pharmacies. Palermo has several subsections but for the sake of necessary information Soho is the best area to find great accommodation. 


Where to Stay....


Budget-Friendly


(50-70 USD a night)


A lively hostel with a friendly atmosphere, offering both dormitory and private rooms. Great for meeting other travelers.




A charming guesthouse with affordable rates, clean rooms, and a cozy common area. Ranging around 50-60 USD a night






Air-conditioned accommodation with a rooftop pool, city view and a balcony, Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a lift.




Mid-Upper Range


This property offers access to a balcony. Spacious apartment is fitted with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with garden views.




Upscale apartments with a modern design and kitchen facilities, perfect for longer stays.





Luxury Stays


A luxury eco-friendly hotel with a beautiful design, spa services, and a rooftop terrace with stunning views.






Each of these options offers a unique experience, making Palermo a great base for exploring Buenos Aires!


Sightseeing... 


The Hollywood area is where you will find most of the street art, media production agencies, art galleries and most of the creative side of Palermo. It’s worth a look but doesn't have a lot of great options for staying in the area.   


Another important part of visiting Palermo is its massive collection of greenspace that stretch from one side of Palermo to the other designed by landscaper Carlos Thays (fun fact).  


 The Tres de Febrero Park is an assortment of beautiful roses with benches and places to take a good book or listen to music. The park is surrounded by a lake and is just an oasis of roses and serenity. 


Jardin Botanico is a garden separated into sections of flowers and plants from different countries. It's really interesting how each area represents staples from different areas of the world where you can learn more about botany. NOt going to lie, put me in a botany seminar. I will fall asleep and i didnt actually read all of the stories but I love the visuals. 


Finally, The Jardin Japones is a Japanese style garden that is filled with beautiful cherry blossom trees and Japanese architecture. I really love cherry blossoms and something about walking through this garden is enchanting. 


San Telmo 

San Telmo is a vibrant neighborhood in Buenos Aires known for its historic charm, cobblestone streets, and lively cultural scene. With its fun bohemian vibe, this is the spot for experiencing Argentinean culture first hand. They host weekly markets for local vendors to sell their hand made goods, from jewelry, and clothes, to food, music, and dancing.


Where to stay....


Budget Friendly


($50-60/night)


A chic hostel with a mix of dorms and private rooms, featuring a pool and a bar.




Mid Range


($60-80+/night)

An intimate relaxed boutique hotel with personalized service and modern decor, perfect for couples.





Entire apartment with one bedroom and kitchen. Great for couples with access to the amenities, pool gym etc. Right in the heart of the neighborhood.




Luxury

(250-500/night)


A boutique hotel with stylish rooms and a cozy courtyard, ideal for a more upscale experience.





Explore Culture...

 

The Mercado de San Telmo has all the shopping, tasting, and entertainment that makes Argentina so amazing and if you have the opportunity to go on the weekends this is when it really comes to life with its street markets check out Plaza Dorrego on Sunday for Sunday Feria. You will experience open art galleries, street vendors selling trinkets and clothes, dancers, singers, food carts cooking fresh food, and everything in between. 


Catch a show at El Viejo Almacén where you will see live Tango dancing by some of the most talented dancers in Argentina. Tengo is the dance of love and these shows get spicy! 

Check out El Zanjón de Granados which is essentially an underground tunnel system from the original construction of Buenos Aires. You can see the construction of waterways and homes.  


Recoleta

This neighborhood is loaded with nice boutiques, townhomes, a culture center, art center, parks, plazas, museums and home to some of some of Buenos Aires must sees. This nighborhood is perfect for people who are looking for a more luxurious experience.


Where to stay...


Budget-Friendly



($19-30/night)

A friendly atmosphere with affordable rates, close to key sites. Offers classes and a sense of community that is great for meeting new people.




Mid Range


($70-80/night)

Provides a solarium and air-conditioned accommodations in Buenos Aires, a 10-minute walk from Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Guests can enjoy access to a sun terrace and to a seasonal outdoor pool.





This beautiful apartment has all the amenities of home and features eco-friendly design and a rooftop terrace. Here you are right in the center of the action.





Luxury



($350-500.night)

Modern accommodations with great amenities, including a gym and a restaurant.






($600-750/night)

A historic, five-star hotel with luxurious amenities and a prime location






Must Sees...

  

Home of the Floralis Generica. This is a massive steel flower sculpture that sits in the middle of a reflective pool. It is the first moving sculpture controlled by a hydraulic system and photoelectric cells . The petals open during the day and close at night. 


The location of the famous Recoleta cemetery. This cemetery is the final resting place of notable people, including Eva Perón, presidents of Argentina, Nobel Prize winners, the founder of the Argentine Navy, and military commanders such as Julio Argentino Roca.


El Torso Desnudo is just a bronze sculpture of a man's torso. I don't know why this is on my list but it is because we saw it and I laughed a little at the weird things that end up getting put up by artists 


La Boca 

This smaller working class neighborhood is full of history and life. With the center being futbol, La boca is known for being the most celebratory neighborhood in Buenos Aires. 


Where to Stay.....


($70/night)

Located near the iconic Boca Juniors stadium, this hotel combines comfort with a unique sports theme.



Exploring the neighborhood...


Buenos Aires is home to over 30 soccer stadiums in its metropolitan area making it the city with the most in the world. La Boca is home to the largest stadium in the city ‘La bombonera’, home of the la boca junior futbol team. This chocolate box shaped stadium is the center of life for this neighborhood where people congregate to cheer, cook, sell, buy, and socialize during events. 


Stroll down Caminito Street. This street was brought to life by artist Benito Quinquela Martín after the houses were abandoned when the railway was shut down. The rail path was paved over with cobble stone and is now considered an open-air museum of the industrial area this neighborhood started as. 


Puerto Madero

The newest and highly developed district in Buenos AiresGet a sense of corporate life in Argentina. Puerto Madero is right by the port and stretches across to the river. It’s filled with corporate skyscrapers and business areas. Great to walk through and see all the business buildings, eat at the steakhouses and see boats bring in some of Argentina's biggest imports. Being able to see why this city became so massive and booming is truly an experience. 

 

Where to Stay...


($60-70/night)

Small and simple with amazing views and right in the heart of the neighborhood. This is great for people that want a place to sleep and want to go out most of their time here



This spacious modern apartment has all the things you would need for a family or an extended stay. Included are full kitchen, living, book and gym.






A32-floor modern building with great panoramic views of the city and the river, located on the banks of the Río de la Plata. The property is 0.6 mi from Plaza de Mayo Square and a 13-minute walk from Cabildo.




Places to eat...


The River BoardWalk 

Now let's get to the budget friendly options. Instead of starting with a specific restaurant I highly recommend walking along the river, Rio Dique on the boardwalk starting at the Puente de la Mujer. On both sides of the river there are tons of fabulous restaurants, food trucks, bars, and clubs. If you can't make a decision on where to eat let impulse be your guide along your walk. My partner was super happy too because there is a negroni bar, which is his go to drink, and has all different types of negroni drink varieties.

By the river and the restaurant/patio is floating in the water. Go in the evening as it's beautiful when the sun goes down. They open at 7pm and you'll need a reservation. 


Hands down one of the best places for meat and deserts. And yes designed as tribute to the Chuck Berry song this restaurant is rock and roll themed. Fun and exciting atmosphere!


Belgrano

Belgrano is one of Buenos Aires' most charming and residential neighborhoods. Located in the northern part of the city, it offers a peaceful quiet residential retreat from the bustling center while maintaining easy access to key attractions. It also has a vast amount of green spaces, shopping and dining. Lastly even though it is a bit farther from the city center the Subte Line D subway provides easy transportation to and from the city center.


Where to Stay...

($100/night)

Urbanica offers a sleek, contemporary design with minimalist decor, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a stylish, boutique hotel experience. The rooftop pool offers stunning city views, and it’s located close to the Belgrano parks and key shopping areas.

 



($70/night)

Sarum Hotel Design combines comfort with an elegant, modern style. It’s well-located near public transportation and Avenida Cabildo’s shopping district, offering convenience and style for travelers who want a mix of leisure and business facilities.




($207/night)

Argenta Suites is known for its spacious rooms so its preferred for longer stays. The outdoor pool and garden area are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. It’s located near many shops and restaurants but still maintains a peaceful atmosphere



($72/night)

A small, friendly hotel with personalized service, Juramento de Lealtad offers a homely feel with modern amenities. It's located near Barrancas de Belgrano and the subway, making it a comfortable and convenient choice.




And more…. 

There are so many more neighborhoods and areas to explore. I have given you everything I know as a visitor but if you want more information on all of the neighborhoods in BA along with their sub regions check out GringoInBuenosAires. There is a lot of information to sift through so good luck but this will help if you really want more information. As always reach out to help get your trip booked today. I offer customized experiences and want to create the best trip together.



Greer Ransom | Travel Advisor

Phone/Whatsapp: +1 (706) 248-9565

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