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Buenos Aires is a huge city and choosing where to stay as a tourist can be confusing! This blog is a guest post written by Laura Otero who used to live in Buenos Aires! She has chosen the BEST areas to stay in Buenos Aires based on the neighborhood location, things to do, and safety! She’s also included top hotel and hostel recommendations for every budget!
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is a typical stop if you’re traveling through South America. With its museums, parks, incredible tango shows, and french-style architecture there is tons to see and do!
The city is the home of almost 3 million people so you can just imagine the size of the place. With 48 neighborhoods spread around 203 square kilometers (most of them offering different kinds of accommodation) finding the right place to stay can be quite a challenge.
In this guide, you will discover the best areas to stay in Buenos Aires, what to do in each of them, and ultimately where to stay!
BEST Areas to Stay in Buenos Aires: Guide to Neighbourhoods for Travelers
Here are some of the best areas to stay in Buenos Aires. If you choose any one of the following you’re sure to be in an awesome spot!
Related Read: Learn about the underrated hike Cerro Tronador in the small town of Bariloche, Argentina! It’s one of the best things to do in Patagonia!
Palermo Soho
At the moment, this is the trendiest neighborhood of Buenos Aires! But just two decades ago it was a middle-class, low-key, full of car repairs shops kind of place.
It has changed so much over the last couple of years that if you go there now you won’t even believe what you just read. In fact, it is easily one of the most popular areas to stay in Buenos Aires.
Nowadays, Palermo is the place where you have to be if you enjoy being surrounded by people (primarily young) or if you’re planning to go out at night. The place is crowded with restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Even if you decide to stay in another area of Buenos Aires, you have to visit Palermo! You can see some of the classic Argentinian architecture, go on a food tour, wander around some of the only remaining cobblestone streets of the city, and enjoy shopping in the best-known local brands or in the street market, located in Plaza Serrano.
Even if this area is well-connected, it’s not necessarily close to the main attractions of Buenos Aires so you will have to rely on the bus or subway to go to the city center or to other neighborhoods. A subway trip from Palermo to the City Center can take around 25 minutes.
Local Tip: go to El Preferido de Palermo around 7 pm to have some after-office vermú with the locals.
Hotel Recommendations in Palermo Soho
BA Sohotel: just three blocks away from the subway station and several bus stops, this trendy hotel is perfect if you’re looking to chill after a long day of walking.
Mine Hotel: this award-winning 4 star hotel is well located and has a pool by the garden. Even though it has a lot of nice amenities it isn’t overly expensive. A gorgeous option for where to stay in Buenos Aires!
Selina Palermo: with more of a hipster vibe, Selina is a perfect low-cost accommodation. Rooms here range from comfortable privates to dorm beds.
San Telmo
If you choose to stay in San Telmo, Buenos Aires you’ll enjoy being in a classic area full of history (and tourists!) Being one of the oldest areas of the city, San Telmo will charm you with its lovely facades, tango dancers on the streets, and the famous street market that takes place every weekend.
There are plenty of things to do in San Telmo, like visiting the market that opens daily, or having lunch at a parrilla and enjoying the world-famous Argentinian meat. You will also benefit from being quite close to the main attractions of the city, like the Congress or the Government Building, close to meeting points for lots of Buenos Aires tours, and, if you decide to go outside this area, you have the subway just a few blocks away.
For many, San Telmo is the best area to stay in Buenos Aires for their trip!
Be aware that during the day this area is completely safe, but at night, you should be cautious and don’t wander around alone. Also, avoid carrying your phone or camera in your hand. Just in case, here’s a guide with some local advice to avoid getting mugged.
Local Tip: If you go to the street market and want to buy something try to negotiate the price, you’ll probably get a good discount.
Related Read: We have experienced theft before, if you’re curious read our storytime when we were robbed in Brazil at gunpoint.
Hotel Recommendations in San Telmo
Patios de San Telmo: located less than 3 three blocks away from the subway, this beautiful hotel offers great Wi-Fi connectivity, a pool, and some lounge chairs. Of course, you’ll also have the classic hotel amenities.
L’Adresse Hôtel Boutique: this shabby-chic hotel is closer to La Boca neighborhood. So, if you prefer to be closer to Caminito and La Bombonera, this can be your ideal spot.
Sagardi Loft Ostería San Telmo: how amazing is to stay in a place where every room has a private terrace? This is probably one of the best amenities available in Sagardi Loft. Besides that, it’s a well-located hotel in the San Telmo area.
Recoleta
Did you know that Buenos Aires is called the Paris of South America? And that reputation comes, mainly, from the architecture that you will find in Recoleta.
Recoleta is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city and a few centuries ago, was the place where some of the most wealthy families of Buenos Aires used to live. It’s beautiful and safe – making it one of the best areas to stay in Buenos Aires!
Nowadays, you can find some of the descendants of those families, but mostly ex-pats and people from the inner country that decided to move to the capital to work or study.
One of the things locals and tourists enjoy the most when in Recoleta is the cemetery. I know it may sound weird, but the Recoleta Cemetery is as famous as the Pere-Lachaise is in France or the Necropolis in Glasgow, you just have to go there! The entry is free of charge but if you want to learn a few things about Argentinian history I strongly recommend that you go on a guided tour like this one.
As with every neighborhood that is in this guide, from Recoleta you can easily access other areas in the city with the subway or on a bus.
Local Tip: Avoid eating in front of the cemetery, it is a tourist trap! Try the ice cream at Rapanui and buy a book in the Ateneo Grand Splendid.
Hotel Recommendations in Recoleta
Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires: if you can afford it, this is the place where you want to stay when in Buenos Aires. Classy, high-end, and a central location. The Duhau Palace features a spa and a fitness center, as well as 2 restaurants and a bar, and the building itself has exquisite architecture.
Poetry Building Recoleta: this is the perfect stay if you prefer to be in an apartment more than a hotel. This beautiful building offers private apartments for up to four people with everything you need to feel at home.
Ayres de Recoleta: in this modern hotel you can find studio rooms or apartments, both with all of the amenities a condo could bring.
Related Read: Browse our ultimate guide to visiting Puerto Madryn, Argentina here if you are thinking about visiting!
Belgrano
If you prefer to stay in a place with more of a local vibe, Belgrano could be your perfect match for a neighborhood to stay in Buenos Aires!
Located where the aristocracy used to have their summer houses, nowadays Belgrano is a popular neighborhood for families and young couples.
You won’t find a lot of tourists here, but you will have a more authentic local experience. Besides that, there are some nice places for you to visit, like the Circular Church or the Larreta Museum. Or, if you’re into football, the Monumental Stadium where Argentina won the ‘78 FIFA World Cup is also here!
Belgrano is a perfect mix of massive buildings and lovely houses, so it is up to you which you choose to stay in.
For those on a budget and looking for an authentic Buenos experience, Belgrano should be the neighborhood you choose to stay in!
Local Tip: the garden inside the Larreta Museum is a perfect spot for photos.
Hotel Recommendations in the areas of Belgrano
Urbanica The Libertador Hotel: just 4 blocks away from the train station, this hotel has an amazing rooftop with a pool for you to enjoy if you visit Buenos Aires during the summer. It also has a 24-hour reception and Starbucks breakfast can be included for a small fee.
Sucre Suites: this is a perfect choice if you decide to visit Buenos Aires with a furry friend, because not only is pet-friendly but also it’s located two minutes away from a nice and big park. Besides that, this hotel offers apartments for you to stay in and feel at home.
Argenta Suites Belgrano: if you prefer to get more of a hotel atmosphere, here you will find it. With a pool and a sauna, this hotel sleeps up to 3 people per suite. The location is quite good, only 3 blocks from the subway.
Microcentro
This area is, for sure, the more touristic area you will find in Buenos Aires and, during the week, is also the busiest area of all.
Microcentro is where the majority of the big companies and the banks are located therefore is chaotic. And this chaos is crowded with people going to work, people trying to buy or sell dollars, people selling random things and people pickpocketing distracted people.
As an Argentinian I can say that I don’t like it at all but, as a tourist, you have to see it to believe it.
Also, in Microcentro you will find some of the most iconic buildings, like the Obelisco, the Pink House, and the Kirchner Cultural Center. So, if you stay in the neighborhood you can walk to almost every tourist spot in Buenos Aires. If you’ve only got two days in Buenos Aires and want to hit up the top sights, the Microcenter could be a good choice.
Local Tip: some of the best pizza places are in this area, try to enjoy a pizza in El Cuartito, Las Cuartetas or Banchero.
Hotel Recommendations in the area of Microcentro
NH Collection Buenos Aires Centro Histórico: the amazing rooftop with a pool is reason enough to choose this hotel but, if you want to know more, here you will also find a fitness center and, in some rooms, a private bathroom with a spa bath.
Claridge Hotel: this is one of the classiest hotels in the city. Located in a neo-classical building, they offer everything you need for a perfect stay, including a pool!
Esplendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires: this is a modern hotel, located in a renaissance building, with a touch of history, on every wall you will find a portrait of a personality of Argentina. It’s located close to the Obelisco and one minute away to the Galerias Pacífico Shopping Center.
Some more info about Buenos Aires
As you should know by now, Buenos Aires can offer several types of accommodation. The city has a place for every budget, every family, and every couple and it’s always happy to meet new people.
In my opinion, the best months to visit Buenos Aires are mid-November to mid-December or March and April. If possible, try to avoid the summer because it gets really hot. Besides that, it’s all good.
Buenos Aires is beautiful in every season, is almost always sunny, and not really cold in winter. If you go there in November you will find de Jacarandás blooming, you don’t want to miss that.
There are plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires, the “city of fury”, as locals called it. It can be crazy and overwhelming but the longer you stay, the more you will like it. We put together a guide to spend 3 days in Buenos Aires as that’s a good amount of time to get a feel for the city before continuing on your travels!
Related Read: No matter where you stay, make sure you take a sightseeing tour in Buenos Aires to get a feel for the whole city!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
About the Author:
Laura is a blogger and world traveler who was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although she currently calls Amsterdam home, Buenos Aires still is one of her favorite places in the entire world! You can read more articles written by Laura on her travel blog, Laura No Esta.
Be sure to check out all of our other blogs about travel in Argentina! Or see if these other popular guides from our site catch your interest:
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Tamir Nof
Thursday 18th of May 2023
Thank you so much for the information and the tips. It helped me to get into the mood to going to Buenos Aires.