Buenos Aires/Centro

The center (centro) of Buenos Aires has most of the city's attractions, including performances (especially on Avenida Corrientes) in the Tribunales theater district, the dense downtown area with government buildings, the San Telmo tango scene, and the biggest train station and the general bus station that offers connections to the surrounding provinces and neighboring countries.

Understand
The San Telmo district preserves colonial-style houses along narrow cobblestone lanes, illuminated with pretty wrought iron lanterns. In San Telmo, one breathes the history of Buenos Aires. There is also a very exciting, underground nightlife scene.

Just like the London docklands, the antique port of Buenos Aires (Puerto Madero) has been renewed and now represents the latest architectural trends of the city. It has a mixture of restaurants, ranging from high end to U.S. chains such as Hooters and TGIF. It also has apartment buildings and a few expensive hotels. The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, an excellent option for nature lovers, lies nearby.

The Retiro neighborhood hosts the main train station in the city, a busy area filled with commuters, but also home to some of the most luxurious restaurants, shopping, and partying, in the expat-friendly border of Microcentro. Retiro has attracted people from various kinds of lifestyles, without any strong attraction for any specific group of people.

By Subte
All the Subte lines start from around Plaza de Mayo.

By bus
Buses 33 and 45 from Retiro station connect to the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery.

See
















Do



 * Find a theater show on Avenida Corrientes
 * See the Theater Museum at Teatro Cervantes
 * Walk along Avenida de Mayo: Buenos Aires is one of those cities where the best way to get immersed into it is by walking, walking and walking. With Plaza de Mayo as it starting point, Avenida de Mayo offers a beautiful walk tour. Here you will find many historical buildings, like the traditional Cafe Tortoni, or the impressive Palacio Barolo (which offers one of the best views of Buenos Aires, ask for the guided tour).
 * Tango San Telmo is the heart of the "tourist tango" scene with a dozen different venues offering $30 dinner-and-show combos to the tourbus crowd. While it might be a good spot to get your feet wet, you'll have a more authentic experience elsewhere.
 * Puerto Madero is a great place for a walk. All along the way there is a display of impressive cow art.
 * Take a ferry to Uruguay and other destinations from the Buquebus ferry terminal at Darsena Norte
 * Puerto Madero is a great place for a walk. All along the way there is a display of impressive cow art.
 * Take a ferry to Uruguay and other destinations from the Buquebus ferry terminal at Darsena Norte
 * Take a ferry to Uruguay and other destinations from the Buquebus ferry terminal at Darsena Norte
 * Take a ferry to Uruguay and other destinations from the Buquebus ferry terminal at Darsena Norte

Buy




Eat
Defensa and its side streets, especially Chile, offer everything from Thai to gourmet ice cream with plenty of parrillas and bares y cafes notables (historic bars and cafes).

You will find the prices in Puerto Madero much higher than in the rest of the city—you're paying for location. Sometimes they are worth the price, sometimes not. Fixed price menus (three courses, called executive menu or "menu ejecutivo" in Spanish) can be had with drink and coffee for about €6.25; these restaurants have outside seating areas with excellent views of the dársenas, the Fragata Sarmiento and the old European-style warehouses.

Sleep
San Telmo is chock full of hostels and budget hotels making it an affordable option with easy access to downtown. Every other doorway along Carlos Calvo and Chile seems to be a hostel, so that's a good place to start if you show up without a reservation. Another option for sleeping arrangements is renting an apartment. There are a ton of apartments for rent in the San Telmo area and you can find very reasonable rates on furnished apartments.