When asking the question “Where’s the best place to stay in Buenos Aires?,” the answer is not always straightforward. Every area of the city has its benefits, whether it is closer to certain attractions, has the vibe or character you’re looking for, or offers the services you desire. We help you cut through the clutter and find the best barrio in the city for you.
At Knowmad, as we’re South American travel specialists creating tailor-made adventures, we work with travelers to find the neighborhood and hotel that best fit their needs. We have found that the best Buenos Aires neighborhoods for most visitors are Palermo and Recoleta. These 2 neighborhoods are filled with old-world charm and are well-located without being overly noisy. They are filled with nearby attractions and restaurants, and are easy to get around by foot or vehicle. So which neighborhood is right for you?
PALERMO VS. RECOLETA
PALERMO
Palermo is a huge neighborhood in the north of the city, often broken down into sub-neighborhoods of Palermo Chico and Palermo Viejo, which is then further divided into Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. Each of these sub-neighborhoods has its specific charms and highlights, but as they are easy to move between, it’s simpler to look at Palermo as a whole when choosing your hotel.
Palermo is known for its parks and green spaces, and is great for walking. The neighborhood is trendy and chic, with boutique hotels, lively nightlife, and a flourishing restaurant scene that is perfect for foodies.
WHERE TO STAY IN PALERMO
- 3-Star: L’Hotel is more of a 3-star superior hotel and offers great value. It’s worth going up to a Garden or Superior Room for comfort.
- 4-Star: A current favorite in all of Buenos Aires, CasaSur Palermo is part of the CasaSur properties, which has small hotels with polished décor. This location is ideal for walking, with many options for dining and shopping nearby.
- 5-Star: With rooms themed after famous Argentine legends, Legado Mítico is a wonderful boutique property offering excellent service.
RECOLETA
Home of the resting place of Eva Perón in the Recoleta Cemetery, the Recoleta neighborhood is known for its broad, tree-lined avenues and cafes. It is well-located near downtown and popular attractions while maintaining a sophisticated, upscale feel.
Recoleta is filled with European architecture, art, and museums. Its old-world elegance has contributed to the city being known as the “Paris of South America.”
WHERE TO STAY IN RECOLETA
- 3-Star: Unfortunately, the Recoleta neighborhood doesn’t offer many great 3-star options. If you are looking for the best value, we recommend looking towards the Palermo neighborhood.
- 4-Star: CasaSur Recoleta, as its sister hotel in Palermo, comes at an unbeatable price for its quality and location.
- 5-Star: Recoleta is full of incredible 5-star options. For a boutique experience, our favorite is the luxurious Algodon Mansion, the only Relais & Chateaux property in Buenos Aires. If you’re looking for grandeur and opulence, the Alvear Palace is the ultimate old-world experience. Even if you don’t stay at the property, we highly recommend stopping in for high tea!
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS IN BUENOS AIRES
Deciding where to stay in Buenos Aires can be a difficult choice, and of course not every traveler is best fit for Palermo or Recoleta. Every neighborhood has its own unique appeal. Other popular neighborhoods include the Microcenter, home of major national monuments but more business-focused, the bohemian San Telmo, and the modern Puerto Madero, the trendy port neighborhood with high-end modern hotels.
Still not sure where to stay in Buenos Aires? Give us a call at 612-315-2894 or email [email protected] and one of our Argentina specialists will help you determine which neighborhood is best for you and how to incorporate your stay in Buenos Aires into a custom, holistic South America trip!
Con cariño, Krista
Krista is part of the Operations team at Knowmad Adventures, a company dedicated to creating unique, private and custom trips in South America. She has lived in six countries on four continents and visited more than fifty countries, but is now settled back in her home state of Minnesota where she loves sharing her passion and knowledge with fellow travelers.
