Introduction guide: Three neighborhoods in one day

When visiting Buenos Aires for the first time, it is good to get a hang of the big city, the dimensions of it, and what differences the numerous neighborhoods. A great way to start, is to visit the neighborhoods of working-class La Boca, bohemian San Telmo and fancy Puerto Madero. All this, you can do in one day as the neighborhoods are right next to each-other.

1. Start the day in La Boca’s most famous street, El Caminito (little path). The colorful painted treehouses are full of tango dancers, art vendors and fascinated turists taking pictures. Once, the port was where the European immigrants first set their feet more than 100 years ago. Now the barrio has turned into a symbol of Buenos Aires. Waving from the balconies, you will find the soccer legend who played for the Boca Juniors soccer team, Diego Maradona, the revolutionary Che Guevara and Eva and Juan Perón. Visit the museum of the Argentinean painter Benito Quinquela Martín (1890-1977), who painted laboring men in the dock. On the rooftop terrace of the museum you will have a great view of the port and Riachuelo. If you are up for it afterwards, visit the great contemporary art center Fundación Proa with exhibitions of national and international artists. While in La Boca, don’t stray away from the busy streets, it is one of the poorer barrios in the capital.

Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza

2. Head over to the restaurant Hierbabuena with delicious fresh food and a big juice bar for lunch. They have a combo-of-the-day option, where you get some bread to start, an entrada, main plate with a juice and either desert or coffee at last.

Hierbabuena Deli natural Restaurant & Market, Av. Caseros 454, San Telmo

3. Walk the Defense street pasing antiques stores up to San Telmo’s main square, and the city’s second oldest plaza after Plaza de Mayo, Plaza Dorrego. At day-time you will always find tango dancers performing a la gorra which means that you pay in their hat afterwards. Order a coffee at one of the many cafes with outdoor tables and soak in the beautiful San Telmo atmosphere. The plaza dates back to the 18th century with beautiful colonial building all around.

Plaza Dorrego, at the intersection of Humberto Primero and Defensa Street

4. The day finishes off in Puerto Madero where you can have a stroll at the waterfront surrounded by the red brick buildings and skyskrapers behind. Plan it to see the sunset from Crystal Bar at the 32nd floor of the Alvear Icon with a wonderful view of Buenos Aires.

Aime Paine 1130, Puerto Madero