Puerto Madero

San Telmo, south of Plaza de Mayo, is one of Buenos Aires' oldest neighborhoods: cobblestone streets, faded facades, antique shops, and a vibrant tango and art scene characterize the area. After the cholera and yellow fever epidemics of the 1870s, wealthy families moved north, and immigrants moved into their houses.Plaza Dorrego is the heart of the district. Every Sunday, Calle Defensa transforms into a long street market with antiques, handicrafts, musicians, and tango dancers. In the evenings, the bars and Parrillas fill up, and on weekends, San Telmo becomes one of the city's liveliest nightlife districts.

Buenos Aires is Argentina's capital and, with over three million inhabitants in the city proper and many more in the greater metropolitan area, it is the country's political and cultural center. The city is located on the west bank of the Río de la Plata and is divided into 48 barrios, each with its own distinct character. Wide boulevards, Belle Époque architecture, traditional cafés, and a vibrant tango scene define its image.The historic center, with Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, and the Cabildo, is located close to the river. South of it lies San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods, with cobblestone streets, antique shops, and its Sunday market. Even further south, by the old port, is La Boca, with its brightly painted houses along Caminito and the La Bombonera stadium. To the north, you'll find elegant Recoleta with its famous cemetery and beyond that, Palermo, the largest barrio, with parks, boutiques, and the nightlife districts of Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. Finally, by the water, lies Puerto Madero, the newest neighborhood in the converted docklands.

The capital city on the Río de la Plata is the starting point for most travelers to Argentina: Intercontinental flights land here, and domestic flights to all parts of the country depart from the city airport Aeroparque. Buenos Aires itself, with its barrios, cafés, museums, and tango venues, easily fills several days.

La Boca, situated by the old port at the mouth of the Riachuelo, is the city's most photographed neighborhood. In the 19th century, mainly Italian immigrants settled here in conventillos, simple corrugated iron tenement houses painted brightly with ship's paint. The painter Benito Quinquela Martín shaped the neighborhood's image and advocated for Caminito to be declared a street museum in 1959.Besides Caminito, the La Bombonera stadium of Boca Juniors and the Fundación Proa art center attract visitors. Two to three hours are sufficient for a tour. Stick to the tourist area between Caminito, Proa, and the stadium, and visit the neighborhood during the day; the city's tourism authority advises against walking through La Boca in the evening.

Recoleta is the elegant district of Buenos Aires. After the epidemics of the 1870s, wealthy families settled here and built city palaces in Parisian style, many of which now house embassies. The district gets its name from a Recollects monastery, whose church Nuestra Señora del Pilar from 1732 still stands.The main attraction is the cemetery with its magnificent mausoleums, including the tomb of Eva Perón. Nearby are the Centro Cultural Recoleta, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and the steel flower Floralis Genérica. On weekends, a large arts and crafts market takes place on Plaza Francia.