As I was saying in my post on Caminito, Buenos Aires is not the most beautiful city on Earth. In fact, when, inspired by the stunning views of Rio, we asked the hotel concierge what the best place to get a panoramic view of the city would be, he was truly puzzled. Unable to get a meaningful answer, we have soon discovered that the best place to see the city is, in fact, our hotel room at the Park Tower Hotel. That’s why I am sort of overusing different versions of this picture in my posts on the Argentinian capital.
For instance, that’s what you get during the day time.
View on Torre Monumental from the Park Power Hotel, Buenos Aires
So Buenos Aires is almost the opposite of Rio. The comparison, however, runs in the opposite sense as well: the Argentinian capital is everything Rio is not, too. For starters, it is not dangerous: an 8 year-old with a gun asking you to hand him over your money and your passport (true story) stays in Brazil. You see people wearing jewellery, expensive watches, branded sunglasses and they are fine. That’s refreshing after Rio. What you also feel right away is a different level of life sophistication. Buenos Aires has it all for a good life: truly great restaurants, art markets, Miami-like neighbourhoods with hipster cafes, endless parks and classic and contemporary museums with the world’s finest collections. It opens up a totally new perspective on a daily life in Latin America, making you feel at home, but with a twist of tropical set up.
Nothing illustrates Buenos Aires better than this modern-slash-art-deco building, tucked between the classic European style baroque houses and a splurge of posh green.
A twist of arc deco and modern in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Unlike Rio, with key monuments far from each other and unreachable by foot (well, unless you have a lot of time and have been practising for this trip), the best way to discover Buenos Aires is by foot. Like a European city. You take a map and wander through the neighbourhoods of Palermo (for trendy places and posh meals), Puerto Madero (for modern skyscrapers), San Telmo (for a whisper of history and an artisan market), Microcentro (for the business vibe) and Belgrano (for a taste of upper-middle class Argentinian life). The only place that might require a taxi ride is La Boca, where the Caminito is: theoretically, you can get there by foot but the way is not that spectacular and you would be better off spending this time over some delicious lunch at Palermo or an art hunt at San Telmo.
Here is a hand pick of famous spots of the Argentinian capital. Make sure you stop by Floralis Genérica, The Steel Flower of Buenos Aires, which is designed to open and close its petals in rhythm with the Sun. You too, try to catch the rhyme of the Argentinian capital and move in the unison with it.
Some addresses from my Little Black Book of Travel, both picked up at The New York Times:
- Casa Cavia is a place to be for lunch. It is so many things: a restaurant, a made-in-house perfume store, a library, a posh art deco house and a cozy, cared-for garden. Take time to discover them all.
- La Mar: an outstanding Peruvian restaurant, a reason on its own to travel here! If all the food in Peru is as good, I am moving there. Like, today. Naturally, it was overbooked the day we decided to try it, so we came early (like, 8 p.m. early), sat at the open air patio and promised to eat their fantastic seviches fast. So good.
That’s it on Buenos Aires – for now. The conclusion of our discovery mission with Louveteau is that if Rio is a must to visit and photograph, Buenos Aires is a place to live – and enjoy it, every day. One spot is missing from my sights’ list (and pictures), and that’s the one that impressed me the most. Would you guess what it is? Oh, and, of course, you can take so many ferries from Buenos Aires, to so many places, but that’s the story of another post.
And just look at that dog! Good life, told you.
🙂
oooh. Argentina is definitely on the bucket list. No business brings Mel that way…sigh.
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Hard to come for business in a place so deep in economic recession :)) However, I did fly to South America on business for more than 5 years: but then, I was based in Russia, emerging attracts emerging!
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aha! 5 years! Must had ample opportunities to be all over Latin America!
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I wish but no! At the time I was studying (full time, day department) and working (24/7), so I would only fly over the weekend. My business partners were as crazy as I was and were ok with that.
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Oh nvm, there will be many opportunities we are sure!
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If there is a will, there is a way 😉
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I hadn’t expected Buenos Aires to look so European, from an architectural and landscaping point of view (all those parks and green spaces, so lovely!) Argentina has never really been on my radar (with the exception of the Patagonia region) but it’s reassuring to know violent city life is left further north and you can feel safe wandering around the Argentine capital.
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It seemed safe to me: but then, I am Russia, my safety threshold is low 😉 Kidding, it’s absolutely fine! PATAGONIA! I am day dreaming about this place!
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Everything is relative I suppose! The landscapes look absolutely stunning both in summer and winter… maybe it’s another of those places that has to be visited twice, once per season!
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Thanks for that great post and the beautiful photos. One day I need to visit B.A. !
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Thanks a lot Marcus, appreciate the compliment. And yes, BA is certainly worth a visit! 🙂
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You are very welcome 😊. Love your travel posts. Probably because we are partners in pain, as I travel just as much for another Munich based global Industrial company 😉 Found your blog and really enjoy it! Marcus
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Hehe, the HQ of my area is Munich as well, I was living there for 2 years. Nürnberg, global industrial company… good one 😀 many of my MBA classmates joined it as well.
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Sure, I even know some, and we just did a project with one of the INSEAD professors. Your new offices in Munich are splendid, was just there to meat a guy from Seattle 😉 That said, I prefer Seattle to Munich any day 😎 Have a great xmas break 🎄!
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The world is a small place indeed 🙌🥂I have never been to our new office in Schwabing, my entire leadership ship but one person are in London now. Such a love for Seattle! I guess it is great on a sunny day, but I still need to see one. Munich – many mixed feelings, Nürnberg – a fairytale place, loved it. Great to meet you – and happy holidays 🤗🍾
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Definitely one of my dream destinations. Thanks for this!!
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You are very welcome! Go visit 🙂
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Love reading posts about my city. Glad you enjoyed your stay. For the next time you come, be sure to visit the interior of the country like: Neuquen, Cordoba or Tucuman. You’ll be amazed at our landscapes.
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Your city is amazing, I have really enjoyed it! And yes, I would love to come back to the more of a country experience: I did Iguazu, so now Patagonia is a next must see for me 🙂
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Nice post! 🙂 I’m in Buenos Aires now, and I may need to check out Casa Cavia. Sounds interesting!
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Enjoy, Casa Cavia is great! Reading your comment at Prague airport, so jealous! 🙂
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Going to Rio and Buenos Aires in a couple of days and I’m feeling a bit lost about what to do in Buenos Aires… thank you for the tips! Glad you found it safer than Rio, that’s good to know 🙂
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With a very few exceptions, every city on Earth is safer than Rio – but then there are few cities as spectacular as this one! BA is more about experiencing things, great restaurants, parks, a different dimension of travelling. Enjoy!
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thank you 🙂
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