Best Things To Do in Palermo Buenos Aires

Palermo not only marks the cultural and tourist epicentre of Buenos Aires, but it is also the largest neighbourhood in the Argentine capital, which also means that it is one of the most eclectic and multicultural places. There you will find many of the main attractions of Buenos Aires. Here I tell you about the best alternatives to discover the neighbourhood and its charms.

Among the best activities to do in Palermo are visiting the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, enjoying the nightlife of Palermo Soho, visiting the MALBA Museum, attending a horse race, walking through the Rosedal and visiting the Botanical Garden, which is one of the green lungs of the city.

The Galileo Galilei Planetarium is an architectural and scientific icon of Buenos Aires and is located in the heart of Palermo, so it is usually included in the tours of the best tours of the city. Since its inauguration in 1966, it has become one of the most visited sites by tourists and locals interested in science and the universe.

Inside it features:

• A sphere representing the sun, around which the planets and satellites of the solar system revolve in real time, creating a visual and educational spectacle for visitors.
• Multiple activities and exhibitions, such as projections on the dome with scientific and astronomical themes, interactive exhibitions, talks and workshops.
• An astronomical observatory, where night and daytime observations of the sky can be made, guided by astronomy experts.
• A library specialised in astronomical sciences, open to the public and with a great variety of educational resources and informative materials, which makes it one of the best alternatives if you plan to visit Buenos Aires with children.
• An open-air amphitheatre, where music and theatre shows are performed.
• A cafeteria with panoramic views of the city.
• In the surroundings of the Planetarium, you can also find green spaces and recreational areas, ideal to rest and enjoy the environment.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance to the planetarium is free.
• Location: Sarmiento Av. s/n, Buenos Aires
• Hours: every day from 11 am to 5 pm.

Palermo, being the largest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, is subdivided into different areas according to their style. Soho is the part that has become a popular destination to enjoy the city's nightlife. With a wide variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, there is something for everyone.

The bars in Palermo Soho are known for their craft cocktails and relaxed atmosphere and many of them have outdoor tables, allowing you to enjoy a drink while watching the hustle and bustle, especially if you plan to visit Buenos Aires in the summer. In addition, there are restaurants serving everything from typical Argentinean food to international cuisine, and they are included in the Best Places to Eat and Best Food Tours of Buenos Aires.

And if you are looking to dance, Palermo Soho also has places to enjoy electronic music and also the more traditional Latin rhythms such as tango, making it one of the best alternatives to enjoy Buenos Aires at night.

The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, or MALBA, is a must for art lovers in the city. Located in the Palermo neighbourhood, it has a unique display of 20th and 21st century Latin American art and one of the largest private collections in Argentina including:

• Paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos by artists from all over the continent. Some of the most outstanding artists exhibited in the museum are Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Joaquín Torres-García, Tarsila do Amaral and Antonio Berni, who is one of the greatest representatives of the Porteño traditions.
• Temporary exhibitions of contemporary and emerging artists. It also offers a variety of educational programmes and workshops for children and adults.

I recommend taking a guided tour of Buenos Aires with MALBA tickets to make the most of your visit to the city.

The building has modern and elegant architecture, a huge central courtyard and large windows that let in natural light and offer very interesting open views of the city, and also has a gift shop where you can buy unique and exclusive souvenirs related to Latin American art. It also has a cafeteria with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious dishes, making it one of the best museums in Buenos Aires.

Interesting details

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately €6.
• Location: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Buenos Aires
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 11am to 8pm.

The Rosedal de Palermo is one of the most emblematic parks in Buenos Aires. Located in the heart of the neighbourhood, it is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty, as well as to do activities in the central lake.

This park gets its name from the more than 18 thousand rose bushes of different species and colours that are framed in its landscape design. Besides enjoying the landscape, you will be able to do several activities such as:

• Walking or running along the paths and trails that run through the park, surrounded by flowers and trees.
• Booking a bike tour to get around the park more quickly, which is ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here is a list of activities so you can discover Buenos Aires in 3 days.
• And if you are looking to relax, you can find benches and green areas to sunbathe, read a book or just enjoy the atmosphere.
• You can also rent rowing boats and take a stroll along the lake while you contemplate the views of the city's buildings.

The Mercado de Pulgas is a unique and special place where you can find all kinds of antique objects and curiosities. Located in the bar area of Palermo and close to some of the best buildings in Buenos Aires, it is a popular destination to find representative and historical objects. Keep in mind that it is very large, so I recommend that you spend several hours to walk through it completely.

There are numerous stalls selling everything from antique furniture and vintage lamps to vinyl and art objects. There are also antique books, jewellery and vintage clothing, so if you're a treasure hunter, you might get lucky. Ideal for those who like interior decoration, as you can find unique pieces to give a unique touch to any home, and perfect for photography lovers, as there are many objects that can be photographed in an artistic and creative way.

It is also an interesting place for its architecture and design. The building that houses it is an old railway shed, which has been restored and adapted for use as a market. The Buenos Aires tourist bus stops nearby.

Interesting details

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Av. Dorrego 1650
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6:30pm.

The Plaza Serrano trade fair is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Buenos Aires. The fair is held every weekend and is an excellent opportunity to get to know the culture and crafts of the city. Moreover, it is organised in the famous square that marks the epicentre of Palermo Soho.

This fair offers a wide variety of local products and typical handicrafts, such as ponchos, hats, silver jewellery and other regional products. In addition to shopping, the fair features live music and folkloric dance performances, making the visit a complete and exciting experience. You can also take part in tango classes.

In Plaza Serrano you can enjoy the typical food of the region, such as empanadas, choripán, asado and other traditional dishes at the food stalls and nearby restaurants. Besides the fair itself, Plaza Serrano is a lively and colourful place with many shops and restaurants. It is an ideal place to have a coffee in the open air and enjoy the local atmosphere. You can stroll through the surrounding streets and discover the trendy restaurants and bars.

The Palermo Racecourse is an emblematic place in Buenos Aires, especially for horse and racing lovers. This venue has a long history in the city and has been home to world-class horseracing for over 140 years.

In addition to the thrill of watching horse racing, the Palermo Racecourse offers many other entertainment options, such as a renowned casino and top-notch restaurants. If you enjoy gambling, the casino has a wide variety of slot machines, table games and poker.

However, the most interesting thing you can experience at the racecourse is watching a live race. The atmosphere is very unique, with the crowd cheering on their favourite horses as they race at full speed. You can place bets and, if you're lucky, you could win some extra cash. In addition, the racecourse also offers special events, such as concerts and food and drink festivals.

Palermo Hollywood is one of the trendiest areas of the neighbourhood and is known for its vibrant nightlife, food and designer shops, but also because if you are a shopaholic, you can find the best shopping and browsing shops offering everything from fashion to homewares and accessories.

The clothes shops tend to be by local designers and independent brands, so you'll find unique and original garments at the best prices. There are also several furniture and decoration shops that offer exclusive and quality products, or shopping centres such as Alto Palermo. There are also several design markets and art fairs where you can find unique and creative objects. One of the most popular flea markets is the Mercado de las Pulgas de Palermo.

Of course, after a long day of shopping, you can relax in one of the many bars and restaurants that abound in the area. Palermo Hollywood is known for its excellent gastronomy, from gourmet restaurants to charming bars and cafés.

The Evita Museum is located in Palermo and is dedicated to the life and work of Eva Perón, one of the most important and controversial political figures in Argentine history. Housed in a French-style mansion that was once a home for orphans and later served as an asylum for women, the museum explores her life through photographs, documents, personal items and videos, and you can see her dresses and costumes, as well as her jewellery and accessories, displayed alongside her speeches and photographs.

The Evita Museum has an extensive collection of historical objects that will allow you to learn about the life and work of Eva Perón, as well as the history and politics of Argentina. Among the most outstanding objects are the official documents of the protagonist, such as her ID card, her passport and her marriage record with Juan Domingo Perón.

The museum also has a section dedicated to children, where the youngest ones can participate in games and interactive activities. In addition, this site also has a library specialising in Argentine history, as well as a gift shop where souvenirs and museum memorabilia can be purchased.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the museum has an initial cost of approximately 3 euros.
• Location: Lafinur 2988
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm.

The Botanical Garden of Buenos Aires is a green oasis and one of the most popular tourist attractions of the city. Located in Palermo, you can walk along its paths, appreciate a great variety of native and exotic plant species and discover the thematic sections, among which the French, the Roman, the Japanese and the senses gardens stand out.

In this garden you can also find a greenhouse that houses a great collection of tropical and subtropical plants and a section dedicated to medicinal and aromatic plants.

In addition to enjoying the natural beauty of the place, the Botanical Garden offers various activities for the whole family, such as gardening workshops, talks and guided tours. It is also possible to attend open-air cultural events, such as concerts and plays, especially if you are planning to visit Buenos Aires during spring.

As you have seen, visiting the neighbourhood of Palermo is one of the best things to see and do in Buenos Aires. To get there, you have several options:

• The most convenient is to take the metro line D and get off at Palermo Station or Plaza Italia.
• You can also get there by bus lines 15, 34, 39, 55, 68, 141 and 152.
• Without a doubt, my favourite option is to book the Buenos Aires tourist bus, since the trip will be doubly productive and you will be able to get to know the city in depth while you get to your destination.