Palermo is the largest district in Buenos Aires and is a great place to stay if you are interested in art, parks, and food! Palermo Soho has the most things to do so for that reason I focused on this area.
You won’t be disappointed with your stay in Palermo and I recommend staying here especially if you plan on staying 3 months in Buenos Aires.
There are actually many sub-districts to Palermo although two of the most popular to stay and visit as a foreigner are Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. We have stayed in Palermo Chico and Palermo Soho and I have to say that I think Soho is the best place to stay here.
We have so many restaurants and cafés on our doorstep and we can walk a few blocks to a coworking space. We are also only a few blocks away from Avenida Santa Fe where we have lots of shops and a bus that brings us downtown.
Palermo is a great place to live and I recommend that you stay here if you are a digital nomad or if you want to live in Buenos Aires. If you are only staying a few days in Buenos Aires and want to visit as much as possible, then I recommend staying in Microcenter.
Is Palermo safe?
One of the best things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires is to just walk around and explore the area and look at the buildings and street art or pop into a beautiful café and have some nice food.
👀 If you want to know more about safety in Palermo, you should read this article.
Here is a list of some of our favorite things to do in Palermo.
Eat sushi at the Japanese Gardens
One of my favorite things I did on our last trip to Buenos Aires was to visit the Japanese Gardens.
I know it is not a very Argentinian thing to do but the gardens are so beautiful and it is lovely to stroll around on a sunny day.
You can also see some exhibitions and eat some delicious sushi in the restaurant.
Eat a steak in Don Julio’s Restaurant
An institution in Buenos Aires, Don Julio has been building its stellar reputation since owner Pablo Rivero opened the steakhouse in Palermo more than 20 years ago in 1999.
The restaurant is an embodiment of Argentine culture: sustainably farmed beef meets the embers on the traditional grill, accompanied by an outstanding wine list and friendly hospitality. It defined a new style of luxury, culminating in Don Julio being crowned The Best Restaurant in Latin America 2020. Visit here.
I recommend booking, at least, a month in advance since the place is usually fully booked throughout the year.
Paddle boat in Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Forest)
“Bosques de Palermo” is a beautiful park situated to the north of Palermo. It is a great place for locals and tourists alike to go for a walk/run/rollerblade and you can even rent a paddleboat on a sunny day.
👉 Pro Tip!
Sundays are very busy in this park with locals so if you prefer a quieter walk, go during the week.
You can also find more than 15,000 roses in the rose garden “Rosedal” which are in full bloom in December and January.
Visit MALBA museum
The MALBA Museum (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires) showcases contemporary artists from all over Latin America including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
It will take you about two hours to walk around the museum and you can always get a glass of wine or a coffee in the café or get some sushi in a restaurant called Dashi nearby after.
Have a slice of cake or a drink in Moshu Treehouse
The ground floor of Moshu Treehouse is the place to have a coffee and a slice of delicious cake and you should also check out the upstairs which has a beautiful bar in a treehouse. There are also some options for vegans and vegetarians.
Sample an Argentine Barbeque at Fogón Asado
Barbeque is an extremely common cultural event here in Argentina and it may be one of the first experiences you meet when you arrive in Argentina as there are people cooking meat everywhere in Buenos Aires.
Argentinians are very very proud of their meat and if you want to taste some of the best cuts, you can check out this 8-course tasting menu at Fogón Asado. If you are looking for a Barbeque restaurant, you should look for the word “parrilla”
Ecoparque and Botanical Gardens
Right across the road from the Japanese Gardens, you can also go to the Ecoparque and Botanical gardens. The Ecoparque is a former zoo and has seen better days but the Botanic gardens are very beautiful.
Market in Plaza Serrano
The weekend market in Plaza Serrano is great to soak up the atmosphere but I wouldn’t really recommend buying souvenirs.
There are a few nice things to buy but you will mostly find clothes, things for the house and metal signs. The clothes are not very expensive but I wasn’t impressed by the quality.
There are plenty of bars, cafés, and restaurants in the area so you won’t go hungry or thirsty!
Visit the Evita Museum
If you want to learn more about the life of the famous actress and First Lady of Argentina Eva Perón, then this museum is for you. Eva married the soon-to-be President of Argentina in 1944 and after that, she became influential in Argentinian public life. You’ll find personal memorabilia from Eva Peron including dresses, shoes, books, and photos.
Final thoughts
Palermo is one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and it gives you a real feel of what it is like to live in Argentina while also giving you the opportunity to taste the best food and drink that Buenos Aires has to offer.
Are you traveling in Buenos Aires? Have a look at these recommended tours!
9-hour Day tour in a ranch with traditional lunch included
Walking tour with a three-course progressive lunch
Visit San Isidro with a tour of the idyllic Tigre Delta