Puerto Madero is a revamped neighborhood that mainly consists of an island that borders the city center. Puerto Madero is one of the richest and safest areas of Buenos Aires after continued investment since the 1990s.
If you want a relaxing place to go, then Puerto Madero is the right place for you as the things to do here are more chilled.
Walk along the Riverside
One of the best things to do in Puerto Madero is to walk along the riverside. You can walk along either side of the water and stop off in one of the many bars, cafés, and restaurants.
We were walking quietly along the riverside on a Sunday lunchtime and enjoying the views and when we came back around 4 pm, the whole riverside was packed with people!
You can eat sushi, have a coffee or eat some delicious Argentinian steak at Villegas Restó restaurant which overlooks the water.
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur
This Ecological reserve is a great place to go after the market and feel part of nature. There are three different walks you can do which last between 1 and 4 hours.
The walks are relatively flat and bikes are also allowed. There is also a lovely place to have a picnic on the far side of the reserve. Such a lovely palace so close to the city center to get away from the intensity of the city.
Information about visiting times:
- Tuesday to Sunday – from 8 am to 5.30 pm
- Closed: Mondays (except from public holidays on Mondays) and days with heavy rains / wind
- Pets are not allowed
Visit the Sunday market
We enjoyed the Sunday market which is something different from the market in San Telmo. You can buy most of the same things as in other markets including clothes, food, maté cups, etc.
It is a nice place to walk with friends and starts near the entrance to the Ecological Reserve. The market is called Feria Emprendedores Costanera Sur and takes place on Saturdays and Sundays.
El Puente de la Mujer
Puente de la Mujer or Women’s bridge in English is a beautiful footbridge that crosses from the city center to Puerto Madero. The bridge was designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and his idea was that it represents a tango couple in an embrace.
Interesting tip
There is a very similar bridge in Dublin, Ireland which is called the Samuel Beckett bridge named after the famous Irish writer.
ARA Presidente Sarmiento/Uruguay museum ships
There are two museum ships that you can visit along the river. The A.R.A Uruguay is the oldest ship in Argentina and was built in 1874. The other ship was named after Presidente Sarmiento who founded the naval academy.
Something that might interest people interested in naval history.
Information about visiting times:
- Monday to Sunday – from 10 am to 7 pm
- For guided tours: 4334 – 9386
Eat a choripan on the Costanera
“Choripan” is one of the iconic foods in Argentina. It is basically a sausage in a piece of bread with chimichurri sauce.
What I like most about it is that it is a real sausage in fresh crusty bread. You can eat it from the many food trucks that line the Costanera.
Visit an art or crypto café
Like most of Buenos Aires, there are interesting and innovative cafés and bars popping up everywhere. If you like coffee and art head to café Jisu and if you are interested in cryptocurrencies, you can find a café called Crypstation.
Cinemark Hoyts Puerto Madero
Raining in Buenos Aires! Don’t worry, you can check out this cinema and watch a movie. They have most of the latest releases and the movies are mostly in English with Spanish subtitles.
Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat Museum
This is the art collection of Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat and you can find the works of modern artists such as Andy Warhol and William Turner. The building itself is also worth a look.
The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday and is not expensive and should take you around 30 minutes to an hour to see everything.
Information about visiting times:
- Thursday to Sunday – from 12 pm to 8 pm
- For more information: 54 (11) 4310-6600
- Address: Olga Cossettini 141, Puerto Madero Este
- Price: $400 ARS / $200 ARS (children)
- Visit website here
Faena Arts Center
The Faena Arts Center is a space that celebrates all types of art including writers, painters, and modern digital media. There are also musical and dance performances. The building was an old flour mill that has been converted.
Final thoughts
Puerto Madero does not have as many things going on as other neighborhoods such as San Telmo and Palermo but it is a lovely place to spend a Sunday walking around the nature reserve and the riverfronts.