LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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BEST THINGS TO DO IN PALERMO BUENOS AIRES + WHERE TO STAY.

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Palermo is an eclectic and diverse neighborhood in the North of Buenos Aires. This is a district that has seen many transformations over the years – from an exclusive and affluent neighborhood, to a bustling melting pot of immigration from Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe.

Today, Palermo is contemporary and trendy. It boasts street after street of boutique stores, hip coffee shops, breweries, bars and the best gastronomy in Buenos Aires.

In short – Palermo is the place to come for food & nightlife in Buenos Aires.

Read on to find out about the best things to do in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires.

Don’t have time to read the full post?

Where is Palermo in Buenos Aires?

Palermo is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is one of the largest neighborhoods in the city and is known for its diverse cultural attractions, vibrant nightlife, and green parks.

The neighborhood is divided into several sub-districts, including Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Chico, and Palermo Viejo.

17 Best things to do in Palermo Buenos Aires

With so much to do in Palermo, it can be hard to choose the best bits. Here’s our guide to the 17 best things to do in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires – this list will particularly appeal to foodies and those looking to enjoy some civilized nightlife.

1. Take a food tour

Foodies delight! Palermo is without a doubt the best area of Buenos Aires to take a food tour in. A compact district filled with high-end gastronomic restaurants and rustic hole in the wall eateries.

We did the Sherpa Palermo Food Tour and would highly recommend it for curious (and hungry) foodies visiting Buenos Aires. On the extravagance scale, this food tour definitely hits the high notes! You’ll be treated to a civilized tour, with sumptuous appetizers, steak, beautiful salads, sweet treats and cocktails.

If you’re keen to try Argentinean wine, this tour is also the one for you. Not only does the wine not stop flowing throughout the meal, but you’ll also be treated to a fantastic wine tasting – which introduces you to Argentinean wines and a world beyond Malbec.

2. Dine at Don Julio Restaurant

For foodies, another absolute treat of an experience is to dine at Don Julio Restaurant which can be found in the heart of Palermo Soho. Don Julio is a renowned Argentinean steak restaurant, known across the world as one of the best places to eat steak.

As well as the steak, this restaurant is known for it’s impeccable hospitality, attention to detail and traditional atmosphere. It first opened it’s doors in 1982 and has been delighting hungry diners ever since.

Getting a table is not always easy however – read more about the best way to be one of the lucky diners at Don Julio here.

3. Stretch out in a yoga class

Palermo has some great yoga studios in both Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. Whether you’re looking for a chilled class, an Ashtanga or a hot and sweaty bikram class.

My favourite studio in Palermo Soho is Mood Yoga. A beautiful and small boutique yoga studio which offers a range of classes and reasonable drop in rates. There are a few classes in English each week too.

4. Spend a morning eating pastry and drinking coffee

During our trip to Argentina, I don’t remember ever having a bad coffee! But Buenos Aires takes coffee to a new level – even more so in the Palermo district. Every which way you walk there are tons of coffee shops to choose from – but fear not I have recommendation for the best place to check out.

Piccolina is a coffee shop in one of the most low-key areas of Palermo Soho. Offering a perfect spot for people watching, there are tables inside and out.

The coffee here is great, but honestly – the top reason to come here is for the pastry. These flaky, delicious and decadent pastries are made on site. At Piccolina, there’s a pastry station in the center of the kitchen where you can watch the chefs laminate and bake. So fresh, crispy and delicious that you’re guaranteed to come here more than once!

5. Wander through the park

One of the things that we loved about spending time in Palermo is the access to green parks and lush open spaces. Starting at Plaza Italia, you can wander through to the Botanical Gardens through to Plaza Holanda and finally ending with a stroll around the lake in Paseo El Rosedal Gardens.

There is also a Japanese Garden in Palermo. Personally, I’d suggest giving it a swerve. There’s an entrance fee and I don’t think it’s the best of this style of garden to see in the world. Whereas the rest of the gardens are free to wander at your leisure and well worth an hour or so.

6. Eat Gelato

Owing to the Italian influence in Palermo, gelato here is big business! There are many fantastic gelato stores throughout Palermo to choose from. You’ll see locals grabbing gelato by the 1kg pot – this is a popular way to treat guests who have come over for dinner.

Our favorite shop in Palermo for gelato is Cremollati – the shop has the perfect proximity to the park for an optimum gelato/ park strolling combo. Be sure to try the Dulce de Lece. An Argentinean staple.

7. Visit the Evita Museum

For any fans of the Evita musical, or anyone who wishes to learn more about the life of one of Buenos Aires’ most famous people – Eva Peron, we recommend the Evita Museum which can be found in Palermo close to the parks.

This is a small museum set in a beautiful house. Inside, you’ll find a collection of personal items including journals, photographs and Evita’s clothing. Most of the exhibits have both Spanish and English information available.

The cost to enter is 3,000 pesos (around $4) per person and card is accepted. Expect to spend around one hour in the museum.

8. Drink Fernet

Fernet is a type of herbal liqueur that originated in Italy and has gained popularity in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires. In Palermo most cocktail bars will offer “Fernet con Coco” aka Fernet with Coca-Cola. Expect this to be served in a large glass over ice.

It is a bit of an acquired taste, it can be bitter and herbal. But, we thoroughly enjoyed it, especially with coca cola. Perfect as a digestif after supper.

9. Sample craft beers

Most people think of wine when it comes to visiting Argentina. But, the craft beer scene is booming. Buenos Aires is full of tap rooms and craft breweries. In Palermo, there are some excellent bars that will delight beer lovers.

Temple Craft Soho is a good stop – they serve their own beers and a selection of others. Rapaz is also a popular spot for beer fans. Antares is a brewery with a central location in Soho and lots of tables outside – perfect for a sunny day.

10. Take a street art tour

One of the first things you’ll notice in Palermo Soho is the street art, or graffiti. As with many large cities, there are murals made by renowned artists, as well as others with cultural significance. It is nice to wander at your leisure and take photos, but one of the best ways to see the street art in Palermo and understand it fully is to take a street art tour.

11. Tango with locals

When travellers think of Buenos Aires, many will automatically think of Tango. There are some outrageous expensive tango shows to go to in Buenos Aires, but if you want a more authentic experience, we recommend going to a Milonga.

A Milonga is an informal social get together, where people meet to dance. These can be found throughout Buenos Aires and are mostly attended by locals, often older generations. However, we hear that younger locals are starting to join and the Milongas are more inclusive than ever.

Often the Milonga events will start with a lesson for beginners, so you don’t need to worry if you’ve never danced before. The best way to find out about Milongas in the Palermo area is to check out the website Hoy Milonga (Milonga Today) which gives you information on all the latest events.

💡If you’d prefer a more private tango experience or to find your feet before you join a Milonga, you can book a one-on-one lesson, either as couple or solo in Palermo.

12. Take a cooking class

Sure, you could eat out in many wonderful restaurants in Palermo, but if you want to do something a little different, why not try a cooking class?

This class is run by professional chefs who trained at Fogon (one of Palermo’s most famous Asado restuarants.)

Over three hours, you’ll learn the art of making empanadas and cooking traditional Argentinean Asado. You’ll then get to tuck into a four course supper with wine pairing. For $60 per head, it’s great value!

We didn’t get time to do this cooking class, and it’s one thing I would love to do when we we next return to Buenos Aires. But, I did enjoy a wine tasting experience hosted by this company, and can testify that the space you will learn to cook in is delightful!

13. Eat at Palermo’s most traditional Italian Cantina

This is another one for foodies! Cantina Palermo is one of oldest and most traditional Italian restaurants in the district. This is an unassuming place to eat, but one that is sure to make you feel not only full but also leave smiling.

Run by old-school waiters, who pack on the charm whilst making quick witted quips – dinner a Cantina Palermo is a lot of fun.

Wine is served until glasses overflow and the pasta dishes are giant. We recommend Nonna’s Milanese and the Sorrentinos (Argentinean stuffed pasta.) It’s best to book ahead, but walk-ins may be lucky if you’re willing to wait a little.

14. Browse the markets in Palermo

There are a number of fun markets to check out in Palermo. You can take your pick depending on what you’re looking for and the day of the week that you’re in Palermo.

The Mercado de las Pulgas is a covered flea market selling all sorts of antiques and collectables. It’s open Wednesday through to Sunday. The other option is to see the open air market on Honduras street. Feria Honduras is a market found on Saturdays and Sundays selling handmade and bohemian items. Perfect for a stroll on a weekend.

15. Visit vintage stores

To continue the theme of shopping, Palermo has a handful of popular vintage stores around Palermo Soho. Vintage Hole is one of the best with the biggest range. Mottai Vintage offers a more boutique experience.

There’s also a quirky vintage store selling books and various other bits and pieces that can be found on Gurruchaga. We didn’t catch the name of the store, but it is directly opposite Peuteo Bar. You may also find a friendly cat sitting on the window ledge.

16. Shop in the fashion forward boutiques

Palermo is probably the best place to go shopping in Buenos Aires, especially for clothing. As well as the vintage stores, you can also find plenty of boutique fashion shops.

In particular, men’s clothing stores are very prevalent with an excellent selection of shoe stores. Women’s fashionable clothing is also found in some beautiful high end stores in Palermo.

If you want to copy the Buenos Aires street style, then check out the best streets for clothes shopping are Honduras Street and Gurruchaga Street.

17. Visit MALBA (Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires)

MALBA, Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, which translates to the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires is a not for profit museum founded by an Argentine businessman. According to the MALBA website, “The mission of Malba is to collect, conserve, study and create awareness of Latin American art from.”

In MALBA you can find permanent exhibitions as well as temporary ones, which often feature international artists like Frida Kahlo. The museum is well curated and you can expect to spend an hour or so there. There’s also an audio guide in English available on the MALBA website. Tickets are around 4,000 pesos with discounted rates offered on Wednesdays.

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Where to stay in Palermo, Buenos Aires

The Palermo district is quite large and is divided into two distinct areas – Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood.

Palermo Soho is known for its vibrant street art, boutique shops, and bustling nightlife, while Palermo Hollywood is famous for its trendy bars, restaurants and movie studios.

My personal preference is Palermo Soho, which to me has a more vibe. You’re more likely to prefer Palermo Hollywood if you like modern areas. But both great places to stay in Buenos Aires.

Best places to stay in Palermo

BUDGET: Malevo Murana Hostel is a popular budget hostel in Palermo Soho. It has an 8.8 out of 10 on booking.com, guests particularly love the communal space including the roof terrace.

MID-RANGE: We stayed at Oro Apartment Palermo, a super apartment on a fairly quiet street near to the centre of Palermo Soho. A great value mid-range option in the area.

LUXURY: Miravada Soho Hotel is a smart looking design hotel in the heart of the Sohh area of Palermo. It has a 9.4 out of 10 on booking.com and guests love the location.

Is Palermo in Buenos Aires safe

Like any other part of Buenos Aires, and indeed large cities, Palermo has safety considerations. In our experience, the parts of Buenos Aires that feel safest are generally those that are frequented most by tourists.

The areas of Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood are popular with tourists and locals and tend to be feel safest. Both areas are well lit and tend to be busy in the evenings, which contributes to a feeling of safety.

There may be areas of Palermo that are less safe and it is advisable to stay in the most crowded and well lit areas, especially at night. It is also always recommended to exercise caution, especially when it comes to minding your belongings.

A three day itinerary for Buenos Aires – beyond Palermo

The reason that I so passionately wanted to create a three day itinerary for Buenos Aires is that when I visited, I was quite overwhelmed by how much there was to do in the city.

All the blogs I read recommended a million amazing things to do, but they were all found in different parts of the city and I found it impossible to imagine how I could cram it all in.

When I visit a city, I don’t want to end up feeling frazzled after a few days of manic sightseeing. I believe that you get more from your travels when you slow things down and take it all in.

I want to spend time in fabulous coffee shops, drink a glass of wine and people watch, browse markets and romanticize the hell out of my life. For me, I like to avoid some of the “must do” tourist attractions and find my own hang outs instead.

And that is what I will be sharing with you in this three day Buenos Aires itinerary.

Click here to read our three day itinerary for Buenos Aires.

Where to next in Argentina?

You can find our guides to travelling in Argentina below:

• Buenos Aires – a three day itinerary
• Best things to do in Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Dining at Don Julio restaurant in Buenos Aires
• Where to stay in Buenos Aires
• Where to stay in Mendoza
• Our experience of staying in a wine hotel in Mendoza
• Wine cycling in Mendoza – a top experience
• Best hikes in Bariloche
• Best hikes & things to do in El Chalten
• Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier – a guide
• Driving in Argentina: A guide

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case. Find yours on Amazon here and get the travelling started!

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