El Centro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Downtown Buenos Aires showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Downtown Buenos Aires is made up of several wonderful neighbourhoods: Retiro to the north and the Port to the East.

Right in the middle you will find the Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires’ political centre. Visitors come here to catch a glimpse of the Casa Rosada, the lavish pink building that houses the office of the President of Argentina. The Plaza de Mayo also boasts many other buildings, churches and monuments of architectural and historical significance.

Visitors come from all over just to stroll down Florida Street and to spend time in the elegant shops and boutiques as well as the international department stores before hitting Lavalle Street for a bite to eat. These two pedestrian streets offer visitors a different kind of hustle and bustle: the opportunity to stroll, shop, and dine in style.

A day in this part of town wouldn’t be complete, however, without a stop in San Martin Square in the Retiro area. Here, at the northern edge of downtown, you will find plenty of open spaces and lots of shade. You will want to stop into a local coffee shop for afternoon refreshment or stroll along the Falklands War Memorial and visit the old clock tower. In San Martin Plaza, you will also find the National Museum of Fine Arts and several magnificent mansions.

Don’t leave Buenos Aires without a trip to the port to take a picture on the architecturally breath-taking Puente de la Mujer — or Women’s Bridge — with the sun setting behind a striking backdrop. You can kick off the evening by heading back up to Florida Street where street performers and tango dancers come out to entertain on the footpaths in front of local restaurants. End a relaxing day by enjoying a local speciality while you sip a local wine: what better than a glass of Argentinian Malbec, one of Argentina’s famous red wines.

These two charming areas will really capture your imagination, and you may find that you need to spend a few days to really explore and enjoy them. There are no better places to relax and soak up Buenos Aires than Plaza de Mayo and San Martin Square.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best El Centro Hotel Deals

Gran Hotel Argentino
Gran Hotel Argentino
3 out of 5
Carlos Pellegrini 37, Buenos Aires, BUE
The price is NZ$47 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
NZ$47
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Obelisco and Plaza de Mayo are located ...
7/10 Good! (998 reviews)
"Clean and safe."

Reviewed on 28 May 2024

Gran Hotel Argentino
El Conquistador Hotel
El Conquistador Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Suipacha 948, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
The price is NZ$103 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
NZ$103
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (999 reviews)
"Excelente"

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2024

El Conquistador Hotel
Efe Hotel & Cowork
Efe Hotel & Cowork
4 out of 5
Paraguay 474, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
The price is NZ$162 per night from 28 Jun to 29 Jun
NZ$162
per night
28 Jun - 29 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (367 reviews)
Had a great stay
"Nice place, nice location. Clean and safe hotel. Friendly staff"

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2024

Efe Hotel & Cowork
Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center
Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center
4 out of 5
San Martin / 1225 1275, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
The price is NZ$275 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
NZ$275
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (766 reviews)
"Chose this hotel before a cruise. It is about a 5 minute drive to the terminal. It is within walking distance to Florida Street which has many shops, including souvenirs. The breakfast is decent, nothing spectacular. The reception desk was very friendly, but hostess at restaurant, not so much. Overall, ..."

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2024

Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center
Pestana Buenos Aires Hotel
Pestana Buenos Aires Hotel
4 out of 5
Carlos Pellegrini 877, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
The price is NZ$141 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
NZ$141
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Popular attractions Obelisco and Colón ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (685 reviews)
"Ideal location in the heart of the city with excellent dining, shopping and sight-seeing opportunities within easy walking distance"

Reviewed on 29 Oct. 2023

Pestana Buenos Aires Hotel
Principado Downtown
Principado Downtown
4 out of 5
Paraguay 481, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
The price is NZ$125 per night from 26 Jun to 27 Jun
NZ$125
per night
26 Jun - 27 Jun
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Buenos Aires. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (744 reviews)
"Muy recomendado. Muy buena atencion y condiciones. El desayuno muy bueno también"

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2024

Principado Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around El Centro

Buenos Aires featuring art

San Nicolás

While you're in San Nicolás, take in top sights like Obelisco or Gran Rex Theatre, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at July 9 Station or Diagonal Norte Station.

San Nicolás
Buenos Aires featuring art

Buenos Aires Central Business District

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Buenos Aires Central Business District, check out sights like Obelisco or Luna Park Stadium and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Correo Central Station or Leandro N Alem Station.

Buenos Aires Central Business District
Casa Rosada which includes a square or plaza, heritage architecture and heritage elements

Microcentro

Sociedad Rural Argentina and Florida Street are top sights in Microcentro, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Florida Station or Lavalle Station to see more sights in the area.

Microcentro
Buenos Aires featuring art

Comuna 1

If you're spending time in Comuna 1, check out sights like Obelisco or Casa Rosada and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Cathedral Station or Catedral Station.

Comuna 1
Argentina featuring a city

Monserrat

Architecture, cafes and shopping highlight some notable features of Monserrat. Make a stop by Barolo Palace or 9 de Julio Avenue while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Moreno Station or Lima Station to get around town.

Monserrat
Plaza San Martin featuring a statue or sculpture, a city and a square or plaza

Retiro

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Retiro. Spend some time visiting top spots like Plaza San Martin, and catch the metro at Retiro San Martín Station or Catalinas Station to see more of the area.

Retiro

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