Blog Archives
Top Buenos Aires Views
(Photo by J)
Palacio Barolo: This architectural landmark, full of references to poet Dante Alighieri, began its construction in 1919, destined to be the tallest structure in Latin America at the time. The view from the top balcony is stunning, so much so that they offer a New Year midnight tour to see the fireworks from one of the best vantage points in the city. Guided tours are available Mondays and Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm, and evening guided tours on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8pm and Thursdays at 8.30pm include tasting of an awarded wine and a national delicacy. Av de Mayo 1370 9° P. Esc. 249/52. Tel/Fax: (54-11) 4381-1885. info@palaciobarolotours.com.ar
Galeria Guemes: This historic gallery, considered to be the city’s first skyscraper, where Antoine de Saint Exupery used to spend much of his time, and where Julio Cortazar set his story “The Other Sky”, has the only 360° view of the city. Unfortunately it is not always open to the public, and will be closed until spring. Florida 165, Downtown. 4331-3041.
Hotel Panamericano: This lavish downtown hotel overlooks the 9 de Julio Avenue, the Obelisk and the Colón Theatre. It has a privileged view at the top floor where the solarium and spa are, and the Buenos Aires program “Miradores de Buenos Aires” often does tours to visit the stunning location (book your place with one of their tours at 4323-9400, int. 2756). Carlos Pelegrini 551, downtown. 4348-5000.
Reserva Ecologica: The ecologic reserve in Puerto Madero has one of the best views of the city, albeit from the ground. This is one of the best spots to see the sunset behind the backlit city buildings, framed by leafy trees. The ecologic reserve is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and can be toured on weekends from 9.30am-4pm. One Friday a month, the closest to a full moon, a nocturnal tour of the reserve is organized. To participate you must call to sign up on the previous Monday. Av. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550, Puerto Madero. 4893-1588/ 4893 -1597 int. 108. reserva_cs@buenosaires.gov.ar
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur
(Photo by lbonini)
One of the most spectacular views of the city can be found at the ecologic reserve behind Puerto Madero. This spot of nature in the city has a curious story that began with humans taking over the river´s shore.
At first, from 1918-1950 the area was used for bathing. There was not much more than the river and its banks. Then, the water became contaminated and it could no longer be used for freshening up in the summer so, in the 70´s, it was decided that it would be conditioned to build the city´s administrative center. To do so, the land was reclaimed from the river. The project was abandoned in the 80´s and when nature realized humans had no use for it, it decided to colonize the rubble filled banks that regularly flooded. The area became covered in water hyacinths and soon birds and other wildlife made it their home. In 1989 it was finally declared an ecologic reserve.
Nowadays the ecologic reserve is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and can be toured on weekends from 9.30am-4pm. One Friday a month, the closest to a full moon, a nocturnal tour of the reserve is organized. To participate you must call to sign up on the previous Monday. Below is the list of the remaining scheduled nocturnal tours for 2012.
| Sign-Up Date | Nocturnal Tour |
| 02-April-2012 | 06-April-2012 |
| 30-April-2012 | 04-May-2012 |
| 28-May-2012 | 01-June-2012 |
| 02-July-2012 | 06-July-2012 |
| 30-July-2012 | 03-August-2012 |
| 24-September-2012 | 28-September-2012 |
| 22-October-2012 | 26-October-2012 |
| 26-November-2012 | 30-November-2012 |
| 24-December-2012 | 28-December-2012 |
Contact details:
Av. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550, Puerto Madero
4893-1588/ 4893 -1597 interno 108
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am-6pm
This Week in Buenos Aires
Monday
(Photo by blmurch)
One of the architectural landmarks of the city is the famous Palacio Barolo. Construction of this regal building full of references to poet Dante Alighieri began in 1919 for what was to be the tallest structure in Latin America. Guided tours are available Mondays and Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm and evening guided tours on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8pm and Thursdays at 8.30pm includes tasting of an awarded wine and a national delicacy.
Once a Beatle and still a star, the famous Ringo will be playing at the Luna Park Stadium tonight . Tickets here.
Av de Mayo 1370 9° P. Esc. 249/52
Tel/Fax: (54-11) 4381-1885
info@palaciobarolotours.com.ar
Luna Park
Av. Madero 420, Downtown
5279-5279
Tuesday
(Photo by kevin dooley)
Lots of Mexican themed activities will be held in Buenos Aires this month. Amongst them is the exhibit on Mexican deities and rituals “Dioses, ritos y oficios” being held at Fundación Proa.
In the evening head to the chic ¨Le Bar¨ for some great drinks and 50s-70s music starting at 10pm.
Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929, La Boca
4104-1000
Tucuman 422, Downtown
5219-0858
Wednesday
(Photo by Shayne Kaye)
Take a free tour of Buenos Aires with Jonathan, an Englishman in love with the city. Tours start every day at 11am at the center of Plaza Italia by the Garibaldi Horse monument and cover the areas of Almagro, Congress and the Plaza de Mayo using local transport to get around. More information here.
Soundgarden and Audioslave front man, Chris Cornell, brings his solo tunes to the Gran Rex Theatre for a unique acoustic show. Tickets here.
Gran Rex Theatre
Av Corrientes 857, Downtown
4322-8000
Thursday
(Wine by timsnell)
Find our more about the country’s ethnographic heritage at the Museo Etnografico.
Later on Book your place for the Fierro Hotel’s Thursday wine tasting and sample some great Argentine wines, chosen by the president of the Argentine sommelier association Andres Rosberg and in-house Sommelier Martin Bruno. Tastings cost 25 USD per person and are limited to 7 people.
Moreno 350, San Telmo
4345-8196
Open: Tue-Fri 1pm- 7pm. Weekends 3pm-7pm.
Soler 5862, Palermo
3220-6800
Friday
(Photo by diego3336)
Start the day late by having an upscale lunch at Chila in Puerto Madero. Whilst in the area check out Buque Museo Fragata, a frigate commissioned by the navy in 1898 to be used as a training vessel.
Later on in the evening take the guided nocturnal tour of the ecologic reserve that occurs once a month, on full moons. To take the tour you must book your place on Monday the 7th of November.
Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160- Puerto Madero
4343-6067
Buque Museo Fragata Sarmiento
Next to “Puente de la Mujer”
Phone: 11/4334-9386
Av. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550 Costanera Sur
Teléfonos: 4893-1640/1580
Saturday and Sunday
(Photo by TheAlieness GisellaGiardino)
On Saturday night the city museums will be open to the public and will be staging special musical events as well as offering access to their exhibits. More information here.
Creamfields: The best electronic party of the year brings Groove Armada, John Didweed, Sven Bath, and Pete Tong amongst others to the dance floor on Saturday at the Autodromo de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Tickets here.
Renowned Argentine musician and composer Chango Spasiuk returns to Buenos Aires after two years of absence to bring back traditional songs to the stage of the Opera Citi Theatre on Saturday. Tickets here.
Join the Russian Celebrations at Avenida de Mayo on Sunday and participate in the dances, music and food of this unique country.
Top 5 Places for Steak in BA
(Foto by murilocardoso)
Don Julio: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, there’s no place like Don Julio for a mandatory sample of Argentine meat. A relaxed homey environment, good wine but most of all a great place to satiate your inner carnivore. Guatemala 4691, Palermo. 4831-9564.
El Pobre Luis- Luis Acuña is the Uruguayan owner of this popular parrilla in the Belgrano area. Decorated with football shirts and offering some Uruguayan specialties as well as traditional Argentine asado cuts (which they cut themselves!) this is undoubtedly a meat eaters heaven. Arribeños 2393, Belgrano. 4780-5847.
Parrilla Rolaso: This neighborhood parrilla serves abundant portions of top quality meat cooked to perfection. The service is good, they have a good wine selection and their own refrigerated wine cave. Julián Alvarez 600, Villa Crespo. 4854-8411
El Obrero: This mythical restaurant in La Boca decorated with football paraphernalia and antique wooden furniture, is another great option for good quality asado although they also serve other great traditional meals. Definitely a place to try, although preferably during the day as the area is a little dodgy at night. Caffarena 64, La Boca. 4362-9912
Cabaña Las Lilas: Because they serve their own beef, this famous upscale Puerto Madero restaurant is a safe bet for a great quality dinner or lunch . Popular amongst tourists and generally crowded it is best to book in advance. Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo 516, Puerto Madero. 4313 1336.
Guests staying at our Terrace Suite can also make use of the grill. Instructions on how to make an asado are available here, or otherwise the front desk can arrange for an asador to come and make it for you!
Find a list of meat cuts with their translation on Landing PadBA´s How to Order Coffee and Meat in Buenos Aires.
New to the City: Faena Arts Center
(Photo by Maren Yumi)
Known for his extravagance and for owning the Faena Hotel and Universe, which was designed by Philippe Starck, Alan Faena bets on art once more on his new Puerto Madero venture, the Alan Faena Arts Center.
The stunning new addition to the city’s cultural scene is still brand new after being inaugurated in September, and is showcasing the centers’ opening Ernesto Neto exhibit which was curated by the Tate Modern’s Jessica Morgan. An impressive crochet sculpture/installation partly suspended from the roof, which visitors can walk through barefoot, achieves the participation that the renown Brazilian artist looks to generate with his sinuous interactive pieces.
The exhibition is open from Tue-Sun from 11am-7pm and entry fee is 20 pesos.
Bvd. Azucena Villaflor 400, Puerto Madero
4010 9233
info@faenaartscenter.org
5 Outdoor Buenos Aires Attractions
(Photo by Denise Mayumi)
As the days get warmer and the sun shines bright, exploring the city out in the fresh air becomes more appealing. Fortunately, one of the great things about Buenos Aires is that despite being a gigantic urban labyrinth, its streets are lined with lush trees and there are plenty a park and a place to explore outdoors.
Parque 3 de Febrero: The lush extensive parks that were inaugurated in 1852 by caudillo Juan Manuel de Rosas are a city emblem. Between Av. Libertador and Lugones, and extending from Av. Casares in Palermo to La Pampa in Belgrano, this group of parks is composed of 25 hectares made up of 15 public parks and 21 private sport clubs. Some of the highlights for those getting to know the city include the “Rosedal”, an extensive rose garden with an Andalusian patio and a small lake to pedal boat in, the Sivori museum of art, the planetarium and the Japanese gardens which host a variety of activities related to Japanese culture.
Recoleta parks and Cemetery: The Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most famous attractions of Buenos Aires and for good reason. Great political figures, scientists, writers and other important characters of the city are buried in this cemetery full of stories of broken hearts, love and hate, friendship, obsession, loyalty and ghosts. The architecture of the vaults is also pretty spectacular which is why it’s a must visit. Other attractions in the area include very extensive and lovely parks, museums, architectural gems and the famous Floralis Generica monument.
Puerto Madero: Pierced by the river, this upscale area is lined with renovated warehouses that were turned into hip restaurants overlooking sailboats and bridges. Modern and upscale, it is a great place to walk through, and lunch in. The elegant Puente de la Mujer (woman’s bridge), and the Fragata de Libertad (a ship turned into a museum) are the main attractions of this carefully cared for area.
Reserva Ecológica: Behind Puerto Madero is a unique ecosystem that naturally emerged from deposits of rubble used for the construction of a highway in the 70s and 80s. It has become a great place for bird watching within minutes of the city, and also has the best views of the city’s skyline. Guided tours of the reserve are available on weekends from 10.30am-3.30pm and a monthly nocturnal visit is conducted which you must book a week in advance for. More information on nocturnal tour dates here.
Tigre: In the outskirts of the city, on the opposite side of town, is an island lined by small rivers and streams. The rugged location surrounded by nature offers a variety of attractions including canoeing, kayak and other excursions by boat, trekking, ecotourism, motorboat and commuter boats to take you to different places on the riverside, restaurants, spas, tea-houses, picnic sites, a naval museum, an art museum, a mate museum, a casino, a crafts fair and an amusement park. More information here.
Our Dining Picks: Chila
(Photo of Puerto Madero by Leandro´s World Tour)
Soledad Nardelli is the chef in charge of this successful top notch Puerto Madero auteur restaurant where every dish is unique in its combination of flavors and presentation. Overlooking the docks and with one of a kind details such as the Malbec bread in the bread basket, Chila is one of the best restaurants in the city for its quality, innovative combinations, ambience, service and the impeccable wine list. A foodie favorite, great for a business lunch or dinner, or for enjoying fine dining with a loved one.
Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Buenos Aires
(Photo by Katrina Parks)
The Italian influence on the city has been imprinted in the culinary trends of Buenos Aires where Italian restaurants abound. Of the many, we´ve picked five well worth trying to satisfy the craving of a hot plate of succulent pasta to warm up to in the winter!
Set on the second floor of an old house with a balcony overlooking Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo, this charming restaurant is a favorite amongst tourists and locals alike. Their fresh ingredients and traditional Italian cooking methods ensure the quality of their dishes which is complemented by the excellent service.
Defensa 1072, San Telmo
4362-5562
Open Tue-Sun 8am-Closing
The Hyatt in house Italian restaurant offers modern Italian cuisine in an ample seating space overlooking the stunning Duhau palace and gardens. An additional plus is the Hyatt Vinoteca and cheese room where you can taste local and foreign wines and a wide selection of premium cheeses served with fresh baked breads, chutneys and dried fruits.
Posadas 1350, Recoleta
5171 1330
Open every day from 6.30Am to midnight
This traditional restaurant is the perfect place to sit in on a winters day. Cozy and warm, it is frequented by the local clientele and favored by the aristocratic ladies of the Recoleta area. The food is fresh and abundant and their desserts, specially their chocolate semi-fredo and ice cream (which they make), are outstanding.
Av. Libertador 1098, Recoleta Alicia de Moreau Justo 176, Puerto Madera
4807-6691 4313-1199
Open everyday from 12-4pm and 8pm-closing.
Doppio Zero
This intimate restaurant in the Cañitas area prides itself on its simple but exquisite Italian cuisine, made with few ingredients and an emphasis on quality. Offering a 7 step tasting menu, and a wonderful wine selection by owner and sommelier Mariano Akman, Doppio Zero is an undisputed pleaser.
Soldado de La Independencia 1238, Las Cañitas
4899 0162
Open Tue- Sat 8.30pm- closing and Sun 12.30pm-4pm
Broccolino
Brocolino is a traditional Italian trattoria like restaurant with abundant, well priced and delicious homemade pasta. Their extensive menu, and the boisterous cheerful atmosphere bring both the Italian flavor and spirit to the table.
Esmeralda 776, Dowtown
4322-9848
Open every day from 12-4pm and 8pm-closing.
Buenos Aires Nightlife #1
It is well know that the Buenos Aires nightlife is one of the city´s biggest attractions. All nighters, bar hopping, and late night dancing are all part of the fun. Some suggestions for good partying include:
Club Niceto: Offering live music and cutting edge theme based parties this is definitely a Buenos Aires funhouse. For a wild party you wont forget, go on a Thursday when Club Niceto hosts Club 69. Just remember clubbing here stars late so don’t go before 2am.
(+54 11) 4779 9396 / info@nicetoclub.com
Niceto Vega 5510 – C1414BFD – Palermo
Ciudad de Buenos Aires – Argentina
http://www.nicetoclub.com
Museum: In the heart of San Telmo this is buzzing nightclub was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same man who designed the Eiffel Tower! Other appeals of this venue include, live music, a dinner menu and happy hour. The music is mostly 80´s, 90-s, dance, pop and disco.
Perú 535, San Telmo
+54 (11) 43429235
www.clubmuseum.com.ar
Asia de Cuba: Overlooking Puerto Madero, Asia de Cuba is a polished and modern restaurant and nightclub. The oriental decor and exotic dishes make this a popular venue for local and foreign party people. Music is mostly techno and classic 80´s.
Olga Cossentini 751- Puerto Madero
4894-1328
www.asiadecuba.com.ar
