Want to explore the brilliant city of Buenos Aires without getting herded into dull tourist traps you never really had any interest in? Then you’re in the right place: Welcome to the Curated by Tripsby guide to exploring off the beaten path in Argentina. We recommend the best alternative places to stay, eat, explore, and shop in Buenos Aires that you probably haven’t heard of, but definitely should’ve.
In this guide we take you on a travel tastemaker’s journey through Buenos Aires, stopping at an neighborhood oozing with Argentinian history, a Disney-fied Asian street food market, and lush delta where we’ll ride the wayerways by boat. And as if that wasn’t enough, we share the best tango hall, cafe notable, and flea market this city has to offer, and much more. Read on to discover our Curated by Tripsby top list of recommendations for exploring off the beaten path in Buenos Aires.
Stay Off the Beaten Path in Buenos Aires
Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires – Recoleta
Experience life as an aristocrat in 1930s Argentina in Palacio Duhau, Recoleta. The Park Hyatt Hotel is housed in a neoclassical palace (now a national historic monument) with expansive gardens originally landscaped by Carlos Thays, the same landscaper credited for the city’s botanical garden. The oak-panel and marble palace is connected by a subterranean art gallery which hosts rotating exhibitions of local artists to a modern annex, the hub of indulgence. The elegant modern suites are just a few steps away from the Ahín Wellness & Spa, a dining terrace, flower shop, and patisserie where you can go for your post-dinner fix of truffles and macarons.
BE Jardin Escondido by Coppola – Palermo Soho
BE Jardin Escondido is a rustic 7-room boutique hotel nestled in Palermo Soho offering guests a glimpse into the life of its former residents, Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola. Personally decorated by Eleanor, an artist and filmmaker appraised for her artistic vision, the atmosphere exudes a thoughtful, curated feel. Yet details like the sunken leather couch, strewn guitar, and book piles give the place a warm lived-in beauty. The hotel is centered upon a lush courtyard overtaken by plants and trees, it’s an oasis in the heart of the city. BE Jardin’s best bit, however, the Coppola’s’ personal library filled with Latin American books and audition tapes from Francis’ film ‘Tetro’.
Cassa Lepage Art Hotel Buenos Aires – Monserrat
Cassa Lepage Art Hotel, housed in a historic Monserrat building, combines art and hospitality to create one of the most inspiring stays in Buenos Aires. The tall ceilings and traditional features are juxtaposed with white walls, hardwood floors, large windows, and exposed bricks, vents, and beams to conjure a modern art gallery aesthetic. While each of the 22 rooms in Cassa Lepage is uniquely decorated with selected contemporary art and decorative objects, the hotel’s library, living room, and public gallery and museum showcase works by prominent contemporary Argentine artists. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant practices art with a fusion of Peruvian and Argentine cuisine, complemented by signature cocktails.
Explore Off the Beaten Path in Buenos Aires
Rather than sticking to Buenos Aires’ most popular neighborhoods like Recoleta and Palermo, branch out to the off-the-radar spots for some pleasant surprises. The locations we share offer the authentic local feel of a residential BA neighborhood along with their fair share of cool and unique things to see, do, and eat.
Colegiales
Colegiales is a quiet sought-after residential neighborhood located one stop after Palermo on the Metro line where you’ll find some of the most magnificent colonial mansions in Buenos Aires. Its tranquility and proximity to Palermo’s dining and nightlife make Colegiales the kind of neighborhood that offers the best of both worlds. However, you don’t need to go far for a dose of good food and entertainment. The historic leafy streets, many of which now feature impressive murals from local artists, are lined with charming cafes, bars, and restaurants. Some of the best can be found of the ‘gastronomy corridor’ of Avenue Elcano. Don’t leave without visiting the popular music venue Vorterix radio broadcaster and live music venue, or sifting through the antiques and vintage piles at Mercado de las Pulgas flea market.
San Telmo
San Telmo is well-known among the top Buenos Aires neighborhoods by now and, although it attracts more tourists than ever, it never lost its local bohemian charm. Being on the outskirts of downtown Buenos Aires close to the leafy green Puerto Madero barrio, San Telmo boasts a calm, residential atmosphere. Yet, after a short walk to San Telmo Square, you’ll find yourself amongst a lively crowd of kids, young adults, and the elderly alike, watching couples dancing tango in the streets to live music. Meanwhile, tucked between the streets, the city’s cool crowds gather at hipster bars, brew pubs, tanguerias, and galleries. On Sundays, the streets of San Telmo are taken over by one of the best antique markets in Argentina — a visit worthy for its energy alone.
Almagro
Despite its central location between Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo, the Almagro neighborhood is often overlooked and, frankly, there’s no good explanation for it. Oozing with Argentinian history, tradition, and culture, those visiting get a fascinating window into Buenos Aires’ roots. Spend your mornings reading books and writing journal entries while sipping coffee at a typical porteño cafe before heading out into the city to explore. Return in the evenings to catch special local performances in the barrio’s traditional tango halls where many of the great tango singers and musicians originally performed. Although Almagro’s traditional style has a strong presence, there are plenty of trendy bars and boutiques to visit that nod to the city’s chic side.
Eat off the beaten path in Buenos Aires
It’s hard to go wrong when eating in Buenos Aires because their cuisine and culinary talent is just that good. But instead of relying on the top rated restaurants to show your tastebuds a good time, allow us to introduce some of the city’s lesser known eateries equally worthy of a top spot.
Mercat Villa Crespo
Mercat Villa Crespo is an Asian-inspired food hall in the Villa Crespo barrio combining food, art, and entertainment. The market is spread across three floors each focusing on different immersive multicultural experiences. Head to the Japanese street food alley, then follow the metro signs to the underground where you’ll find everything from Asian candy stores and matcha stores to manga collectibles, and much more. Between the delicious Asian food, artisanal goods, and unique immersive experiences, Mercat Villa Crespo is hard to leave.
Bar Británico
There’s so many cool and trendy cafes to try in Buenos Aires but don’t leave the city without experiencing Bar Británico, a ‘cafe notable’ and historic heritage site in San Telmo. From the outside, it looks like a dusty old dive bar, and that’s because it is. The charm of this place is in the dark wood-paneled walls, the checkered tile floor, and the waiters who have worked there for decades. If you ask, they might tell you stories of how it went from being a place of respite for war veterans and railroad workers to now-famous writers. The cafe’s traditional Argentinian fare not only honors its history and cultural significance, but it also outdoes many of the more prominent Argentinian restaurants in the area.
Patio de los Lecheros
Once a dairy distribution center, ‘Patio de los Lecheros’ or The Milkman’s Patio is a cobblestone warehouse-turned-vibrant food court lined with benches where groups of friends eat, chat, and listen to live music. An exciting choice of food vendors selling everything from tacos to sushi surrounds the benches while string lights and bunting hang above to set the tone. The food is as incredible as the atmosphere, once again showing off Buenos Aires’ ability to take a historic building and transform it into one of the hottest city hangouts.
90s Coffee Roasters
If you’re after an Instagrammable coffee stop, don’t miss 90’s Coffee Roasters off your list. While the interior features blocky wood tables and simple white walls, the simple clean aesthetic coupled with a corridor-style coziness makes it a perfect coffee break hideaway or coworking spot. You’re right, that alone isn’t too Instagram-worthy, but the coffees are. When you order, ask them to add 3D latte art to the foam and they’ll serve you coffee with an adorable 3-D foam animal floating on top.
El Obrero, La Boca
The main streets of La Boca are dotted with overly commercialized bars and restaurants taking advantage of the droves of tourists shuffling along them. While the colorful main streets are worth a peek, wander along the quieter streets to El Obrero to get a more authentic taste of the barrio. This unassuming restaurant characterized by its bright yellow barred windows and giant Coca-Cola sign out front is far from a ritzy experience, but one to cherish nonetheless. Walk inside and admire the cluttered walls with soccer memorabilia and vintage photos filling every gap before browsing the Spanish-Argentine menu. While you’re munching on a milanesa and Spanish omelet, you might be serenaded by the in-house guitarist.
Casa Felix, Chacarita
When it comes to dining, it doesn’t get more off the beaten path than Casa Félix in Chacarita. The "closed-door" restaurant offers a unique dining experience in the courtyard of a charming, colonial home owned by in-house Chef Diego Felix and his wife Sanra Ritten. The service, starting at 10 pm (typical Argentinian dinner time), involves an exquisite vegetarian and pescatarian five-course meal. Each course is based on an Argentinian favorite like empanadas and chimichurri but with a flavorful creative twist. In between courses, you will sip on sangria soak up the warm and exciting atmosphere as you mingle with other guests.
Explore off the beaten path in Buenos Aires
We aren’t telling you not to go to Buenos Aires’ most famous sights and landmarks; they are well worth a visit. What we are telling you, however, is that they aren’t the only destinations that make the city worth visiting. Be sure to check out some of our recommendations to experience BA without being surrounded by droves of tourists.
Wander the city’s secret tunnels
San Telmo neighborhood is full of surprises, but none as intriguing as El Zanjon de Granados, a system of secret underground tunnels beneath an 1830s mansion. Discover the shocking secrets it holds on a guided tunnel tour led by expert storytellers who bring its history to life. Between the elegance of its archways and eeriness of its dark corners, you’re sure to be mesmerized by this little-known Buenos Aires gem. Elevate the experience with a premium tour that finishes with a serving of traditional empanadas and Malbec wine.
Dance at Lo de Celia Tango Club
Rather than going to the most popular tango hall in town, go to the most underrated, which is Lo de Celia Tango Club in our opinion. Located in the lesser-visited Balvanera neighborhood beside San Telmo, this small, intimate, and old-school dance hall offers a porteño style experience. In other words, it promises the passionate dancing and music without any show-biz-style frills. What’s more, it upholds the codigos (codes) of tango such as the eye contact invitation, which gives visitors a true cultural immersion.
Take the train to Tigre Delta
Just a one hour train journey from Retiro Station in the center of bustling Buenos Aires lies a sleepy town called Tigre amongst a labrynth of waterways, islands, and lush vegetation. Arrive early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds (while it remains largely undiscovered by foreigners, its a popular place for locals to escape the city). Whilst there, enjoy a boat tour through the tranquil waterways where you can listen to the birds sing and watch dragonflies buzz on by. Afterwards, visit the Puerto de Frutos market, and explore the Museo de Arte Tigre.
Watch a football game
Home to the ‘Big 5 teams of Argentina’, Boca, River, Independiente, Racing, and San Lorenzo, Buenos Aires is one of the world’s top football destinations. As a result, the sport has a big presence in Buenos Aires, which you’ll soon realise when chatting to its passionate football-crazy locals. Therefore, one of the best ways to immerse in local culture is to watch a live match given the opportunity. There’s usually a friendly on, if not a national or international competition.
Ferry over to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento might be a short ferry ride away from Buenos Aires, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site feels like another world. The Barrio Historico dates back to the late 15th century when the Spaniards first colonized Uruguay and remains one of the country’s oldest towns today. Its cute pastel-colored single-storey row houses show off the simplistic charm of their era but the history they have witnessed is anything but. Take a walking tour through the old town to learn about its intriguing history of trade and smuggling.
Shop off the beaten path in Buenos Aires
Forget big name brands and commercial malls, you can find those anywhere in the world. Instead, check out our list of alternative places to shop in Buenos Aires as a travel tastemaker. We cover books, luxury, independent, and vintage, giving you the best of everything.
Buy your books at El Ateneo Grand Splendid (literature)
Whether you’re a book worm or an occasional book dipper, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one bookstore worth visiting in Buenos Aires. Named the world’s most beautiful bookstore in 2019 by National Geographic, it blends grand architecture, cultural significance, and an exemplary collection of books. After walking through the foyer into the bookstore, it’s easy to see it was once an opulent theater, but the balconies, stalls, and even the stage are now lined with books. Besides the books, it remains untouched since its theater days and still boasts gold gilted balconies, a lush red velvet curtain parted across the stage, and an elegant fresco adorning the domed ceiling.
Palermo Soho Boutiques (independent)
Palermo is hardly an off the beaten path destination in Buenos Aires but its boutiques are an exciting alternative to the typical malls and high street stores. Sitting pretty between the city’s coolest cafes and galleries, Palermo’s boutiques offer everything from handcrafted homewear to boho womenswear. The best stores can be found on Jorge Luis Borges, Gurruchaga, and Malabia, meanwhile Plaza Serrano is a hub for independent designers known for its weekend artisan market. Boutiques not to miss include Jazmín Chebar, Facón Casa + Vino, Rapsodia, A.Y. Not Dead, and Anis.
Pasaje del Correo (upscale)
Recoleta Mall is great for commercial shopping, but something more chic and unique lies just around the corner. Pasaje del Correo is a narrow alleyway a few blocks down from Recoleta Mall that has been transformed into a luxury shopping, dining, and art destination. Go there day or night to browse the high-end galleries and boutiques before sitting for dinner at renowned restaurant Aramburu by Relais & Châteaux or enjoy a long afternoon of tapas and wine at La Esperanza de Azcurra.
Jaleo, San Telmo (vintage)
If you love a thrifted find, put a pin in Jaleo, a 19th-century mansion-turned-vintage store in San Telmo. Caring more about sustainability and style than brands and designers, Jaleo’s thifts are completely tagless which adds to the appeal of second-hand shopping for many. But this isn’t some overstuffed rack sale, it’s a curated collection of dreamy pieces that ensure the outfit wears the perosn, not the other way around. Find excuisite tailoring, enviable footwear, eclectic accessories and more.
Plan your off the beaten path trip to Buenos Aires
Start planning your off the beaten path trip to Buenos Aires with Tripsby.ai today. Tell our intelligent travel planner what kind of trip you’re looking for, whether it’s cultural, family-friendly, or for solo travel, and watch it plan a detailed itinerary personalized to your travel taste within the time it takes you to make a coffee. Don’t forget to ask it to include the suggested off the beaten path recommendations you liked most in this guide.
