A Guided Tour Around
Recoleta in Buenos Aires

Recoleta in Buenos Aires is the most prestigious neighborhood in this cosmopolitan city. Home to a number of intriguing tourist attractions, a visit to Recoleta could easily take up the best part of a day. It’s worth giving it some time, strolling around its streets and leafy parks to see what the high-life in Buenos Aires has to offer.

At a glance • Dine at La Bourgogne for an out of this world dining experience • Do a bit of luxury shopping at the high end stores along Avenida Alvear • Find the resting place of Evita Peron in Recoleta’s world famous cemetery • Lap up a little of the Argentine high life with a coffee at La Biele

Recoleta in Buenos Aires is situated to the north of the city. For the tourist it’s not that easily accessible via public transport, so you’re better off taking a taxi and heading to the main street in Recoleta – Avenida Alvear. From here you can easily walk around the different sights, starting with the main attraction: Recoleta cemetery.

The cemetery is a curious attraction as it is home to rich and famous Argentinean families from over the years. The mausoleums, sculptures and splendor of this cemetery are incredible and incredible and a must-do for any tourist.

A mausoleum in Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Nicky outside the church of Recoleta cemetery

Next to the cemetery is the small, Baroque colonial Iglesia de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. Built in 1732, it’s one of the oldest churches in Buenos Aires. Inside its humble exterior lies Incan and pre-Hispanic art that are worth a quick look around.

On the weekend the plaza outside the church and cemetery is buzzing as it’s host to a number of street performers including singers and tango dancers. There is also a little artisans’ market that makes for a pleasant stroll. This fair is particularly good for knitted clothing, leather and metal goods, as well as local arts and crafts.

You’ll also find that Recoleta in Buenos Aires offers up a fair slice of culture. Next to the colonial church, you’ll find Centro Cultural Recoleta which houses museums, galleries and a cinema – no less! As it’s set at the top of the hill, you can look down on to the grassy parks of Recoleta from the roof terrace while you sit and sip your coffee.

Buenos Aires Design

Halfway down the hill, you’ll find Buenos Aires Design. A crazy building designed inside and out by interior designers. It’s crude and colourful and houses two floors of furniture and interior design exhibitions. If you’re into interiors and modern furniture then it’s worth a visit.

At the bottom of the hill, cross Avenida del Libertador to the Museum Nacional de Bellas Artes where you can view some of the finest works of art in Argentina, including Rodin’s The Kiss and other European masters as well as an extensive range of Argentinean art.

Not only does Recoleta in Buenos Aires offer a glimpse of intriguing culture and art, it also offers designer labels, five star luxury hotels and fine dining. From this perspective, you really can see how the other half live.

Recoleta in Buenos Aires, a place to live the high life

Just a stone’s throw away is the Four Seasons and a host of other four and five star luxury hotels. Each with its own restaurants for fine dining, but none as good or as awarded as La Bourgogne in the Alvear Palace Hotel – considered year on year as the porteño’s favourite restaurant. Dining here is out of this world, so save it for something special.

The cafe culture around the end of Avenida Alvear is famous in its own right. La Biele is renowned for its connections to famous motor rally drivers as well as having a central role in connecting Buenos Aires aristocracy over a coffee or a glass of champagne. Sit here, or in one of the many other cafes nearby to watch the Argentine high life go by. It’s also a welcome break after a hard days shopping in the designer stores.

Here I am under the unusual Gomero trees

You’ll also be able to see the curious gomero trees that sit auspiciously next to the La Biele cafe. The tree trunks and roots are enchanting by the way they twist down into the ground, but it’s the sheer size of the tree that amazes. The wide canopy (sometimes up to 50m wide) casts a welcome, cool shadow over benches allowing the locals and tourists alike to sit and watch the street performers.

Other articles of interest:

Recoleta Cemetery
One of the most expensive places on earth to be buried, Recoleta cemetery is must see for anyone visiting Buenos Aires.

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