Palermo Viejo
Palermo Viejo
4
About
Popular for daytime picnics, nature walks and evening strolls, this auspicious neighborhood is home to a number of lush gardens and a zoo.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Palermo
Best known as the largest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Palermo is divided into different quarters, each with its own unique identity. The high-end quarter is Palermo Chico, characterized by magnificent mansions, regal avenues, and exclusive apartment buildings, and home to the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA), a favourite amongst locals. The largest park in the city, the Bosques de Palermo, is Palermo's most famous landmark and a popular destination for nature walks, picnics, rollerblading, and cycling. The scene becomes much trendier in Palermo Soho, a hip area known for its cool cafés and unique design stores, filled with shoppers on weekends; and Palermo Hollywood, renowned for the numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs, which make it the preferred spot for nights out and special occasions.
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
3,924 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,036 within 10 kms
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4.0
365 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
176
Average
49
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Urban Odyssey
NYC22 contributions
If you’re familiar with New York, Palermo Viejo (and its area of Palermo Soho) is like a Soho/Williamsburg merge. It’s chic, it’s young, it’s a mecca for hip, bohemian fashionistas. The streets are lined with beautiful arching trees (gorgeous!) and of course the ubiquitous dog poop from the pasaperros (dog walkers) and their pack of dogs. Never mind this though. And before you write off this area because you assume its chicness puts it out of your price range, listen up! Restaurants of all kinds are plentiful and might set you back $15 for a steak dinner for two including a bottle of wine. You can also find a $50 dinner, but that’s higher end. There are boutique hotels that often cost less than the chain hotels of the downtown area of BA, and even more affordable apartments to rent through agencies such as apartmentsba (see my review of apartmentsba). There are coffee shops, bakeries, homey eateries, art galleries, shops; this neighborhood is a real gem. Unless you want to be in the equivalent of the Upper East Side of Manhattan (old money wealth, diplomats, chain brand designers) which in BA would be Recoleta, Palermo is a great place to stay in.
• Fashion: Stores sell artsy, bohemian, chic. Great prices for what you get, original designs. If you travel at the end of THEIR winter (September), you are catching the end of season sales of fall/winter goods as the Spring lines come out. The selection may be more limited though.
• Eating: Everything a city can offer (local, Italian, Polish, Armenian, Japanese, fusion, etc. etc). La Cabrera is a must (order one dish and share as portion sizes are huge). Lines form outside, and if you’re lucky to experience it like we did, you get champagne and grilled meats as you wait outside. Don Julio (classic parilla), El Preferido (homey), Cluny (modern)… Pick up a copy of Time Out BA, and “The Authentic Bars, Cafes and Restaurants of Buenos Aires” by Gabriela Kogan.
• Art/bar scene: plentiful. Check out “Cambodia in Hollywood” 1885 Thames for some incredible stencil graffiti, street art exhibits. Drink some beers in an atmosphere of coolness.
• Book stores. Book lovers, BA pays homage to literacy and intelligentsia. Besides visiting the bookstore housed in a theater (El Ateneo), check out Boutique del Libro (1762 Thames) for a real beauty. High ceilings, great lighting, great books (in Spanish) and a back area with a bar and write-on wall for posting your thoughts. Really, a model for an independent bookstore.
• Security: Always felt comfortable, police officers stationed here and there. It’s a city, so as always have street smarts. I would say, I never felt as safe in a city as I did here.
• Sound level: Granted we traveled off-season, but man is this city QUIET. Barely a horn, barely any city-street aggression, people immersed in their own worlds. Keep in mind my baseline is New York.
• Fashion: Stores sell artsy, bohemian, chic. Great prices for what you get, original designs. If you travel at the end of THEIR winter (September), you are catching the end of season sales of fall/winter goods as the Spring lines come out. The selection may be more limited though.
• Eating: Everything a city can offer (local, Italian, Polish, Armenian, Japanese, fusion, etc. etc). La Cabrera is a must (order one dish and share as portion sizes are huge). Lines form outside, and if you’re lucky to experience it like we did, you get champagne and grilled meats as you wait outside. Don Julio (classic parilla), El Preferido (homey), Cluny (modern)… Pick up a copy of Time Out BA, and “The Authentic Bars, Cafes and Restaurants of Buenos Aires” by Gabriela Kogan.
• Art/bar scene: plentiful. Check out “Cambodia in Hollywood” 1885 Thames for some incredible stencil graffiti, street art exhibits. Drink some beers in an atmosphere of coolness.
• Book stores. Book lovers, BA pays homage to literacy and intelligentsia. Besides visiting the bookstore housed in a theater (El Ateneo), check out Boutique del Libro (1762 Thames) for a real beauty. High ceilings, great lighting, great books (in Spanish) and a back area with a bar and write-on wall for posting your thoughts. Really, a model for an independent bookstore.
• Security: Always felt comfortable, police officers stationed here and there. It’s a city, so as always have street smarts. I would say, I never felt as safe in a city as I did here.
• Sound level: Granted we traveled off-season, but man is this city QUIET. Barely a horn, barely any city-street aggression, people immersed in their own worlds. Keep in mind my baseline is New York.
Written 28 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelTime
Dallas, TX66 contributions
Yes, Ive been to Palermo Viejo. Its , in my believe, what being a "porteno" is all about. It has Argentinean character, yet very trendy restaurants and small shops, many from local designers. Its the kind of barrio where you have to walk around, and discover by going in and out of shops, stopping at the different restaurants. Dont be deceived by the look outside... many jewels inside the building. Chic with a lot of argentinean character, very eclectic....love it!!!!!
Written 20 June 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph P
Washington, DC2 contributions
I have been to Palermo Viejo twice in 2009-- both times for four days. I have been to several B&Bs in Buenos Aires and I have finally found a place that I will return to again and again! First of all, the owner Ariel is very friendly and quite helpful in providing info on how to get places, where to eat, and things to do in Palermo. I like the fact that you get your own keys so that you do not have to ring to get in and out, especially at night. The location is superb: near the best restaurants, shops, and plazas of Palermo Viejo. And it is just around the corner from the bargain shopping on Cordoba. Across the street is a cafe and just a few steps to Scalabrini Ortiz are a grocery store, empanada shop, and pizzeria-- all nice to have when you don't want to go out. The breakfast is nice: warm breads, marmelade, yogurt, fruit, juice, and EXCELLENT COFFEE! And you can eat whenever you want! Each room has a distinctive decor that is cheery yet artsy. Ariel knows BsAs culture and realizes that guests are going to sleep late. I have found that I sleep quite soundly because the rooms are off the street. The rooms have excellent air conditioning and heat. All said, Palermo Viejo is an excellent choice for the price.
Written 4 August 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadLifer
Las Vegas, NV39 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I find a lot of the BA neighborhood reviews to be off base and this is no exception. Based on the limited tourist time one has, this area did not live up to the reviews here. They call this Palermo SOHO also. There is nothing SOHO like here. It does attract the young and hip crowd who want to be seen. However, as a tourist, it seems like an old neighborhood with some overpriced boutique shops, old decor, old fashioned market flea market, and rather ordinary (for BA) restaurants. It dId have any "wow" factor to justify the trek there and the time spent. I would avoid if you seek culture and history of BA.
Written 28 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodrigo Veloso
Lisbon, Portugal15 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We stayed for 4 days in Buenos Aires. First we were checking a place near the center to sleep but Buenos Aires is much better away from the city center. The areas of Palermo and Palermo viejo/soho are the best. You can feel the good quality of live by the good environment , stylish restaurants and stores, street art , nice parks. Stay here!!
Written 17 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
realworldtraveller
Italy357 contributions
Oct 2015
October 19th - 2015 - As soon as you walk along the alleys of Palermo viejo you'll have the feeling of a deja vu; i.e. a sort of attempt to provide a more exclusive imitation of the atmosphere provided naturally by the San Telmo borough. Obviously, the attempt fails, although this area still offers some interesting spots where a lighter bohemian atmosphere than the one offered strongly in San Telmo may be perceived.
Written 24 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David P
Novo Sancti Petri, Spain139 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Well, I live in Canada, but I'm from Buenos Aires. Palermo Viejo is one of the neighbourhood with its own character. Walk the touristic areas, but also walk the not comercial streets. Porteños are very friendly people. Learn the basics words in Spanish, but with the Argentinian slang. Like: Hi how are you? Hola, como estás? Soy de ______ (I'm from -_____) Que me recomendás para ver en tu barrio? (What do you recommend me to see in your neighbourhood? Tips: Morning you are going to find people from there, afternoon, visitors, night a mix. Avoid the weekends.
Written 14 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Easylivingtravel
Tampa, FL4,974 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I consider this one favorite neighborhoods in the world now. I stayed in Palermo Viejo three weeks enjoying cafes, wine boutiques, corner restaurants, and the view of beautifully designed home. I stayed in a studio apartment in a building called "Color Botanico" on a cobbled stone street named "Gurruchaga". I had the pleasure of drinking the best cosmopolitans in the world at a Venezuelan Restaurant-Bar called "Caracas". I did wine tasting at JA! (Joaquin Alberdi) and ate delicious hand-made fresh gnocchi at "La Popular". Great gourmet hamburgers can be found at "Mole" and the best churrasco night out can be done at Don Julio. Palermo Viejo is that neighborhood that gives culinary art, boutique wines, and good feel for the Argentine Experience. Happy Travels!!!!!
Written 6 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarmichaelVentura
California2,550 contributions
Jan 2014
This was another of the stylish, green, interchangeable suburbs just outside of the center. All are great for walking, all are full of fashionable people, all have great shopping and dining. There really is not, to my mind, reason to visit more than one of them!
Written 15 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alina S
Houston, TX17 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Good neighborhood to stay at. All major sights are within easy reach by (inexpensive) taxi. The area itself is nice to stroll; there are plenty of good restaurants.
Written 27 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, is there a secure place for luggage hold? We will have about 4-5 hours before the flight and would like to store luggage
Written 26 September 2019
Cordoba , Godoy Cruz , paraguay
Scalabrini Ortiz
Written 18 June 2020
O Bairro eh seguro? Os motoristas de taxi sao confiáveis? Jah fui assaltado 2 vezes por motoristas de taxi em Buenos Aires.?
Written 5 April 2017
Boa Tarde. E quanto a segurança do bairro? Pode-se passear pelas ruas tranqüilamente? Obrigado.
Written 5 April 2017
Palermo Viejo es un barrio seguro. No es necesario tomar un taxi para llegar, puede llegar en subte/metro líneas B y D y caminar, o tomar el bus turístico que tiene que dos recorridos hasta Plaza Armenia.
Saludos
Written 6 April 2017
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