Location: El Centro (Downtown)
Top Things to do in El Centro (Downtown)
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Top 10 Historic Sites in El Centro (Downtown), Capital Federal District
The birthplace of the tango is, like the dance itself, captivating, seductive and bustling with excited energy. Atmospheric old neighborhoods are rife with romantic restaurants and thumping nightlife, and Buenos Aires' European heritage is evident in its architecture, boulevards and parks. Cafe Tortoni, the city's oldest bar, will transport you back to 1858, and the spectacular Teatro Colon impresses just as it did in 1908. Latin America's shopping capital offers the promise of premium retail therapy along its grand, wide boulevards.
Restaurants in Buenos Aires
1. Centro Naval
2. Palacio Barolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,855 reviews
The PALACIO illustrates and pays tribute to THE DIVINE COMEDY written by DANTE ALIGHIERI. This building shows a unique architectural style, mingling the neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic appearance followed by the dome, with its original hindu design, which belongs to the region of Bhubaneshwar. It represents the tantric union between Dante and Beatrice, both protagonists of The Divine Comedy.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
It was a great time had during the tour (of about an hour & a half from about 11 15 am to 12 45 pm) of this 1920's building inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy in which I ascended from Hell through Purgatory to Heaven (as the floors of the Building are grouped in such way) while along the way was also like a metaphorical or symbolic "purifying of your soul", and yes it's from Heaven meaning the level with small balconies just before the Lighthouse (on the very top of the Building) then the Lighthouse itself that you get "pretty phenomenal" 360-degree views of the city especially to the west (where actually at just a very short distance from this building is the "spacious rectangular" Plaza Congreso & the green-domed building of Congreso Nacional past the plaza) and to the east (where the view is all the way to the "super tall" high-rises of the Puerto Madero waterfront and where you'll also see a little to the southeast one side of the two-sided Eva Peron's mural on Avenida 9 de Julio). As for the "structural part" of the Building: it was a "nice variety" of taking the old "original elevator" (likely the same one from the 1920's), the wide spiral stairways & also the "quite narrow" spiral stairway to the Lighthouse; sitting inside the Lighthouse with its big round-shaped light so close by was something I'd never done before (although I got inside two more of them later on in Uruguay); the fairly-big deck on the back side with the big "green facade" of like an Indian-styled architecture was quite awesome to look at (on our way down from the Lighthouse); and finally it was pretty great to get to sit behind the owner's desk in his office where there's also a copy of the "original Divine Comedy" (the last stop of the tour before going back down). So, the only thing somewhat on the downside about this site is the cost of the tour (which was 700 or so argentina pesos or about 20 US$ as of last January when I visited) was like more than twice of what I paid later at Palacio Salvo in Montevideo (which is like the "sister site" of this site) although yes what justifies the cost here I would say is its great views from above (as mentioned above) which you won't get at Palacio Salvo (with no top-floor balconies to go out for a view there & just kind of a "limited view" from its very top); and yes also my "great thanks" are to our tour guide Lucy for her "wonderful friendliness" and for her great knowledge of the Building (& the Divine Comedy too) who really just kept us all informed of all we needed to know throughout the tour. If coming by metro, Saenz Pena Station (Line A) is where to get off which is just conveniently right in front of this building on Avenida de Mayo. And apart from Plaza Congreso & the Congreso Nacional building (as mentioned above where it just takes about 5 minutes by turning left after coming out of here and going through the Plaza to the front gate of Congress), it's actually also not too far to the east end of that avenue (about a 15-minute walk to the right after coming out of here with also Avenida 9 de Julio to cross along the way) where there's Plaza de Mayo with Casa Rosada Presidential Palace & Metropolitan Cathedral (with the tomb of the libertador General San Martin).
3. Parroquia San Nicolas de Bari
4. Santa Casa De Ejercicios Espirituales
5. Cabildo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 770 reviews
Reviewed By lobstaluva - Springfield, United States
The original building that sat here, of adobe and thatch, served as the administrative building during Spanish rule. It fell into disrepair and this new building was begun in the mid 1700s. It is a beautiful old building, well maintained, at one end of the Plaza de Mayo opposite Casa Rosada. Today, it serves as a museum housing much memorabilia from the May Revolution of 1810. There are documents, paintings, clothing and jewelry, and other artifacts. There are interactive exhibits, and coverage of the Spanish colonial era and British invasions. There is access to a former jail, and an 1835 ornamental water well. The museum is closed on Mondays but opens other days at 10:30am. Closing times vary. There is a small admission fee but the museum is free on Tuesdays.
6. La Manzana de Las Luces
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 526 reviews
Reviewed By Yogaphan
Great place to wander and enjoy the history of the city through excellent curation. Well worth a drop in while you are in the downtown area.
7. Our Lady of Rosario Basilica
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By DrErickJMannPhD - Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Basilica of the Holy Rosary and the St. Dominic Convent dates back to the mid-18th Century. Building of the present church started in 1751, designed by architect Antonio Masella though the Dominican Order had arrived in the city in the 17th Century. The church was declared a basilica in 1909. Except for the right hand side tower which was reconstructed in 1856 and some details of the facade, the temple still keeps to its original appearance. National hero Manuel Belgrano ‘s mausoleum is kept here since 1903. There are also confessionals made of marble and flags taken from the British troops who invaded in 1807.
8. Pasaje de la Defensa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 82 reviews
The Passage of Defense (Former House of the Ezeiza) is an old aristocratic mansion from 1874 that was later abandoned and had several uses, the best known was that of "conventillo" during the time of European immigration to Argentina. Since the 80's it has been a commercial and cultural walk where Buenos Aires souvenir shops, handicrafts, wines, antiques, leather, designer clothes and shoes, art gallery, bars and even a flea market coexist! Historic and emblematic enclave of the old town of Buenos Aires. We are waiting for you!
Reviewed By 438milenab - Podgorica Municipality, Montenegro
When you enter from the crowded street of San Telmo in this Passage, immediately feel like you're going to discover some secret place. So quiet and unobtrusive, makes you feel like you traveled in time. You can find your corner to take a rest, have a nice bite of domestic good quality food and vine.
9. Farmacia De la Estrella Homeopatia
10. Casa Rosada
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9,801 reviews
Reviewed By JoseF98 - Phoenix, United States
Love this presidential palace made more famous by Madonna's version of Evita. It's the center of the plaza and has so much going for it from its size to its famous balconies to its signature color.
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