Universotokyo is all about Tokyo, but today I’m making an exception. Every year, I visit my family and friends in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I thought I’d give you a little peek of my home town.
Buenos Aires has long been called the Paris of South America but it’s more than that. A mix of tango and palaces, old cafes and trendy restaurants, the city has a wonderful energy. Here’s a photo essay on my unforgettable trip to my dear Buenos Aires.
Iglesia del Pilar & Cementerio de La Recoleta (Pilar Church and La Recoleta Cemetery), these are probably a must on every tourist’s list. La Recoleta Cemetery (1822) is simply beautiful. Surrounded by mausoleums with impressive statues, the Cemetery hosts Argentinean Presidents, politicians, military heroes and members of elite families. Don’t forget your camera! Free tours are available. (Junín 1760, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4803-1594)
Beautiful “Palo Borracho” trees in front of the Law School
San Telmo is one of Buenos Aires oldest and most romantic barrios. Surrounded by narrow cobbled streets lined with old trees and colonial houses, it nestles San Telmo Market, a buzzing flea market with unique artisans and antiques. The market started in 1970, and it still attracts lots of tourists and locals. Visit San Telmo every Sunday, stroll around Plaza Dorrego and enjoy the outdoor tango dancing and other performers, sit for a cortado coffee outside the old cafes and then wander aimlessly around this charming area.
Parroquia de San Pedro Telmo, 1735 (San Pedro Telmo Church, 1735)
Take a break and enjoy a cafe con leche con medialunas (Latte & Croissants) in the beautiful and traditional Cafe Dorrego, located right in front of Plaza Dorrego (Dorrego Square). Don’t miss the interior with its vintage bottles, wood furniture and graffiti walls (Defensa 1098, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4361-0141)
“Gabriel del Campo”, one of the best antiques store with character and presence (Bethlem 427, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4361-2061)
La Boca, the Italian barrio where Tango and the famous soccer team Boca Juniors were born. Between 1880 and 1930, around 6 million foreign immigrants poured into Argentina. Almost half of these people were Italian and decided to settle in La Boca. As part of their traditions they painted the outside of their homes with the leftover paint from the shipyard, since that’s all they could afford. “Caminito”, the traditional street alley in La Boca is home to tango dancers, local artists, and lines of colourful conventillos (long houses with small rooms that opened out onto a central outdoor common patio).
Palermo SOHO, the fashionable barrio in Buenos Aires is home to designer boutiques, cool cafes and trendy restaurants. Weekends are especially busy in Palermo, with two open-air markets located in Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia, attracting crowds of Porteños and visitors.
Casa Chic, a lovely shop and design hotel in the Palermo Soho (El Salvador 4786, Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4897-2040)
Juana de Arco, one of the oldest cool shops in Palermo (El Salvador 4762, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4833-1621). You can visit their store in Aoyama!
One of my favorite stores: PAUL French Gallery. Wonderful furniture and home deco, a lovely coffee shop with a pastry van and a flower shop (Gorriti 4865, Buenos Aires, Tel: 4833-2209)
Hasta la próxima Buenos Aires!
All photos on this blog were snapped by me unless otherwise noted. If you see something you’d like to share, please be sure to provide a link back to this space. Thank you!
UNIVERSOTOKYO 
It looks like such a beautiful city!
It is Paul 😊 It has its pros and cons but still a beautiful city
As a “porteña” I thank you for showing the world our City!
De nada! Our City has lots of beautiful things and places to show off 🙂
Beautiful pictures Mumi!!!!!!! Hope to see you around!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Belen! Lovely seeing you here 😊
What can I say… This post is as fantastic and brilliant as the person posting it!! Thanks for sharing your views and the light in you with us!
Aww so sweet amiga! Thanks a ton! 💕