Buenos Aires’ newest of its 48 neighborhoods, construction of current Puerto Madero was only started in 1989 on the waterfront location of the former Madero Docklands that had been in decay ever since the New Port of Buenos Aires was constructed in 1926. A combination of renovating and converting former warehouses into high end restaurants and developing new buildings by world renowned architects and designers like Norman Foster and Philippe Starck has made Puerto Madero an unmissable part of the best trips to Buenos Aires.
Puerto Madero currently represents the largest urban renewal project in the city of Buenos Aires. Having undergone an impressive revival in merely a decade, it is one of the most successful recent waterfront renewal projects in the world. Falling under the formal jurisdiction of the Navy the neighborhood offers excellent security and is a popular place to live with both expats and wealthy Argentines.
On the eastern side of Puerto Madero, landfills formed by construction debris from around the city form the basis for what since 1986 has become the Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. A number of trails leading to the river are perfect for bird watching, strolling and cycling.
All streets in Puerto Madero are named after famous Argentine women and Alicia Moreau de Justo, the main street separating Puerto Madero from downtown houses many of the fanciest restaurants in town, among them Cabana Las Lilas, one of the most famous Parillas or grill restaurants in South America with its own livestock ranch outside of Buenos Aires.
For nightlife Puerto Madero has Asia de Cuba ( Pierina Dealessi 750) on offer, a very popular upmarket supper club with dancing afterwards as well as the more house music oriented Acqua (Juana Manso 305) a few blocks away. Both are at crawling distance from the shiny new Hilton Buenos Aires with its giant atrium, should you wish to conclude one of the best trips to Buenos Aires by spending the night in Puerto Madero as well.
The very expensive warehouse-turned-design-hotel Faena at Martha Salotti 445 is another option. Popular with visiting rock stars and rich visitors from Russia and the MIddle East, it has a great pool, which you can also enjoy as a non-guest by just booking a relatively affordable lunch in the poolside restaurant.
