Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Shopping Malls

Buenos Aires is a huge city and with inhabitants who rank shopping among their main hobbies, it’s no wonder the city can boast on having some impressive shopping malls within its territory, ranging from intimate to huge and from mainstream to upscale luxury. Here are 5 of the most impressive shopping malls to visit during the best vacations to Buenos Aires.

Galerias Pacifico

Upscale shopping mall in the middle of downtown on Florida shopping street in Microcentro. All the usual brands plus a flagship store for the local high end clothing brand Etiqueta Negra. Housed in former Pacific Railroad offices with amazing frescos on the ceilings by Antonio Berni amongst others

(Florida and Cordoba streets)

Patio Bullrich

Most expensive of the shoppings, located in Recoleta. Not that big, but makes up for it in exclusivity of the shops

(Libertador and Montevideo streets)

Alto Palermo

One of the oldest and most representative of the 'shoppings', but with one of the youngest crowds. Popular with families, it contains most of the Argentinian favourites, including Chocolate, María Vazquez and Rapsodia.

(Santa Fe and Coronel Diaz streets)

Abasto

One of the bigger shopping malls in BA with all the usual brands available, a newly renovated Hoyt's Multiplex with 3D screens and the only kosher McDonald's outside of Israel, because of it's location close to a big Jewish community. Housed in the former central market, so architecturally more interesting than most of the other shopping malls. It’s also home to the Children’s Museum making it a perfect destination for the whole family.

(Corrientes and Aguero streets )

Unicenter

A little bit outside of the city, this is the biggest shopping mall in Argentina with over 300 shop as well as a 14 screen multiplex with one of the most advanced sound systems in South America and a big food court, making it well worth the trip during the best vacations to Buenos Aires.

(Panamerican Highway, km 25, Martinez)

Read More

Buenos Aires Best Clubs and Disco's

Buenos Aires has a world-class selection in nightclubs (or “boliches” as they are called here) and from Wednesday through Sunday, people go out to dance and listen to music all over town. Here we give you the lowdown on some of the best clubs and nightlife in Buenos Aires.

Apart from Wednesdays' so-called After Office parties, where things start up around 21:00, you normally do not enter a club before 1:30 in the morning, so take time for dinner and some drinks first to avoid being alone on the dance floor. Remember that people dress to impress in BA so get yourself a smart shirt and avoid Nikes.

Asia de Cuba: Lounge restaurant that turns into a club later at night. Very close to the new Hilton Hotel in Puerto Madero and popular hang-out for BA's rich kids and a lot of tourists. Pierina Dealessi 750.

Bahrein: Dancing in a monumental former bank. Big name DJ's and good crowds. Multiple places to chill out and a VIP room in the vault. Drum & Bass night on Tuesdays, making it one of the few spots for the beginning of the week. Too many kids on weekends, so best avoided then. Lavalle 345, between Reconquista and 25 de Mayo.

Boutique: Formerly known as Museum and still the best club for Wednesdays after office nights from 21:00 till 03:00. Beautiful old building designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the guy from that tower in that other city). Peru 535 between Venezuela and Mexico in San Telmo.

Crobar: Famous for their clubs in New York and Miami. Crobar opened a spot in BA in late 2005. Nice place and the biggest competitor for famous DJ's performing to Pacha. Especially popular on Fridays. Av Infanta Isabel & Av Marcelino Freyre.

Pacha: Based on the Ibiza club of the same name. Still going strong on Fridays and Saturdays with international superstar DJ's once or twice a month. Fantastic view from the roof terrace over the Rio de la Plata when the sun comes up in the morning. Located at Costanera Norte, directly across from Jorge Newbury Airport on the waterfront.

Caix: Like Pacha, very close to the city airport Jorge Newbury, this is the BA club for people with serious sleep disorders. They try to attract people on other nights and times as well, but the place is really at its best from 9:00 on Sunday morning until the DJ pulls off his headphones at 15:00. The ultimate after party. Costanera Norte, Complejo Costa Salguero. 

Read More

Top 10 best bars in Buenos Aires

The second biggest city in South America is indeed a city that never sleeps. Since clubs normally don’t open before midnight, what better way to start your evening with a visit to one of the 10 best bars in Buenos Aires.

Gibraltar

This classic English bar in San Telmo has the ideal mix of expats and locals, a billiard room and a patio out back for smokers. Good Indian food as well. Friday is the night to be here.

(Peru 895)

Jack the Ripper

80’s English music, good cocktails and comfortable couches in the heart of Recoleta. Watch carefully or you will pass by without noticing the entrance up a few stairs 

(Libertad 1275)

Milion

Beautiful bar and restaurant in an old city mansion with multiple floors and a garden for warm summer nights.

(Paraná 1048)

Unico

The most popular bar in Palermo Hollywood, almost always packed and a great place to mingle outside in front with a drink meeting some new friends.

(Honduras 5604)

Puerta Roja

After hours place on second floor in San Telmo. Good mix of people. Watch the steep stairs on your way out after a nights drinking

(Chacabuco 733)

Ocho7Ocho

Slick bar hidden behind a closed door in traditional speak easy style. The coolest bar in town.

(Thames 878)

El Punto

Popular pub in Caballito with a young crowd, good music and very edible food as well.

(Directorio 702)

Shamrock

Most popular of the Irish pubs and a dancefloor in the basement. Packed on Thursday nights.

(Rodriguez Pena 1220)

Carnal

Hipster bar in Palermo Hollywood with surprisingly friendly clientele and great roof terrace. Directly across from Niceto Club so you can move straight onto the dance floor afterwards

(Niceto Vega 5511)

Sky Bar

An outdoor bar with wood flooring on the 13th floor of the Hotel Pulitzer in downtown. Beautiful views across the city on summer nights.

(Maipu 907)

Read More

The 5 best pizzas in Buenos Aires

Almost 40% of Argentines trace their ancestry to Italy, so Italian food is very important in the lives of the locals. There’s probably no bigger discussion then on who bakes the best pizza in town, so here’s our take on the tastiest and best pizzas to eat during your visit to Buenos Aires.

Kentucky

Named after the Kentucky Derby by the horse race loving owner and an ubiquitous choice in numerous outlets across town since 1942. Maybe not the best pizza in town, but still pretty good with giant tiled stone ovens and fresh ingredients. The low prices and almost round the clock opening hours, make this the place to satisfy your late night or early morning cravings. 

(various locations across Buenos Aires)

El Cuartito

Founded in 1934 and chef and writer Anthony Bourdain’s favorite, this is the reliable choice in downtown. Today new generations still keep flocking to this small and cosy restaurant. They do a mean empanada as well. Best pizza winner in the Guia Oleo food guide. Located at only 2 blocks from the central Avenida 9 de Julio. 

(Talcahuano 937)

La Mezzetta

A bit out of the way in Chacarita, a few blocks from the cemetery where tango singer Carlos Gardel is buried, this neighborhood favorite is rated 28 out of 30 by Guia Oleo. Their Muzzarella cheese and Fugazzeta (an Argentine invention with baked onions and cheese on a thick crust) are worth the detour.

(Alvarez Thomas 1321)

Guerrín

Around the corner from the Argentine supreme court, so a popular place with lawyers, judges and cops as well as the public at large. Often full, but offers the option to eat standing at the bar at a discount as well if you’re in a hurry. A Buenos Aires institution.

(Corrientes 1368)

Siamo Nel Forno

A higher end take on pizza with more modern variations as fresh spinach and potato plus some great calzones as well. Known for their perfect and light pizza dough. A favorite of some of Argentina’s most renowned chefs. 

(Costa Rica 5886)

Read More

The 5 best steaks in Buenos Aires

With more cows than inhabitants and each Argentine eating up to 60 kilos of prime beef annually, steakhouses or parillas, as they are called in Argentina can be found on almost every block. Because quality can differ wildly however, here’s our guide to the best parillas to eat that juicy steak in in Buenos Aires.

Las Lilas

Pricey and overrun with tourists, but with their own private cattle farm outside of Buenos Aires that apart from Argentine beef also raises their own bloodlines of fantastically marbled Japanese Wagyu, there’s still no denying that Las Lilas keeps on serving some of the best steaks in town

(Alicia Moreau de Justo 516 - Puerto Madero)

Juana M

Almost hidden in the basement of a former orphanage, only blocks away from Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Libertador. Great steaks and reasonable prices in combination with a very good salad bar and live music on weekends, make this a favorite with younger Argentine couples. 

(Carlos Pellegrini 1535 - Microcentro)

Gran Parilla del Plata

Popular both with locals and tourists, this classically decorated parilla in the heart of San Telmo is housed in a former butcher shop to which the half tiled walls still attest. Fresh meat, friendly service and fantastic provolones and chorizos on the side combine into one of the great steakhouses in the city.

(Chile 594 - San Telmo)

La Cabrera

Reserve a few days before, unless you don’t mind waiting in line for an hour or two. This is the one. Voted best parilla by almost every guidebook on Argentina, Guia Oleo and countless food critics, this restaurant and its sister outlet on the next block are without a doubt the best parillas to eat that juicy steak in Buenos Aires

(Cabrera 5099 - Palermo)

Pobre Luis

The choice of Argentine families on weekends. Located on the edge of Chinatown and decorated with football shirts and actually owned by a chef from Uruguay, the only country in the world to eat more beef than the Argentines. Here they serve the classic gran parilladas, so local favorites like liver, sweetbread and tripe are all on the menu as well.

(Arribenos 2393 - Belgrano)

Read More

Argentina’s Top 5 Best National Parks

Argentina covers an enormous area and therefore has some of the most diverse landscapes and climates in the world within its borders. Here are 5 of the most impressive national parks to visit in Argentina.

5. Talampaya

Think of a smaller version of the Grand Canyon, almost without visitors blocking your views and you get why this is a must see. Impressive ancient petroglyphs and natural rock formations that have been shaped by the centuries to resemble the forms of giant turtles and monks make these 830 square miles a very worthwhile visit

(La Rioja Province)

4. Ischigualasto

Though technically only a provincial park, this UNESCO world heritage site with it’s eery landscape and petrified trees, better known as the “Valley of the Moon”, is the world’s finest location for fossil hunting with some of the oldest known dinosaur remains known to man. Close to Talampaya (see above) making for a great combination trip

(San Juan Province)

3. Nahuel Huapi

The oldest national park in Argentina, founded in 1934, surrounding the biggest and deepest (1,400 ft) clear water lake in the country. A popular hiking and boating destination, it’s also one of the main winter sport destinations with perfect slopes surrounding the lake, especially near the city of Bariloche, located on its southern shore

(Rio Negro and Neuquen Provinces)

2. Los Glaciares

The second largest park in Argentina, named for the 47 glaciers that are fed by the largest icecap outside of Antarctica. The most famous is the Perito Moreno glacier that is reachable over land and a popular place for hiking. The park also houses more than a 1,000 different species of birds.

(Santa Cruz Province)

1. Iguazu Falls

The most famous of them all, the Iguazu waterfalls (“cataratas”) are by most definitions the largest in the world, lying amidst the tropical rainforests on the borders with Paraguay and Brazil. Easy and short daily flights from downtown Buenos Aires make this one of the most popular side trips for people visiting Argentina’s capital

(Missiones Province)

Read More

The 5 best wineries to visit in Mendoza

Argentine wine is rightfully famous around the world and most visitors who come to Mendoza try to visit at least one vineyard to see the intricate process of making (and tasting) first class wine with their own eyes. In this article we take you to the 5 best wineries to visit in Argentina.

The most impressive: Salentein

Built by its Dutch owner at a cost of several hundred million dollars, including it’s own gourmet restaurant, exclusive inn and a private art museum with work by both Argentina contemporary artists and Dutch masters. With it’s Malbec rated at 90 points out of a possible 100 by renowned wine critic Robert Parker, this amazing winery has to be near the top of any listing of the best wineries to visit in Argentina.

(Ruta 89 - Los Arboles, Tunuyan, Mendoza)

The largest: Norton

Bodega Norton produces more than million bottles annually from vineyards all around Mendoza in a huge number of varieties, be it red, white or sparkling. They also offer special activities, such as lunch with one of their enologists.

(Ruta 15, km 23,5 - Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza)

The best sparkling wines: Chandon

Owned by the luxury brands corporation LVMH, Bodegas Chandon counts with the centuries of experience in champagne making of their famous French sister Moët et Chandon. Be sure to visit the Chandon Bistro for a 4-course gourmet lunch accompanied by their different sparkling wines. 

(Ruta 15, km 29 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza)

The most immersive: Familia Zuccardi

Apart from just offering visits to their cellars, the winery and its Casa del Visitante visitor center offer a host of activities allowing you to participate in the harvest, help prune the vineyards, follow a tasting course and even to tour the estate in a classic car or from the heights of a hot air balloon.

(Ruta 33, km 7,5 - Maipú, Mendoza)

The personal experience: Bodega Caelum

Purposely kept smaller than most, this winery focuses on a small number of high-end wines and more often than not your tour guide will be a member of the family that actually owns the winery, making for a very special visit. The also produce some of the best pistachio nuts in the world, right alongside the vines. Highly recommended.

(Ruta 7, km 1061 - Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza)

Read More