A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires

Finding where to stay in Buenos Aires, the massive capital of Argentina, can be a daunting task. But with the insightful information you’ll find here, you won’t have to worry about it.

The capital of Argentina is the obvious starting point to explore the country. Whatever your interests in travel, you can rest assured that you will find something to keep you busy here; there is always something happening in the cit. This is a city with a rich cultural heritage, interesting architecture, an excellent selection of fine arts and even street art. You can easily spend weeks exploring it, without ever being quite done.

Make sure to read my posts “25 Unmissable Things To Do In Buenos Aires” and “10 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires.”

Buenos Aires is chaotic, yet peaceful; it is colorful, artsy and sophisticated at the same time. What I love about it is that it is very accessible to all budgets and tastes, with a fantastic array of luxury and boutique hotels and an excellent selection of backpacker hostels.

In this post, I will help you find where to stay in Buenos Aires, selecting the best neighborhoods and a few places to stay in each of them.

Finding Where To Stay In Buenos Aires

I have been to Buenos Aires several times, for shorter and longer periods. I visited during trips that only took me to Argentina, and I spent a few days there during a South America overland trip that took me from Bolivia through Chile and all the way to Uruguay.

Check out my post “A Flash Pack’s Argentina Itinerary” and “A Guide To The Greatest Things To Do In Argentina;” and, if you are planning to head to Uruguay, head over to my post “The Most Incredible Seven Things To Do In Uruguay.”

I suppose you’ve figured it out already, but I truly love Buenos Aires. Known as the Paris of South America, this city has a lot to offer to locals and visitors alike. Each time I am there I combine a good deal of sightseeing with some chill time in the beautiful parks or in my favorite neighborhoods, taking advantage of my language skills to try to mix with the locals.

In an attempt to get to know the city better, every time I visit I pick a different area where to stay in Buenos Aires. Finding good hostels or hotels in Buenos Aires is not hard. However, keep in mind that some areas are significantly more chaotic than others, with lots of traffic or noise coming from nearby bars (Porteños go out and stay up much later than we do in other countries!). You definitely need to consider the surroundings of the place you are selecting, especially if you are a light sleeper.

The good news is that there are many good places to stay in Buenos Aires. The bad news is that in high season, between the end of October and the end of March, the city is packed with tourists. I wholeheartedly recommend booking well in advance! If you are stuck in your search for where to stay in Buenos Aires, stop worrying! I will help you out.

Continue reading to discover where to stay in Buenos Aires.

Where To Stay In Buenos Aires – The Best Options

Before getting into the details of the best neighborhood where to stay in Buenos Aires, I thought I’d select my favorite hotels and hostels in the city.

Best hotels in Buenos Aires

AQ Tailored Suites

This beautiful, modern boutique hotel is located in Recoleta, in the heart of Buenos Aires, and you’ll be able to reach all the main attractions from there as it is close to public transportation. The rooms are large and beautifully decorates; there is an outdoor pool where you can jump on the hottest days, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. If you are looking for excellent value for money, this is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Hotel Clasico

This nice boutique hotel is in the heart of Palermo Soho. Rooms are stylish, though perhaps a bit small. It’s right by a crossroad so you may get some noise at night, but on the other hand you won’t have to walk far for a fantastic meal or a late night drink. There is an excellent a la carte breakfast selection and a small mezzanine where you can have coffee and tea. The staff is very helpful. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Duque Hotel Boutique and Spa

One of the best hotels in Buenos Aires, like Hotel Clasico it is located in Palermo Soho. Adding to the stylish rooms, the fantastic buffet breakfast, the round the clock coffee and pastries, there is a swimming pool (even an outdoor one during the summer months) and a spa to relax at the end of a day of exploration. Close by, you will find a great selection of restaurants, bars and pubs. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Great hostels in Buenos Aires

Caravan BA Boutique Hostel

The best hostel in Buenos Aires is located in the trendy neighborhood of Palermo Hollywood, at a stone’s throw from Plaza Serrano. It only has 24 beds, so the vibe is always cozy, social and friendly. It features comfortable dorms and a couple of private rooms; a very well equipped kitchen and dining room; a beautiful living room; a garden with a swimming pool and a bar. There are two live-in friendly dogs and the staff is very friendly and helpful. A good buffet breakfast is served daily, and round the clock coffee, tea and even mate are available. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires

Located in San Telmo, very close to Plaza Dorrego, this is a modern hostel with excellent, very large and modern private rooms and comfortable dorms. The common areas are cozy, the kitchen well equipped. A buffet breakfast is available at no extra cost. The staff is very helpful in organizing activities and day trips. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Master Hostel

This is one of the nicest hostels in Buenos Aires in terms of value for money. It’s located in Palermo Soho, within walking distance from Plaza Serrano. The rooms are small, but well equipped, and the staff very efficient. A very good buffet breakfast is served in a building on the other side of the street. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Continue reading for my tips on where to stay in Buenos Aires.

Where To Stay In Buenos Aires – The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay

Palermo Soho – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Nightlife

Palermo Soho easily qualifies as the best area to stay in Buenos Aires, especially for people who enjoy a bit of nighttime action. This neighborhood is packed with cafés, bars, restaurants and beautiful boutiques. It’s hip, incredibly chic and oh so young. Palermo Soho is the place to be for designers, and the street culture there is thriving.

This is an upper-middle class area, where you’ll find a great mix of locals and tourists. It is very green, with large boulevards and lots of urban parks (you’ll especially notice it from above, when you land in Palermo’s airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery). The streets are lined with one or two story houses with nice gardens at the back. Lots of them have now been turned into shops and even bars.

TIP: Quiet during the day, Palermo Soho is thriving with life at night. This is not where to stay in Buenos Aires if you are a very light sleeper. Alternatively, if you are convinced this is where you want to stay, make sure to pick a hotel located on a side street and far from bars or restaurants.

Best places to stay in Palermo Soho

• Hotel Clasico is a nice boutique hotel with clean rooms. It’s right above a bunch of restaurants and bars so perhaps not the best option if you are a light sleeper. Breakfast is a la carte and there are free coffee and tea available all day. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Duque Hotel Boutique and Spa is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires. Rooms are very stylish, and you get the bonus of a pool and a spa to relax at the end of the day. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Master Hostel is one of the nicest hostels in Buenos Aires when it comes to value for money. There are dorms and private rooms – small but definitely clean and well equipped. Breakfast is served in the building on the other side of the street. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Palermo Hollywood – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Street Art

I won’t deny it: Palermo Hollywood is my favorite neighborhood in Buenos Aires. I love the artsy feel, the nightlife scene, the hip bars and restaurants, the markets and the unique boutiques. This is where to stay in Buenos Aires if you like the idea of walking around an open-air art gallery.

The name Palermo Hollywood was given to this part of the city in the mid-1990s, when a lot of television and radio broadcasters established their stations in the area. It is right next to Palermo Soho and much like its neighbor it is packed with nice bars, cafés and restaurants.

TIP: Make sure to go on a street art tour in Palermo. Not only this is a great way to discover some beautiful murals; but – provided you have the right guide – you will learn loads about the history, culture and overall vibe of Buenos Aires.

These are some of the best street art tours of Palermo:

• Hidden graffiti tour of Buenos Aires
• Small group Buenos Aires graffiti art tour

Best places to stay in Palermo Hollywood

• Caravan BA Boutique Hostel is one of the nicest hostels in Buenos Aires, very close to Plaza Serrano and walking distance to some of the best bars, pubs and restaurants in town. There are dorms and private rooms, a well equipped kitchen, a cozy living room and a nice garden with a pool to hang out. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Ilum Experience Home is a super stylish boutique hotel with modern rooms. For extra comfort, you may pick the superior double: it has a jacuzzi. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Palo Santo Hotel is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires, located in a modern building and with rooms with essential decor. There is a hot tub and a nice garden. Rooms on the upper floors have a nice view. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

San Telmo – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Budget Accommodation

If you are traveling on a smaller budget, San Telmo is where to stay in Buenos Aires. It’s one of the most scenic parts of town, with cobblestone streets, airy squares, an incredible Sunday street market (Feria de San Telmo) and a romantic feel thanks to the impromptu tango shows at every corner (well, at Plaza Dorrego, really). Adding to this there is a fabulous covered market where you can try all the local specialties (especially empanadas) and a series of antique shops to go in search of hidden treasures.

Once thought to be a dangerous part of town, this neighborhood is actually gentrifying so it is not nearly as bad as it used to be. It is an easy place to get to via Subte line C.

TIP: Although San Telmo is not nearly as dangerous as it used to be, make sure to keep your wits about, especially at night.

TIP: The best thing to do in San Telmo is exploring the Feria, which happens on Sundays. Make sure to plan a weekend in the area to be able to fully enjoy it.

TIP: Make sure to visit Casa Minima. It’s a very narrow house that was built by freed slaves after slavery was finally abolished in Argentina in 1812.

Best places to stay in San Telmo

• America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires is one of the most popular hostels in Buenos Aires. It has large, comfortable private rooms and dorms and common areas perfect to socialize. The staff is available to help organize activities and day trips. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• L’Adresse Hotel Boutique is one of the most elegant hotels in Buenos Aires, close to all the museums, markets and restaurants in San Telmo. It features beautiful rooms, and an incredible breakfast buffet. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Lemon Suites is the perfect place if you’d rather have a self catering apartment. There is a garden and a terrace and if you can’t be bothered to cook breakfast, you can have it at a small extra fee. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Recoleta – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Affluent Location

Recoleta is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, the kind of place where upper class Porteños live. It’s home to the cemetery of Recoleta, one of the nicest places to visit in town, packed with mausoleums, tombs and where the tomb of Eva Perón is located.

However, if you decide that Recoleta is where to stay in Buenos Aires, make sure to visit other places of interest such as the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and El Ateneo Grand Splendid, once a theater, now a massive bookshop located in a building that dates back to 1919. Make sure to also pay a visit to the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo, which has artwork from around the world.

Recoleta is slowly but steadily becoming one of the trendiest places in Buenos Aires, where you will find excellent restaurants, bars and some of the best shopping opportunities in town at malls such as Patio Bullrich or Recoleta Mall. There also are some lovely boutique stores.

TIP: Recoleta Cemetery is impressive, but you may want to get a guide to fully appreciate its history and thus get to know the city better.

• AQ Tailored Suites is a fantastic boutique hostel with large rooms and an outdoor pool. It’s thought to be one of the nicest hotels in Buenos Aires. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Malala Hostel is one of the nicest hostels in Buenos Aires, located in a historic buildings and with large rooms that have high ceilings and large windows. There is a terrace, a living room and a very well equipped kitchen. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Alvear Palace Hotel is where to stay in Buenos Aires if you are looking for a plush place. Antique furniture, a sophisticated atmosphere, an incredible indoor pool make it the perfect choice to relax in the city. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Microcentro – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Central Location

My first time in Buenos Aires I stayed in Microcentro. It truly is the heart of the city, not only geographically, and chances are that when you are in town you will end up here several times. The area is home to some of the most important attractions in Buenos Aires (ie the Obelisk, the radio tower with Eva Perón mural, and even Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada to name a few). However, here you’ll find some excellent restaurants and good shopping opportunities.

Microcentro is the financial hub of Buenos Aires, where businesses and corporate offices have their headquarters. There is a lot of traffic and noise, which is great if you like lively places.

Personally, this isn’t my favorite neighborhood in town. However, I do agree that Microcentro is where to stay in Buenos Aires if you want to be centrally located, if you like the idea of using public transportation to get around, and if you want to be close to all the attractions.

TIP: Microcentro becomes quieter at night and during the weekend, but if noise in an issue make sure to book a place on a smaller, side street and with windows not facing the street.

Best places to stay in Microcentro

• Alvear Art Hotel is a fantastic contemporary style hotel with marble bathrooms, city views and an indoor pool. There even is a spa and a fitness center. It’s very close to the Obelisk. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• 474 Buenos Aires Hotel is a nice boutique hotel with beautifully decorated rooms. It is close to Colón Theater. Some rooms have a balcony and a living room. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• City Apartment is a great option if you’d rather self cater. The apartment is small but it has everything you need for your stay in Buenos Aires. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Puerto Madero – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: The New Trendy

Every time I visit Buenos Aires I tell myself that Puerto Madero is where I would want to live (except I also love Palermo!). This is an incredibly interesting neighborhood, where a serious amount of renovation and regeneration has occurred in the last decade. Once a dockland, this barrio has benefited by the work of star architects such as Calatrava, creator of the Puente de la Mujer.

Among the unmissable attractions in the area, aside from Calatrava’s bridge, there is the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, which is free to visit, and the Sarmiento Frigate Ship Museum.

TIP: Make sure to go for a walk in the early morning or in the late afternoon to get a bit of local action. Puerto Madero is also a great spot for picnics!

Best places to stay in Puerto Madero

• Alvear Icon Hotel is a fantastic option, and one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires. It’s a luxury hotel with beautiful rooms that all have incredible views of the city. There is an indoor pool. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Hotel Madero Buenos Aires has large, comfortable rooms. There is a terrace with breathtaking views of the city, and a nice indoor pool. There even is a restaurant and a wine bar. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Hilton Buenos Aires is where to stay in Buenos Aires for business travelers. There is a pool, a fitness center, and rooms are very comfortable. There even is a coffee bar, a cocktail bar and a restaurant. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Belgrano – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: Tranquility

Belgrano is one of the most tranquil yet interesting neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. It’s an affluent parts of town, the center of which is Avenida Cabildo, where you’ll find upscale designer stores and even smaller independent boutiques.

This neighborhood is packed with gardens and one or two story buildings; and it is not uncommon to come across people walking up to 10 dogs here. Among the best places to visit in Belgrano, there is the Mistorical Museum Sarmiento, located in what used to be Belgrano’s town hall, and the Larreta Museum of modern art, located in the former residence of Argentine writer Enrique Larreta.

But Belgrano is not all about the arts. Here, you’ll be able to attend a football match at River Plate Stadium, too.

This is where to stay in Buenos Aires if you’d rather be in a quiet area that is well connected to the rest of the city.

TIP: Make sure to get football games tickets well in advance. Stadiums get packed in Buenos Aires.

Best places to stay in Belgrano

• Argenta Suites Belgrano is a nice hotel closely located to shops, restaurants and the Subte station. It features comfortable rooms and a pool and sauna for guests. The buffet breakfast adds even more value. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Hostal Vip is one of the nicest hostels in Buenos Aires, with a fantastic social atmosphere, good dorms and a very good breakfast. The staff is always available to help with bookings for tours and attractions. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Urbanica The Libertador Hotel has modern, stylish room. It is located close to the hippodrome. Breakfast is good but comes at an extra price. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Villa Crespo – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: A Less Touristy Place

Villa Crespo is one of the most interesting neighborhoods of Buenos Aires that has yet to be discovered by the masses. It is located southwest of Palermo. It’s a fantastic place to go for a walk; it is artsy, yet still budget friendly – so go before it changes. It’s a very local part of town, with no major attractions (but keep in mind it’s often been associated with Buenos Aires’ Jewish community, as there are several synagogues located in the area). Thus, it is where to stay in Buenos Aires if you want to escape the tourist crowds.

TIP: As it is home to the largest Jewish community in Buenos Aires, Villa Crespo is an excellent place to get your fix of Kosher food.

Best places to stay in Villa Crespo

• Welcome My Vera is a boutique apartment with contemporary style decorations and comfortable beds. There is a fully equipped kitchen, making it perfect for self catering. Staff is always available to help. There even is a pool and a gym for guests. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Miliño Apart Hotel is a very budget friendly option. All apartments have a well equipped kitchen. The largest ones are perfect to share if you are traveling in a group. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Casa Villa Crespo is a small, very basic apartment – but it is clean and very budget friendly. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Retiro – Where to stay in Buenos Aires for: First Timers

Retiro is one of the nicest areas to visit in Buenos Aires. It is by the waterfront, so the vibe tends to be chilled. It’s a quiet area, perfect if you have just arrived in town and are hoping to get some rest. However, there is a lot to see and do, as the area is packed with cafés and art galleries. Among places you should not miss, there is Plaza General San Martin and Torre Monumental, the clock tower that the British community donated to the city in 1916.

TIP: While Retiro is where to stay in Buenos Aires for a good, convenient central location, the area around the train and bus station can get dodgy at night. Make sure to know your whereabouts!

Best places to stay in Retiro

• Emperador Hotel Buenos Aires is a fantastic place to stay. There is a pool, a fitness center and even a spa and an in-house restaurant. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires is a great luxury option, with marble bathrooms and fabulous dining opportunities. Rooms are plush, to say the least. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
• Park Tower, A Luxury Collection Hotel has beautiful rooms, a spa and a cocktail bar. Staff is extremely attentive. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Final Tips On Where To Stay In Buenos Aires

If you are still worried about where to stay in Buenos Aires, please stop: the city is fantastic, with a lot to offer in every neighborhood. The good news is that, for as large as it is, it’s fairly easy to navigate and to get from one place to the other; public transportation is dirt cheap and even taxis are more than affordable.

Have you ever been to Buenos Aires? What are your favorite places to stay in Buenos Aires?

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