A Guide to Visiting the Palermo Neighbourhood in Buenos Aires

This swathe of green in the heart of the city makes for a fascinating afternoon, home to more than 6,000 species of trees and plants, photogenic statues – even an organic vegetable garden. As you wander, you’ll get to see its impressive collection of sculptures, as well as a Roman garden, a formal French park (inspired by that of the Palace of Versailles, outside Paris), and an elegant art-nouveau greenhouse. The red-brick main building hosts art exhibitions and workshops and free guided tours (in Spanish) are conducted at 10.30am and 3pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. You can even join a tour of the area’s finest green spaces, including the Botanical Gardens, with a knowledgable local guide.

Surrounded by the life-affirming buzz of bars, restaurants and stores, the Feria de Plaza Serrano is one of the coolest bohemian areas. Come to browse the open-air market, filled with stalls and craft booths selling jewellery, tops, bags, leather accessories and clothes by up-and-coming designers. Once you’ve shopped, you’ll be ready to slide into one of the atmospheric cafes lining the square for a reviving glass of Argentinian Malbec.

Housed in a block-like contemporary granite building to reflect the surrounding architecture, MALBA has an eye-catching look that enhances the collection of modern and contemporary Latin American art. Light-giving geometric windows bring the day’s brilliance in, aided by the limestone interiors. The collection includes works of Latin American art amassed by Argentine property developer, philanthropist, and patron of the arts, Eduardo Costantini. Among the permanent 20th-century pieces are examples by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

This scenic verdant space in the north of Palermo, designed by Franco-Argentine architect Carlos Thays, was inspired by the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Take time out of sightseeing to sit under the white pergola and see if you can identify any of the tree species and tropical plants. In the poet’s garden you can spot statues of famous literary figures, from William Shakespeare to Federico García Lorca, Antonio Machado and Jorge Luis Borges. While here, check out the sprawling Rosedal de Palermo park – it’s a real showstopper, planted with no fewer than 12,000 roses and home to a serene lake in which to while away a couple of hours.

This very finely featured Beaux-Arts mansion, the former home of Chilean aristocrats Matías Errázuriz and Josefina de Alvear, is now the display space for their art collection of heavyweight works – El Greco, Manet and Rodin – as well as other personal belongings, from pretty dishes to period furniture. It’s worth a nose around for the chance to see how the other half lived in the 20th century. This ornate home, in particular, was inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Argentina’s controversial first lady, and wife of President Juan Domingo Perón, may be long gone, but she still has a whole 1920s mansion lined with her personal effects and memorabilia. You’ll find photos, books and posters devoted to her life, from her childhood to her political career. If you’re a fashionista, you’ll love the display of 1940s dresses, shoes, handbags and hats. After you’ve explored, nip over to the adjoining cafe for a bite to eat in the pretty garden space.

This full-on traditional steakhouse, five blocks or so from the Museo Evita, prides itself on demonstrating what the famous Argentine asado (grill) is all about. The crowd is a mixture of Porteños (Buenos Aires folk) and visitors, all dining cheek by jowl against walls lined with old wine bottles signed by past guests. Aside from obvious choices such as rump steak, it’s impossible to say no to the fried beef empanadas – crispy mollejas (sweetbreads), lightly seasoned with lemon juice and salt.

As everybody knows, it takes two to tango – and if you turn up alone at this welcoming space in the basement of the Armenian Cultural Center, you’ll be paired with a partner who’ll teach you the moves. Your fellow dancers are an up-for-it mix of tourists, expats and locals, all keen to get on – and get on the dance floor. As the night goes on, you can sit back, watch and learn from experienced dancers, who will put on a riveting display of how it should be done.