No visit to Argentina is complete without spending some time in the diverse cultural cauldron that is Buenos Aires. The city is divided into various neighbourhoods, many of which offer an interesting mix of history, culture, food and drink and include the following:. Plaza de Mayo β The heart of the city, containing the Casa de Gobierno, the offices of the president of the republic also known as the Casa Rosada. It was from the balcony of Casa Rosada that Eva Peron made her speeches.
The Metropolitan Cathedral, built on the site of the first church in Buenos Aires, is to the north of the Plaza, and the Museo del Cabildo y la Revolucion de Mayo, the seat of Spanish colonial power, to the west.
Though now a popular stop on the tourist trail with its evening tango show, it is still worth a visit. San Telmo β The oldest neighbourhood and site of the first settlement in Sites include Parque Lezama and the flea market. On Sundays there is an outdoor market stretching a few blocks from Plaza Dorrego with antiques, souvenir and other stalls, as well as free tango performances and live music. Caminito Street is lined with colourfully painted wood and tin buildings, many with figurines leaning out of second floor windows or over the balconies.
Sites of interest include Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Eva Peron, the National Gallery, and the craft market. Palermo β A very popular neighbourhood divided into upmarket Palermo Chico and Palermo Viejo, a once-decaying district of factories, warehouses and small houses. Palermo Viejo is further subdivided into lively Palermo Soho with small boutique shops, bars, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, and quieter Palermo Hollywood where many Argentine film studios used to be based.
Tango originated in the brothels of La Boca in the late 19th century but the dance was prohibited by Argentine high society. Today there are a variety of tango shows aimed at international visitors, usually with dinner included.
