Hey guys! All good?
(For the intimate: Hi, cute girls!!!)
We are back with another Ecobag tour and this edition is very, very special, because this time the rolezeira passionate about new experiences, explored nothing more, nothing less than Argentine lands, more specifically, the beauties of the city of Buenos Aires .
In this post, we will share with you some tips about the places we visited, cafes and restaurants we know, but we are going to say that living this experience surprised us, and very positively, it was four days of lots of walks and contemplation of the beautiful landscapes of this incredible city . And of course, the ecobag was always present storing cell phones, hand sanitizer, our Instax and little purchases made along the way.
Before we share the itinerary of the tours we took, a pause for super important tips:
- Check the weather forecast, we know that it is customary to check the weather forecast in general, on a daily basis, but this action is even more important when we are traveling, so that we can make the most of our trips. We want to reinforce this tip, especially if you go to Buenos Aires in winter, which was our case, we had days with negative temperatures and packing thermal clothes made all the difference;
- Take comfortable clothes and shoes, walking was our main means of transport every day and we are sure that this made us see many more places than we had planned;
- Want to save on air tickets? So do like us and fly with Flybonde, which is a low-cost airline, that is, it operates flights with minimal on-board services, but at super affordable prices. The flight lasts 2 hours with landing at Ezeiza Airport - the largest airport in Buenos Aires;
- Another very important point to highlight is the documentation required to fly to Argentina, especially in relation to COVID. This trip took place in June 2022, so a lot may have changed, but it's worth paying attention. To enter Argentina in June 2022, in addition to the Passport (as it is a country belonging to Mercosul, it also accepts IDs less than 10 years old), proof of doses (2 at least) of vaccine, travel insurance with coverage of COVID and a declaration (Declaración Jurada - completed directly on the website https://ddjj.migraciones.gob.ar/app/home.php ). All documents were requested at check-in at the airport, boarding and with migration agents;
- Before going to Argentina, we researched a lot about transport possibilities to travel from Ezeiza to the hotel, and the result was quite conflicting information from tourists who had recently passed through there, in general, they stated that Cabify did not always and Taxis work well, so, taking into account that the distance from the airport to the hotel is 30km and that we would arrive at night, we decided to book a transfer in advance directly through booking, this application, in which we also make the hotel reservation;
- You will need to exchange your currency, and to do this, we recommend Western Union, which is a multinational currency processing and exchange company. Argentina has 2 currency quote lines, the normal one and the one known as Blue , which is a more efficient alternative to try to make the economy more attractive. In general, the Argentine blue peso exchange rate is 20 to 30% more efficient than the official exchange rate. Western Union is one of the companies where you can send money to Argentina using the blue quote and make withdrawals in Buenos Aires and other cities. We carried out the entire operation using the WU app and made the withdrawal with complete comfort and safety in one of the largest stores located at Av. Córdoba 1591, 1055 CABA. This was the first place we went in Buenos Aires, the tip is to arrive early, as currency volumes vary according to demand;
- We felt quite safe in Buenos Aires, in a conversation with a taxi driver he told us that, in fact, the tourist region receives a lot of police and 24-hour camera surveillance, however, the same does not happen with the peripheral regions which are quite unassisted.
Arriving in Buenos Aires was very cold, but, as we said before, we were prepared for it. The days we spent there were incredible, we walked through many streets and walked an average of 11km a day, strolling through the city's tourist attractions, cafes and restaurants. Well, given the tips, it's time to share with you the places we know and we hope you like them.
Where we stayed
The city of Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in Latin America, second only to São Paulo and Mexico City, therefore, we suggest that you take the time to carefully look for the accommodation that best meets your criteria.
The best and most recommended are in the Recoleta neighborhoods and those in the Palermo region, as they have a better accommodation and leisure structure, in addition to being close to many of the city's tourist attractions. Hotel prices are a little higher in this region, but for us, who like security and a little comfort, it is worth the investment. After the tours we took, we observed that the central region also seems very good for accommodation, especially the hotels close to the Obelisk.
We stayed in Palermo Hollywood, one of the subdivisions of Palermo at the Hotel Clássico.
Palermo Hollywood is a spectacle, the streets, the European architecture and the countless restaurants, bars and wonderful Argentine cafes made our trip even more special.
Day 1
El Cisne Cafe.
Montevideo 1002, CABA
Right after passing through WU, we stopped at this bistro cafe with a pleasant atmosphere in the center of Buenos Aires. We had coffee with classic Argentine alfajores. The atmosphere is cozy, and many residents meet to chat.
Walking Tour in Palermo Hollywood
Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires and has several subdivisions, one of which is known as Palermo Hollywood as it contains many film production companies and television studios.
Every day we walk through the streets of the neighborhood, which is a real sight for sore eyes, contemplating all its nuances, with countless trees and charming and cozy architecture. With a mix of residential and commercial, we felt safe walking around the blocks. The hotel where we stayed is on Costa Rica Street and all our tours started there. Going to Av. Dorrego and going up to the Rosedal paths, crossing their comings and goings.
Rosedal of Palermo
Av. Infanta Isabel, 900 - CABA
There are approximately 18,000 roses beautifully arranged in the center of the 3rd of February Park, one of the main parks in Buenos Aires. This is how the Palermo Rosedal, opened in 1914, receives thousands of admirers every month, with emphasis on the month of July where pruning is carried out and visitors can receive the flowers.
We visited Rosedal for 2 days in a row, all to really enjoy all the affection the place exudes. The perfume that roses exude, colors, organization and architecture are very impressive! We were enchanted and spent a good few hours there, photographing and really enjoying the sunny day.
Le Pain Quotidien
Av. Infanta Isabel, 110 - Arco 6 - CABA
The 3 de February park still holds great surprises, in addition to the Rosedal and other activities, the park also features the famous Arcos del Rosedal, where the train line is still active and operational today.
The arches have several very charming cafes and restaurants and between arches 5 and 6 is Le Pain Quotidien, the famous cafe chain founded in Brussels and which currently has more than 250 restaurants around the world, including in Brazil. With a menu adapted to Buenos Aires traditions and architecture adapted to the arches, we loved the croissants accompanied by special Argentinean coffees (huge).
By the way, we found all the portions very well served in all the restaurants and cafes we visited.
Alcorta Shopping
Jerónimo Salguero 3172, 1425, CABA
Founded in 1992, Alcorta Shopping is considered one of the main shopping malls in Buenos Aires, has the main fashion brands and is close to MALBA, between Palermo and Recoleta.
We walked from Parque 3 de Fevereiro and in less than 15 minutes we got there, we were not impressed with what we saw, in fact, the feeling was that for the people of Buenos Aires, shopping malls have another perspective, much more accessory, than in Brazil, where it is a place for walks and leisure in many cities.
With stores such as Zara, Nike, Havanna, Diesel, Carrefour, MAC and many other local stores, it is a good place to take a break between walks in the city.
Freddo
Jerónimo Salguero 3172, 1425, CABA
Freddo cafe and ice cream parlor is another one of those places you have to visit in Buenos Aires, there are several in the city, we stopped at Alcorta Shopping. Founded in 1969 in the Recoleta neighborhood with artisanal ice cream and more than 51 flavors, it is a classic. Historically it is important for the city, but the network has been undergoing restructuring to adapt to current times.
Cucina Paradiso Senza
Arévalo 1538, CABA
We ended our first day in Buenos Aires at the Italian restaurant Cucina Paradiso Senza, it has a super intimate, tienda style approach , the homemade pasta is on display and many local residents buy it for pickup.
It has a charming style and very tasty food. There are few tables inside the room and the few outside also give the atmosphere an even more romantic atmosphere, but be careful on cold days. We arrived early and the room was quickly packed.
It's an interesting option for those who want to eat good, genuinely Italian, homemade pasta.
Day 2
Plaza Sicilia
Av. del Libertador, Av. Casares y, Buenos Aires
We started the second day after the traditional walk through Palermo and Recoleta, we visited Plaza Sicilia, a very wooded park, full of lawns and trails. We met many local residents with their pets and families. If you are looking for or like places to rest with good shade and fresh air, it's worth a tip.
Japanese Garden
Av. Casares 3450, C1425EWN C1425EWN, Buenos Aires
Visiting the Japanese Garden is an intimate encounter with Japanese culture and energy. Considered the largest Japanese-style park outside of Japan, the space, which was built in 1967 as a gift during the visit of then Emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko, is one of those tours that is worth every second.
We stayed in the space for more than 2 hours, strolling calmly along the paths designed between the koi ponds and listening to traditional Japanese music.
The park has an exhibition space and also a large restaurant that completes the experience. We paid less than 500 pesos per person, we really loved this tour.
Nina Bakery
Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, CABA
Ninina Bakery was a pleasant surprise, right after our visit to the Japanese Garden we walked to MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires) and before visiting the Museum we stopped for lunch at this restaurant located inside MALBA. Ninina is spacious and interacts with the Museum as a place to rest and eat.
Certainly, if you are going to visit MALBA, take some time to enjoy all the good things that Ninina can offer.
The dish we chose was Funghi Risotto and it was delicious.
Between the Japanese Garden and Malba, yes, an enchanted path:
Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art
Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, CABA
MALBA is one of the most important art museums in Buenos Aires and houses more than 400 works, located in the Palermo neighborhood, the collection is impressive (Frida Kahlo, Tarsila do Amaral, Jorge de la Vega, among others), as well as an architectural incredible.
We visited MALBA on a Friday afternoon, it wasn't crowded, but it could probably be quite crowded on weekends, so the best tip to make the most of the space is to arrive in advance. We bought our tickets at the in-person ticket window, everything was very quick and uncomplicated.
We were very happy to see Frida and Tarsila up close, as well as having the opportunity to meet Argentine artists, such as Antônio Berni and Eugênia Crenovich.
Generic Floralis
Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, CABA
Moving forward, but on the same avenue, approximately 15 minutes later we arrive at Naciones Unidas square, belonging to the Faculty of Law of Buenos Aires and its Floralis Genérica.
20 meters tall, weighing 18 tons and with movements that collect its petals at sunset using photoelectric sensors. Opened in 2002, it is an incredible mechanical work that, according to creator Eduardo Catalano, represents the strength of all flowers.
Law Faculty
Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 2263, C1425 CABA
Right next door we visited the building of the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires. An iconic building, founded in 1821 and which currently houses the main subjects and activities of the aforementioned Faculty. We didn't enter the building, but just passing by and being able to take some photos is enough to be impressed by the entire grand structure.
National Museum of Fine Arts
Av. del Libertador 1473, CABA
A few more minutes of walking and we arrive at the National Museum of Fine Arts, which currently has a collection of more than 12 thousand works of art. It was opened in 1896, but its current headquarters (the one we visited dates back to 1933). An interesting fact about the place is that it was formerly the main warehouse and pump station in the capital of Buenos Aires.
We fell in love with what we saw, especially the vast collection of works by so many different artists. It has free entry for all visitors.
La Panera Rosa - Recoleta
Pres. Manuel Quintana 595, CABA
La Panera Rosa is a small group of restaurants born in 2013 in Buenos Aires with aesthetically beautiful and delicious breakfasts and snacks. With 8 units spread across Buenos Aires, the restaurant has a beautiful architecture, all inspired by pink tones.
We had just walked more than 3 hours and were starving, which made us order the famous tower with sweet and savory pies. A knockout. It took us a while to finish, but it was wonderful, and like every restaurant in Buenos Aires, very well served and with super helpful service.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Av. Santa Fe 1860, C1123 CABA, Argentina
To end the second day of our trip we visited El Ateneo Grand Splendid, the second largest bookstore in the world, chosen by The Garden.
The feeling of visiting El Ateneo is incredible, built inside the historic cinema and museum, it is located in the heart of Recoleta. On stage, a beautiful cafe and throughout the rooms, countless books from all over the world. The Theater, which was also a Cinema, was built in 1919 and is open to the public.
It was worth every second of the visit, we went it was almost 9pm and there was still a lot of movement, which makes us aware, get there early if you want to enjoy the coffee.
Day 3
Pottery Coffee & Deli
Gorriti 5737, C1414 BKG, CABA
We started the third day in Buenos Aires very cold (between 0 and 3 degrees) and went for a walk in Palermo as usual. We had already organized ourselves to visit Pottery Coffee & Deli, as we had fallen in love with it just by passing by, but little did we know what was coming.
Even after 3 days in Buenos Aires we still hadn't gotten used to the super portions and decided to order a complete desayuno including a super slice of super beautiful and delicious Rainbow cake. The portions were huge!!!!
We spent some time there tasting all these delicacies, it is worth highlighting that the atmosphere and service make everything even more enchanting.
Next to the Pottery there is a beautiful ceramics studio with courses taught by the artist Nicolas Pottery. Very worth the visit.
Buenos Aires Botanical Garden
C1425 CABA
After an incredible challenge, we only had to walk. And so we did, we walked to the Jardim Botânico region, a place where we spent a few moments and took more beautiful photos.
Organized by collections of trees and plants that represent the Earth's continents, the visit is a walk among trees of countless species with unique tones and smells. There you will also find the Roman and French Gardens. The tour is free and you can enjoy relaxing with the family and disconnecting from the buildings and cars that pass right by.
Under the responsibility of the Buenos Aires Department of the Environment, the Botanical Garden covers 2 hectares and was declared a National Monument for its cultural and natural nature in 1996.
Buenos Aires Ecopark
Av. Sarmiento 2601 - CABA
Next to the Botanical Gardens we visited Ecoparque Buenos Aires. A space that hosted the city's old Zoo from 1888 until 2016 has now become a super interactive environment with various animals, trees, bushes, etc.
The Ecoparque is still under renovation and the final project hopes to deliver even more to the residents of the Palermo region. We visited the park on a Saturday morning and it was relatively full, nothing that interfered with our walk. We entered through Plaza Itália and left along Av. Del Libertador, exploring every bit of this wonder. Currently visits are from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm with free entry.
Plaza Italia
C1425 CABA
Between the Jardim Botanico and the Ecoparque is Plaza Italia, the famous and best-known in Palermo, with its statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi and built in 1898, it was the first departure station for the electric train in the city of Buenos Aires.
It is a well-preserved square and a place for many meetings, as it is located in a very favorable position for those visiting the city.
Colon Theater
Cerrito 628, C1010 CABA
We left Parlemo towards the city center. At the first stop, we walked around the Teatro Colón, considered internationally to be one of the best opera buildings in the world.
We just walked around the outside and were already impressed by the details of the building that was inaugurated in 1908. A symbol of the city, it has eclectic architecture and more than 58,000 square meters. It really is beautiful and we really want to take a guided tour, or watch a show another time.
Obelisk
Av. 9 de Julio s/n, C1043 CABA
We continue walking, now towards the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, which is just 350 meters from Teatro Colón on Av. 9 de Julho. The historic obelisk made of white Córdoba stone and opened in 1936, is a popular meeting point and an unmissable spot for that traditional photo of the city.
It really impresses with its 67 meters in height and was built in celebration of the centenary of Buenos Aires, located right in the center of the heart of the city.
Plaza de Mayo
We walked approximately another 15 minutes until we arrived at the famous Plaza de Mayo. According to the Argentine government website, it is the oldest in Buenos Aires and the scene of almost all important political events in the country's history.
It was around this square that the city grew, starting as a simple village until becoming the political center of Argentina.
Around this beautiful and very well-preserved square are several historic buildings that can be admired from the benches available, such as: Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada and the Government Palace of the City of Buenos Aires, as well as banks and other buildings.
It's worth the visit, especially because, at the end of it, you'll find the majestic Casa Rosada, seat of the Argentine government. A curious fact about Plaza de Mayo is that for a long time it was home to bullfights.
Pink House
Balcarce 50, C1064 CABA
We walked in front of Casa Rosada, the seat of the Argentine government, for a few minutes. We weren't able to take many photos because the place is always full of people. After all, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.
The Casa Rosada, which was built between 1882 and 1898, got its name because one of its rulers, President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, ordered the walls of the palace to be painted with cow fat and lime, giving it that tone.
Another curiosity is that in 1937 President Agustín Pedro Justo initiated a demolition plan so that the Plaza de Mayo would have a perspective towards Porto Madeiro, they even managed to demolish 17 meters of the South Wing, but the work was halted when in 1938 it became President Roberto Ortiz.
Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito - Paseo de la Historieta
Defensa 700, C1065AAL CABA
We left Casa Rosada towards the south of the city along Rua Defensa until we reached the intersection with Av. Chile where we found Argetina's most famous comic strip characters on this beautiful corner. There are Malfada, Susanita and Manolito, sitting waiting for a visit from whoever passes by.
The corner is cute, very close to Mercado San Telmo and with several little shops to buy those travel souvenirs we love.
By the way, Mafalda and her gang were written and drawn by the illustrious cartoonist Quito and were initially created in 1963 for an advertisement for Mansfield household appliances and ended up becoming a national success and recognized throughout the world, a symbol of the city of Buenos Aires.
San Telmo Market
Bolívar 970, C1066AAT, C1066AAT CABA
Then, walking a little further along Defensa Street, we arrive at the famous San Telmo Market, very similar to our Brazilian public markets. It is a plural space, with a lot of gastronomic diversity, a variety of fruits, vegetables and seasonings, artisanal products, antiques, in other words, many articles typical of Argentine culture in one place.
Located in the San Telmo neighborhood, the market opens from Sunday to Monday and has been operating since February 1897.
EL Hornero (from San Telmo)
Inside the San Telmo Market we visited El Hornero and its traditional Argentine empanadas and staff, they really are incredible. We tried some and loved them, we ate them right there, at the counter of the restaurant that prepares countless Argentine pies simultaneously.
Many people, especially residents, pass by and take boxes of empanadas home for a family dinner, afternoon snack, etc.
We really loved it and it should definitely be a mandatory stop for you to try a classic and famous Argentine empanada.
Dulce de Leche & Co. San Telmo Market
If you like Dulce de Leche and derivatives, you should visit DDL&CO at Mercado San Telmo, it is incredibly fragrant and delicious, with countless options of products derived from Argentine dulce de leche, including potted dulce de leche, candy, alfajor etc.
We guarantee our box of Alfajor and our Dulce de Leche without blinking. The store has many options for gifts and consumption, the prices are fair considering the quality of the product, which is high.
Fonda
Fonda was a good surprise, between one corner of Mercado San Telmo and another, we stopped at Fonda to complement our snack with empanadas. We guarantee a portion of fries that we love. With an Italian canteen-style decor, it’s a great option for lunch or even a snack.
Siamo in the Oven
Costa Rica 5886, C1414BTJ CABA
After a long day walking around the city of Buenos Aires, in the evening we chose to have dinner at an Argentine pizzeria. They are famous for maintaining the traditions of classic Neapolitan pizzas.
The chosen one was Siamo nel Forno, close to our hotel. We were very well received and attended to, we ordered 2 Neapolitan pizzas and a Mendonza wine and the experience was very good. The pizzas really follow the Neapolitan standard and the atmosphere makes everything more special.
In addition to the price being super affordable, our complete dinner cost no more than 5000 Argentine pesos, something around R$100.00 blue quote/June 2022.
Chocorisimo Palermo Hollywood
Humboldt 1906, C1414 CABA
After pizza comes dessert, so we stopped at Chocorisimo to try the delicious special popsicles. We tried the Oreo one and loved it. But we loved it so much that before leaving we repeated the dose.
Chocorisimo is a mix of an ice cream shop and a cafe, with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. Said by many to be the best ice cream shop in Buenos Aires. And it really is a wonder.
La Dorita
Humboldt 1892, C1414 CABA, Argentina
And to close the night we visited La Dorita, it was a quick stop just to see the place, which was very busy, with live music and a lively atmosphere. But we didn't ignore them, we tried their fries and loved them.
It was really a very quick visit, but we enjoyed it, I'm sure that if we return to Buenos Aires one day, we will invest some time in this really cool place.
Day 4
Kira Café
Costa Rica 5685, CABA
Our last day in Buenos Aires began with saying goodbye to Palermo, and guess what we did? Yes! we walked, took photos and made videos... and to celebrate life and everything this trip brought us, we ended with an incredible breakfast with medayunas at Kira Café
We enjoyed our last moments there with lots of good energy and joy.
Bloom People, this was another Ecobag Tour, we really loved living this new experience, Buenos Aires really enchanted us with its colors, aromas and flavors, and we are very grateful for the happy days it gave us. We really want to go back with a little more time to revisit some places and see others that were on our list, but this time we didn't have time to go. We hope you liked our tips :)
In fact, leave a comment telling us what you liked most about this super tour, if you intend to visit Buenos Aires, or if you already have, how was your experience there!
To the next!
Kisses, Na and Gui.