Buenos Aires: The Barrios (Neighborhoods)

The diversity of of Buenos Aires' barrios, or neighborhoods, is part of what makes it such a charming city. While there are technically 47 barrios in within city limits, under ten of them comprise the fairly compact, riverside area of the city that is of interest to tourists.

The barrios of Microcentro and Monserrat form the financial and political center of Buenos Aires, encompassing the Avenida de Mayo, which leads from the Casa Rosada to the Congress building. Downtown's newly revived waterfront at Puerto Madero boasts fine dining and exciting nightlife. To the northwest are the two fashionable barrios of Recoleta & Retiro, centered around the famous Recoleta Cemetery. Further northwest along Rio de la Plata is Palermo, the largest barrio in the city and one of the hippest, is home to the MALBA, Buenos Aires' new museum of modern art. Chic Belgrano is further northwest and is no slouch in the museum department; several of the city's finest reside there.

To the south of the city center are the narrow cobblestone streets of San Telmo, a lively neighborhood of mixed-income residents. Farther south, colorful and working-class La Boca shows that Buenos Aires can be as Latin American as it is European.