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Recoleta is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Use this guide to plan what to do in Recoleta.

The Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina is found in the northeast of the capital city. It is known for being a wealthy neighborhood with tall, mature trees and western European style townhomes. Many visitors pass through Recoleta to see the famous Recoleta Cemetary. Some even choose to stay in Recoleta because it is very safe and well located to other sights.

In this Recoleta guide, I detail the top things to see in Recoleta.

What is there to do in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is known as the “Paris of South America” and the Recoleta neighborhood is really the area that earned it this nickname.

The city is renowned for tango dancers in the streets, excellent cuisine, world class museums, and much more. There are many different neighborhoods in the city, so there is plenty to explore. You will not run out of things to do, even on a multi-week itinerary.

Eating your way through the city is one of the very best things to do in my opinion. With juicy steaks, crispy empanadas, creamy pastas, and sweet dulce de leche, the cosmopolitan city is influenced by a wide background of immigration. There are many museums and markets to entice artists, creatives, and antique collectors.

Where is the Recoleta neighborhood?

Recoleta is one of the primary neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Taken together with Retiro and parts of Palermo, it is part of the larger Barrio Norte residential zone.

If arriving to Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newberry (AEP), La Recoleta is a relatively close neighborhood to the airport and makes a good choice for hotels. It is a safe, posh area of the city and many of the major city sights can be reached quickly either on foot, public transit, or by taxi. It neighbors the Palermo neighborhood to its northwest and Retiro and downtown its southeast.

A Little Recoleta History and Fun Facts

• The neighborhood derives its name from an 18th century Franciscan monastery. The monastery had an attached cemetery.
• Geographically, it is one of the highest points in the city.
• Many of Buenos Aires’ most wealthy residents moved to Recoleta in an effort to avoid Yellow Fever during the 1871 outbreak.
• The University of Buenos Aires is found in Recoleta.
• A theme park called ItalPark was in Recoleta until it closed in 1990 after a ride broke and killed a young girl. The park was ordered to close and it was replaced by Park Thuys, creating more public green space.
• Many foreign embassies can be found in this neighborhood.

Top 5 Things to Do in Recoleta

1. Cementerio de la Recoleta

Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most iconic and historic cemeteries in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Established in 1822 and designed by French architect Próspero Catelin, this cemetery is renowned for its ornate mausoleums, statues, and architecture. Catelin also designed the facade of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, a free attraction in Buenos Aires.

Recoleta Cemetary contains 4,691 vaults, all above ground. This means you can often see the caskets, some of which are in more dilapidated state than others. Ninty-four of the vaults have been declared National Historical Monuments. The Cemetery is the final resting place for many prominent Argentine figures, including Eva Perón. This is a can’t miss stop on a Buenos Aires itinerary. There is a small entrance fee. You can also take an English tour.

2. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

This museum houses an extensive and diverse assortment of artworks, including paintings and sculptures spanning from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

The museum features work by famous Argentine artists like Benito Quinquela Martín and Xul Solar, as well as renowned international masters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Rodin, Degas, Picasso, Goya, Delacroix, and Monet. In fact, there is a prominent exhibit devoted to Auguste Rodin and his many sculptures.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibits. While I was there, they featured work by Argentine artist León Ferrari. Best of all, admission is free.

Related: Can’t Miss Museums in Brussels

3. Floralis Genérica

Across the street from the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is Floralis Genérica. The aluminum and steel sculpture is a massive, 23-meter (75-foot) tall metal flower with petals that open and close depending on the time of day. Or at least the petals opened until the gears broke several years ago. It was designed and gifted to the city by the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002.

At night, the sculpture is illuminated with an intricate lighting system that gives it a striking appearance. Around the sculpture is Plaza Naciones Unidas, making it a quick and easy visit before or after the museum. This attraction is free.

4. El Ateneo Grand Splendid

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a bookstore that is housed in a fabulously restored 20th-century theater. It is even considered one of the best bookstores in the world. Where there used to be balcony theater seating, you can now go up to explore different genres and mediums of books, music, and movies available for purchase. There is a small selection of English language books on the ground floor near the stage, but they are primarily Shakespeare.

The stage area itself today is a cafe where you can buy drinks and small snacks. El Ateneo Grand Splendid is also considered the largest bookstore in Latin America.

Related: Top 3 Cute Bookstores in Ipanema

5. Recoleta Cultural Center

One of the top things to do in Recoleta is to visit the Cultural Center. Housed within a former Franciscan convent dating back to the 18th century, this center is a dynamic space that captures the history and modernity of Recoleta.

Here you’ll find contemporary art exhibitions showcasing local and international talent to immersive cultural events, live performances, and thought-provoking installations. Its diverse calendar features art shows, concerts, film screenings, workshops, and literary gatherings.

In the late 19th century, the building provided shelter for the homeless before becoming a cultural center at the behest of Buenos Aires’ mayor. The building used to have a redish-pink facade, however today it stands out for its colorful exterior.

Where to Stay in the Recoleta

I stayed at the Dazzler in Recoleta for just one rainy day, as I arrived at the airport very late and didn’t want to bother with an AirBnB alone at that hour. I actually don’t recommend the Dazzler in Recoleta. Read below for better options.

Luxury: For those seeking opulence and top-notch service, stay at the Alvear Palace Hotel in the upscale neighborhood of Recoleta. This is one of the best hotels in Recoleta. It is a grand hotel offering elegant rooms, a spa, and gourmet dining. You could also try the more modern Palladio Hotel located nearby.

Mid-range: The Urban Suites Recoleta is a good place to stay in Recoleta. It is well located next to the cemetery and a short walk to the major museums. Still located in Recoleta, but at a cheaper price, the Arc Boutique Hotel and the Blank Hotel are good mid-range budget lodging options.

Budget: Casa Franca Recoleta Hostel is your best budget option in the neighborhood. They have dorm and private rooms available. The dorms have capsule style bunks with privacy curtains.

Is Recoleta, Buenos Aires Safe?

Yes. It is one of the safest neighborhoods in all of Buenos Aires. Recoleta is also very safe at night. Use common sense and the same level of precaution you would in any large city, but Buenos Aires in general is a safe city for tourists to visit.

What to Eat in the Recoleta

After visiting all these places in the Recoleta, you will undoubtedly be hungry. Argentine food is famous for their steaks and the accompanying Malbec red wine. Aregentina is also known for their chimichurri sauce which is usually spread over grilled meats and vegetables. Chimichurri is a finely chopped blend of parsley, cilantro, olive oil, salt, and garlic. Restaurants often add their own flair to their chimichurri recipes, such as fresh red chili.

Many Italian immigrants came to Buenos Aires and this has further influenced the food here. You can find incredible pastas and Napoli style pizza in Buenos Aires. While traditional Napoli pizza draws in crowds, you should also try Argentinian-style pizza called Fugazzeta. This pizza usually has thicker crust and is piled with onions and mozzarella.

Be sure to save room for dessert too. The country is known for dulce de leche. The most popular treat with this sweet caramel is an alfajor, but you can also try dulce de leche ice cream. An alfajor usually has two shortbread cookies with dulce de leche cream sandwiched in the center. Sometimes they are covered in chocolate. Artisan ones will even top them with nuts or other creative toppings.

Related: 24 Great Restaurants and Cafes in Buenos Aires

Don’t miss this local favorite: El Sanjuanino

One of the best places to eat in Recoleta is El Sanjuanino. Affordable food can be hard to track down in the Recoleta neighborhood, but El Sanjuanino is just that. Plus, it is within walking distance of Cementerio de la Recoleta.

This long-running, rustic establishment offers locals and tourists some of the best budget friendly plates in the neighborhood. They have large portions, a good wine list and cellar, and excellent empanadas. There are two stories; one at ground level and one downstairs. The basement level is where old barrels hang from the ceiling, and you can find a little ladder to the wine cellar. You can also find local Argentine whiskey behind the bar, although the bartender (in my experience) may discourage it.

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