Want the numerous things to do and hip places to eat of Palermo but without all the crowd? Recoleta is a quieter and older neighborhood but still has loads of attractions. While most of the tourists and young crowds head to Palermo, Recoleta might be a better choice for a long, sunny Sunday or a place to stay for older crowds. While of course you can’t escape all the noise, Recoleta has an eclectic mix of things to do that you can’t miss while in Buenos Aires! Here is a list of top things to do in Recoleta.
To Walk Around:
Cementerio de Recoleta (Recoleta Cemetery): A beautiful and ever-so-creepy cemetery which holds the elite of Buenos Aires. The tombs, engravings, and statues are really grand. Some pathways are very narrow and isolated, making the tour throughout the cemetery often very eery. A definite must-see of Recoleta.
Plaza Francia: This plaza will place you right in the middle of the action. On almost any given weekend there is a street market to buy handmade goods such as mate, clothes, jewelry, and food. It’s also a good place to relax in the grass and maybe catch some live music.
Things to See:
Floralis Generica: This is a steel flower sculpture. It was a gift to the city by architect Eduardo Catalano. It used to open and close mechanically (open in the day and close at night) but it hasn’t been repaired to do so.
Facultad de Derecho: A beautiful, big school of law. You can sit on the steps and relax or go inside to see some artwork adorning the grand first floor.
For Some Culture:
Museo de Bellas Artes: The Museum of Beautiful Art showcases formal and classic artists who were often commissioned by the church to create religious content. Here you’ll find traditional artwork and some famous pieces from artists such as Monet and van Gogh.
Things to Do:
Fuerza Bruta. This is a very popular show which includes drumlines, acrobatics in the air, people dancing in water above your head, and a moving stage. You are standing up in a crowd because the stage is always changing in front, above, and behind you. It’s not easy to explain so just go see it!
Where to Eat:
A place to go get a coffee and some medialunas would be at Café La Biela. It’s walking distance from any of these aforementioned places and the cafe has been declared a Place of Cultural Interest by the city. It used to be a popular meeting place for celebrities and racecar drivers (which is the reason for the decor inside).
In front of this cafe you’ll find the huge Rubber Tree or Gomero stretching 20 meters high and 50 meters wide.
