Argentina’s capital can be overwhelming at times, big, loud and filled with cars, collectivos and commuters. But luckily Buenos Aires has its fair share of green spaces and hidden oasis. Below Expanish Spanish school blogger Jenn tells us about some of her favourite parks and green spaces in Buenos Aires
I first arrived to Argentina last September at 7:30 in the morning. With bags under my eyes, greasy hair, and sweatpants equipped for a 24-hour viaje, I wasn’t exactly in the best mood. As I made my way from Ezeiza International Airport to the Buenos Aires, I couldn’t help but think how gray and bleak everything looked. “Is this really the city I decided to move to?” I thought to myself.
It’s been almost one year, and I can tell you that my opinion of the Buenos Aires landscape is much more positive than my grumpy assessment on the first day. One of the things I love about Buenos Aires is that there are a lot of really wonderful green spaces tucked away in the city to help you forget about the everyday quilombo of big city life. Here are my Top 5 picks of green spaces in Buenos Aires, in Throwback TRL Countdown Format:
#5: Japanese Garden
Located in Palermo, the Japanese garden is a breathtaking space in the heart of Buenos Aires. With beautiful plants native of Japan surrounded by a small lake, it’s easy to lose yourself in this aesthetically-pleasing landscape. I personally love this place because it reminds me of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, and makes me feel like I’m still in California. There is also a tea house inside the garden, and although I’ve yet to go, I hear they’ve got some pretty good tea to help warm you up from the Buenos Aires winter (and let’s be real, with the lack of calefacción central in this city, we need all the help we can get)!
#4: Rosedal
A huge rose garden located inside Los Bosques de Palermo, it contains nearly 1200 different species of roses, with over 15,000 rose bushes, according to Buenos Aires Travel Planet. That’s a lot of roses! You can only imagine my photographer’s delight when I first stepped inside. With the lake in the Los Bosques park surrounding the rose garden, it makes for a spectacular view. The Rosedal is definitely something you have to see while you are in Buenos Aires.
#3: Plaza Francia / Flor de Metal
Plaza Francia is one of my favorite places to read, take pictures, or just take a nice siesta. Besides Plaza Francia itself there is also a lot of surrounding green spaces nearby. For example, on the weekends there is the famous Recoleta Feria next door, where you can more things you want than need, attempt to eat the ¼ kilo of helado you overambitiously bought before it melts all over your hand, and if you’re lucky, get there in time to watch the capoeira performance. Just across the street from Plaza Francia you’ll also find the famous Flor de Metal, which is a huge metal sculpture of a flower and actually opens and closes with the sun! The Flor de Metal is also worth seeing at night, as its contrasting lights and the famous Facultad de Derecho de la UBA behind it is truly awe-inspiring.
#2: Los Bosques
One of the most famous parks in Buenos Aires, Los Bosques has something for everyone. Picnic on the grass? Check. Renting a boat to row around the lake? Check. A beautiful white bridge that overlooks the part where you imagine your future wedding will be? Check. A planetarium? Check. Rollerblades and tacky kneepads to eerily reminiscent of the ’90s? Check check and double triple quadruple check. Like I said, something for everyone. Going to Los Bosques to drink mate (I know, I’m such an extranjera-pathetically-attempting-to-be-porteña cliché) was one of my first memories of Buenos Aires, and one of the first things that made me feel like I could really make this city my home.
#1: Tigre
This isn’t technically within the city limits of Buenos Aires, but this is my list so I get to make my own rules, so err…deal! I’ve only been to Tigre once, but it is something I totally recommend to anyone living in Buenos Aires to get away from the craziness of the city. Just an hour away by train, Tigre is a nice town by the Delta where you can bike ride, kayak, take a river tour, get a massage, eat a nice meal, and much more. I made this trip about three months after I first arrived, and it was a nice escape away from the hustling and bustling of the city. In related news, whoever says that phrase anymore?
Anyway, after exploring the town and getting a tour of the Delta, me and my friend Jenn had a nice long lunch with our newfound Brazilian friend we made on the tour, and spent 4 hours talking in some weird hybrid mix of Spanish and Portuguese while eating bife de chorizo, salad, and finishing off the meal with some wine and lemoncello on the house. To this day, my Tigre excursion has been one of the highlights of my time thus far, so don’t miss out!
This is just a sample of the plethora of green spaces in Buenos Aires. So go outside and enjoy all that Buenos Aires has to offer!
(And remember: Watch out for all the dog poop).
For my take on the green (and urban) landscapes of Buenos Aires, plus landscapes of other cities around the world, check out my travel photos at:
www.flickr.com/photos/jennypennyjcl
