Buenos Aires has a lot to offer, from great shopping to grand sites of historic interest. It’s a city of many districts and a great place to indulge in one of the many big sports in Argentina, such as polo. With that in mind you’ll find tips here on places to visit can visit, watch polo, or buy polo equipment. You may also want to get yourself a polo belt to wear to matches, though make sure you buy the right colours for the teams involved.
Recoleta
First and foremost, for shopping is Recoleta. Here you will find designer shops and a special polo equipment shop, La Martina, on Paraguay Street. The classy offerings of this area don’t end there however. A real gastronomic flavour is present here with the selection of internationally acclaimed restaurants on Ortiz Street, including those owned by famous Argentinian chef Gato Dumas. If a nice cafe is more your thing, why not try Clasica y Moderna on Callao Avenue and mingle with the upper echelons of cultural society.
San Telmo
Dating back to the 17th century San Telmo, named after the patron saint of seafarers, is the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires. Its modern-day identity is very much shaped by the past and today it is equally a tourist trap, rugged city suburb and tango hotspot, making it an interesting and colourful district.
The best day to go here is on Sundays, when this district really comes alive with a party atmosphere and sprawling market on Calle Defensa. The rest of the week however you will still find tango street dancers and antique shops in this area. You’ll also find some historic bars nearby for coffee and beer at El Federal and Bar Plaza Dorrego.
Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo has been consistently at the heart of Buenos Aires history, from the second founding of the city, to more recent and ongoing political actions. The square also takes its name from the Argentine revolution in 1810.
The Plaza de Mayo is also an important centre of Buenos Aires for significant buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (the seat of national government) as well as institutions serving at the heart of the country’s financial functions.
The square’s tradition and reputation as a centre for protest is still ongoing today. A group known as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo continue to march here, to demand information about children missing from Argentina’s last political dictatorship.
This square is a great place to soak up Argentine history or join a walking tour. It’s also a good centre for public transport.
Polo Clubs
Polo is at the peak of its global popularity in Buenos Aires, so it can feel like the best place in the world for polo enthusiasts. As well as being able to find polo equipment in the city, there are some must visit polo grounds here for polo fans including:
Campo Argentino de Polo – located in Palermo next to the grand Libertador Avenue this is destination number one for prestige and spectacle.
Hurlingham Polo Club – just north of the city is Hurlingham Polo Club. If you’d like to get out of the city just for a day trip this is a perfect ground to visit.
Tortugas Polo Club – another fantastic polo club to visit just outside of the city is Tortugas Polo Club, which also comes highly recommended.
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