Is Buenos Aires Walkable? Safety, Neighbourhoods, Walking Tours & More

When planning a trip to Buenos Aires, you might be wondering, is Buenos Aires walkable? The answer is YES – one of the best ways to explore the city is actually by foot!

Read on for the complete guide to walking in Buenos Aires, including what to do in the city, the most walkable neighbourhoods, how else to get around, and what you need to know about safety.

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Why Visit Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is a vibrant, bustling metropolis full of culture, history and life, spanning over 203 square kilometres (78 square miles). As the capital city of Argentina, it is a popular tourist destination and commercial hub, as well as being one of South America’s most significant ports.

There are so many reasons to visit Buenos Aires. From beautiful landscapes, tree-lined streets, and historic sites, to tango, football, and of course the food!

The city is often likened to Paris and after spending 5 weeks there, I can see why. With cobblestone streets, art nouveau architecture and sidewalk patios, BA really reminds me of Europe.

However, what makes Buenos Aires so special is that it combines European sophistication with its Latin American roots. In BA, you get to experience a unique combination of elegance and grunge, Parisian-style architecture and colourful street art, café culture and authentic Parrillas (steakhouses).

What is There to Do in BA?

One of my favourite things to do in the city is to just walk around taking in the sites. Each neighbourhood in Buenos Aires is unique and there is always something new to see.

There is so much to do and discover when exploring Buenos Aires like this. You can head out in the morning with no plan at all and come home at the end of the day having learnt about the history of Argentina, seen a tango performance, and eaten one of the best steaks of your life!

There are also plenty of activities you can book in advance to experience the best of Buenos Aires, including day trips out of the city, cooking classes, tango lessons and city tours.

Tango Shows

Of course, planning ahead is sometimes necessary to make sure you don’t miss out. Activities such as watching a live tango show must be booked in advance.

Some tango shows even include a three-course meal dinner package. I would highly recommend adding the dinner option, to get the full tango show experience and soak up the atmosphere. Plus the food is surprisingly good, drinks are included, and the show is truly spectacular!

Fútbol (Football / Soccer)

If you’re really lucky, you might even be able to secure tickets to a Buenos Aires fútbol (football/soccer) game, such as Boca Juniors or River Plate! These can be pretty hard to come by, so I suggest booking your preferred tickets as soon as you find them.

Most of the tickets you will come across will be resale tickets and are in high demand. Viator is a safe bet for buying tickets, and resale tickets can also be found on Viagogo and Airbnb. Although if buying resale tickets I recommend carefully checking reviews first, to ensure they are legitimate as scams do happen.

Tip: If you aren’t able to get tickets to a football game, book a Boca Juniors and River Plate stadium tour and visit the museums instead!

If you haven’t been able to book activities in advance, don’t worry as you won’t miss out in Buenos Aires. There are plenty of interesting neighbourhoods you can explore on a whim, and attractions you can buy tickets for on the day.

Restaurants

Eating your way through the city is also one of the best things to do in BA, since food is such a big part of Argentinian culture. You won’t struggle to find great spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner – from charming cafés to traditional asados and lively pizza restaurants.

Most restaurants have walk-in spots available, so you don’t even need to worry about having a reservation. You should just be prepared to wait for a table, which isn’t such a bad thing when the streets are bustling and perfect for people-watching.

Nightlife

Once you’ve finished eating one of the best steaks of your life, there is also plenty of nightlife to explore. Check out Palermo for a variety of bars and clubs. In particular, Palermo Hollywood is especially lively and always seems to have something going on.

If you are looking for an authentic Buenos Aires dancing experience, check out one of Buenos Aires’ many Milongas. A Milonga is a tango dance club, which operates like a nightclub, but usually much earlier in the evening.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a tango expert to experience a Milonga! You can simply go to observe and enjoy a drink if you aren’t looking to dance yourself.

Free Activities

If you haven’t been able to book activities in advance, don’t worry as you won’t miss out in Buenos Aires. There are plenty of interesting neighbourhoods you can explore on a whim, and attractions you can buy tickets for on the day.

There are also plenty of free activities to do in Buenos Aires. Visiting famous landmarks, spending time enjoying the beautiful parks, browsing various markets, and catching a street performance, are all things you can do for free and with no planning ahead!

Is Buenos Aires Safe?

When considering whether a city is walkable, something you should always question is whether it’s safe.

Luckily, walking around Buenos Aires can be done safely if you use common sense. In fact, Buenos Aires is generally considered one of the safest cities in South America, with a number of safe neighbourhoods for visitors to stay.

That said, there are certain areas where caution should be exercised – such as La Boca – so make sure to do some research before venturing out at night or in unfamiliar places. If you are travelling alone, it’s always best to stick to well-lit areas with plenty of people around.

Stay Safe by Taking Precautions

Like in any big city, you should always exercise standard safety precautions. There are several things I recommend you do to avoid falling victim to a crime in Buenos Aires.

Firstly, you should never wear expensive jewelry or watches when walking around, as these will be easily identified by potential thieves. I have heard several stories recently of people being attacked and having their watches stolen in Buenos Aires (even in the safer neighbourhoods and in broad daylight). Therefore, it’s safest to not wear them at all, to avoid becoming a target.

You should also avoid carrying any valuables or large sums of cash with you. If you are carrying a bag, it’s best to wear it on your front and make sure items are securely packed away inside.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

It is important to be aware of your surroundings when walking in Buenos Aires. Thieves are known to snatch items directly out of your hand, including when passing by on a bike or scooter. So, try not to walk too close to the street and avoid having your phone out while walking.

Buenos Aires is also unfortunately a city where there is a high risk of scams. Therefore, it’s best to tread with caution when someone approaches you selling something or asking questions.

But don’t let all of this scare you! Overall, if you exercise common sense and read up on the neighbourhoods you’re looking to visit, you will likely find that Buenos Aires is a very safe city to explore on foot.

Is Buenos Aires Walkable?

The Porteños (people from Buenos Aires) are well-known for their love of walking and exploring their city. As such, the city reflects this!

The main avenues in Buenos Aires were designed for walking, with wide sidewalks and plenty of space for pedestrians. Additionally, many streets have been closed off to cars or made into pedestrian-only zones. This makes it easy to navigate the city without relying on public transportation or rental cars.

Another great thing about walking around Buenos Aires is that you can take your time and really experience the area. There’s no rush to get somewhere quickly. Instead, you can take advantage of the opportunity to wander down narrow side streets and discover hidden gems you’d never know about if you were just passing through by car. 

What Makes the City Walkable?

The wide sidewalks are just one reason why Buenos Aires is such a walkable city. Unlike North America where shopping complexes and large retail stores like Walmart are common, shops in Buenos Aires are integrated into the city and accessible on foot.

Throughout the city, you will find everything from fruit and vegetable vendors to stationery shops and hardware stores, among many others. This is in addition to the stores and services you would find in any large city, like supermarkets and pharmacies. Pretty much anything you need in Buenos Aires can be found within a 5-block radius!

The terrain in Buenos Aires is very walker friendly as well. It is a relatively flat city, which makes walking around generally easy as there are rarely any hills to climb. And there are several pedestrian-only areas in the city, as well as zones used by bars and restaurants for patio seating.

The sunny summer weather and mild winters also contribute to the walkability of Buenos Aires. Although, be warned, when it rains in Buenos Aires, it pours!

Something to keep in mind is that it can get very hot in Buenos Aires in the summer. But luckily there are plenty of tree-lined streets to seek shade in, and ice cream shops on almost every corner for a delicious and snack to cool down with.

Tip: Make sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen when spending the day walking around Buenos Aires. The last thing you want is to suffer heat stroke or sunburn when exploring the city.

Most Walkable Neighbourhoods

The downtown neighbourhoods (‘barrios’) of Buenos Aires are all generally very walkable. You can even walk to and from many of these neighbourhoods. On my first day in Buenos Aires, I explored several of these areas on foot, which was a great way to get a feel of the city, and also very good exercise!

From my experience, these are the most walkable neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires (and are all worth exploring).

Palermo

One of my favourite things to do in Buenos Aires is walking around the tree-lined streets of Palermo. In my opinion, Palermo is BA’s most beautiful neighbourhood. What makes it so special in my eyes is how green it is.

Palermo is dotted with sidewalk cafes, bars and restaurants everywhere, plenty of interesting street art and beautiful parks. But nature isn’t limited to the parks in Palermo – the neighbourhood is known for its charming tree-lined streets.

There is something enchanting about the green canopy which provides shade to the streets below. As you wander around Palermo you can hear the birds chirping and the leaves rustling in the breeze, at times making you forget you’re in the city.

Palermo is a sprawling neighbourhood made up of many sub-neighbourhoods. All of them are interesting to explore and can be easily reached by walking. In particular, Palermo Hollywood is a great area for restaurants, bars and clubs, and Palermo Soho for designer boutiques and cute cafés.  

I also loved Las Cañitas, which is technically part of Palermo, but it feels like it’s its own neighbourhood. Although Palermo in general is a very safe neighbourhood, I found Las Cañitas to be particularly safe, and I had no issues walking around there, even alone at night!

I highly recommend taking the time to explore as much of Palermo as possible on foot. You could spend a whole weekend working your way through the different areas, exploring some of the best restaurants in Buenos Aires, vibrant street art, boutiques and weekend markets.

Recoleta

East of Palermo you will find Recoleta, Buenos Aires’ most affluent neighbourhood. It is a particularly walker-friendly area, since most of the significant sites are best visited on foot. Like Palermo, it is also a very safe neighbourhood to walk in.

Recoleta is a beautiful area to explore, with French-style architecture and some of Buenos Aires’ most important sites. It is home to both the The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Gallery) and the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library). Here you can find Argentina’s national archives and book collection.

On the topic of books, the Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid is another must-visit site in Recoleta. This Belle Epoque theatre-turned bookstore now houses over 100,000 books and a coffee shop. After being carefully restored to its former architectural beauty, the Ateneo Grand Splendid is South America’s most beautiful bookstore.

Some other important cultural and historic sites which can be found in Recoleta are Plaza Francia, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar (an 18^th century Jesuit church), and the newly re-opened exhibition and performing arts space, Centro Cultural Recoleta.

But, surprisingly, the most popular site in Recoleta is the Recoleta Cemetery. This might sound creepy, but it is actually one of the world’s most beautiful graveyards and is worth a visit.

Dating back to 1822, not only will you be able to admire the delicately carved statues and marble mausoleums, but you will also learn more about Argentina’s history. The graves of many notable Argentines and wealthy Buenos Aires families can be found in Recoleta Cemetery.  

To take in as much as possible when you visit Recoleta Cemetery, I recommend booking a guided tour. This will ensure you don’t miss the most important sites and learn as much as possible about the history and myths of the cemetery.

San Telmo

San Telmo is Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhood; it is full of character and has an artistic and lively feel. It is considered a safe area to walk during the day. However, at night you should avoid wandering around alone and exercise more caution.

Sundays are a particularly good time to explore San Telmo on foot because the San Telmo Street Fair takes place. This is the neighbourhood’s biggest attraction and the streets truly come alive.

Over 12,000 people visit the fair each Sunday, which is held on Defensa Street between 9 am and 6 pm. The fair stretches for 13 blocks and the the street is completely pedestrian during this time. You will find it full of artists, entertainers and vendors selling handmade items, antiques, and Argentinian specialties.

I suggest you work your way down Defensa Street end to end, to take it all in. The street gets crowded so you will move slowly, but there are plenty of things to see along the way.

Another great stop while you’re in San Telmo is the Mercado de San Telmo (San Telmo Market). This is the oldest food market in Buenos Aires and is a great place to stop for lunch and to buy fresh produce. You can even take a San Telmo foodie walking tour here!

Wandering around the market you will find plenty of food bars where you can stop for an informal but delicious meal. This is a great spot to pick up some of the best empanadas, try authentic Asado (Argentinian BBQ), or get a plate of delicious fresh pasta.

La Boca

Neighbouring San Telmo you will find vibrant and colourful La Boca. If you’re short of time, visiting both San Telmo and La Boco on the same day is a great idea, since they’re within close proximity of each other.

Is La Boca safe?

Something to keep in mind when visiting La Boca is safety. Because of this, I would recommend getting a taxi or Uber there, rather than walking to La Boca. If you do insist on walking, don’t do it alone and only go during daytime hours.

Once you get to La Boca, if you stick to the popular tourist areas, and apply common sense, you will be perfectly safe walking around during the day. However, this is not somewhere you want to wander at night.

If you’re concerned about safety and want to make the most of your time in La Boca, consider booking a walking tour. In particular, I would recommend this if you’re travelling alone.

Is La Boca worth visiting?

La Boca is definitely worth a visit. It is a harbour neighbourhood which over time was decorated with metal sidings and paint leftovers, resulting in the unique and colourful look it has today.

The key area to visit is Caminito (‘little path’) which is the safest area and is catered towards tourists. Here you will find the most colourful buildings, amazing restaurants, gift shops and artists displaying their work.

Another site to see while visiting La Boca is the Boca Juniors Stadium, La Bombonera. As I mentioned above, you can book a stadium tour in advance, or check out the museum while you’re there.

It won’t take you long to walk through La Boca, but there are plenty of things to explore on the way so you should allow yourself a couple of hours at least.

Once you have finished exploring, I recommend getting lunch at El Gran Paraíso, for some authentic Asado set in a French setting. The food is delicious, and the restaurant is set amidst a beautiful garden. Plus, you can see and smell the food being cooked on the parrilla (grill) which adds to the experience.

Puerto Madero

To mix things up with a change of scenery, you can venture into Buenos Aires’ most modern neighbourhood, Puerto Madero. This waterfront neighbourhood looks nothing like the rest of the city.

This area has been developed to cater to visitors, combining modern skyscrapers with historic port buildings. It reminds me a lot of Canary Wharf in London, UK.

This area is particularly safe and walkable, although it can get crowded. It is a lovely place to take a stroll in the evening, and then grab a bite to eat in one of the many waterside restaurants.

Some key sights to see while in Puerto Madero are the Fortabat Art Collection, which houses works from the likes of Andy Warhol, the abstract designed Puente de la Mujer (‘woman’s bridge’) which is meant to represent a tango couple, and several historic boats you will pass by on your walk.

Puerto Madero is also home to the only ecological reserve in Buenos Aires. Set on the banks of the Rio de la Plata, you can truly escape the city and enjoy a walk surrounded by nature. These 350 hectares of green space includes forests, a beach, wetlands and lagoons.

The reserve offers free admission, and the various trails offer the opportunity to do a self-guided tour, with information on the different species of fauna and flora in the reserve.

Microcentro

Right in the heart of Buenos Aires you will find the Microcentro, which is the busy downtown neighbourhood. This area is always lively and holds some of the city’s key attractions. Because there is so much going on here, and there are always people around, it is a great place to explore on foot.

Here, you will find the iconic Obelisco (the towering landmark which Buenos Aires is famous for), as well as the city’s historic central square, the Plaza de Mayo.

There are also plenty of activities to do in Microcentro amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown. If you want to escape the financial district section, spend time perusing Corrientes Avenue’s many bookstores and cafés. And at night, this area becomes a true entertainment district with numerous theatres and traditional pizzerias, for a post-show dinner.

Because Microcentro is such a busy area, it tends to be quite safe for walking. However, after dark, it never hurts to exercise caution by getting a taxi, plus this will help you beat the crowds!

Buenos Aires Walking Tours

In addition to exploring on your own, another great way to get to know the city is to take a guided Buenos Aires walking tour.

Guided walking tours are an affordable and fun activity to do when visiting somewhere new, they help you familiarize yourself with the city, and are an opportunity to learn more about the local history.

There are plenty of Buenos Aires walking tours to choose from, including tours of all the main attractions, to more in-depth tours of specific neighbourhoods.

There are also both free and paid tours which you can book. Although keep in mind the free tours aren’t actually completely free, as there is an expectation to tip the tour guide. Usually, a minimum of $20 USD per person is acceptable, which often ends up coming to the same price as a paid Buenos Aires walking tour.

You’re still welcome to tip the guides on the paid walking tours, but this is discretionary. The norm for tipping in Argentina is about 10-15%.

The advantage of booking a paid Buenos Aires walking tour is that the group sizes are limited. Sometimes, the tour will also include additional services like hotel pickup and drop-off, or lunch. Plus, the paid tour guides are especially knowledgeable and speak a high level of English, to make sure you can get as much out of the tour as possible.

If it’s your first time to Buenos Aires, try this comprehensive Buenos Aires walking tour, complete with transport and lunch. This 5-hour tour is a great option to take in as much as possible of the city. You will see all of Buenos Aires’ most significant landmarks, as well as explore the San Telmo, La Boca and Puerto Madero districts, and the famous Recoleta Cemetery.

Other Ways to Get Around

If you’re short of time or aren’t big on walking, there are plenty of other ways to easily get around Buenos Aires!

Public Transit

The public transit system in Buenos Aires is extensive and efficient. The bus and metro systems are both affordable, safe, and reliable ways to get around. Buenos Aires actually has the oldest metro system in South America!

Trains and buses run frequently throughout the day and are very inexpensive. They are generally comfortable but can get crowded. Therefore, it’s best to plan your journey during off-peak times where possible.

Tip – To use public transit in Buenos Aires you should buy a SUBE card and top it up with cash. You can get one at a Kiosk, train station or metro station.

Taxis & Uber

If you’re travelling with more than one person, it may be more cost-effective to take a taxi or Uber instead of public transit.

Taxis and Ubers are always available throughout the city of Buenos Aires. You won’t have to wait long to flag down a taxi, but Uber can often be a better option.

Taxi drivers in Buenos Aires have been known to increase their prices for foreign riders. So you may find you end up paying a lot more than you should for a taxi. Whereas booking an Uber is often at a discounted rate and the price is fixed prior to confirming the ride.

Another benefit to using Uber is that as you pay through the app, you can use your foreign credit card. Whereas paying by card is not always an option in a taxi, since some card machines can have issues accepting foreign cards.

Bicycles

As well as being walker-friendly, Buenos Aires is also a very cycling-friendly city. The city has over 130 km of bike lanes, so it is easy and safe to get around by bike.

There are several bike rental shops in the city, but they can often sell out quickly. Therefore, it can be a good idea to reserve a bike in advance. For hourly or daily use, you can also find pop-up bike rentals in some of the city’s busier parks.

Rental Cars

Renting a car is another great way to explore Buenos Aires if you don’t mind navigating its busy streets. Various car rental companies have offices throughout the city, so it’s easy to find a location to pick up and drop off your rental car.

However, some car rental companies require an international driver’s license in order for you to rent a vehicle. So make sure you check with your provider before booking and paying for a rental car.

Final Thoughts – Is Buenos Aires Walkable?

Yes, Buenos Aires is an incredibly walkable city!

Not only does the city feel like it is designed for walking, but it is also one of South America’s safest cities. In fact, many of its neighbourhoods are best explored on foot.

But don’t worry if you’re not able to spend too much time walking around the city. Luckily, there are also plenty of non-walking activities to do, and other ways to easily get around.

So, whether or not you’re planning on getting your steps in, there will be plenty of ways for you to make the most of your time in Buenos Aires.