Belgrano is one of the most elegant residential neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, with tree-lined streets, stately mansions and a unique cultural mix that sets it apart from the usual tourist circuit. Although not the most visited neighbourhood for tourists, Belgrano hides three attractions that justify the trip: the colourful Barrio Chino (Buenos Aires' Chinatown), the Barrancas de Belgrano with open-air tango and artisan fairs, and a museum collection including the exquisite Museo Larreta of Spanish art. The neighbourhood was briefly the capital of Argentina in 1880, during the federalisation of Buenos Aires.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 8500 km | 10 h 30 direct | — | — |
| Miami (MIA) | 7100 km | 9 h direct | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 10000 km | 12 h direct | — | — |
| São Paulo (GRU) | 1700 km | 2 h 50 | — | — |
| Santiago (SCL) | 1140 km | 2 h | 20 h | 14 h |
| Mendoza | 1050 km | 1 h 45 | 14 h | 11 h |
| Córdoba | 700 km | 1 h 15 | 10 h | 8 h |
| Iguazú (IGR) | 1300 km | 1 h 45 | 18 h | 15 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21° / 30°C | 120 mm | Hot summer | |
| Feb | 20° / 28°C | 125 mm | ||
| Mar | 18° / 26°C | 130 mm | Ideal fall start | |
| Apr | 14° / 22°C | 95 mm | ||
| May | 11° / 19°C | 75 mm | ||
| Jun | 8° / 15°C | 60 mm | ||
| Jul | 7° / 15°C | 60 mm | Winter break | |
| Aug | 9° / 17°C | 70 mm | ||
| Sep | 11° / 19°C | 80 mm | Ideal spring | |
| Oct | 13° / 22°C | 120 mm | ||
| Nov | 16° / 25°C | 125 mm | ||
| Dec | 19° / 28°C | 120 mm | Year-end holidays |
Typical prices by category
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | USD 20–35 | USD 60–110 | USD 180–500 |
| Food/day | USD 15–22 | USD 30–55 | USD 80–200 |
| Tango show | USD 25–40 | USD 60–90 | USD 120–250 |
| Day tour | USD 30–50 | USD 60–90 | USD 150–300 |
Approximate ranges in USD as of April 2026. Subway & bus: flat ~ARS 500 fare.
Belgrano divides into three sub-zones: Belgrano C (the commercial area around Calle Cabildo, one of the city's longest shopping streets), Belgrano R (residential low-rise houses with gardens, the quietest and most exclusive area) and Bajo Belgrano (where the barrancas, Chinatown and the train station are located).
Chinatown (Barrio Chino)
Buenos Aires' Chinatown occupies a few blocks on Arribehos street, between Juramento and Olazabal, but packs an explosion of colours, flavours and aromas from across Asia. The red and gold entrance arch, a gift from the Chinese community, marks the start of a stroll past Asian supermarkets, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese restaurants, and shops selling imported goods.
On weekends the Barrio Chino fills with locals and tourists who come to eat Asian street food, buy exotic ingredients and browse the stalls. Prices are accessible: a plate of dumplings costs USD 3-5, ramen USD 5-8 and a full restaurant lunch USD 8-15.
Barrancas de Belgrano
The Barrancas de Belgrano are a 3-hectare elevated park designed by Carlos Thays (the same landscape architect behind the Botanical Garden) on a natural bluff overlooking the railway. On Sundays it transforms into a space for open-air tango: dozens of couples dance milonga in the park's bandstand while tourists watch and sip mate on the grass. It is one of the most authentic and free experiences in Buenos Aires.
On weekends, the artisan fair at Barrancas de Belgrano has over 100 stalls of crafts, leather, silver, artisan mate gourds and souvenirs. It is calmer and more authentic than the San Telmo Fair, with similar or lower prices.
Museo de Arte Espanol Enrique Larreta
The Museo Larreta occupies the former residence of the writer Enrique Larreta, a colonial-style mansion with an Andalusian garden that looks straight out of Seville. The collection includes Spanish Renaissance and Baroque art, colonial furniture, tapestries and armour. The garden is one of Buenos Aires' hidden gems. Admission costs USD 1-2 (free on Wednesdays).
Where to eat in Belgrano
- Chinatown restaurants: dumplings, ramen, sushi and Korean food (USD 5-15).
- Sarkis: legendary Armenian restaurant on Thames street. Hummus, kibbe and shawarma (USD 8-12). Always a queue but worth the wait.
- La Mezzetta: Belgrano's pizza place with stuffed fugazzeta that competes for best in Buenos Aires (USD 5-8).
How to get to Belgrano
- Subway Line D: Juramento, Jose Hernandez or Congreso de Tucuman stations. 20 minutes from the centre.
- Mitre train: Belgrano C station (steps from Chinatown) from Retiro (15 minutes, under USD 0.30).
- Taxi/Uber: from Palermo USD 2-3, from the centre USD 4-6.
