" BUENOS AIRES, MY HOME TOWN " a Buenos Aires Travel Page by Frisbeeace

Buenos Aires, home to 40% of the population in Argentina, is the most exciting and fascinating of all South American capitals. It's an immensely enjoyable place just to wander about, stopping off for a coffee or an ice cream, people-watching, shopping, or simply feeling the unique atmosphere. Its many neighbourhoods (barrios), are startlingly different, some old-fashioned others very modern, but all of them showing its own character.

Buenos Aires is the country's gastronomic center and has a wild nightlife that makes it one of the world's great cities.

The city centre is bounded approximately by Avenida de Mayo to the south, Avenida L.N. Alem to the east, Avenida Cordoba to the north and Avenida Callao to the west. At its southeastern corner lies the city's foundational square, the Plaza de Mayo, home to the governmental palace commonly named "Casa Rosada" . Within the centre lies the financial district, "La City". It's an hectic place, particularly during the week, traversed by pedestrian Florida street and Av. Corrientes, the backbone of the theatre district. With the exception of the Plaza de Mayo and the Teatro Colón, it's perhaps not so much the centre's sights that are the main draw but rather the strongly defined character of its streets, which provide a perfect introduction to the rhythm of Porteño life. Even though the area is surprisingly varied in both architecture and atmosphere it has undergone a noticeable decadence compared to other areas whose hotels and night life have attracted tourists lately.

The north of the is comprised of four neighbourhoods, Retiro and Recoleta (jointly known as Barrio Norte) plus Palermo and Belgrano, which are known for their palaces, plazas and parks. They're the city's mostly wealthy barrios, one after another as Buenos Aires expanded northwards. Set off against beautiful native trees such as lapachos, jacarandas and tipas, the architectural styles of the many aristocratic palaces are part Spanish and part British, but mostly French. Some are open to the public, and this is where you'll find some of the city's finest museums. Further north, incredibly wide avenues sweep past landscaped parks and some of the country's major sports venues, including the National Polo Fields. Spots of 19th century Buenos Aires are still left at Palermo Viejo , whose narrow streets and single-store houses contrast with the high apartment buildings that populate most of this side of the city.

The south of the city - its most intriguing area - begins just beyond Plaza de Mayo. It contains the oldest part of the city and its old streets are lined with some of the capital's finest architecture, typified by compact late 19th town houses with ornate Italian facades, elegant wooden doors and fine iron railings. From the old fashioned charm of San Telmo and its popular antique market to the passionate atmosphere of La Boca on match days, the south offers an appealing mix of tradition and popular culture.

Beyond Avenida Callao lies the west , an immense, mostly residential district which has its own commercial centre around the barrios of Caballito and Flores. There are only a small number of sights to see in this area being the most significative the tomb of Carlos Gardel, the nation's most famous Tango singer, in the huge cemetery of Chacarita.

Choosing the right location to stay in Buenos Aires is essential. Avoid hotels in the downtown area (the financial district) which is frenzy during the day and turns a bit ugly in the evenings. You'd better choose the Recoleta area or Puerto Madero where most of the nicest sights, restaurants and shopping areas are located.