What to do in Belgrano, a guide to the best places to visit in one of the largest neighborhoods in the city.
The Belgrano neighborhood is one of the largest and most populated in the city, concentrating some of the busiest and most iconic spots in Buenos Aires. Today the famous Chinatown, the only one of its kind in Argentina, has become popular among porteños, but also and located very close to it are very beautiful and traditional places that mark the history of Belgrano from when it was a town to becoming a neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Although Belgrano is not one of the neighborhoods that foreign tourists usually visit or those who are in Buenos Aires for the first time for 4 or 5 days, being less popular than Palermo, San Telmo or Recoleta, it constitutes a very pleasant walk for those who visit Buenos Aires through second time, those who want to see the Chinatown or for the same porteños who visit it on weekends.
If you arrive at Juramento station by subway, you can visit the Redonda Church, Barrancas, Larreta and Sarmiento Museums and Chinatown (you can reach the Chinatown directly by taking the Mitre Train to Tigre and getting off at Belgrano C station). You can add the Yrurtia Museum if you have time. To visit Belgrano R with its aristocratic streets and mansions you have to travel a lot and it is recommended to separate it on another visit.
Get ready to see our list of what to do in Belgrano:
Barrancas of Belgrano
Located in a natural ravine that used to be the river’s coast, the Barrancas de Belgrano are the neighborhood’s most traditional promenade, designed by the famous landscaper Carlos Thays on land bought by neighbors at the end of the 19th century. It is a series of squares on a natural slope made up of sinuous and romantic paths that connect the Barrancas de Belgrano station (nowadays a very interesting modern work of engineering) and the Chinatown, with the upper area, made up of modern towers. very elegant residential. Without a doubt the most magical place in Barrancas is its famous Glorieta, called “Antonio Malvagni” in honor of the Italian director who founded the city’s Symphonic Band and who used to perform there in the open air. La Glorieta today is the site of several nightly outdoor milongas that are organized where you can see couples of neighbors dancing tango in the open air several nights a week, a unique show.
Church “La Redonda” Inmaculada Concepción and surroundings
Another iconic place in the neighborhood is the famous church “Redonda” or Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción, whose construction began when Belgrano was still a separate town from Buenos Aires and which, inaugurated in 1878, constituted an icon of the urban landscape. Next to it is a very picturesque pedestrian beach with cafes and ice cream parlors reminiscent of Ancient Rome and a square where a small fair is usually located on weekends. Very close to there are also the Larreta and Sarmiento museums, of which we will talk more below.
Chinatown
One of the places that has undoubtedly become fashionable in recent years is the Chinatown of Buenos Aires, located on the three-block axis of Arribeños street next to the Miter Railroad tracks and the Belgrano C station. years there is concentrated the Asian community (not only Chinese) of Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese with supermarkets that sell unique products that are only available there, Asian restaurants, Buddhist temples and a pedestrian promenade adorned with murals, sculptures and even a large Chinese arch door from where you enter the neighborhood and you can take the classic photo of the place. Also here is the celebration of the Chinese New Year. One of the best places where you can go to enjoy an oriental experience in Buenos Aires. Find out more about Chinatown in this article.
Sarmiento Historical Museum and Larreta Museum of Spanish Art
Very close to the Redonda Church is the Sarmiento Historical Museum, located in the old building that used to be the municipality of the town of Belgrano (before it was part of the city as a neighborhood). There the national government was established during the rebellion of Governor Carlos Tejedor against the elected president Julio Argentino Roca. In this building, the incumbent president Avellaneda, and the nation’s congress declared the federalization of the city of Buenos Aires, finally ending the civil war in 1880. The museum is specially dedicated to the generation of the 80’s, to presidents Sarmiento and Avellaneda and the founding process of the federalization of the city.
Also very close to the Redonda church across Juramento avenue is the Larreta Spanish Art Museum, former home of Enrique Larreta, a cultist of Spanish literature and culture, who lived in a neocolonial style house that can be visited today enjoying its unique repertoire of Hispanic art and a beautiful Andalusian garden.
Yrurtia House Museum
Rogelio Yrurtia was a great Argentine sculptor who dedicated himself mainly to making large monumental bronze sculptures. His neocolonial-style house was donated in 1942 along with the entire Rogelio collection that comprised several masterpieces by Argentine painters and sculptors such as DellaValle and Quinquela Martín and works by Rogelio itself that include impressive monumental expressionist sculptures. The sculptor donated his cause and his invaluable collection as “gratitude to the country” that had granted him a scholarship to study in Europe.
Belgrano R and Mansions
Belgrano R is a sector of the Belgrano Neighborhood included between the streets that is located around the train station of the same name. It is characterized by its low houses, large luxury mansions and tree-lined streets that make it one of the most aristocratic and sophisticated places in Buenos Aires. It is an ideal place for a quiet walk and admiring the houses and their architecture, along with the tranquility of its streets. Possibly one of the most beautiful residential streets in Buenos Aires is located here: Avenida Melián. In this article you will find a beautiful tour to do in the area.