Characterised by the French-style mansions which are the legacy of its aristocratic past, Recoleta is the true “Paris of the South.” Walking around this neighbourhood is an experience like no other in Buenos Aires: its streets are lined with elegant apartment buildings, exclusive boutiques, and former mansions turned into high-end hotels and embassies, which exude an alluring air of sophistication and class. You'll also find a rich cultural scene centred on the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Library, and the Recoleta Cultural Center; as well as some great shopping spots, like the Buenos Aires Design Mall with an artists' fair set up in Plaza Francia every weekend.

From its refurbished red brick buildings and port cranes to its modern skyscrapers and luxurious apartment buildings, Puerto Madero is the perfect combination of old and new. The river provides a quiet, relaxing atmosphere that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic just blocks away. Across the river, flanked by skyscrapers, are beautiful parks and quiet streets that make this neighbourhood a unique destination in a city as busy as Buenos Aires. The restaurants, bars, and nightclubs on the docks make it a prime spot for nights out and have come to symbolise this area. Puerto Madero is even more striking after dark, when the lights from the docks and skyscrapers glow against the night sky.

Immersed in the sound of honking horns and the footsteps of busy office workers, the Microcentro area of San Nicolás is where visitors will encounter the true hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, walking down streets lined with office buildings and banks. The financial district is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere and unstoppable rhythm during office hours. After dark, the hubbub and migrates to Corrientes Ave., where theatre lovers might start their evening at a play and end it in one of the many traditional pizzerias nearby. During the day, Corrientes is known for its many bookshops and classic cafés, which are located just minutes away from some famous landmarks, like the Obelisco, Avenida 9 de Julio, and the Teatro Colon.

Exquisite palaces and luxurious apartment buildings combine with art galleries and exclusive boutiques to make Retiro the perfect spot for those who enjoy sophistication. However, the non-stop foot traffic to and from Retiro train and bus terminals, accompanied by the myriad of trucks leaving and arriving at the port, mean this neighbourhood is never truly at rest. One minute you are walking down a street dotted with ornate mansions and luxurious shop windows and the next you find yourself surrounded by a sea of people racing to catch their train or bus. It is this juxtaposition of never-ending comings and goings and quiet, elegant luxury that defines Retiro, as well as Buenos Aires, a city where sharp contrasts are all around.

Best known as the largest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Palermo is divided into different quarters, each with its own unique identity. The high-end quarter is Palermo Chico, characterized by magnificent mansions, regal avenues, and exclusive apartment buildings, and home to the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA), a favourite amongst locals. The largest park in the city, the Bosques de Palermo, is Palermo's most famous landmark and a popular destination for nature walks, picnics, rollerblading, and cycling. The scene becomes much trendier in Palermo Soho, a hip area known for its cool cafés and unique design stores, filled with shoppers on weekends; and Palermo Hollywood, renowned for the numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs, which make it the preferred spot for nights out and special occasions.