Discovering Recoleta

February 27, 2020 - 4 minutes read

Located in the epicenter of Buenos Aire, the Recoleta Grand is a great choice for discovering the Argentine capital’s historic (and super trendy) Recoleta neighborhood.

The hotel is also super convenient — just 20 minutes from the Jorge Newbery International Airport (where many domestic flights arrive and depart) and 50 minutes from the Ezeiza-Ministro Pistarini International Airport.

Recoleta offers some of the most interesting sights and iconic attractions in Buenos Aires:

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Named the “world’s most beautiful bookstore” by National Geographic in 2019, this legendary book emporium is walking distance from the hotel. The historic structure — designed by the architects Peró and Torres Armengol for Max Glücksmann — opened in 1919 as the Teatro Gran Splendid. It was later a cinema and now a bookstore.

Café la Biela

A traditional coffee shop, La Biela is located opposite the church of Nuestra Senora del Pilar and adjacent to Recoleta Cemetery. Tables on the large outdoor terrace are shaded by a giant rubber tree, while those inside are flanked by auto-racing memorabilia and photographs.

Cementerio de la Recoleta

A stroll through the labyrinthine paths of this calm and quiet 13.5 acre cemetery takes you to the graves of several notable Argentines including Eva Perón, Raúl Alfonsín, brutal caudillo (dictator) Facundo Quiroga and several presidents. Seventy of its elaborate tombs and mausoleums have been declared national monuments. Around the July 26 anniversary of Evita’s death, flowers always appear around her grave.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

Located beside the cemetery, the church  was built by the Recoleto friars in 1732 and is most famous for its six German Baroque–style altars. The cloisters house the Museo de los Claustros del Pilar and its religious artifacts.

Feria de Artesanos de Plaza Francia

On weekends, an open-air market with artisan stalls takes over the plaza outside Recoleta Cemetery.  Although it officially opens at 11 a.m., many stalls aren’t properly set up until early afternoon.

Distal Café Cultural

Located at the back of Distal Bookstore, this little café serves up coffee and food throughout the week, and a tango dinner show on Saturday nights.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

The world’s largest collection of Argentine art as well as works by European artists from the 12th through 20th centuries are found inside the city’s most important museum. It hosts several high-profile temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo

Located inside a mansion that was once the home of the well-to-do Errázuriz-Alvear family, Argentina’s National Museum of Decorative Art features well-appointed rooms filled with period furnishings and antiques. Guided tours include the Zubov Collection of miniatures from Imperial Russia.

Museo Participativo de Ciencias

A mini science museum where the only rule is “Prohibido No Tocar” (Not Touching Is Forbidden).

Centro Cultural La Recoleta

Art exhibitions, concerts, fringe theater performances, and workshops are held at this cultural center which was once the cloister of Franciscan monks.

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