Just about every city tour in Buenos Aires will include a few stops in Retiro. A highlight of the neighborhood (and of the entire city) is Plaza San Martin. This park located opposite the Retiro train terminal is surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive architecture. Shoppers flock to Avenida Florida, a pedestrian street that runs from Plaza San Martin in Retiro to San Nicolas.
Both Retiro and General San Martin metro stations are located within the Retiro, and it’s within easy walking distance of both the Center and Recoleta neighborhoods.
It’s best to visit Retiro during daylight hours, when it’s possible to appreciate the architecture and do some people watching in the busy plaza. If you’re visiting one of the neighborhood’s bars or restaurants in the evening, plan to take a taxi rather than walk.
Retiro is well worth a visit for its architectural gems alone. The Palacio San Martin is an art nouveau mansion and one of the neighborhood’s most impressive buildings. The Kavanagh Building is also worth a look for its Art Deco details. Don’t miss the Torre Monumental clocktower, gifted by the British to commemorate Argentine independence, or the ornate murals inside the Galerias Pacifico shopping center.
