The Center - Buenos Aires - page 104

Shopping at Galerías Pacífico , a beautiful shopping mall with an amazing painted
ceiling.
Visiting historic Manzana de las Luces , a symbol of the city's culture and higher
learning.
Taking a break at Café Tortoni , one of BA's most traditional - and touristy - cafes.
Explore: the Center
During the day, the Center is a heaving mass of humanity moving hastily along narrow
streets in the shadow of skyscrapers and old European buildings - but in the evening, it's
practically deserted. Stretching from Retiro to San Telmo (and flanked by Congreso and
Puerto Madero), this area is the heart and brain of the city. It's made up of the Microcentro
and Montserrat neighborhoods.
Plaza de Mayo is a good place to start. Here you'll see the Casa Rosada presidential
palace, with the Museo del Bicentenario right behind it; plan ahead if you want to visit, as
it's closed Monday and Tuesday. The Cathedral Metropolitana is nearby - stop by for a
Pope Francis souvenir - and the Cabildo has a nice back patio that's good for a break. If
you want to see the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, time your visit for Thursday afternoon
( Click here ) .
From here you can head south just one block, crossing over into Montserrat, and visit
the Manzana de las Luces, a city block full of historic buildings. There are also a couple
of small but interesting museums to visit around here. Further south a few more blocks is
San Telmo ( Click here ) .
If you're going north, walk on Calle Florida. This very busy pedestrian street is packed
during the day with business men and women, street vendors, tourists, beggars, buskers
and hustlers. Every few feet you'll hear arbolitos (street money changers, called 'little
trees' because they stand in place) chanting ' cambio, cambio, cambio '. Use their services
at your own risk! If you prefer more peace, Reconquista and Suipacha are also p edestrian.
Local Life
» Shopping Pedestrian streets Florida and Lavalle are lined with shops and services,
and there's great people-watching too.