Top 10 Buenos Aires

Drago (Dragon), Museo Xul Solar
The permanent exhibition documents
Solar’s figurative water
colors, owing a debt to European
influences and development of
his metaphysical language. The
multi-level gallery allows Solar’s
color palette, all luminous
pastels, to stand out (see p22).
d Map M4 • Calle Laprida 1212 • 4824-
3302 • Open noon–8pm Tue–Fri, noon–
7pm Sat • Adm • Free tours Tue, Thu, Sat
at 4:30pm • www.xulsolar.org.ar
( Plaza Serrano
Plaza Serrano, also known as
Plaza Cortázar, has evolved into
the heart of the Palermo Viejo/
Soho/Hollywood nexus. From
this rather ordinary plaza,
Palermo Viejo’s most fashionable
streets shoot off in every
direction. d Map K3
• Cnr Calles Borges & Honduras
) Planetario Galileo Galilei
With a huge sphere poised
on three legs and looking like a
science-fiction movie’s alien
transport, this planetarium is one
of the continent’s top astronomical
research facilities. Its shows
contain imagery from satellite
missions. The greatest attraction
are the three prehistoric meteorites
recovered from the northwest
provinces. d Map M1 • Cnr
Avda. Sarmiento and Avda. Figueroa
Alcorta • 4771-9393 • Shows (one per
hour): 1–4:30pm Tue–Fri, 2–6pm Sat, Sun
& holidays • Adm • www.planetario.gov.ar
An Afternoon of
Palermo Flair
Afternoon
Start your afternoon
wending through the labyrinthine
streets east of
Avenida Figueroa Alcorta,
past Buenos Aires’ fine
mansions and embassies,
and up to MALBA (see
p87). Then, debate
whether the pan-Latin
American masterworks at
MALBA are or are not overshadowed
by the striking
building itself. Make sure
not to skip the fabulous
gift shop. Afterward,
continue up Avenida
Figueroa Alcorta to the
Jardín Japonés (see p87).
Should the monstrous koi
fish in its central pond
arouse your sushi appetite,
get some omakase (or if
not, delicious cakes and
tea) at the garden’s
restaurant. Next, glimpse
the life of Argentina’s
first lady, Evita, at
Museo Evita (see p87)
on Calle Lafinur.
Evening
Continuing up to Plaza
Italia, hop on a 93 bus and
get out around Calle
Honduras, the main drag
through Palermo
Hollywood’s international
bistros. To share a picada
and some happy-hour
beers, turn down
Honduras and right before
Calle Bonpland, and head
inside Acabar (see p92)
for a round of beers over
Jenga or a boardgame.
Given the gaudy, thriftstore
decor, the depth of
Acabar’s cocktail menu
makes for a pleasant
surprise. Later, have a look
around the intersection of
Honduras and Bonpland to
get dinner ideas; Jangada
(see p93) is just one of
many solid choices in the
immediate vicinity.
Around Town – Palermo 89