In Argentina’s capital city, a bustling metropolis home to millions of people, you may be surprised to find that the city is, in a word, lush. Pink flowered trees, sprawling parks, and charming gardens are not only abundant in nature (pun intended), but ended up being my favorite thing about the city.
I spent two months living the nomad life in Buenos Aires, and since I was there during a particularly balmy summer, I spent a good amount of time soaking up the sun or reclining in the shade in many of the city’s gorgeous parks. My favorites are located in the Palermo neighborhood, are mostly free, and offer a serene escape from the otherwise busy boulevards of the “Paris of the South.”
In between bites of steak, sips of wine, and flirtations with the art of tango, here’s a list of the five best parks to visit in Buenos Aires for a well-rounded itinerary that accounts for the impressive dose of nature the city has to offer.
Jardín Botánico
This magic garden is truly a thing of beauty. Trust me. I’m a Libra. The Botanical Garden is a tropical haven full of canopy trees, hypnotic vines, picturesque statues, dreamy fountains, and even a butterfly garden. The garden is sectioned off into different zones with vegetation representing diverse continents (South America, Oceania, Europe, etc.). You can follow the path and take it all in, plop yourself on a park bench to sip mate with a friend (as you’ll see many locals doing), or even bring a little picnic to enjoy in a patch of sunshine. It’s completely free and right in the center of the action in Palermo.
El Rosedal de Palermo
If heaven was a place on Earth this would be its garden. The Rosedal de Palermo is a flower-lover’s paradise. Rows and rows of rose bushes in every color imaginable are laid out in a circular landscape of aromatic eye candy. This is such an idyllic place to take a time out and enjoy the sunshine, do some journaling, or take some dreamy photos for Insta, your Hinge profile, or mom’s fridge.
Read more: What to Do and See in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bosques de Palermo
Adjacent to the El Rosedal, you’ll find the Bosques de Palermo. Between people picnicking on the grass along the canal and exercising on the wide street bordering the park, you’ll also find an abundance of geese (who aren’t shy, thank you) and families floating down the canal in paddle boats (they usually look like they’re regretting it). Together, El Rosedal and the Bosques de Palermo make up Parque Tres de Febrero, which is a lovely spot for weekend hangouts with friends and family, people watching, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Ecoparque
The child in me was obsessed with this free outdoor park that apparently used to be a full-on zoo until the whole ethics of captivity were challenged and the bigger animals were moved…or released? But not in the city, don’t worry. Now this picturesque park is still a free outdoor zoo but is only home to a small pool of animals.
Peacocks and maras, a sort of dog-meets-rabbit animal that is truly quite adorable, freely roam around the park, crossing your path regularly. There are giraffes, flamingoes, a very large camel who looks like he’s been through a lot, a condor, llamas, ostriches, and a fascinating tapir, which is like an anteater evolving into a horse. The scenic park is just as relaxing as it is eccentric. You can even get a coffee and stroll through this free exotic mini zoo on your way to meet friends and when you show up say something like, “Sorry I’m late. There was a small herd of maras causing traffic near the gazebo.” Explore the animals you can expect to encounter on the park’s website here.
Jardín Japonés
The only park on the list that has an entry fee for tourists, the Jardín Japonés may just be the last thing you’d expect to encounter in Buenos Aires of all places. The park was opened in 1967 by the Japanese government as a gesture of gratitude to Argentina for receiving Japanese immigrants with open arms. Walking through this spellbinding sanctuary of a garden feels like a purifying meditation made visual. Stroll along the wooden bridges suspended over a pond filled with koi fish, revel in the impressive floriculture and landscaping, or sit on one of the benches to take it all in. You just might forget you’re in South America. It’s that convincing.
