Tourism in Buenos Aires
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The most popular tourist sites are found in the historic city core, comprising Monserrat and San Telmo. The city was originally constructed around the Plaza de Mayo, the administrative center of the Colony. To the east of the Square is the Casa Rosada, the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina. To the north, the Catedral Metropolitana which has stood in the same location since colonial times, and the Banco de la Nación Argentina building, a parcel of land originally owned by Juan de Garay. Other important colonial institutions were Cabildo, to the the west, which was renovated during the construction of Avenida de Mayo and Julio A. Roca. To the south is the Congreso de la Nación (National Congress), which currently houses the Academia Nacional de la Historia (National Academy of History). Lastly, to the northwest, is City Hall.
Avenida de Mayo links the Casa Rosada with Congress building. On this avenue there are several buildings of cultural, architectural and historical importance, such as Casa de la Cultura, the Palacio Barolo and Café Tortoni. Underneath the avenue, the first subte (metro) line (Línea
) in South America, was opened in 1913. The avenue ends at Plaza de los Dos Congresos, which features a number of monuments and sculptures, including a signed copy of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker".
The Manzana de las Luces area features the San Ignacio church, the Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires, and the old city council building (1894 to 1931). This area has hidden tunnels, which crossed the city during colonial times.
In the neighbourhood of San Telmo, Plaza Dorrego holds and antiques fair on Sundays, complete with tango shows. There are several religious shops formed by the church of Nuestra Señora de Bethlem, Parroquia de San Pedro Telmo and Museo Penitenciario "Antonio Ballve". To the south stands the Museo Histórico Nacional on Parque Lezama.
In the barrio of Recoleta are located a number of tourist sites including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Biblioteca Nacional, the Centro Cultural Recoleta, the Faculty of Law of the Universidad de Buenos Aires, the Basílica Nuestra Señora de Pilar, the Palais de Glace, the Bar La Biela and the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where the remains of Eva Duarte de Perón can be found.
In the barrio of Retiro, the Estación Retiro can be visited. There are several monuments in this neighbourhood including the Guerra de Malvinas, the General San Martín, Torre de los Ingleses, and the Kavanagh Building, one of the tallest in the city.
The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires is located in the barrio of Palermo, and is one of the most important in the country. In this neighbourhood can also be found the Bosques de Palermo, the Planetary and Buenos Aires Zoo.
The southern zone of the city, (including barrios such as Barracas and Parque Patricios) while traditionally not a top tourist destination, is historically the source for much of the city's early tango culture. It is now home to a burgeoning arts scene.
Another important tourist site is Avenida Corrientes. In this avenue, theaters like Teatro San Martín, Paseo La Plaza and the stadium Luna Park can be found. At the intersection of this avenue with Avenida 9 de julio, the Obelisco, the emblem of the City of Buenos Aires, is located. Mercado de Abasto, which is currently a shopping mall, is also on this avenue.
Buenos Aires has been attracting the largest homosexual community in Latin America. [1] Year 2006 has seen more arrivals of gay cruise ships, an increase in the number of gay businesses, and the commencement of construction of a 5-star gay hotel.
[edit] Hotels
The City of Buenos Aires has more than 200 places to stay. There are 17 5-star, 53 4-star, 42 3-star and 64 with 2 and 1-star hotels. The majority of the hotels are located in the central part of the city, within close proximity of the main tourist attractions.
There are also alternative accommodations for the budget traveller. These establishments are usually located in neighbourhoods that are further from the city centre, although the transportation system allows an easy and inexpensive access to the rest of the city.
There are also a vast number of hostels and university residences available at very low cost.
