Palermo area

Palermo

First of all, how many Palermos are there and which one is which? You’re “in” if you live in any Palermo, but each area has a slightly different profile.

Palermo Soho

This area used to be the center of the red light district before it was ‘cleaned up’, which is where it got its nickname. It is bordered by Avenidas J. B Justo and Scalabrini Ortiz, and Santa Fé and Córdoba, and contains the nightlife and fashion center of Plaza Serrano, plus hundreds of clothes shops and design studios. For this reason it is extremely popular, and therefore more expensive.

The area is packed with bars and restaurants, centered around Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia, the latter being a lovely green area to visit during the day too. It’s more of a residential area, so the transportation can be more difficult unless you’re close to Santa Fé. Many of the streets are cobbled, the buildings are old, but there are more and more huge ugly apartment blocks being built everywhere.

Transportation

Subway line D goes along Santa Fé, so transportation is slightly more difficult if you live far from it, but you have buses coming through the area too.

What’s around

Bars, restaurants, restaurants, bars, more bars and restaurants, and some restaurants. Close to the Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Bosques de Palermo, gyms, folk music venues, jazz bars, you name it.

For who

For those one who enjoy being in the center of the wave. You won’t mind paying more in exchange for being in the spot and you don’t want to move to much.

Take note

Prices here can be a lot higher, because it is such a lovely area to live in. It’s filled with people going out to eat every night, and the cobbled streets and greenery make it charming during the day too. The only problem with Palermo Soho is that might get a little bit tired of trendy shops and restaurants and trendy people walking around laughing.

Palermo Hollywood

Palermo Hollywood first came about as an overflow of Palermo Soho, and has become even more trendy and exclusive in its own right. It used to be known as ‘Pacífico’ but real estate trends changed it to Palermo Hollywood, because of all the production companies in the area.

If you live here, you are officially “in”. The streets are littered with trendy restaurants and a growing number of shops, and you will probably be close to any get-together organized by friends. You are also close to Club Niceto and to the Arcos del Sol, where there are many more nightclubs, like Club 69. Great and popular bars are around too, like Unico, Acabar, Carnal, Bangalore, Mundo Bizarro, etc.

During the day too, it’s a pretty area with plenty of trees, and if you are not in Avenida Santa Fé, it’s not very loud. You are also a short walk from the Bosques de Palermo, a huge park filled with trees, lakes, joggers, and transvestites (just at night).

Transportation

Subway line D on Avenida Santa Fé, and lots of buses. Closer to Av. Córdoba, the transport is not as good. The area is quite good for bikes, as the streets are wider, but be careful as the cars are not very considerate and the streets are not in the best condition. Remember to use a good bicycle lock! The area is a short bus or subway ride to Chinatown and Belgrano.

What’s around

Bars, restaurants, clubs, the largest mosque in South America, the Bosques de Palermo, the Flea Market.

For who

For those one who enjoy being in the center of the wave. You won’t mind paying more in exchange for beeing in the spot and you don’t want to move to much.

Take note

If you are on a budget this is perhaps not your best option. Not only the rent is more expensive, but also the restaurants, supermarkets and laundries are a bit more expensive than other areas of the city. If you fall in love of Palermo, it’s going to be hard for your friends to move you out from here, and get around other areas in the city!