Known as Latin America’s culture capital, Buenos Aires is a city where you can find more than one hundred museums (art, science, history, among others) and Retiro district hosts many of them.
Location: Av. Santa Fe 702, Retiro, Buenos Aires.
The museum is located on one side of Palacio Paz, a former residential palace owned by one of the country’s richest families. In fact, back in the XVIII-XIX centuries, this building was renowned as the largest private residence in South America. The whole building was designed by architect Louis Sortais and it is one a clear example of French architecture in the city.
It hosts a large collection of machine guns, swords, pistols, guns, cannons and many other items. If you are interested in weapons, it is worth being visited.
Location: Suipacha 1422, Retiro, Buenos Aires.
One thing is sure: the architecture and design of the building will blow your mind away. Also known as Noel Palace, architect Martín Noel designed this beautiful place according to Spanish architecture, which is not very common in Buenos Aires anymore. It was his home and was later sold to the City government and then the museum was opened.
Besides the exquisite architecture you have a unique art exhibition that includes religious icons, paintings, silverware, furniture, fans, musical instruments, and much more. Definitely not to be missed!
Retiro hosts one of the trendiest high-end shopping centers of Buenos Aires.
Patio Bullrich
Location: Av. Del Libertador 750/Posadas 1245, Retiro, Buenos Aires.
Originally built as an auction house for the Bullrich family. When they decided to sell the building, it was bought by a developer company which inaugurated Patio Bullrich in 1988. There visitors can find many local and international brands, and some lovely and quiet restaurants to relax before going back to their hotel.
The last blocks of Florida street, the most important pedestrian street in the city, are located in Retiro neighborhood.
If you want to buy some souvenirs, this is a good option. On it you can find different types of shops, being the leather ones the most famous among travelers. Also, there are a couple of coffee shops to stop by and admire the architecture you will find around.
Location: Av. Santa Fe and San Martín, Retiro, Buenos Aires.
Intimately related to the city’s and country’s history, this was a site for slave trade, there was a bull ring and later, Gral. José de San Martín (Argentina’s most important national hero) established the barracks for his Mounted Grenadiers during Argentina’s independence war against the Spanish Kingdom.
By the end of the 19th century, the landscaper Charles Thays was commissioned to design the “plaza”. Today, a wide variety of trees decorate the area, being the most traditional ones the silk floss trees, jacarandas, rosewood and coral trees.
In this park you can find two important monuments: an equestrian bronze monument to Gral. José de San Martín, and the other one to the Soldiers who lost their lives during the Malvinas war in 1982.
An important slope reminds us that the lower part was our natural coast for the “De la Plata” river which borders Buenos Aires to the East and acts as a natural border between our country and Uruguay. Nowadays you will not see the river from San Martin Square since a lot of land was reclaimed from it to build the city’s harbor and a whole new neighborhood.
During the endings of the XVIII century and the beginnings of the XIX century this area was chosen by many wealthy families to build important residencies and palaces:
Palacio Paz (Paz Palace)

Location: Av. Santa Fe 750, Retiro.
Designed by a French architect upon request of Mr. José c. Paz, owner of one of the most important local newspapers (La Prensa). Today it hosts the Military Officers’ Association. As we mentioned above, the building also hosts a museum, but note that you can also enjoy lunch or dinner at the wonderful restaurant.
There are also guided tours to the palace, but you have to book in advance.
Palacio San Martín (San Martín palace)

Location: Arenales 761, Retiro.
You will be speechless by its architecture and size!
Built in 1909, it was designed for the Anchorena family, the most renowned aristocratic family in the country, by the architect Alexander Christophersen (it is considered his masterpiece).
Many of the materials used in the construction were imported from France by cargo-ship, something very usual in those years. The building has three independent residences which then converge in a central hall. You can let your imagination fly and think about the lifestyle of a wealthy family during the Belle Epoque.
The national government acquired the building to become the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This wonderful palace can be visited, booking in advance.