Plaza Italia

The basics

There’s little to see at Plaza Italia itself aside from a small park, but most sightseeing tours of Palermo will pass through this central square. To the north, you can walk or cycle to Carlos Thays Botanical Garden, the Japanese Garden, and Buenos Aires Eco Park. To the south, the maze of streets that make up Palermo Viejo and Palermo Soho are dotted with shops, street art galleries, and some of the neighborhood’s best steakhouses, pizzerias, and gelaterias.

Things to know before you go

• With its vast green spaces and sprawling districts, Palermo is a popular destination for Buenos Aires bike tours.

• You’ll find plenty of cafés, shops, and restaurants on the streets just to the south of Plaza Italia and along Avenida Santa Fe.

• Plaza Italia is a busy intersection with several lanes of traffic, so take care when crossing the square, especially with kids, and use the pedestrian crossings provided.

How to get there

Bus, bike, subway, taxi—it’s all available at Plaza Italia, one of the neighborhood’s major transport intersections. To reach the plaza from downtown Buenos Aires, it’s easiest to hop on the subte—Line D (green) runs directly to Plaza Italia station. Alternatively, several buses stop at the square or on the surrounding streets of Santa Fe, Sarmiento, and Las Heras.

When to get there

As Palermo’s busiest transport junction, Plaza Italia is buzzing with activity—and traffic—at all hours of the day. Make your way to the plaza on a sunny weekend afternoon to explore the surrounding parklands, or check out the nightlife in the Palermo Soho quarter just south of the square after dark.

Exploring the parks and gardens of Palermo

Palermo’s reputation as Buenos Aires’ green lung is well deserved, and Plaza Italia leads the way to the neighborhood’s parklands. Start by exploring the pretty landscaped trails of the Japanese Garden, then admire the seasonal blooms and palm trees at the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden and stroll around the Buenos Aires Eco Park. To the north, the vast Tres de Febrero Park has an expanse of woodlands, rose gardens, and lakes, ideal for jogging, cycling, and picnicking.