Retiro
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The area
Neighbourhood: Retiro
Exquisite palaces and luxurious apartment buildings combine with art galleries and exclusive boutiques to make Retiro the perfect spot for those who enjoy sophistication. However, the non-stop foot traffic to and from Retiro train and bus terminals, accompanied by the myriad of trucks leaving and arriving at the port, mean this neighbourhood is never truly at rest. One minute you are walking down a street dotted with ornate mansions and luxurious shop windows and the next you find yourself surrounded by a sea of people racing to catch their train or bus. It is this juxtaposition of never-ending comings and goings and quiet, elegant luxury that defines Retiro, as well as Buenos Aires, a city where sharp contrasts are all around.
How to get there
- Retiro • 2 min walk
- General San Martín • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
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2,751 within 3 miles
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983 within 6 miles
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3.0
351 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
105
Average
105
Poor
47
Terrible
44
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
The general area has a lot of open space, for good fresh air walks. Very nice and interesting shaped trees in some parks. Generally, I feel safe in the area during the daytime and early evening. Late evening walks I consider to be riskier.
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcitaly2016
Milan, Italy953 contributions
Jan 2020
It is mostly a residential barrio, its main feature for tourists being Plaza San Martin with its architecture and green area, and the municipal tower just opposite the Plaza. There are some restaurants, bars, shops, and includes also the "city" financial center.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
be1t0n
Stockport, UK64 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
There were times I loved it in Retiro but also times I just wanted to get away. If you wander around the narrow shopping streets expect to be bombarded by offers of leathers, furs and "replica" goods. When I first arrived I was tired and wasn't really in the mood for it. There are quite areas close by if you fancy a walk though.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Erick J. Mann, PhD
Buenos Aires, Argentina878 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Definitely worth a visit.
The city's main central train station, Retiro was designed by British architects and engineers in around 1908 and was inaugurated in 1915. The materials used in the construction were brought from the United Kingdom piece by piece.
The style of the station is typical of the big train stations of the 19th century, with a grand central hall, cafes, and French Academic influences. The impressive iron structure that covers the platforms was one of the largest in the world at the time.
The station has recently been restored. The city's main coach station for long distance road transport is also located in the area.
The city's main central train station, Retiro was designed by British architects and engineers in around 1908 and was inaugurated in 1915. The materials used in the construction were brought from the United Kingdom piece by piece.
The style of the station is typical of the big train stations of the 19th century, with a grand central hall, cafes, and French Academic influences. The impressive iron structure that covers the platforms was one of the largest in the world at the time.
The station has recently been restored. The city's main coach station for long distance road transport is also located in the area.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heckfy
Pleasanton, California1,211 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Retiro is the place where the bus terminal is located, so this is the first area many people (including myself) see when they arrive to Buenos Aires). It seems to be located right where the border between the rich and pretty part of the town and the poor one.
One of my strongest memories of BA was seeing people living in structures made of steel bars and unfinished concrete walls with no glass windows - that looked pretty grim - however, a lot of those people had flower pots behind those security rebars. This is one of the greatest contrasts I've seen between being forced down to live in very poor conditions and still trying to make that life prettier.
Obviously, the only reasonable advice would be to stay away from those areas for your safety, but this is probably a kind of places which shaped up Pope Francis to who he has become - seeing something nice and pretty even in the least fortunate places.
One of my strongest memories of BA was seeing people living in structures made of steel bars and unfinished concrete walls with no glass windows - that looked pretty grim - however, a lot of those people had flower pots behind those security rebars. This is one of the greatest contrasts I've seen between being forced down to live in very poor conditions and still trying to make that life prettier.
Obviously, the only reasonable advice would be to stay away from those areas for your safety, but this is probably a kind of places which shaped up Pope Francis to who he has become - seeing something nice and pretty even in the least fortunate places.
Written 27 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kath D
Martinez, Argentina31 contributions
Apr 2012
The place is beautiful, the clock tower impeccable, but just walking the streets is a life challenging activity. Be careful of muggers.
Written 29 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sancurly
Miami, FL1,135 contributions
Jan 2019
The architecture is beautiful. It is a must see. It’s full of upscale and elegant buildings but then you also see lots of homeless people sleeping on the streets. Very sad. I wouldn’t recommend walking around after dark. We didn’t feel very safe after dawn.
Written 31 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
realworldtraveller
Italy357 contributions
Oct 2015
October 25th - 2015 - The retiro area (and train or bus station) marks a clear border between the new, rich and modern areas of Puerto Madero and Recoleta on one side, the microcentro on another side and the beginning of the lousier and older harbour area on the other end. Apart from this, there is little to say about this section of the city which does not have any landmarks that may deserve a visit by tourists.
Written 24 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sipivu
Paris, France2,036 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Retiro is a place where you will find upscale stores and residential area.
Because of the station which is one of the largest transportation hub in Argentina, tens of thousands of people, many of them illegal immigrants, also live in s shantytown called Villa 31, built along the port of Buenos Aires in the 1930s.
That means that you have to be careful if you walk around that specific area when you leave the train station. Many thieves operate and look for tourists, operating in teams. One would come in front of you and spray you with a repellent of some sort. His accomplices will arrive to "help" you and steal things while you are being distracted and thanking them for their help!
Because of the station which is one of the largest transportation hub in Argentina, tens of thousands of people, many of them illegal immigrants, also live in s shantytown called Villa 31, built along the port of Buenos Aires in the 1930s.
That means that you have to be careful if you walk around that specific area when you leave the train station. Many thieves operate and look for tourists, operating in teams. One would come in front of you and spray you with a repellent of some sort. His accomplices will arrive to "help" you and steal things while you are being distracted and thanking them for their help!
Written 5 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sabatinitennis
Ashford, UK3,729 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
For many, the first thing they see of Buenos Aires is Retiro, as the airport bus drops peoplehere and of course there is the big and filthy railway station. The whole area needs a facelift, the station needs a clean and the Subte too. There is far too much traffic here, a lot of rubbish left lying around and of course the area suffers from a high crime rate. In February 2012 a French tourist who had just arrived was stabbed in the park opposite Retiro station and later died. The only salvation is the recently cleaned Clock Tower which is worth a visit.
Written 1 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enzo M
Cordoba, Argentina
soy del interior por viajar a Bs.As. (Retiro) y la inseguridad es lo que más me preocupa!, consejos?
Written 11 April 2019
Lo que respondí es retiro estación de trenes.la terminal de Micros es muy fea sucia y nada de confort.y la seguridad es estar atentos a nuestros equipajes.yo estuve la semana pasada sin problemas pero no me gustó nada.espero lo pases bien.
Written 12 April 2019
Kika M
Atibaia, SP
Estou preocupadíssima, pois vi que o bairro é perigoso, e, estamos com viagem marcada para Buenos Aires e, nosso hotel fica neste bairro! É realmente perigoso?
Written 16 September 2017
Acredito que as pessoas dizem ser perigoso por ter bastante morador de rua na região, e pedintes. Como tem a Florida ali, é muito movimentado por pessoas, vendedores, cambistas. Apenas ficar atenta a bolsa e pertences, como fazemos em qualquer local :)
Written 17 September 2017
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