Palermo

By Jessica Bennett

The Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires will satisfy your desire for South American couture fashion. Divided into four districts—Viejo (old), Chico (small), Soho and Hollywood—Palermo boasts the trendiest and most diverse of Buenos Aires’ boutiques, bars, restaurants and cafes.

When you arrive in Palermo, you’ll need a map, though not of the city (you may need that too). What you really need is the special Palermo map (available on almost every corner), which pinpoints each of the neighborhood’s most popular clothing stores, up and coming Argentine designers, fashion expos and galleries.

One thing’s for sure about Palermo: You’ll leave fashion forward. From neon spandex and metallics to punk-rock hairdos and mini-skirts, you can have first grabs at the goods by Argentine designers.

Feeling a little faint after your shopping spree? Palermo isn’t just for the fashion savvy. If you’re growing tired of the traditional steak and empañadas, Palermo offers a variety of chic restaurants covering a range of international cuisine—from Thai to Japanese to Mexican to American.

From its fashion centerfolds to its gastronomical spreads Palmero is sure to keep you busy. Part of Palmero’s allure is the adventure of seeking out its hidden treasures, but just for kicks here’s a rundown of each district:

Palermo Viejo (old Palermo) is an enchanting district has been home to famous figures like Che Guevara and Jorge Luis Borges. Spanish-style architecture dominates tiny streets packed with even tinier boutiques. Palermo Chico (small Palermo). the wealthiest part of Palmero, is a predominantly residential area. If you’re looking to stay (for a while) in style, check out apartments here. Palermo Hollywood (sometimes referred to as Palermo Soho) is—as you can gather from the title—the fashion and design district of the city. Cheaper than either Viejo or Chico, Hollywood also has tons of restaurants and is a popular draw for the  young crowd.

Hit the pavement and dive into the latest fashion trends or head inside and dig into the trendiest culinary dish—whatever you do, don’t pass up the chance to check out Buenos Aires’ Palmero district.