What makes Plaza Serrano the must-visit spot in Buenos Aires’ trendy Palermo neighborhood? Whether you’re a digital nomad, traveler, or expat, Plaza Serrano (Buenos Aires) promises an exciting mix of nightlife, shopping, and cultural activities.
Discover the best bars, restaurants, cafés, and markets with this comprehensive guide from ExpatPathways, and get ready to experience the pulse of Buenos Aires like never before.
Plaza Serrano (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is Plaza Serrano in Buenos Aires?
Plaza Serrano was originally named due to its location between Serrano (now called Jorge Luis Borges) and Honduras streets. It witnessed Palermo’s cultural growth during the 1980s, a period when the neighborhood became a bohemian epicenter in the city.
Renowned Argentine writers like Jorge Luis Borges, who lived in the area and dedicated several works to Palermo, are part of its rich cultural heritage.
In 1994, the Buenos Aires government renamed it Plazoleta Julio Cortázar, honoring another famous Argentine writer who referenced this place in his stories, such as “Simulacros.”
Cultural Significance
Plaza Cortázar is the heart of Palermo Soho, housing avant-garde clothing and design stores, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants.
The area is ideal for shopping, visiting art galleries, or enjoying a night out or weekend outing. The City Government enhanced the area in 2011 by improving its surroundings and updating its lighting with new LED lights.
Nightlife and Entertainment
The plaza is surrounded by numerous bars, many offering live music or theater performances, along with a wide range of restaurants, from affordable options to haute cuisine.
The central artisan fair and the multitude of fashion shops add to the area’s vibrant atmosphere.
Where is Plaza Serrano?
Plaza Serrano is located in the Palermo neighborhood, specifically in the southern part. Nearby is Plaza Armenia and, a bit further, Plaza Unidad Latinoamericana.
The plaza is bordered by Serrano, Honduras, and Jorge Luis Borges streets. Surrounding streets like El Salvador, Costa Rica, Thames, Gurruchaga, Armenia, Uriarte, and more are significant for their commercial, gastronomic, and tourist activities.
To the northwest of Plaza Serrano lies Juan Bautista Justo Avenue, the “welcome arch” to Palermo Hollywood, a subzone of Palermo. To the northeast is Santa Fe Avenue, one of Buenos Aires’ most important and strategic for the northern corridor of the city.
Additionally, south of Plaza Serrano are Scalabrini Ortiz and Córdoba Avenues, both central avenues connecting Palermo with other neighborhoods like Villa Crespo, Almagro, and Chacarita.
How to Get to Plaza Serrano
The D line of the subway is a convenient option to reach Plaza Serrano. However, you will need to walk about 15 minutes from the nearest station (Plaza Italia) via Gurruchaga, Thames, or Jorge Luis Borges Street, the latter leading directly to Plaza Serrano.
You can also get to Plaza Serrano by bus. Many lines, such as 34, 39, 55, 109, 140, 151, 166, and 168, pass near Plaza Serrano in Palermo. Additionally, both Juan B Justo Avenue and Santa Fe Avenue, which are close to Plaza Serrano, have Metrobus lines offering a fast travel option, though you will still need to walk a few blocks from these avenues to the plaza.
For train travel, the Palermo station on the San Martín line is an option, but it requires a walk of more than 10 blocks to reach Plaza Serrano.
Taking a taxi or driving a private car is not recommended, especially at night and on weekends. The narrow streets and high density of pedestrians often lead to traffic bottlenecks.
Additionally, be aware of “trapitos” in the area, individuals who illegally solicit payment for parking on public streets. To avoid potential issues, it is best to use public transport or park in a private garage if necessary.
Things to See and Activities to Do in Plaza Serrano (Palermo)
Bars
Plaza Serrano is particularly famous for its bars. There are thousands of bars around this small but dynamic plaza in Palermo.
Whether in the morning, afternoon, or especially at night, the bars of Palermo are filled with tourists, foreigners, and locals enjoying beers, tapas, meals, cocktails, and more. With so many tables and seating options both inside the bars and on the sidewalks, you’ll have no trouble finding your ideal spot.
Restaurants
Plaza Serrano and the Palermo neighborhood are known for excellent dining options. While bars are great for a meal, you might be looking for something more sophisticated.
You’ll find everything from Argentine grills to restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines: oriental, Peruvian, fusion, local, Italian, Spanish, and more.
Some restaurants might require a short walk from Plaza Serrano, but don’t worry, the area is safe, and you’ll find people and police personnel in any direction.
Cafés
Plaza Serrano is not just a nightlife hotspot; it’s also a significant hub for cafés. Palermo is one of the neighborhoods where specialty or signature coffee shops have proliferated. These cafés offer high-quality coffee served by professional baristas, along with delicious artisanal pastries and bakery products.
Many of these cafés are popular with remote workers and digital nomads, providing a tranquil environment to work with your laptop. If you’re in the area or live nearby, Palermo offers several excellent options for working in a relaxed setting.
Clothing Stores
When discussing Palermo, especially the area around Plaza Serrano, we must mention the clothing stores. There are many clothing shops around Plaza Serrano, featuring both branded items and collections from individual designers, offering men’s and women’s clothing.
Prices range from high to average, but for foreign visitors, it might not significantly impact their budget.
Fairs
Did you know that both Plaza Serrano and the nearby Plaza Armenia host markets on weekends? Just a few blocks away from Plaza Serrano, Plaza Armenia is another iconic plaza in Palermo.
Around both plazas, you’ll find artisan markets on weekends, perfect for browsing and purchasing handmade items directly from the artisans.
Last Considerations
Have you seen everything Plaza Serrano has to offer you? Don’t be guided by its small size on the map. Because Plaza Serrano is not only the square itself, but everything that it generates in its surroundings.
Restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, fairs and even nightclubs. All of these places have Plaza Serrano, also known as Plaza Cortázar, as their epicenter. Are you going to miss it? Put it on your list of places to visit.
(Featured Image Source: Sonia Pecorelli/flickr.com)
