Are you ready to discover the heart of Buenos Aires through its most vibrant avenue? Corrientes Street, a bustling artery of culture, cuisine, and history, offers an array of activities that cater to every taste.
Whether you’re a digital nomad in search of the perfect café to work from, a traveler eager to explore local theaters and bookshops, or an expat looking to delve into the architectural wonders of the city, Corrientes has something for you.
Join us at ExpatPathways as we guide you through the best activities to enjoy on Buenos Aires’ iconic street. Dive into this immersive experience and make every moment count!
Essential information about Corrientes Street in Buenos Aires
Why is Corrientes Street So Popular in Buenos Aires?
Corrientes Avenue, though technically an avenue, is one of the most vital arteries in Buenos Aires. Its importance lies not only in its geographical length and the heavy traffic it accommodates but also in how it has served as the epicenter for the city’s urban development.
The avenue is home to some of Buenos Aires’ most prominent theaters. While the peak of cinema halls has passed, Corrientes was once a hub for numerous cinema complexes, especially in the Downtown and Microcenter areas.
However, it would be a significant oversight to discuss Corrientes without mentioning its culinary scene. The abundance of pizza restaurants, fast food outlets, cafés, and other eateries have contributed greatly to the avenue’s popularity.
Today, both tourists and Buenos Aires residents know that no visit is complete without enjoying the local cuisine and catching a theater show on Corrientes Avenue.
The avenue also hosts historical buildings, monuments, shopping centers, and other attractive sites. Experts often describe Corrientes Avenue as a succession of segments that vary from one another in terms of architecture, commercial activity, and culture.
What is the Extension of Corrientes Street?
Corrientes Avenue stretches over 69 blocks and 8,6 km, from Eduardo Madero Avenue in the east to Federico Lacroze Avenue in the west, passing through the neighborhoods of San Nicolás, Balvanera, Almagro, Villa Crespo, and Chacarita.
Its initial segment runs through the predominantly financial area of San Nicolás; past Florida Street, it transforms into a cultural hub frequented by both locals and tourists, celebrated for its artistic and cultural shows as well as its bookstores, confectioneries, and pizzerias.
At its intersection with the 9 de Julio Avenue stands the Obelisco de Buenos Aires, an iconic symbol of the city.
What Neighborhoods Does Corrientes Street Cross?
Microcentro and San Nicolás
Informally known as Microcentro, this area is not officially recognized as one of Buenos Aires’ 48 neighborhoods and therefore has no established boundaries; it approximately overlaps with the neighborhoods of San Nicolás, parts of Monserrat, and Retiro.
Known as the financial heart of Argentina, this area houses the headquarters of major banks and the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, often referred to as “La City Porteña.”
The neighborhood boasts a high volume of service companies and banks, including the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and various government buildings.
It also serves as a cultural and gastronomic hub, particularly along Corrientes Avenue, which has been the backbone of city culture and entertainment, especially between Esmeralda and Callao Avenue.
The area’s vibrant cultural scene attracts both tourists and locals alike, complemented by bustling bookstores and gastronomic outlets.
Sites of Interest
- Luna Park
- Centro Cultural Kirchner (Palacio de Correos)
- Peatonal Florida
- Gran Rex
- Teatro Ópera
- Confitería Ideal
- Obelisco de Buenos Aires
- Pizzería Guerrín
Centro
This section, stretching from Avenida 9 de Julio to Avenida Callao, is notable for its intense theatrical, gastronomic, and commercial activity.
The area is particularly famous for its bookstores concentrated along Corrientes Avenue and surrounding streets. The theater scene is most prominent between 1100 and 1700 Corrientes Avenue, where 25 theaters were counted in 2007.
From Cerrito to Callao, over twenty bookstores can be found, ranging from chain stores to used bookshops where personal service prevails. The stretch from Esmeralda to Callao is also known for its numerous cafes, restaurants (mostly pizzerias), and traditional confectioneries.
Sites of Interest
- Teatro Broadway
- Teatro Lola Membrives
- Teatro San Martín
- Centro Cultural de la Cooperación
- Teatro Metropolitan
- Paseo La Plaza
- Cúspide Libros
- Librería Hernández
- Cafetería La Giralda
- Pizzería Las Cuartetas
- Heladería Cadore
Balvanera
Known for its bustling commercial activity rather than its financial or theatrical scenes, Balvanera is considered an open-air commercial hub due to its array of shops and street vendors.
The neighborhood is divided into areas known as “Congreso,” “Once,” and “Abasto.” This section is characterized by its diverse business presence and colorful advertising signs.
At night, the area’s vibrancy is maintained by several cultural centers, despite the heterogeneous architecture.
Sites of Interest
- Hotel Bauen (out of activity)
- Peatonal Santos Discépolo
- Centro Ricardo Rojas of the Universidad de Buenos Aires
- Abasto Hotel
- Esquina Carlos Gardel
- Abasto de Buenos Aires
Almagro
The northern part of Almagro is known for its proliferation of independent theaters, bars, restaurants, and retail outlets.
Peruvian cuisine is particularly prominent, though pizzerias also offer highly rated dining options. The commercial activity is mainly concentrated between Avenida Medrano and Mario Bravo Street.
Sites of Interest
- Los Trujillanitos
- Cantina Don Carlos
- El camarín de las musas
- Teatro Beckett
- Teatro Ciego
- Parroquia Jesús Sacramentado
Villa Crespo
As it crosses Villa Crespo, Corrientes Avenue shifts northwest. Near Parque Centenario, it becomes labyrinthine, forming complex intersections and creating a visually intriguing urban landscape.
Notable is a triangular plaza at the junction of several streets, which hosts a monument to Osvaldo Pugliese, a famed tango pianist and composer.
Sites of Interest
- Café San Bernardo
- Pizza Imperio
- Antigua Farmacia del Águila
- Monument to Osvaldo Pugliese
- City Fire Station
- Pizzeria Nápoles
Chacarita
Crossing into Chacarita, Corrientes Avenue spans over the General San Martín railway, marking the transition to a neighborhood rich in history and local culture.
This area is known for its artisanal markets during the weekends and contains several notable monuments and cultural sites.
Sites of Interest
- Train Station Federico Lacroze
- Chacarita Cemetery
- Pizzería Imperio
- Monument of the Andes
- Parque los Andes
The Best Means of Transportation to Get to Corrientes Street
Corrientes Avenue is well-served by the Buenos Aires subway system, specifically the B line, which runs beneath it from Villa Urquiza in the north to near Puerto Madero in the south.
This subway line mirrors the avenue’s route perfectly, providing convenient stops along the way from Federico Lacroze station in Chacarita to the downtown area.
For broader city access, Corrientes Avenue is also one of the most frequented routes for the city’s extensive bus network, allowing easy transport to various other neighborhoods not directly served by the avenue.
The Best Activities to Enjoy Corrientes Street in Buenos Aires
Pizza Restaurants
The pizza on Corrientes Avenue is a must-try experience due to its rich history and mouth-watering flavors.
Known for iconic pizzerias like Guerrin, Banchero, and Imperio, the avenue is lined with an array of options ranging from traditional to more local haunts, each serving up their unique takes on classic Argentine pizzas such as the cheesy muzzarella and onion-laden fugazzettas.
Theaters
When Buenos Aires locals think of theater, they invariably think of Corrientes Avenue. Since the early 20th century, this avenue has been the hub for the city’s most traditional and celebrated theaters.
Iconic venues like Teatro Ópera, Paseo La Plaza, and Teatro Gran Rex host a wide array of performances, drawing both locals and tourists to their historic auditoriums.
Bookstores
Corrientes Avenue is also famous for its multitude of bookstores. The avenue has long been a meeting point for intellectuals, artists, and political thinkers, which is reflected in its diverse array of bookshops offering everything from second-hand books to rare first editions.
Exploring these bookstores offers a chance to snag that hard-to-find book while enjoying a coffee in one of the avenue’s classic cafés.
Architecture
Strolling down Corrientes Avenue provides a visual feast of architectural styles, from classical and colonial to gothic and modern skyscrapers. The avenue showcases an evolving landscape that reflects the dynamic changes of Buenos Aires over the decades.
Photographers and architecture enthusiasts will find the diverse designs along the avenue particularly striking, offering a chronological journey through the city’s architectural history.
Shopping
Corrientes Avenue is a bustling open-air commercial gallery, particularly vibrant around the Abasto Shopping Center and between Avenida Callao and Avenida Pueyrredón.
Visitors are drawn to its wide array of shops offering books, local crafts, clothing, and culinary delights, making it impossible to leave empty-handed.
Cafés & Bars
Imagine sipping a coffee while watching the bustling city life go by; Corrientes Avenue offers this quintessential café experience. Frequented by famous authors and the backdrop for many a tango lyric, the cafés along Corrientes are perfect for soaking in the local culture.
For those seeking nightlife, the bars along the avenue stay open till midnight, serving everything from local beers to gourmet burgers.
Last Considerations
Have you fully experienced the vibrant life of Buenos Aires if you haven’t explored Corrientes Street? From the sizzling slices of pizza to the compelling theatrical performances and the endless rows of bookstores, Corrientes Street is a treasure trove of cultural delights waiting to be discovered.
Whether you’re a digital nomad looking for inspiration, a traveler on the hunt for authentic experiences, or an expat soaking up the local culture, Corrientes Street offers a slice of Buenos Aires that shouldn’t be missed.
Dive deeper into the city’s heart with ExpatPathways, and let every step along this iconic avenue enrich your stay in the beautiful Argentine capital.
(Featured Image Source: Gustavo Estacio/flickr.com)
