Looking for an idyllic spot in Buenos Aires to lace up your running shoes, unroll your yoga mat, or simply soak up the sun while staying active?
The city’s lush parks and squares are not only havens of tranquility amidst the bustling city life but also prime destinations for outdoor exercise enthusiasts, digital nomads, travelers, and expats alike.
Whether you’re craving a scenic jog, a peaceful spot for yoga, or a lively place for a fitness boot camp, Buenos Aires offers a diverse landscape to meet your outdoor exercise needs.
Let ExpatPathways guide you through the 10 Best Parks and Squares in Buenos Aires for Outdoor Exercise, where each location is a gateway to not only physical well-being but also an opportunity to explore the city’s natural beauty and vibrant community spirit.
Join us on a journey to discover where picturesque scenery meets physical fitness in the dynamic capital of Argentina!
The Best Parks and Squares in Buenos Aires for Outdoor Exercise
1. Bosques de Palermo
Location: Avenidas Libertador and Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo.
The Bosques de Palermo, the city’s most iconic green space, sprawls across 370 hectares in the Palermo neighborhood, featuring four lakes, 29 plazas, and numerous trails for biking, walking, and aerobic exercise.
This park not only invites visitors to engage in physical activities amidst its lush landscapes but also offers cultural experiences such as the Planetario Galileo Galilei, the Museo de Artes Plásticas “Eduardo Sívori”, and the serene Jardín Japonés.
Whether you’re looking to picnic under the shade of towering trees, paddle across the tranquil waters, or explore educational attractions, the Bosques de Palermo provides a comprehensive outdoor experience in the heart of the city.
2. Parque Centenario
Location: Av. Angel Gallardo & Av. Díaz Vélez, Caballito.
Parque Centenario, with its 12 hectares of greenery, serves as a communal hub for family outings, picnics, and a variety of sports activities.
Its well-maintained facilities include continuous bathroom cleaning, a captivating lake, and an amphitheater hosting engaging performances.
The park’s extensive flora includes roses, jasmine, and primroses, creating a picturesque setting for relaxation and exercise.
With dedicated areas for children’s play, aerobic and exercise stations, a skate park, and sports fields, Parque Centenario caters to visitors of all ages seeking to enjoy Buenos Aires’ outdoor lifestyle.
3. Parque Las Heras
Location: Avenida Las Heras y Coronel Díaz, Palermo.
Parque Las Heras, nestled between the Palermo, Barrio Norte, and Recoleta neighborhoods, presents a sprawling green landscape perfect for a variety of activities.
Whether you’re interested in taking a leisurely boat ride, enjoying a picnic, cycling, or simply soaking in the tranquility of nature, this park has something for everyone.
Its area of nearly 12 hectares is well-maintained and features rental boats to explore its lakes, making it an ideal spot for both solo and group outings.
The park’s blend of cultural attractions, such as the Rosedal and the Planetario Galileo Galilei, alongside natural beauty and recreational facilities, creates a perfect setting for those looking to unwind or engage in physical activities in the heart of the city.
4. Parque Rivadavia
Location: Av. Rivadavia 4950, Caballito.
Conversely, Parque Rivadavia, located in the bustling Caballito neighborhood, stands as a beloved urban oasis that extends beyond mere recreation to offer a cultural haven.
The park’s expansive green spaces, adorned with colorful lorikeets and pigeons, provide a picturesque backdrop for sports, picnics, and leisurely strolls. Its enclosed and secure environment makes it a family-friendly location, where the tranquility of nature coexists with a vibrant community atmosphere.
Parque Rivadavia is renowned for its second-hand book fair, an enchanting attraction for book lovers, and hosts a variety of cultural events and performances in its amphitheater.
Designed by the famed French landscaper Carlos Thays, this park encapsulates the essence of Buenos Aires’ green spaces, combining natural beauty with rich cultural experiences and offering a diverse range of activities for visitors of all ages.
5. Plaza Irlanda
Location: Av. Gaona y Donato Álvarez, Caballito.
Plaza Irlanda, situated at the intersection of the Caballito and Flores neighborhoods, spans over 52,600 square meters, making it one of the city’s largest green spaces.
Its diverse botanical collection, comprising more than 50 species, creates a lush environment ideal for various activities, including sports, pet walks, and leisurely picnics.
The plaza is well-equipped with cement bike paths, an aerobic trail, and an innovative rubber athletics track, offering a perfect setting for both casual visitors and fitness enthusiasts.
The presence of an amphitheater and areas designated for children’s play further enhances its appeal as a community hub, where cultural events and outdoor fun coexist.
6. Parque Chacabuco
Location: Av. Eva Perón 1410, Parque Chacabuco.
Parque Chacabuco, a creation of the famed landscape artist Carlos Thays, is a historic park that offers a tranquil escape with its well-maintained lawns, shaded paths, and diverse flora.
Spanning 22 hectares, this park is a sanctuary for runners, sports lovers, and families, featuring lockers for personal belongings, drinking fountains, and a variety of recreational facilities including ping pong tables, football fields, and a gym.
The park’s cultural offerings, such as a community center and an amphitheater, enrich the visitor experience, making it a proud emblem of the neighborhood.
With over a century of history, Parque Chacabuco remains a cherished green space in Buenos Aires, inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy peaceful afternoons and active mornings amidst its scenic beauty and vibrant community life.
7. Costanera Norte
Location: Avenida Costanera Rafael Obligado, Recoleta-Palermo.
Costanera Norte, a picturesque corridor along the Rio de la Plata, connects the neighborhoods of Recoleta and Ciudad Universitaria through Palermo, offering green spaces, artistic centers, and various recreational and sporting venues along its path.
This area is notable not only for its significant collection of well-frequented porteño restaurants but also for its open areas free of buildings blocking the sun, providing pure air and energy for activities like running, cycling, or playing.
The ability to watch planes take off up close, enjoy fast food stands, or engage in fishing makes Costanera Norte a unique destination for enjoying the outdoors, complemented by stunning sunsets and good company.
8. Parque Sarmiento
Location: Av. Dr. Ricardo Balbín 4750, Saavedra.
On the other hand, Parque Sarmiento in the Saavedra neighborhood provides a comprehensive sports and leisure complex since its inauguration in 1981.
Spanning 70 hectares, the park boasts professional football pitches, reduced soccer fields, pelota courts, Olympic pools, handball courts, tennis courts, beach volleyball, a roller skating track, and a BMX freestyle track, alongside a 3,000-meter bike path and an aerobic circuit.
Notable for hosting athletic, hockey, tennis, and gymnastics schools, Parque Sarmiento caters to sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
With ample space for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings under the shade of its vast green areas, the park serves as a perfect venue for a day out in nature, offering activities for everyone from the casual visitor to the serious athlete.
9. Parque Saavedra
Location: Vilela & García del Río, Saavedra.
Parque Saavedra, nestled in its namesake neighborhood, encompasses a wide array of facilities, including a state school, a sports center with a swimming pool, and a boy scout troop.
Its well-maintained paths, which total 1.28 kilometers in perimeter, offer an inviting atmosphere for jogging, walking, and cycling. On weekends, the park comes alive with an artisanal fair, adding a picturesque charm to its already scenic landscape.
It’s a park that balances recreation with tranquility, providing ample greenery, a carousel, bocce ball courts, and an area for children’s play, making it an ideal spot for families and individuals alike to unwind and engage in outdoor activities.
10. Parque Thays
Location: Av. del Libertador 2048-2002, Recoleta.
Parque Thays, located in the affluent neighborhood of Recoleta, transforms the former site of the Italpark amusement park into a serene haven of approximately 4,500 square meters.
This park honors the French architect and landscapist Carlos Thays, featuring distinguished sculptures by renowned artists such as Marta Minujín, Fernando Botero, Alejo Afani, and Néstor Basterretxea.
The presence of these artworks, along with children’s play areas and paths for biking and running, enriches the visitor experience, making it a unique spot for cultural immersion and physical activity.
Parque Thays serves as a peaceful retreat where art and nature converge, offering stunning sunset views and a tranquil setting for families to enjoy quality time together.
(Featured Image Source: Raúl Alejandro Rodríguez/flickr.com)
