Best Museums in Buenos Aires, by Hortense Soulier

La Recoleta, also known as Barrio Norte, is one of the most upscale neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, where wealthy families started to settle in the late 19th century in order to avoid the crowds from the popular center, and the diseases that came with them. Today, La Recoleta is still one of the most fashionable districts in the city, but also houses some of Buenos Aires’ best museums. If you are an art and history buff, take a tour of the barrio and visit its fascinating museums; you won’t be disappointed.

Major museums are located along the wide Avenida del Libertador, which also boasts lovely parks and squares. One of the most famous, and probably the most well-appointed museum, is Museo de Arte Latinoamericano (MALBA) which houses a permanent collection of art from all over the Latin American continent, as well as temporary exhibitions. If you only have time to visit one museum in town, this should be the one.

If you are looking for Argentinean authenticity, the Museo de Bellas Arte (Museum of Fine Arts) boasts a fairly good collection of European works, including some great post-Impressionist paintings and sculptures from Rodin. The most fascinating though is the diverse collection of Argentine 19th and 20th-century paintings, sculptures and wooden carvings.

More for its impressive architecture than its interior, the Biblioteca Nacional is also noteworthy. This huge cube standing in a well-kept garden featuring a bust of Eva Peron, holds a gigantic collection of about 1,8 million volumes and 10,000 manuscripts, few of which are accessible. It is still worth taking a look inside where exhibitions and recitals are frequently held.

For real insights into the Argentinean customs, traditions and soul, and very entertaining even to those who usually don’t care much for museums, the Museo de Motivos Populares Argentinos Jose Hernandez is really worth the visit. Name after one of Argentina’s most famous writers, author of the epic poem Martin Fierro, this museum houses a fantastic collection of folkloric art with numerous gauchos artifacts.

This guide to the best museums in Buenos Aires was written by a Argentina travel expert at Argentina For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Argentina tours.