Alvear Avenue

The avenue you are now walking up is arguably the most elegant in the city. It’s named after Mr Alvear, the first mayor of Buenos Aires back in 1885. It was he who gave the city its Parisian look, for he launched a number of major urban planning projects, modeled on those of Baron Haussmann. With all the lavish buildings and five-star hotels lining the street, it definitely feels like Paris here. Well, maybe Parisians would disagree, but in any case, it’s not exactly the exotic getaway you were hoping for after a 15-hour flight! At the corner of Ayacucho Street, you’ll find the Alvear Palace Hotel, one of the city’s most prestigious hotels and a favourite among presidents, royalty and international artists visiting Buenos Aires. The avenue is protected as a historical landmark by the city, and it has even been named one of the world’s top five most elegant streets by the American television network NBC.