Avenida Alvear, A Very Elegant Street…

While visiting Buenos Aires, if you ever get the urge to walk among the rich but not so famous there is a street that I reckon you might like to cover Avenida Alvear. It is one of the most upper class streets to be found in the city.

Beginning at the barrio de la Recoleta, right at the Alvear memorial, just one block north of the Basílica del Pilar, the avenue runs for only seven blocks, ending at the Plazoleta Carlos Pellegrini, near the north end of the Avenida 9 de Julio.

Huge palaces can be found along the street, many of the most ostentatious being used today as embassies such as Brazil, France, Vatican City…

You will also find very exclusive shops, with the presence of big international designers such as Versace, Armani, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Ermenegildo Zegna, Prada, Cartier, Ralph Laurent, and more.

Also, there are fine jewellery shops, antique dealers and home decor designers. Visit Galería Alvear, attached to the Alvear Palace Hotel, very trendy.

Along the way you will find both the National House of Culture (Casa Nacional de la Cultura) and the National Academy (Casa de las Academias Nacionales).

The Alvear Palace Hotelis at the corner of calle Ayacucho. It is one of the most magnificent and expensive hotels in Buenos Aires. The Park Hyatt is today what used to be the notorious Palacio Duhau, just off the eastern end. Also very impressive.

Photo Credit: http://www.iprofesional.com/notas/90576-La-avenida-Alvear-no-se-recupera-y-hay-cada-vez-mas-locales-vacios.html