9 Secret places to discover in Buenos Aires

This beach, located 50 blocks from Plaza de Mayo, was a popular meeting spot for locals, who enjoyed sipping mate, jumping into the Riachuelo from the docks, and having barbecues under the shade of willows and ombú trees. A group of young people decided to investigate the legend of Puerto Piojo and discovered that the beach had been closed during the last military dictatorship in 1976.

Carlos Gradín, a member of the Expediciones Puerto Piojo group, recalls that they initially thought the place was a myth. Upon arriving, Gradín and his team found the beach, surrounded by petrochemical plants with active chimneys, with the old transporter bridge of La Boca in the background.

To re-enter the area, they had to navigate gas pipes and fences from petrochemical companies, as the place was closed off not only for being a flammable zone but also because it was a popular meeting point.

The scoop: The group organizes guided tours, and you can sign up to visit the lost beach of the Riachuelo. You can leave your details here, and they will notify you when the tour is happening.

Where: Solís 1800, Dock Sud.

The downtown area of Buenos Aires is seeking a new identity after the COVID-19 pandemic emptied out offices. Hidden behind a laundromat, reminiscent of those seen in Hollywood movies, lies a true gastronomic hideaway: Bocabajo - Bocarriba.

Its intentionally discreet design makes it easy to overlook for those not aware that behind the laundromat is a hidden world of wines and gourmet dishes.

Each visit promises a different experience, with multi-course menus paired with wines or specially selected cocktails. The venue also features a basement transformed into an impressive wine cellar, which co-founder Sebastián Antich describes as "the promised land for wine lovers."

The scoop: After dessert, you can pass through the laundromat area and take part in a photo session that goes straight to each user’s Instagram.

Where: Maipú 872, Downtown.

This space was discovered by chance in 1985. That year, Jorge Eckstein bought a neglected property, and when he began cleaning it, he found a house from 1830 and the oldest rainwater drainage system in Buenos Aires in the basements. This discovery revealed that the Third South Creek, which had once defined the southern boundary of the city founded by Juan de Garay in 1580, ran through the property.

Zanjón de Granados showcases what old post-colonial houses were like, with three patios designated for different purposes: one for receiving guests, another for family life, and the last one for the service staff.

Archaeologists determined that the house had 23 rooms, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. The tunnels, which fell into disuse, have been restored and can now be explored.

The scoop: Zanjón de Granados is also known for paranormal phenomena that occur in its tunnels. Local legend mentions the spirit of a neighbor wandering underground.

Where: Defensa 755, San Telmo.

This hidden gem is in the heart of Barracas. It’s located on the first floor of a building that houses Santa Felicitas School, and its history is marked by curiosities: despite being a religious temple, it was never consecrated for that purpose. It’s said that the priest who oversaw its construction, Alejo Rousseaud, hanged himself in the place.

You may also be interested in: The 12 best towns near Buenos Aires for a weekend getaway

Although it’s only 200 meters from the bustling Montes de Oca Avenue, it’s completely silent inside. The hidden temple evokes a sense of the era, much like in the movie "The Name of the Rose." Built in a neo-Gothic style, construction began in 1893, funded by the Guerrero family and a loan from the Mortgage Bank.

The scoop: The next tours of the Hidden Temple are on August 24 and 25, September 28 and 29, and October 26 and 27. It’s first-come, first-served, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Where: Pinzón 1480, Barracas.

It offers a window into four centuries of Buenos Aires' history. It all began with the construction project of a building in the southern part of the city. During the excavation, a cistern eight meters in diameter for collecting rainwater was found, along with objects and materials from the mid-19th century. Archaeologists working on the site uncovered numerous artifacts such as plates, pottery, and bones. The house the cistern belonged to had been the residence of Buenos Aires Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas in 1836.

All the items found are displayed in a museum built in the central courtyard of the apartment building. It showcases over 15,000 archaeological and paleontological remains. The collection includes crockery, bottles, toys, and food remains.

The scoop: The museum offers free guided tours by the Manzana de las Luces Commission and a panoramic tour from the 15th-floor lookout. Tours are held Wednesday to Friday at 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where: Moreno 550, San Telmo.

In the heart of Palermo, behind the well-known pizzeria La Guitarrita, lies a bar designed to simulate the Prohibition era in the United States: La Calle Bar.

It’s open every day until 4 a.m., and you can order signature drinks, including one dedicated to Lionel Messi. As for food, you can order pizza from La Guitarrita or something from the bar’s own menu, which offers options ranging from mozzarella sticks to stuffed chipá.

The scoop: The cobblestone floor mimics a street, and the 1920s-inspired decor makes this bar one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city.

Where: Niceto Vega 4942, Palermo.

On Arcos Street in Belgrano, there’s just a long wall and a narrow door that barely fits one person at a time. Nothing indicates there’s a bar on the other side. No noise, no chatter, and none of the usual clinking of glasses.

Once you pass through the door, everything changes. Luz Mala Bar is dimly lit, perfect for impressing a first date. You can try anything from a Dark Fashion whiskey drink to a gin cocktail with citrus aromas.

The scoop: You must try two menu standouts: the salmon with couscous or the steak with creamy mashed potatoes. There’s live music on Thursdays.

Where: Arcos 2950, Belgrano.

Although its facade might look like an abandoned house, once you step inside, you’ll discover a magical universe filled with books and charm. At first glance, the café bookstore doesn’t reveal much: there are no display windows or a visible sign. To enter, you need to ring a doorbell, giving you access to a literary world.

You may also be interested in: Who are behind the best-selling children's books?

The name, Falena, inspired by a large nocturnal moth, evokes the image of its wide wings drawn to the light.

The scoop: Falena Libros is open Monday to Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Where: Charlone 201, Chacarita.

Villa Devoto, a neighborhood in the west of the city, hides a gem: the Metropolitan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. The public can access it through guided tours led by Diego Cabales, a photographer and teacher who has become an expert in the neighborhood’s curiosities.

In the past, the Seminary housed Jorge Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis. During his early formation, Bergoglio studied at this institution before completing his education in Chile with the Jesuits.

The scoop: During the guided tours (you can book them through this link), visitors explore various sections of the Seminary, including the Ballroom with its refined decor and old cinema projectors, and the library, which houses valuable incunabula. The tour also includes the basements, where a carriage discovered on the premises was restored, adding a touch of mystery to the place.

Where: José Cubas 3543, Devoto.