The La Boca neighborhood is located on the edge of Riachuelo and is one of the most picturesque areas of Buenos Aires. The immigration of Italians in the 19th century, in particular from Genoa, contributed to the character of this neighborhood where more than half of the population was foreign. Various immigrant families lived together in tenements where for the most part they lived in harmony… sometimes, not so much. They built their houses in sheets of metal and wood, elevated over piles and colored in leftover paint from the shipyards. The use of bright colors in this neighborhood is a distinctive feature that remains until this day.

La Boca, cradle of bohemian style, sculptors, politicians, musicians and singers, was immortalized by Benito Quinquela Martín who devoted the majority of his work to shaping the face of the neighborhood.

Calle Caminito is one of the first places that should be visited in La Boca. The street’s name pays homage to Juan de Dios Filiberto, author of the song “Caminito” and an old settler whose birth home can be visited at 1078 Necochea. The pedestrian street is an open air museum, with tango singers and dancers on every corner, accompanied by guitars and accordions, as well as by artists and artisans selling their work. Along Calle Caminito you can also see the original buildings of the neighborhood.

Another must-see is the Pedro de Mendoza School (located on the street with the same name, #1800), which operates the Museum of Fine Arts of La Boca and the Teatro de la Ribera. Also worth visiting is the Catalinas Warehouse (Perez Galdos 93) where you can see musical shows, and Fundación Proa (Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929), dedicated to contemporary art. It also provides an amazing panoramic view of the Riachuelo.

Your tour can be completed with a visit to the Boca Juniors stadium, popularly known as “La Bombonera” because of its high box-shaped stands. Every Sunday, soccer games paralyze the neighborhood where a sea of blue and yellow moves to the beat of drums and chants. There you will find the Pasión Boquense Museum which offers an amazing 360 degree experience and recreates a noisy exit to the field.

In terms of gastronomic offerings, Italian eateries specializing in pasta and seafood are among some of the best, although there is something for everyone. Some of the most famous places are the La Perla Bar, Banchero pizzeria, El Obrero restaurant offering paella and Spanish omelets, and Patagonia Sur owned by the famous Argentine chef Francis Mallmann.

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