Abasto is a fantastic traditional Buenos Aires neighbourhood that boasts the city’s most sultry tango salons where the streets glitter with old Buenos Aires style. This neighbourhood is very central and should not be discounted by those who want cost effective city centre living.

Many bus lines run along Corrientes Avenue, Abasto’s main drag. Take the 62 to arrive in El Centro in 10 minutes, bus 188 to Palermo in 7 minutes, and route 124 to Recoleta in 25 minutes. Abasto has three subte (subway) stations along Line B, Angel Gallardo, Medrano and Carlos Gardel. Each station is about 3 minutes apart and takes 10 – 15 minutes to arrive in El Centro (downtown). Please note these times are estimates, changes depend on traffic on the road and time of day. A quick tip, plan breakfast and your high tea at peak transport times as it stinks!

Abasto is one of best examples of Buenos Aires’ mass-multicultural settlement. It was one of Buenos Aires’ designated places for the immigration inflow of the late 19th century. The history of this mainly European melting pot is still very evident, with avant-garde theatres, antique bookstores, cultural centres, museums, handicraft fairs and shopping. For those interested in tango and the history of tango, it offers historical tango themed cafeterias, bars and milongas (dance halls) to dance the tango.

Abasto was home to the legendary tango singer Carlos Gardel known as ‘El Morocho del Abasto’ (the dark-haired guy from Abasto) and lived there for most of his life. Every street, every building hides secrets or legends associated with Buenos Aires’ tango history and famous tango figures, such as Carlos Gardel, Anibal Troilo and Astor Piazzolla, and they say that even rock stars such as Luca Prodan cut-their-teeth in some of the sultry late night bars of Abasto.

Abasto de Buenos Aires was famous for being the central fruit and vegetable market from 1893 to 1984. This building is an example of grand “euro-tecture” architecture and was refurbished in 1999, now serving as a fabulous shopping mall, Abasto Shopping.

Abasto Apartments for Rent Buenos Aires

Read our guide to the Abasto’s monuments and main tourist attractions

Read our guide to best restaurants and resto-bars in Abasto Buenos Aires