The Puerto Madero neighbourhood is Buenos Aires’ newest district (barrio) where towering shipping cranes, illuminated at night, stand in place like exotic sculptures.  Built around a late 19th century port are luxury Buenos Aires apartment towers that hug the (in)famous diques or artificial harbour basins by the Rio de la Plata.  Amazing late 19th century warehouses offer incredible luxury apartments in Puerto Madero, wonderful modern bridges and some of the most stunning modern architecture and dwellings in Buenos Aires.

Puerto Madero is an exclusive neighbourhood where taxis and walking are the most popular form of transportation. Cross Avenida Madero by foot to arrive in El Centro (downtown) in just a hop-skip-jump.  Numerous buses run along Avenida Moreau de Justo and L.N. Alem.  Route 152 is an excellent choice direct to Recoleta in just 5 minutes and Palermo in 20.  Subte line B, station L.N. Alem is one block into El Centro and has lines leading to Recoleta in 10 minutes and Palermo in 15 minutes.  There is also the Tranvía del Este or “Puerto Madero Tramway” that serves Puerto Madero along Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo.  Currently it runs only 2 km but there are plans to expand to Retiro station.  These times are estimates and depend on road traffic and time of day.  A quick tip, plan breakfast and your high tea at peak transport times as it stinks!

Puerto Madero’s history goes back to 1872 when the government decided to build a modern port to herald the coming century and accepted proposals presented by Eduardo Madero.  Work ended on 31 March 1898 after much controversy.  It was not until 1905 that the red brick warehouses, which now provide some of Buenos Aires most stunning waterside residences, were finished.  The narrow canals and the sandbanks caused significant communication problems as cargo ships grew bigger, which was very bad for the economy of the time.  Shippers abandoned the port and moved to Puerto Nuevo in 1920.

In 1989, Puerto Madero Corporation was created to rebuild the 170 hectares of the old port into marvellous urban living and work complex that we see today. Part of Dock 1 holds the Cinemark multi-screen cinema that has a capacity for 1500 people. From Docks 2 to four, visitors can find the most exclusive restaurants, fast food outlets, pubs and the Argentine Catholic University (UCA).

Visitors can tour decommissioned naval vessels turned museums and cross the diques via the Women's Bridge, designed by famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. East of Puerto Madero is a vast ecological reserve and is the best place in Buenos Aires to bird-watch, hike, and jog or just get away from city life. To the west of Puerto Madero is El Centro (downtown) with its museums, historic government buildings and convenient access via public transport to all other areas of Buenos Aires.

Most apartments in Puerto Madero have stunning city views or views over the Ecological Reserve to the Rio de la Plata.  This is a very safe area with its own very security force.  It is quickly becoming the most popular and requested barrio listed at Buenos Aires Stay.

Puerto Madero is home to an enormous variety of first-class cuisine, pubs, bars, and discos.  It is open day and night for formal and informal gatherings, business conferences, and partying through to the early hours. 

Puerto Madero Apartments for Rent Buenos Aires

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

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