Plaza Serrano

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The plaza was officially renamed Plazoleta Julio Cortázar in 1994 to honor the influential Argentine novelist who lived in the neighborhood.

2. 2

   The surrounding Palermo Soho district earned its name by mimicking the grid and trendy, artistic vibe of New York City's SoHo neighborhood.

3. 3

   Many of the surrounding retail spaces were formerly single-family residential homes that were repurposed during the neighborhood's urban renewal in the early 2000s.

4. 4

   It is a central node for the local 'design circuit,' a network of small, independent shops featuring exclusively Argentine-made garments and accessories.

Overview

Plaza Serrano, officially known as Plazoleta Julio Cortázar, serves as the vibrant commercial and social epicenter of the Palermo Soho neighborhood in Buenos Aires. The plaza is primarily defined by its weekend artisan craft market, where local designers display handmade jewelry, clothing, and leather goods. Surrounding the square, the area features a high concentration of bars, pubs, and restaurants housed in renovated early 20th-century townhouses. It functions as a focal point for the city's fashion and nightlife scene, particularly noted for independent designer showrooms. The park itself is a modest public green space that acts as the hub for the surrounding pedestrian-friendly streets. It maintains a bohemian atmosphere that has persisted despite the area's ongoing commercial gentrification.

Insider tips

• Visit during the weekend to see the craft market in full operation.

• Use the plaza as a starting point to explore the smaller boutiques tucked into the side streets of Thames and Honduras.

• Keep an eye on personal belongings in the evening when the bars reach maximum capacity.