The extensive parks in Palermo, also known as the Bosques de Palermo, are a perfect place to sleep off the exploits of the night before but they also offer much more to the visitor during the weekends. Porteños flock to the gardens with their family and friends to stroll around the lakes, people watch, drink mate or to get involved in the myriad other activities taking place there.

The wealthy northern barrios of Buenos Aires incorporating Belgrano – where AMAUTA Spanish School is located – , Palermo and Recoleta are well endowed with green spaces, large plazas and recreational areas. Delving into the history of the city provides clues as to why the barrios in the north host these large parks, which today cover some 62 acres. The city has been marked by a clear geographical divide in terms of distribution of wealth (and as a consequence, quality of environment) from the mid-1800s, between the barrios in the north and those in the south (namely La Boca, San Telmo and Constitución).

This was reinforced in 1871 following a major yellow fever epidemic in the southern barrios of the city, which led to many wealthy porteños moving northwards to seek residence away from the affected areas. The parks in Palermo, designed by a French landscaper and architect, were opened in the 1870s and provided the middle and upper classes who lived nearby with a suitable space for promenades and entertainment. Today, the parks largely serve the same function for the people of this densely populated city, although the transport system enables people from further afield to enjoy these open spaces as well.

There are many interesting attractions situated within the parks of Palermo (the Planetarium, the Japanese Gardens, the Zoo and the Rose Gardens to name a few) and these receive ample coverage within guidebooks on the city. Perhaps less well documented are the other formal and informal activities one can get involved in when visiting. Very often during the weekends musicians perform amplified classical music concerts next to the lakes which attract large audiences. In addition, some porteños bring instruments along for a more informal sing-along with friends, which can be just as entertaining and effective in generating the convivial atmosphere for which the parks are famous for. It’s possible to rent pedal and rowing boats for use on the artificial lakes fairly reasonably, especially when sharing with friends. Roller-blades and bicycles are also available to rent for those with energy to spare, although you’ll need no shortage of skill to manoeuvre yourself around the countless others jogging, power-walking and riding their way around the grounds.

Ultimately, the parks are a great place to spend an afternoon as they offer a range of different activities and environments to suit any weekend mood. So, if you want to escape the busy sidewalks of the city for a while to relax with a good book or to get involved in something a little more active, head to the parks in Palermo. You could even study some Spanish…