Parque Tres de Febrero
Parque Tres de Febrero
Over 100 hectares of green space in the heart of Palermo: Parque Tres de Febrero brings together a rose garden, lakes, Japanese Garden and Planetarium, just steps away from MALBA and the Botanical Garden.
Parque Tres de Febrero stretches across more than 100 hectares in the Palermo neighbourhood, north of Buenos Aires. Inaugurated in 1888 on lands confiscated from dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas, this English-style landscaped park brings together artificial lakes, a rose garden, Japanese gardens and sprawling lawns. It's the go-to green space for porteños to run, picnic, or simply escape the noise of the city.
Quick facts at a glance
- Entrance: free and open access to the main park
- Getting there: Metro Line D, Plaza Italia station; numerous bus lines (colectivos) serving Avenida del Libertador
- Suggested duration: 1.5 to 3 hours depending on sites visited
- Dress code: no dress restrictions
- Accessibility: main pathways paved and accessible; some secondary gravel paths
What to see
The park groups several distinct areas. The Palermo lakes allow for rowboat rentals. The Municipal Rose Garden (El Rosedal) showcases hundreds of rose varieties around a central bandstand. The Japanese Garden, managed by the Japanese-Argentine community, is a paid space featuring a pond, koi carp and a tea pavilion. The Galileo Galilei Planetarium borders the park on the eastern side.
History and context
The name "Tres de Febrero" commemorates the Battle of Caseros on February 3, 1852, which ended Rosas' regime. President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento entrusted the park's design to landscape architect Carlos Thays, who drew inspiration from great European parks. Thays also designed the nearby Botanical Garden, completed in 1898. Together, they formed Buenos Aires' first major green space.
Highlights of the visit
El Rosedal
The rose garden is organized around a pergola bridge and central bandstand. Peak blooming occurs in spring (October-November) and autumn (April). A plant maze and sculptures punctuate the pathways. Entrance is free.
The lakes and rowboat tours
The artificial lakes are the heart of the park. Rowboats are available for rent. Walking or cycling around the shoreline offers unobstructed views of Palermo's skyline.
The Japanese Garden
Founded in 1967, it's one of the largest Japanese gardens outside Japan. Entry is paid. You'll find a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, temporary exhibitions and regular cultural workshops.
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
Opened in 1966, this flying saucer-shaped building is an architectural icon of Buenos Aires. Projection shows are offered to the public; hours and prices should be verified directly on site or on the city's website.
Photography tips
Golden late-afternoon light is ideal on the lakes and Rosedal. In spring, blooming roses offer colourful foregrounds with the bandstand as backdrop. The Rosedal's pergola bridge is a classic frame. For the Planetarium, a low angle from the lawn highlights its futuristic silhouette against the sky.
Location and access
The park sits in the heart of Palermo, Buenos Aires' largest neighbourhood. The Plaza Italia station (Metro Line D) delivers you directly to the main entrance. Avenida del Libertador runs along the park's north side. On foot, the Botanical Garden Carlos Thays is a few minutes' walk from Plaza Italia. The Evita Museum is located in the Palermo Chico neighbourhood, about 15 minutes' walk east.
Nearby attractions
- Botanical Garden Carlos Thays — designed by the same landscape architect, it houses Victorian greenhouses and a collection of plants from around the world.
- Evita Museum — housed in a Palermo Chico villa, it traces the life and legacy of María Eva Duarte de Perón.
- MALBA — the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires features a permanent collection by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Xul Solar, just steps from the park.
- Palermo Hippodrome — one of South America's most important hippodromes, its Belle Époque façade lines Avenida del Libertador.
Frequently asked questions
Peak rose blooming occurs in spring, between October and November, with a second bloom in April. Outside these periods, the garden remains pleasant but less colourful.
No, the Japanese Garden is a separate space from the main park and requires paid entry. The rest of Parque Tres de Febrero is free to access.
Absolutely. MALBA is located just a few hundred metres from the park on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. A half-day is enough to visit the park and spend an hour or two at the museum.
Yes. The wide lawns, lakes with rowboat rentals and Japanese Garden with its koi carp appeal to children. Play areas are scattered throughout the park.
Plaza Italia station on Metro Line D is the most direct option. Many colectivos also serve Avenida del Libertador and nearby Avenida Santa Fe.
Yes, cycling paths cross the park and connect to Palermo's wider bike network. Free-floating bike-share stations (Ecobici) are available around the park's edges.
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