How to Visit Palacio Barolo: A Buenos Aires Hidden Gem

Want to get off the beaten path in Buenos Aires? Check out the incredible Palacio Barolo, one of the city’s most interesting buildings.

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is known for its architecture. The city’s reluctant moniker is, of course, the “Paris of the South” and all it takes is a stroll along some of the city’s main streets to understand how it got this name.

There’s the Teatro Colon. The imposing Casa Rosada. The cathedral.

But one of the more unique and overlooked buildings in Buenos Aires is Palacio Barolo, located in the heart of the city.

I initially came across Palacio Barolo on our first weekend living in Buenos Aires. As newbies to this vibrant city, we’d decided to take a walking tour with a local tour company to learn more about the city, its neighbourhoods, Argentine culture – and basic things like how to use public transport and get money in Argentina.

As we walked along the wide Avenida de Mayo in downtown Buenos Aires, we strolled past Palacio Barolo, gazing up at its curious facade. It was a Sunday so it was closed. But an inquisitive peek inside the huge glass doorway was all it took for me to go home and immediately book a Palacio Barolo tour.

Famed for its Dante-inspired architecture, its historic lighthouse, and its status as the tallest building in South America when it was completed in 1923, here’s why you should also step inside this unique building when you visit Buenos Aires.

Exterior view of Palacio Barolo showcasing the intricate architecture, featuring rounded balconies with elaborate stonework. The photo is taken from a low angle, highlighting the building's height and the ornate façade against a backdrop of clear sky and tree branches at the top corner.

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Why is Palacio Barolo famous?

Palacio Barolo isn’t your average high-rise. In fact, it has one of the most fascinating back stories of any building in Buenos Aires (and in a city full of fascinating buildings, that’s saying something!).

Commissioned by Italian immigrant and businessman Luis Barolo and designed by architect Mario Palanti, the building was completed in 1923 after just four years of construction. Its design was inspired by Dante’s 14th-century epic poem, Divine Comedy. Barolo was such a fan of Dante that he reportedly hoped the poet’s ashes would one day be moved here for safekeeping, although that never came to pass.

So, how does the building mimic Dante’s famous poem?

The building is packed with symbolism drawn from Dante’s work. Palacio Barolo is divided into three parts: the basement and ground floor are Hell, floors 1 to 14 represent Purgatory, and floors 15 to 22 represent Heaven. Even the building’s height was carefully planned: at 100 metres tall, it symbolises the 100 cantos of The Divine Comedy.

Interior shot of the grand entry hallway in Palacio Barolo. The space is tall with arched ceilings, ornate columns, and hanging chandeliers. The hallway leads to a backlit glass door at the far end.

Ground floor view of a decorative circular floor design, resembling a flower or sunburst pattern, with alternating shades of green and gold metallic finishes. This is one of the intricate details of the Palacio Barolo building in Buenos Aires.

When it was completed it was the tallest building in South America and remained so until 1935, when the nearby Edificio Kavanagh overtook it. At the top sits the building’s iconic lighthouse, whose powerful beacon was designed to represent the divine light that guides Dante to Paradise. Apparently the light is visible across the Río de la Plata in Uruguay.

View inside Palacio Barolo featuring a domed information booth with a striking stained glass top in warm orange tones. The booth is framed by grand columns and a large glass window that allows natural light to filter in.

The ornate black metal gate of an elevator, labeled 'ASCENSOR' in golden letters, with a half-circle fanlight above it. The elevator is set in a marble wall with a warm glow from the ambient lighting.

Interior view of the upper part of Palacio Barolo with a focus on a circular dome with a hanging lantern. The surrounding walls have detailed moldings and embellishments.

Interior shot capturing a ceiling with a chandelier and inscriptions around an arch. The Latin phrases and decorative elements add to the historical ambiance of the space.

Today, Palacio Barolo is home to offices (ironically, many of them are located in the “Purgatory” section of the building), but much of its original grandeur remains. Look up in the lobby and you’ll see Latin inscriptions carved into the ceiling. Antique elevators slowly carry visitors upward past ornate details, statues and polished marble finishes that reflect the ambition and craftsmanship of the era.

A vertiginous view looking down the intricate spiral staircase of Palacio Barolo, decorated with ornamental balusters. The perspective captures the stairwell's descent and the elaborate architectural details on each level, giving a sense of depth.

A staircase inside Palacio Barolo with worn marble steps and a delicate wrought-iron railing. A large window with natural light illuminates the stairwell, highlighting the patina on the walls and the staircase's graceful curve.

The biggest reward comes at the very top. From the lighthouse balcony, you’ll enjoy some of the best panoramic views in Buenos Aires. Until I stepped outside, I had no idea just how far across the city we’d be able to see. Even if architecture and history aren’t usually your thing, the views alone make a Palacio Barolo tour worthwhile. I’d definitely add this unique building to your 3 days in Buenos Aires itinerary.

Aerial view of Buenos Aires from Palacio Barolo, showing the expansive cityscape. The foreground features the distinctive red dome of the building, with the sprawling urban grid, green park spaces, and distant buildings stretching to the horizon. — The view from the top of Palacio Barolo

How to book Palacio Barolo tours

The only way to get inside Palacio Barolo is on a guided tour. It’s one of the more unique things to do in Buenos Aires. When we visited, we were the only foreign tourists on the tour.

You can book tickets on the day at the kiosk inside the Palacio Barolo lobby. But they do sell out quickly, so I recommend booking in advance online.

There are two tours you can take:

The daytime Palacio Barolo tour takes place every day except Tuesdays and runs for 1.5 hours. This is the tour we did, and its great because you can see the city during the daylight hours. | Book a daytime Palacio Barolo tour here
There’s also a special evening tour where you can see the city light up from the top of the building. This tour includes a wine tasting and sometimes there’s even a live violoncello performance. The evening tour is a little longer – 2 hours – and takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and 8pm. | Book the evening Palacio Barolo tour here

For either tour, you’ll need to bring a copy of your ID. The tours are run bilingually in Spanish and English.

Be warned that the tour does involve some steep climbing in tight stairwells as you get closer to the top. It’s really steep and if you have a fear of small spaces, you may not want to go all the way to the top of the building – but that’s where the best views are!

Palacio Barolo rooftop bar

If you’re not particularly interested in architecture or history but still want to enjoy the incredible views from Palacio Barolo, consider heading to Salón 1923 instead.

Located near the top of the building, this stylish rooftop bar and restaurant offers panoramic views across Buenos Aires without needing to join a guided tour. It’s a great option if you’d rather sip a cocktail, enjoy a glass of Argentine wine or settle in for a meal while taking in the city skyline.

The views aren’t quite the same as those from the lighthouse at the very top of the building, which is only accessible on a guided tour, but they’re still impressive. Time your visit for sunset and you’ll be treated to one of the best rooftop experiences in Buenos Aires as the city lights begin to twinkle across the skyline.

If you’re short on time or simply not keen on spending a couple of hours learning about Dante’s Divine Comedy, Salón 1923 is an excellent alternative. But if you’re curious about the building’s fascinating history and want access to the lighthouse itself, I’d still recommend taking one of the Palacio Barolo tours.

Reservations are recommended, and you can book online here.

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Palacio Barolo tours: Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a unique experience in Buenos Aires, a Palacio Barolo tour is well worth adding to your itinerary. While many visitors admire the building from the street, stepping inside reveals a fascinating world of hidden symbolism, architectural details and stories inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. Add in the chance to climb to the top of the building for sweeping views across the city, and it’s easy to see why this is one of Buenos Aires’ most memorable attractions.

Whether you choose a daytime visit or one of the popular evening experiences, Palacio Barolo offers a completely different perspective on Buenos Aires. It’s a reminder that some of the city’s most interesting sights aren’t always the ones that make the front page of every guidebook.

FAQs: Visit Palacio Barolo

What is Palacio Barolo?

Palacio Barolo is a landmark office building on Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires. Completed in 1923 and inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, it was once the tallest building in South America and is now one of the city’s most unusual architectural attractions.

Is Palacio Barolo worth visiting?

Definitely! If you like architecture and history, taking a tour of Palacio Barolo is well worth your time.

Can you visit Palacio Barolo without a tour?

No – access is via guided tours only. You can book a daytime or evening tour.

How long do Palacio Barolo tours take?

The daytime tour of Palacio Barolo takes around 1.5 hours, while the evening tour (which includes wine tasting) lasts 2 hours.

Are Palacio Barolo tours in English?

Yes. The standard Palacio Barolo tours are conducted bilingually in both Spanish and English. The guide alternates between the two languages throughout the visit, explaining the building’s fascinating connection to Dante’s Divine Comedy, its symbolism and history.

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Have you ever visited Palacio Barolo? What’s your favourite building in Buenos Aires?

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