La Plata

In the 1880s shortly after Buenos Aires became the new capital of Argentina, the town of La Plata was founded as the capital of Buenos Aires Province. Argentine architect and urban planner Pedro Benoit planned the layout of the city — one of the first completely planned cities in South America — to include a large park at the center with eight boulevards radiating out in all directions. La Plata is home to the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (75,000 students) which lends the city a distinctly college town vibe.
The city’s plazas, tree-lined boulevards and somewhat confusing intersections are reminiscent of Buenos Aires, but in miniature. At the center of it all is Plaza Moreno with its towering neo-Gothic cathedral. Also of interest is the Museo de La Plata, ranked among the best natural history museums in Argentina.

Practical Info

La Plata is located 34 miles (55 kilometers) south of Buenos Aires along the Rio de la Plata.