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El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Av Santa Fe 1860 | Barrio Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina (Recoleta)
11-4813-4154
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Ranked #2 of 240 attractions in Buenos Aires
Description: Situated in an old theater, El Ateneo is one of the most popular bookstores in Buenos Aires.
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319 reviews from our community

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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Top Contributor
91 reviews 91 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 14, 2013 NEW

Most tourist don't know about this former theatre converted to bookstore. It a beautiful place to visit and a wonderful place to get lost between books. A nice place to hide in a rushing , noisy city.

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See 31 more reviews by Crispy73 for Buenos Aires
Athens, Georgia
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5 reviews 5 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 3, 2013

One of my favorite places to see in Buenos Aires. The idea of a bookstore in an old theatre is absolutely enchanting. Having coffee on the stage is cool, but a little pricey. I love how you can read in the old boxes from the theatre.

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Miami Beach, Florida
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 3, 2013

Worth visiting even if you don't read Spanish. The view from cafeteria, which was formerly a stage, is gorgeous. Was happy to find a photo collection book of art deco & modernism architectures in Buenos Aires. However the books are expensive compared to the standard of US.

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See 3 more reviews by RieK15 for Buenos Aires
Mt Eliza, Victoria, Australia
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed June 1, 2013

We stopped here for a couple of (pricey) coffees at the cafe and a stroll around this converted theatre. The walls are lined with many tiers for spanish speaking book lovers to choose from. (there is a very small english speaking section for those interested). It won't take long to have a look, so fit it into your schedule to... More

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Washington DC, District of Columbia
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2013 via mobile

Beautiful bookstore in a converted theater, with a full service cafe on the former stage. Each level and selections of books and media, with select sitting areas (mostly in the balcony seating). Wide selection of Spanish language books. There may have been some English books too. Was too distracted with the Old World theater architecture to really look for sure.

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See 10 more reviews by enigmajic for Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 attraction reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2013

Sweet bookstore. Plenty of material, not filled with ¨dummy¨ books like the ones in my country. Nice place, it´s an old theater so I mean... They could include more places to sit and read. Their cafe is superly overpriced, can´t sit there and read as I like to consume several drinks while I research.

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See 5 more reviews by Nick B for Buenos Aires
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 20, 2013 via mobile

We visited this bookstore one evening so missed getting a coffee "onstage" in the restaurant but this is books and more in a wonderful space. I really enjoyed the children's section as they had so many wonderful, classic and new authors available in Spanish. They also had a great selection of CD's available. The English section is only a few... More

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See 4 more reviews by Mary H for Buenos Aires
Toronto
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2013

If you're walking past it on Santa Fe street it is easily missed. Pop in for a quick look, browse through the shelves, sit in one of the former boxes to lounge and flip through a book, or simply relax on stage while sipping on a coffee from the cafe. The photo ops are great. It's a unique spot.

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See 15 more reviews by canch06 for Buenos Aires
Adelaide, Australia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
6 attraction reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2013

Has to be seen to be believed really, no wonder the 'Guardian' named it in the world's top five bookstores (number two in fact!). Great music playing, and fun to have coffee 'on stage'! Easy to find along Avenida Sante Fe.

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See 7 more reviews by Arty31 for Buenos Aires
Florianopolis, SC
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 10, 2013

I just love theatres and this one is really amazing! Worths the visit for sure! About the coffee and sweets... don´t expect too much.

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See 3 more reviews by MarianaGirardi for Buenos Aires

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