Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo

My family and I spent a beautiful and memorable afternoon at Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo. If you’re in Buenos Aires and craving a dose of elegance, design, and a little time travel, this museum in Recoleta is absolutely worth a visit. My husband and I have always been drawn to historical architecture and design, and we love sharing that with our son. Even at just three years old, he really engages with beautiful spaces and new experiences, making it even more special for us to introduce him to places like this. The museum is housed in a stunning early 20th-century mansion that feels like stepping into another world. The interiors are a mix of European styles, mostly from the 19th to early 20th centuries, and while the space is grand, it never feels overwhelming. The rooms range from dark and moody to light-filled and opulent, with neoclassical details, checkered floors, intricate woodwork, and towering arched windows that shift the atmosphere as the day goes on. One room that stood out to us felt straight out of an English Tudor manor, with stained-glass windows, rich wood-paneled walls, tapestries, and an ornate fireplace that completely set the mood. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and soak in the beauty. My son loved wandering through the grand rooms and was especially drawn to the little details — the textures, the chandeliers, the marble. And yes, feeding the pigeons outside was definitely his personal highlight. After exploring, we headed to the on-site café, Croque Madame, which was one of our favorite moments of the day. We sat on the terrace, surrounded by fountains and cobblestone paths, right at the foot of the museum entrance. The food was classic French comfort — we tried the Croque Bordeaux and gnocchi souffle de espinaca, both perfectly executed — and my son absolutely loved his langostinos apanados dish and fresh orange juice. It had that perfect balance of peaceful and lively, with just the right amount of buzz. The playlist playing in the background was so good that my husband ended up asking the waiter about it. He was kind enough to share it with us, and now we still listen to it at home. It’s a little sonic reminder of that perfect afternoon. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a detour to the gardens on the east side of the building. They’re quiet, lush, and offer a fantastic view of the mansion’s exterior. This museum is the perfect place to spend a slow afternoon in Buenos Aires — a lovely mix of beauty, history, and a memorable meal. Whether you're into architecture, design, or just looking for a family-friendly spot to experience something unique, this place is one to add to your list.

Not exactly a museum as I imagined. It’s a huge mansion which used to be a house of a wealthy family at the beginning of XX century. Not too much cool art, one beautiful piece of Rodin and a few interesting family portraits. Building itself impressed me more. So interesting to imagine how people used to live in this palace!

Some of the areas were closed off when we visited. However, what we saw was wonderful. The staff was pleasant. There are lockers to keep your bags in. The museum is free to view, but you can donate (we did).

Needed spot to relax w luggage for a couple of hours in between travel plans. Perfect spot at café! Lovely atmosphere and kind staff. Food fine, nothing special, but enjoyed lemonade. Food spot for a drink or coffee. Took turns checking out a bit of museum, fantastic rooms! Would like to return.

No admission charge. You get a glimpse into the good life of one famous Argentinian family. As life used to be (for them). Stunning collection of art and furniture.

A must visit! This place is spectacular. The art is breathtaking and the garden is beautiful. The architecture is stunning. It is not very big and you can see the whole museum in less than 2 hours. You won’t be disappointed!

The tour guide was fabulous. Provided so much information of each room we visited and told us the history behind this beautiful palace. The place was incredibly beautiful. The tango at the end of the tour was amazing. The band was exceptional. I would recommend anyone visiting Bs Aires to go back in time and experience Aristocrats lives and how they lived.

one of the prettiest places in buenos aires! it felt like the various museums/houses i visited while in france/belgium (which makes sense given the original owners' style). can't believe it's free and you can spend time looking at the amazing art and architecture. if you're an art history or history nerd, it's definitely the place for you.

That's one thing I adore about Buenos Aires: tons of museums. Also, tons of *free* museums. And this is one of them, yay! Definitely worth a check-out if you're into old architecture, furniture and decorations. It's basically an old mansion, decorated as it was back in the 1800s. And there are descriptions of each room in English, double yay! If it's free, it's for me! However, walking around this place will make you feel poor af. It's still an interesting spot to check out though.

I realized that Argentina is a place full of art and culture. This is what makes a society different; people are kind and they are also very cultured, there is a lot to learn and where to learn it. Wherever you go, you will find museums, theaters, opera, science, etc. This time I went to have lunch in Madame Croquet. In the same location theres was a museum that used to be in its construction a hotel. The decorative art museum. I found a bunch of nice things there, of all of them I took pictures. This museum is very cheap, it is worth it. We paid 20 pesos per each one of us, my younger son didn't pay. I understand now why Argentina is known as the Europe of Latin America.

I grew up in this city and had no idea about this place. It is a beautiful palace from Argentina's golden age filled with amazing art and furniture. The pieces are very well kept, and it is surprising to see a 400 year old painting looking as if it were painted yesterday. If you are curious to see how the Argentine elite lived a century ago, this is your place.

What a wonderfully unique museum. It is a famous mansion filled with history and beauty.

Regresar en el tiempo en medio de la ciudad de Buenos Aires; una casa increiblemente hermosa que te transporta a otra época! Exposiciones temporales muy buenas a más de la exposición fija que es impresionante! Una elección magnifica para extranjeros y locales!

One does not expect to see an outstanding french mansion in BA. The architecture, interior details, and sculpture are not to be missed.