If Boston, like they say, is the most European city in the US, then South End is Boston’s most European area.

Home to Boston’s African-American community and to many jazz clubs back in the 1950s, it was later known as a dangerous neighborhood up until the 1980s, but then it started to repopulate and its reputation flourished again.

Central and yet relatively tucked away, South End is just a 10-minute walk from the more popular Back Bay; just cross Southwest Corridor Park, with its bike paths, tennis courts, and basketball fields, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a neighborhood with the highest concentration of Victorian houses in the United States.

The sight is undoubtedly amazing: beside the classic brownstones and brick row houses, the streets are flanked by an incredible array of styles, from Renaissance to Greek Revival.

Dotted with orderly gardens and British-style parks, South End is also a very green neighborhood. Some streets – i.e. Columbus Avenue – actually look like Parisian boulevards.

And then, of course, there’s the shops, the restaurants and the nightlife. Most of the action revolves around an area called “SoWa” – South of Washington Street – where former canneries, piano factories, and other industrial buildings have been transformed into artists’s studios, galleries, and lofts.

The restaurants reflect the multiculti nature of the area; the food offer – largely reputed to be the neighborhood’s forte – ranges from Greek delis to Dominican restaurants.

Here are a couple of tips to fully experience the neighborhood’s vibrant and stimulating atmosphere.

NOT TO BE MISSED

The Boston Center for the Arts
A neighborhood’s institution, the BCA is a space devoted to visual and performing arts, constantly hosting exhibitions, courses and events.

The galleries
Painting, sculpture, photography, video art, architecture… In  SoWa’s you will find a wide diversity of art galleries, mostly devoted to contemporary artists.

The best time to visit them is during spring, when the SoWa Art Walk – a weekend-long standing invitation to visit the artists in their studios – is held.

RESTAURANTS & CO.

The Food Trucks
The food trucks at Sunday’s SoWa market are one of the neighborhood’s favourites. Try Clover’s vegatarian food and Bon Me’s Vietnemaese dishes.

B & G Oysters
Oysters and champagne. This classic oyster bar has a simple and yet effective formula: fresh fish plus good wines.

Gaslight
A veritable Parisian brasserie. Open all day, from brunch time to the stirrup cup.

Red Fez
A glimpse of Marrakech in the heart of Boston. Serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean specialties since 1940.

SHOPPING
Main streets such as Columbus Avenue, Washington Street, and Tremont Street are where you’ll find lots of trendy shops.

If you’re interested in male’s vintage clothing, look no further than Bobby from Boston, an amazing shop that supplied costumes for many a Hollywood movie.

At Diseno you’ll find awesome desig and vintage furniture and home accessories.

Also be sure not to miss SoWa’s Sunday Market, an authentic goldmine where local and regional artisans exhibit and sell their creations on Sunday afternoons from late spring through fall. The stalls also sell food from the local farms and clothes from the up-and-coming designers.