The capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is an authentic and elegant city. Discover all the things to do in Buenos Aires and delve into its various neighbourhoods and plazas. A cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires has a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, with interesting neighbourhoods that have their own identity. Don’t miss this tour through the essence of Buenos Aires, its traditional dishes and most iconic places, and find out which are the must-see spots in this Argentinian city.
Things to do in Buenos Aires
1. Plaza de Mayo
Located in the Microcentro porteño (Monserrat neighbourhood), where Buenos Aires was founded, Plaza de Mayo is the most important and oldest public square in the city. The name of the square commemorates the Revolution of May 25, 1810. Since then the square has been a silent witness of the most important political and social events of the country. In addition, the square has two important monuments, the Pyramid of May and the Monument to General Manuel Belgrano.
2. Casa Rosada
The Casa Rosada is a palace in front of the Plaza de Mayo and the seat of the National Government. This imposing pink-coloured building occupies the site where the Fort of Buenos Aires was erected in 1580. The current building is the product of the merger of two previous constructions; the presidential headquarters and the Palacio de Correos (Post Office Palace).
3. La Boca Neighbourhood
This is a colourful, picturesque and lively neighbourhood that shows visitors its friendliest side, providing postcard-like snapshots. La Boca owes its name to its location at the mouth of the Riachuelo in the Río de la Plata. The main attraction of La Boca is the picturesque pedestrian street Caminito, a beautiful street more interesting than the city’s best museums. Among the colourful and curious buildings of Caminito, there are numerous restaurants, terraces and painters’ stalls, as well as tango dancers who enchant visitors with their magic steps.
- Although during the day La Boca is one of the city’s most memorable neighbourhoods, at night it becomes one of the most dangerous, so it’s best to visit in the morning and stay on the more touristy streets.
4. Recoleta Neighbourhood
Recoleta is a centrally located residential neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, of great historical and architectural interest. It is different from other neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires because of the quality of its architecture and the aristocratic character of its residences, surrounded by splendid gardens and squares.
The neighbourhood stands out for its historical monuments and its great cultural spaces, including the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Recoleta Cultural Centre and the National Library. Among Recoleta’s main points of interest are the Recoleta Cemetery, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Floralis Genérica. The true essence of this neighbourhood can be discovered by walking through each of its quiet corners, parks and lively streets, such as Avenida Alvear.
5. Palermo Neighbourhood
Palermo is a large residential neighbourhood in Buenos Aires that stands out for its beautiful tree-lined avenues and elegant homes. It is one of the greenest areas of Buenos Aires thanks to the Tres de Febrero Park. It also has many attractions such as the Botanical Garden and the city’s Zoo.
With more than 16 square kilometres, Palermo is the largest neighbourhood in the city and is divided into two sectors. Palermo Chico is an area of palaces and residences where a large part of Buenos Aires’ high society lives. Palermo Viejo is full of cafes, restaurants, design houses and many boutiques, making it a very pleasant neighbourhood. The liveliest area of Palermo is known as Palermo Soho, within Palermo Viejo.
6. San Telmo Neighbourhood
San Telmo, one of the oldest and most traditional neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, has witnessed many of the transcendental events in the city’s history. Formerly known as Alto de San Pedro, this neighbourhood dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries and is home to the historic centre of Buenos Aires Argentina.
Every Sunday the Plaza Dorrego becomes the stage for a peculiar and interesting antiques fair. With picturesque cobbled streets that wind between markets, old buildings and an undeniably bohemian atmosphere, it is ideal to discover it on foot.
7. Zanjón de Granados
The Zanjón de Granados, a small stream that crossed the neighbourhood of San Telmo in the past, was accidentally rediscovered in 1985 under a mansion built in 1830. The mansion, that can be visited today, was built for a wealthy family of Spanish leather merchants during the 19th century. It was abandoned due to the arrival of yellow fever in the south of the city.
- Entry from Monday to Friday costs 300 ARS (2.60 €) and on Sundays 250 ARS (2.20 €).
8. Puerto Madero
Located next to the Río de la Plata, Puerto Madero is one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods and is a great place to stroll around. Among the area’s attractions is the eye-catching Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge), designed by artist Santiago Calatrava. Puerto Madero has some of the city’s historical treasures moored in its docks, such as the Fragata Sarmiento and the Corbeta Uruguay.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to see around Buenos Aires?
1. Tigre
Known as the Venice of Argentina, this town is an ecological paradise, where human activity develops in harmony with nature. The natural beauty of the Delta is, of course, one of its main attractions. It is also the perfect place to do a boat trip on its rivers and streams, enjoy the lush vegetation, appreciate the island constructions and practice water sports. You can also discover its most iconic spots such as Puerto de Frutos, Paseo Victorica or Villa La Ñata.
2. San Antonio de Areco
Only an hour’s drive from Buenos Aires, San Antonio de Areco is the cradle of tradition, where the customs inspired by the gauchos have been passed down for centuries. Full of colonial streets, Creole traditions, hidden corners and buildings, this town preserves its rural charm and the richness of its heritage. In 1999 it was declared a National Historic Monument. Founded in 1730, this town is the ideal setting for an excellent day in the countryside.
Things to do in Buenos Aires in two days?
Day 1:
- Plaza de Mayo
- Casa Rosada
- La Boca neighbourhood
- Recoleta neighbourhood
Day 2:
- Palermo neighbourhood
- San Telmo neighbourhood
- Puerto Madero
- Zanjón de Granados
Things to do in Buenos Aires in three days?
On your third day in the city, we recommen visiting some of the charming villages in the surrounding area. You can choose to visit:
- Tigre
- San Antonio de Areco
Where to eat in Buenos Aires?
Argentinean gastronomy stands out for maintaining its Creole and indigenous character while showing a great European influence, especially Italian and Spanish cuisine. Some of the most typical recipes of Buenos Aires are Asado, Empanadas Argentinas and Chimichurri. Here is a list of some of the best restaurants in the city, so you won’t miss any of its most characteristic dishes.
- Santos Manjares is a meat restaurant serving Argentinian dishes made with very good quality products. The price range is 4 € – 9 €.
- Parrilla Voro Carnes is a grill restaurant serving grilled meats following Argentinian tradition. Prices are around €13 and the products are of the highest quality.
- Fogón Asado Experience is an Argentinian steakhouse with a price of around €52. What stands out about this place are its products and excellent service. Here you can watch the preparation of a real Argentinian asado.
- The Argentine Experience is a steakhouse restaurant that offers a complete gastronomic experience, providing a journey through all the traditional Argentine recipes in a beautiful space. The prices range between 69 € – 104 €.
Where to stay in Argentina?
Buenos Aires has plenty of hotels, hostels and holiday flats to suit all tastes. The best areas to stay in the city are Recoleta, Palermo and Puerto Madero, which are the safest areas of the city.
- Hotel Madero Buenos Aires is just a 10-minute walk from the Women’s Bridge and 1.1 km from Dorrego Square in San Telmo. It has spacious, well-kept rooms and the Madero spa, located on the rooftop with panoramic views of the city. The price is €130 a night for two people.
- Palermo Soho Square, 1.2 km from Serrano Square, has an outdoor pool. All rooms are fully equipped and car and bicycle rental is available. Prices are around €65 per night for two people.
- Up Recoleta Hotel, 100 metres from Libertador Avenue, has a price range of €30-40 per night for two people. Located in a very good area, this hotel also offers perfectly equipped, cosy rooms.
- Bulnes Eco Suites. Located in the Palermo neighbourhood, the rooms are 50 metres from Santa Fe Avenue and 1.5 km from Plaza Serrano Square, and are elegantly decorated. Bulnes Eco Suites features a bar and a restaurant with room service. Prices are around €65 per night for two people.
Tips for your trip to Buenos Aires
- The currency in Buenos Aires is the Argentine peso (ARS), its symbol is $ and each peso is divided into 100 cents.
- Buenos Aires has a temperate oceanic climate, with hot summers and cold winters.
- Plugs in Buenos Aires have three flat pins, so bring an adaptor to use electrical appliances.
- The business hours of shops in Buenos Aires are generally Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
How to organise what to do in Buenos Aires?
Sign up or download the app to discover all of its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Buenos Aires
There are two airports in Buenos Aires, so you can fly to Buenos Aires from other cities in Argentina and from other countries. The train is also a convenient option if you are visiting nearby cities.
Buenos Aires is a very large city, so you will need to use transport to visit all the city’s sights. The metro network is very limited, but Buenos Aires also has buses, taxis and remis, a very similar option to taxis.
The ideal time to visit the country is in spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November), as you’ll avoid the bitter cold of the south, the heat of the north and the rainy season.
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