Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and it was founded by the Spanish Crown in 1580. The region was originally home to the Querandies, a community of great runners that used to run and hunt deers and guanacos. Buenos Aires sits on the coast of Río de la Plata, the widest in the world. If you cross this immense river it will take you 1 hour to reach the other coast in Uruguay! The city was named after a virgin, Nuestra Señora del Buen Aire, who accompanied the first Spanish explorers. Today, Buenos Aires has a vibrant cultural life, museums, galleries and theaters, and a bussy nightlife that awakes early in the evenings and finishes late in the first morning hours. Buenos Aires was recently declared a “prepared destination” by the WTTC (World Tourism Travel Council) and features many open circuits Let´s discover things to do in Buenos Aires!.
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s big, cosmopolitan capital city. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace. Other major attractions include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats, and the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art.
Check out our most recommended attractions in Buenos Aires!
The colorful neighborhood of La Boca and its unique Caminito are two essentials during your stay in Buenos Aires. It is a very picturesque neighborhood and a photogenic street with colorful facades that attract thousands of tourists. There you will find shops, restaurants and even tango dancers on the street. Plus, a plus: eating at one of the local grills is a must. Learn more about our travel experiences to visit Caminito and other attractions in Buenos Aires.
Address: La Boca neighborhood
Days and times: Open at all times, more lively on weekends.
This neighborhood of the city of Buenos Aires preserves some of the colonial flavor of recent years and is full of history. It is known for hosting antique shops and gastronomic spaces that overshadow monopoly Palermo. In addition, from Defensa street in Plaza de Mayo to Parque Lezama there is a fair that has a mix of paintings, antiques and crafts, making it more chaotic and fun. Try to attend early – it gets very crowded after noon.
Address: Bolívar 970.
Days and times: On Sundays from 10am for the Market, but at all times.
Price: Free entry.
The cathedral is located in front of the Plaza de Mayo and inside it is the mausoleum of the “Padre de la Patria” (Father of the Fatherland), the General Jose de San Martin.
Days and times: Monday to Friday, from 7.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 6.45 pm.
The Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Its rich and prestigious history and the exceptional acoustic and architectural conditions of its building place it at the level of theaters such as the Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera, the Vienna Opera, London’s Covent Garden and the New York Metropolitan.
Address: Cerrito 628.
Days and times: Guided tours every day from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in English and Spanish.
Price: Teatro Colón website.
The Casa Rosada is perhaps the most photographed building in Buenos Aires. Officially known as the Government House or Presidential Palace, the building dates back to the time of President Sarmiento. Its construction began in 1873 where there was a fortress –the ruins of this one can be seen from inside the Casa Rosada itself and the Plaza de Mayo.
Address: Balcarce 50
Days and times: Visits to the Casa Rosada take place on Saturdays, from 10 am to 6 pm, and are free. Tours in English on Saturdays at 12.30pm.
Located on Avenida Santa Fe 1860 in Barrio Norte, the building was designed by the architects Peró and Torres Armengol for the businessman Max Glucksman (1875 to 1946), and initially opened as a theater called the Grand Splendid Theater. Today it works as a bookstore and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Address: Av. Santa Fe 1860.
Days and times: Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Located a few minutes from the center, Palermo is the green lung of the city. We could call it the most important park in Buenos Aires. It is the largest green area in the city, and where porteños love to spend their weekends, paddling in the lakes, biking, skating, running, drinking mate or even practicing hockey. The Rose Garden, the Andalusian Patio, the Japanese Garden and the Garden of the Poets are worth a visit, as well as the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, where you can learn about planetary peculiarities and participate in activities on the universe and scientific issues.
Address: Av. Infanta Isabel 410
Days and times: Open every day at all times.
Much more organized than the San Telmo fair, so the crafts tend to be original and of higher quality. It is very difficult not to buy something. The area fills up on Sundays, when people usually go to the park to drink mate and play the guitar!
Address: Plaza Francia, Recoleta.
Days and times: Saturdays and Sundays from noon to approximately 8:00 p.m.
The Recoleta Cemetery is a very large ornate necropolis, it is like a mini city of the states and marble sarcophagi. One of the most famous tombs is that of Eva Perón (Evita).
Address: Junín 1760
Days and times: Open every day from 07:30 to 17:30.
Price: Free entry
It is a one-hour bus trip to get to this Gaucho Fair, very different from those in the center. You’ll see gauchos, horse competitions (in a very local game called ring), regional foods (cheeses, organic wine, homemade breads, and huge empanadas) made with local produce from nearby farms. If the weather is warm, there will be many people and groups playing folklore. You can get there with the following buses 55, 63, 80, 92, 126, 141, 155, 180.
Address: Av. Lisandro de la Torre, Av. De los Corrales y, 1440 Buenos Aires
Days and times: Sundays from 11:00 to 20:00.
This mansion, once a family home, shows how the aristocracy used to live in the country in the early 1900s.
Address: Av. Del Libertador 1902
Days and times: Tuesday to Sunday afternoon (except in January and February when it is closed on Sundays as well), from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The National Museum of Fine Arts was inaugurated in 1896 and, with the passage of time, it was assimilating the largest collection of Argentine art. It is considered one of the most important collections of universal art that can be found in Latin America.
Address: Av. Del Libertador 1473.
Days and times: From Tuesday to Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.- Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bohemian art and handicrafts are sold in the small plaza at the intersection of Serrano and Honduras streets, which forms the heart of Palermo Soho. Officially, the fair is organized on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the makeshift vendors also stay at night when the restaurants are full. Those same restaurants take out their tables in the afternoon and fill the spaces with racks of clothes from young designers who can’t afford their own boutiques.
Address: Plaza Serrano, Palermo.
Days and times: Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
With the presence of more than 7,000 Argentine and international works of art, this museum was created in 1956 at the initiative of Rafael Squirru, but it was reopened in December 2010 for the purpose of renovating it and putting it back in value.
Address: Av. San Juan 350. San Telmo. Buenos Aires.
Days and times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 to 19:00; Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 20:00; and holidays from 11:00 to 20:00.
Popularly known as the ‘MALBA‘, this museum comprises a space within all recent (founded in September 2001), dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and promoting Latin American art that includes from the early twentieth century to the present.
Address: Figueroa Alcorta 3415.
Days and times: Open from Thursday to Monday and holidays from 12:00 to 20:00. Wednesday until 9:00 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
Price: Free on Wednesdays.
As its name indicates, this place located in Balvanera has been the residence of Carlos Gardel, one of the most important and representative figures of tango and also one of the referents of Argentine popular culture itself.
Address: Jean Jaures 735.
Days and times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 to 18:00; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 19:00; Tuesday closed.
In this interactive museum you will learn about the life of this important Argentine personality of which, at least, you should know some details. It shows videos, objects and magazines of one of the most emblematic political figures. It has a very nice restaurant.
Address: Lafinur 2988. Tel. 4807 0306.
Days and times: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Nicknamed CCK, the Kirchner Cultural Center is one of the most recent cultural spaces that have been established in the city of Buenos Aires. There are artistic expressions such as plastic arts, musical shows and exhibitions suitable for the enjoyment of all public.
Address: Sarmiento 151.
Days and times: Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Price: All their shows are free.
A must for beginners. You pay once and you can stay for all the dance classes of the day and the milonga (usually it gets better around midnight and lasts until 6 or 7am). The teachers are friendly, and although the class is in Spanish, they are happy to try and use their English. Learn more about our travel experiences to discover the best tango shows in Buenos Aires.
Address: Armenia 1366.
Days and times: Classes are all from Wednesday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Surrounded by quirky décor of antique artifacts, colorful lamps, and accompanied by a vegetarian menu, it’s often packed with vibrant energy.
Address: Sarmiento 4006.
Days and times: Classes are offered every day at 7:30 PM or 9:00 PM. The milonga starts after 10:30 p.m. until the dancers decide to go home.
Ciudad Cultural Konex is an Argentine organization whose mission is to create innovative artistic experiences. Located in the mythical Abasto neighborhood of the city of Buenos Aires, here visitors will find nine rooms for holding all kinds of cultural events.
Address: Sarmiento 3131
Days and times: By billboard.
Price: By function.
The 20-metre high sculpture is made of stainless steel and aluminium and weighs 18 tonnes. It is the first moving sculpture controlled by a hydraulic system and photoelectric cells. The petals open during the day and close at night. The work was inaugurated in 2002 and its name, Floralis Genérica, is a tribute to all flowers.
It is located in the United Nations Square and was donated to the City of Buenos Aires by its author, the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano.
Address: Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 2301
The Obelisk of Buenos Aires is a historical monument considered an icon of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, built in 1936 on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the so-called first foundation of Buenos Aires by Pedro de Mendoza.
Going from north to south; 9 de Julio Avenue is one of the main arteries of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, capital of the Argentine Republic. It is famous for its width of 140 and joins Retiro and Constitucion train stations.
Address: Intersection of Av Corrientes and Av 9 de Julio
Open at all hours.
This science museum is mainly for kids, but also to anyone interested in science. This museum shows in a very interactive way that science can be easily understood if you can touch it! Excellent to visit with the whole family.
Address: Centro Cultural Recoleta, Junín 1930.
Hours: Monday to Friday 10 to 17 hs. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 15:30 a 19:30 hs.(includes school holidays from December to March).
Check out our most recommended Restaurants & Bars in Buenos Aires!
Rocha 801, esquina Don Pedro de Mendoza. Tel: 4303-5917.
Regional / Gourmet food
Housed in a 1920s building, this restaurant has elegant decor lined with leather walls and velvet curtains, but the most interesting feature is a library with hundreds of cookbooks. The menu features traditional Argentine cuisine, much admired by the city’s crowds.
Paraguay and San Martín. Tel: 4311-1639.
Grill
This grill is popular with tourists and residents for its huge servings, high quality meat, and the home-made and pleasant lemoncello that is received as a courtesy. If you ask for appetizers, they will also treat you to a tasty Jerez. And a recommendation from the menu: don’t forget to try the spinach cream.
Av. Corrientes 1612. Tel: 4374-8063 / 4374-0920.
Minutes
It is a classic in the city that is located in the center of Buenos Aires. Their specialty is souffle fries. Besides that, they have a good variety of dishes: meat, chicken and pasta.
Posadas 1515. Tel: 4804-2909
Regional food
The perfect place to have regional dishes. You won’t forget the taste of El Sanjuanino’s empanadas.
Talcahuano 937. Tel: 4816-1758.
Pizza
The Italian influence in Buenos Aires is very strong and that can be seen, among other things, in the number of pizzerias that exist in the city. There is a lot of pica between the Italian pizza and the Argentine version pizza and the porteños love to say that their pizza is much better than that of the Italians. “El cuartito” is one of the great exponents of pizza in Buenos Aires and many think it is the best pizzeria in the country. Yes or yes you have to try it and decide if you want the tana pizza or the argenta one.
Defense 1665. Tel: 4307-2746.
This grill, chosen by the porteños as one of the busiest in the last 20 years, not only has good meat, but also typical dishes such as stew. It serves large portions, its staff is friendly and it has a good atmosphere. The room is not large, so make a reservation as it gets busy.
Carlos Calvo 599. Tel: 4300-4313.
Pub
This bohemian cafe in the heart of San Telmo was inaugurated in 1864. Today you can listen to tango, while enjoying a delicious homemade beer and its original snacks. Don’t miss the fried ravioli!
Guatemala 4699. Tel: 4832-6058.
The Don Julio grill, in the Palermo neighborhood, is considered one of the best grills in the world. And while its prices are quite high, the experience and quality of its products make it worth every dollar.
A.M. de Justo 516. Tel: 4313-1336.
It was considered, for many years, the best grill in Buenos Aires. However, it became so notorious among tourists that its prices are now prohibitive. In any case, if there is something that cannot be said about Cabaña Las Lilas, it is that its service is not of quality. On the contrary, its meat is so tender that it can be cut with a spoon.
Posadas 1042. Tel: 4328-4104.
Pasta
Piegari is located in the Recoleta area of Recoleta, near the Four Seasons hotel. The food selection focuses on the cuisine of Northern Italy. Homemade pastas and an impressive variety of risottos overshadow the menu.
Peña 2300. Tel: 4805-6794
The restaurant of Martín Rebaudino offers the most exquisite dishes of Mediterranean food. It has a special menu for each season, using fresh seasonal products in the preparation of each dish.
Medrano and Rivadavia.
Coffee / Confectionery.
It was the first bar in the Almagro neighborhood, born for the wealthy class. These days, it is always crowded, and expensive, but still retains its unmistakable character. English tea includes cakes, croissants, bread, butter, jams, and whatever else you can think of – good to share on a hungry afternoon.
Av. De Mayo 825.
Coffee / Confectionery
Nothing more and nothing less than the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires. Antique wooden chairs, stained glass lamps and a sculpture with the most characteristic characters of Argentine art, create a unique and classic atmosphere. Warning: don’t expect too much from the waiters, they have a lot of orders and are very overwhelmed.
Cabrera 5099. Tel: 4831-7002.
It is so popular nowadays that if you go without a reservation, you will have to wait forever. However this option is not so bad, since they offer champagne and tapas on very busy days. The meat is excellent and they have the best gizzards in the galaxy.
Costa Rica 6038, Buenos Aires. Tel: 3984-0059
Vegan food
This new restaurant in Palermo demystifies that vegan food has no vibe or flavor. Their dishes are incredible, not only visually, but they are also extremely tasty. The drinks that are served are also up to par. If you like plant-based food or eat this way, be sure to visit it. Of course, the dishes are small and the prices are high.
Dr. Emilio Ravignani 1691. Tel: 4777-9086.
Fish / Peruvian
Those who visit Tigre Morado know that good things can be expected. In other words, the dishes are delicious and the service is very good, but you will almost certainly experience delays. Don’t miss the olive octopus or the ceviche.
Thames 878. Tel: 4773 1098.
Hidden bar
Behind an unmarked door on a relatively quiet street, you’ll find 878, a former speakeasy with great character. Ring the bell and you will be granted entry into a low-lit space filled with comfortable sofas. The walls are exposed brick and the whole place has the feeling of being something of a makeshift.
Libertad and Santa Fe. Tel: 4811-1108.
It looks like a New York bar that settled in Buenos Aires, however it is very Buenos Aires. It has a restaurant with a long bar, luxurious sofas and very low lighting. Cocktail fans will not be disappointed here, nor will anyone else with the impressive selection of alcoholic beverages or delicious food.
Paraná 1048. Tel: 4815-9925.
Bar Restaurant
This glorious bar is housed in an incredibly attractive old mansion with French doors. It has a balcony, an elegant staircase and at the back, a waterfall of greenery that frames a quiet courtyard. Inside there is a bar area and a stylish restaurant. The building alone is worth a visit. However, the menu of food and drinks is also up to par.
It depends on your interests, but between 3 and 5 days to get the grips of the city.
Buenos Aires is a city that always offers things to do and that never sleeps. Therefore, any time is a good time to visit it.
The weather of the city of Buenos Aires is humid (Pampas climate) with warm summers and cold winters.
Summer: Hot and very humid. Temperature between 20°C and 35ºC.
Spring: The climate is very changeable, with sunny days but also abundant rains. The temperatures also suffer oscillations between day and night. The temperature varies between 17° and 25°C.
Winter: The temperature in Buenos Aires is not too low during the day, although during the night the temperatures drop considerably. The coldest month is July, when average minimum temperatures of 7°C and maximum temperatures do not exceed 15°C.
Autumn: Temperature is from 7°C to 26ºC. The weather is hot at midday, and during the early afternoon, mornings and evenings are cool.
Flight: Unless you are in Uruguay or in another city of Argentina, the easiest way to get to Buenos Aires City is the Ministro Pistarini International Airport. Better known as Ezeiza International Airport, it is the most important airport in Argentina. It is located 35 kilometers from Buenos Aires. It receives flights from all over the world. Once at the airport, the best way to get to the downtown area will be with a taxi, shuttle or private transfer.
Bus: The most important bus station in Buenos Aires is Retiro, located in the same neighborhood (Retiro) in the center of the city. There you will find long distance buses to all the country, it has more than 70 platforms and the information is in Spanish. The best is to have an offline translator on your phone. For long distance buses you can pay in cash or with a card. We recommend that you buy your ticket in advance, especially for travel on weekends or in high season.
Train: Buenos Aires has urban trains to connect the city with other nearby attractions. From Retiro you can take a train to the north to enjoy a day on the river or even to get to Tigre. To move within the city you can take the bus or the subway. For the urban trains, buses and subways you must pay with a transport card (called “sube”) in which you load money and it is useful for all means of transport.
ATMs are located in banks, most of them, but are open 24hs. Each bank has a different fee that will charge you to use their system, plus your bank fee. We recommend bringing some dollar bills to exchange, so you have some cash to move around and then pay with Credit cards or use an ATM whenever you run out of money.
In restaurants it’s customary to tip about 10% of the bill. Note that tips can’t be added to credit-card bills, so carry cash for this purpose.
Estimate around USD 10/15 per person for the guide, for a full day tour and half of it for the driver.
Tip hotel porters for handling bags. Calculate an amount of currency equal to about $1.00 for every two bags. Same amount is calculated for drivers if they help you with your suitcases. If you are happy with the housekeeping you may want to consider tipping the maid between US$0.50 – $1.00 per night. You might also tip the concierge staff if you have used them to arrange dinner reservations, transportation or leisure activities.
In Argentina we don’t regularly tip taxi drivers.
Around USD 50/100 per day, per person for daily expenses like eating, shopping and transportation, depending on how much money you want to spend on these.
Credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in main cities. But it will be more convenient for you to exchange pesos rather than using US dollars because the rate that shops or restaurants use might not be the most convenient for you. In Buenos Aires the best rate is at the National Bank, but you can also go to exchange houses in the city.
Pick up at airports will be upon arrival of your flight, that’s why it is so important to have the most accurate and updated flight information. Our guide or driver will be waiting for you, outside baggage claim area, you will only have to look for a sign with your name on it. Pick up for tours will be at the reception desk/lobby of the hotels. At the end of your itinerary you will find the name and telephone number of each of our local representatives and our emergency phone number, where you can call if you have any urgency or a mismatch, so we can assist you during your trip.
Any foreign consulate can provide a list of area doctors who speak English. If you get sick, consider asking your hotel concierge to recommend a local doctor — even his or her own. You can also try the emergency room at a local hospital. Many hospitals also have walk-in clinics for emergency cases that are not life-threatening; you may not get immediate attention, but you won’t pay the high price of an emergency room visit. For an English-speaking hospital, in Buenos Aires, we recommend The Hospital Británico (4304-1081).
We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance. Travel insurance helps protect against unforeseen emergencies which can occur at any time. It also helps protect you against other circumstances like travel delay, lost or stolen baggage and personal items, missed connections and so much more.
Everything will depend on the time of year in which you visit the city.
If you come in the fall or spring, the ideal is to pack fresh clothes and the odd coat, since sometimes the wind coming from the south can generate a sudden change in temperature. Besides that, packing comfortable shoes is vital, since Buenos Aires is a city where you can (and should) walk a lot.
If you visit in the winter months, remember to bring a warmer coat, some scarves and gloves. Finally, if you choose the summer months, it will be very important that you bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
A daily pack to wander the city will be really useful during your trip!
Right of Urban Use: this is a mandatory tax that you have to pay once you get to your hotel in Buenos Aires. It’s about $1 usd per guest, per night, and it varies according to your hotel category.
Buenos Aires is a huge city, full of businesses everywhere. The best thing you can do is go to the local fairs, be it Recoleta, San Telmo or Plaza Serrano where a lot of artisans and entrepreneurs exhibit their work. Also, places like Flora Almacén, in Palermo (Av. Dorrego 2082), bring together the work of many natural and eco-friendly entrepreneurs. There you will be able to buy all kinds of cosmetics and sustainable objects.
Most of the churches in Buenos Aires receive food and clothing for their dining rooms and for the needy people who frequent them.
In Buenos Aires there are a lot of NGOs and canteens that will happily receive your help. As there are so many, perhaps it is better that you use this solidarity search engine and be able to visualize what are the options that you have near your accommodation and so you can specifically target them. In addition, you can filter as needed. You can access the Solidarity search engine here.
Let's keep together & connected through our social media channels: