A romantic city filled with tango, world-class wine, and magnificent natural wonders, touring Buenos Aires is sure to be an incredible experience. After having personally lived in Argentina’s lively capital city, I can say it is one of the most unique places I have ever been. There are lots of important things to note before you tour Buenos Aires, from elements of Porteño culture to the fascinating European influence on the city.
In this Buenos Aires travel guide, I’ll include sections on what to do in Buenos Aires, how to get around Buenos Aires, where to stay in Buenos Aires, best Buenos Aires tours, where to eat in Buenos Aires, and more!
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Buenos Aires Map
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What to Do in Buenos Aires
Bosques de Palermo
Buenos Aires’ version of Central Park, the Bosques de Palermo is an enormous park right in the heart of the city. Filled with rose gardens, picturesque river boats, biking paths, food trucks, the Buenos Aires Zoo, and more, you could easily spend a whole day just in the Bosques alone. You definitely won’t want to miss the Bosques de Palermo while you’re touring Buenos Aires!
My picks for best Buenos Aires tours: The Argentine Experience: Empanada Making, Steak, Wine, Alfajores and Mate; Bike Tour: Half-Day City Highlights of Buenos Aires; Closed-Door Restaurant in Buenos Aires: Dining Experience at Steaks by Luis
Feria San Telmo
Located in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods, the Feria San Telmo should be high on your list of things to do while you’re touring Buenos Aires! This open air Sunday market is filled with delicious Argentine street food, live music, and local vendors.
My picks for best San Telmo tours: Buenos Aires Bike Tour: San Telmo and La Boca Districts; Small-Group City Tour of Buenos Aires; Buenos Aires in a Day – All Inclusive Bike Tour
Live Tango Show
Absolutely no city tour of Buenos Aires would be complete without experiencing a live tango show or lesson! Feel the passion and sensuality of traditional Argentine tango while you sip on a glass of world-class malbec, or take a lesson to experience it for yourself!
My picks for best Buenos Aires tango lessons and shows: La Ventana Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires; Buenos Aires: Señor Tango Dinner & Show; Buenos Aires Tango Show, Dinner and Dance Lessons
Recoleta Cemetery
One of the city’s most iconic attractions, the Recoleta Cemetery is sure to make an appearance on nearly every city tour of Buenos Aires. The burial place of Argentina’s most notable figures includes Evita Peron’s gravesite and is filled with gorgeous marble mausoleums.
My picks for best Recoleta Cemetery tours: Recoleta Cemetery (Cemiterio de Recoleta) Tours; Buenos Aires in a Day – All Inclusive Bike Tour; Recoleta Six-or-less-people Afternoon Walking Tour
La Boca
La Boca is sure to be one of your favorite destinations while touring Buenos Aires and is a staple on most Buenos Aires travel guides. This colorful neighborhood is filled with traditional Argentine steakhouses, spontaneous tango shows, and charming shops that will give you a true feel for porteño (local to Buenos Aires) culture. La Boca is also home of the Boca Juniors fútbol team, so consider attending a match while you’re in the area! Keep your wits about you in this neighborhood and don’t stray too far from the main drag, Caminito, especially at night, as this barrio is known to be a bit seedy.
My picks for best La Boca tours: Half-Day Bike Tour in Buenos Aires Argentina with Lunch; Highlights of Buenos Aires: Small Group 3-Hour Guided Tour; Buenos Aires: La Boca Guided Walking Tour in English
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is among the most high-end neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and is one of the city’s major business hubs. By night, stroll across the sparkling Puente de la Mujer bridge and enjoy an upscale dinner along the Rio de la Plata.
My picks for best Puerto Madero tours: Puerto Madero Tours; Heart of the City Bike Tour; Small-Group City Tour of Buenos Aires
Casa Rosada
Situated in the iconic Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada is the official office and mansion of the President of Argentina. Visit the Casa Rosada while you’re touring Buenos Aires to learn about the city’s dark and fascinating history, as well as its current state of affairs.
My picks for best Casa Rosada tours: Buenos Aires Sightseeing City Tour; Buenos Aires: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
Teatro Colón Opera House
The ornate Teatro Colón Opera House is a staple on any proper city tour of Buenos Aires. Discover the history of this breathtaking opera house and enjoy an evening taking in a world-class show.
My picks for best Teatro Colón tours: Teatro Colon Theatre Admission Ticket in Buenos Aires; Teatro Colon Skip-the-Line plus Palaces of Buenos Aires Tour; Colon Theater – Guided Tour
Day trip from Buenos Aires
If you’re looking to get out of the city for the day and explore something new, consider taking a day trip from Buenos Aires! The nearby cities of Tigre and San Isidro are popular destinations for porteños, and river cruises along the Tigre Delta make for a relaxing activity. San Antonio is another great option for a day trip from Buenos Aires. A picturesque town situated in the infamous Argentine Pampas, San Antonio draws visitors to its nearby estancias (traditional rural ranches) where you can discover authentic gaucho (Argentine cowboy) folklore and culture.
My picks for best day trips from Buenos Aires: Small-Group San Isidro and Tigre Delta Tour; Gaucho Day Trip from Buenos Aires: Santa Susana Ranch; Polo Match, BBQ and Lesson Day-Trip from Buenos Aires
Best Buenos Aires Tours
No Buenos Aires itinerary is complete without some great Buenos Aires tours! Whether you choose a city tour of Buenos Aires or a Buenos Aires walking tour, there’s no doubt that adding one or more of these is sure to enhance your trip.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
My picks for where to stay in Buenos Aires: Home Hotel; CasaSur Recoleta; America Del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires
Though you have several choices for where to stay in Buenos Aires, I would recommend staying in either the Palermo, Recoleta, or San Telmo neighborhoods. The most centrally located for the major tourist sights and attractions, these three areas are also incredibly charming and will give you an overall feel for the city.
Palermo is split into Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho, both with a similar vibe characterized by cafes, boutiques, trendy shops, bars, restaurants, and plazas. Either of these neighborhoods are great choices when you’re touring Buenos Aires.
Recoleta is one of the city’s higher-end neighborhoods and caters mainly to affluent families. This area is known for French and European-style architecture and is home to the iconic Recoleta Cemetery.
Finally, San Telmo is situated in the heart of the city, alongside El Centro. This historic area is a hub for bohemian arts, romantic architecture, and of course, the incredible Feria San Telmo, an open-air market on the weekends.
You may also find other neighborhoods suggested when comparing Buenos Aires travel guides, but trust me, these will be the best options while you tour Buenos Aires.
How to Get Around in Buenos Aires
You have lots of easy and affordable options for getting around in Buenos Aires!
The Buenos Aires public transportation network is extensive and includes the subte, or subway, which will take you most everywhere throughout the city. If the subte isn’t available, there are public buses which are inexpensive but can be tricky to use if you’re not a local or don’t have internet access.
Uber is widely available in Buenos Aires, as are taxis, and much of the city is actually walkable, depending on which neighborhood you’re in. Though more expensive than public transit, Ubers and taxis are a quick and convenient way to tour Buenos Aires.
If you’re planning to take a day trip from Buenos Aires, perhaps to the neighboring cities of Tigre or San Isidro, there are inexpensive buses and trains that will get you there quickly.
Where to Eat in Buenos Aires
There are SO many options for where to eat in Buenos Aires and you may be overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a place to dine or party! Luckily, this Buenos Aires travel guide outlines some of the best bars and restaurants to check out while you’re sightseeing in Buenos Aires.
My Favorite Bars in Buenos Aires
Bar El Federal – San Telmo, Oldest bar in Buenos Aires
Boticario – Palermo, Really cool bar
Club Aráoz – Palermo, Nightclub
La Bomba de Tiempo – Abasto, CRAZY experience with live percussion music, very local
PM Open Air Concert – Costanera Norte, A massive recurring open air electronic music concert filled with beautiful young people, tourists, students, and locals. A cool experience if you’re staying in Buenos Aires for an extended period!
My Favorite Restaurants in Buenos Aires
La Cabrera – Palermo, Traditional Argentinian steak and wine, order the bife de chorizo. La Cabrera is an absolute must while you tour Buenos Aires!
Las Cabras – Palermo, Traditional Argentinian meat and wine
Casa Saltshaker – Undisclosed location, Buenos Aires’ oldest “puerta cerrada”, or “closed door” restaurant. These types of secret restaurants offer a traditional, communal dining experience in the homes of local chefs and are known for fantastic food. It’s a very cool experience to have in Buenos Aires!
El Ateneo Grand Splendid – Recoleta, This is a famous bookstore and cafe built into a beautiful old theater, a definite must-see while you’re in Buenos Aires!
Ninina – Palermo, Brunch
La Panera Rosa – Palermo, Brunch
Bartola Corner – Palermo, Brunch and happy hour
EatWith – EatWith offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a home cooked meal with porteño locals, offering travelers an authentic and delicious experience in Buenos Aires!
Buenos Aires Travel Essentials
Charles Schwab Debit Card: I NEVER travel internationally without this card! It’s the best way to take out cash at any ATM worldwide without international transaction fees and can also be used as a no-fees debit card wherever you go. The Charles Schwab Debit Card will keep you feeling secure while you’re touring Buenos Aires.
World Nomads Travel Insurance: Especially in today’s world of Covid-19 uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have solid travel insurance whenever you head out on an international trip! I recommend using WorldNomads.com because they allow you to buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home. World Nomads is designed for adventurous travelers with cover for medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities too, making them the perfect choice for your Buenos Aires tour!
Argentina Power Adapter: DON’T FORGET YOUR ARGENTINA POWER ADAPTER! If there’s one thing you won’t want to leave home without, it’s this! This universal adapter will allow you to plug in your devices not only in Argentina, but in most other countries as well, so it’s definitely a worthy investment. That said, always be sure to double check that your adapter works in the country you’re traveling to before you go!
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for touring Buenos Aires!
Buenos Aires Tips and FAQs
When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
It’s important to note that in South America the seasons are flipped, so summer is in the winter and winter is in the summer! Buenos Aires weather is HOT in the summer (December to March) but you can expect mild winters (June to September). The best time for touring Buenos Aires is during the shoulder seasons in either fall or spring for the least amount of tourists and the most optimal temperatures.
Is Buenos Aires safe?
Yes, Buenos Aires is safe to visit, and is in fact one of the safest cities in South America. As in any big city, petty crime is still an issue so it’s important to keep your belongings secured and always keep your wits about you. Never walk alone at night and stay away from seedy neighborhoods. If you’re worried about Buenos Aires safety, consider joining an organized tour, which will give you a great feel for the city and ensure that you are out of harm’s way. It’s also important to have travel insurance, because accidents do happen and you’ll want to make sure you’re covered in case of emergency.
What foods is Buenos Aires known for?
Argentina is renowned throughout the world for it’s fantastic wine and red meat, and Buenos Aires is at the center of it all. No tour of Buenos Aires would be complete without enjoying a thick steak and glass of red wine! However, mate, a popular caffeinated tea, is also incredibly popular throughout the country, as are dulce de leche, empanadas, and alfajores which should all be added to your Buenos Aires itinerary! It’s traditional for Argentinians to come together with friends and family on the weekends for a parilla, or an Argentine barbeque, where you’re likely to find delicacies like choripan, bife de chorizo, and a host of other delicious meats!
What is some popular slang in Argentina?
It’s important to note that Argentina uses its own dialect of Spanish, and you’ll definitely want to know some porteño (meaning local to Buenos Aires) slang before touring Buenos Aires! Some of the most common words you’ll hear in Argentina include che (a placeholder word used all the time), boludo/boluda (meaning dude or idiot, depending on the context), boliche (nightclub), re (a lot, very much), and of course, vos (the Argentine way to say “you”, vos has its own conjugation in Argentina).
What are the Buenos Aires airports?
Buenos Aires has two major airports, Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE) and Jorge Newbery Airport, known as Aeroparque (AEP). If you’re coming from an international destination outside of South America, you will likely be flying into EZE. However, if you’re taking a domestic Argentine flight or are coming from one of the neighboring countries, you may be flying into AEP.
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
If planning your trip is becoming overwhelming and you’d rather tour Buenos Aires with a group, consider checking out Intrepid Argentina Tours! Intrepid Travel offers guests a true authentic experience and really does a great job of connecting you with locals and giving you a feel for the culture in your destination. With a variety of affordable tours to choose from, Intrepid focuses on sustainable travel and I can’t recommend them enough!
Related Articles: Argentina Travel Guide; 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Buenos Aires
*Please note that some of the above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Please know that I ONLY recommend products that I personally use or believe to be helpful to other travelers!