Are you traveling to Argentina and planning to spend a few days in the capital city, Buenos Aires? Being one of the largest cities in South America, there are a multitude of things to do in the confines of the city. This comprehensive list of things to do in Buenos Aires has absolutely everything, and is sure to help on your next visit to Buenos Aires. As you read through this list, take note of the activities that spark your interest and write them down.
🍔 Food and Drink
For all my foodies out there, whose highlight on any trip is blessing their tastebuds with the flavors of a new culture.
Indulge at a local parilla
You’ve definitely heard that Argentina is a meatlover’s paradise. Parillas are the local Argentine barbecues and an integral part of their culture.
Grab some empanadas to go
Empanada stores are all over the city and come in a wide variety of flavors. The most common are filled with meat (empanadas de carne), but you can also find vegetarian and vegan options.
Go back in time at a traditional cafe
The oldest cafe in Buenos Aires is Cafe Tortoni, but there are plenty of other traditional cafes (cafe notables) around the city. What makes them unique is that they still conserve their original interiors from as far back as the late 1800’s!
Have the classic Argentine breakfast of cafe con medialunas
Speaking of the traditional Argentinian cafes, let’s talk about the traditional breakfast. Porteños like to start their day off with cafe con medialunas, the Argentinian version of a croissant.
Stuff yourself full of alfajores at a Havana
Alfajores might just as well be the national cookie. There are two types of alfajor: alfajor de maicena and alfajor bañado, the latter of which you’ll find at the popular Havana stores around the city. They’re made with two cookies, dulce de leche in the middle, and coated with chocolate. They’re delicious.
Drink the national drink, mate, with friends
Mate is a tea made from yerba mate, traditionally served in a cup made from a gourd and is drunk with a special metal straw called a bombilla. It’s very popular and known to have a variety of health benefits.
Have the cheesiest pizza you’ve ever eaten
Although Argentina is famous for it’s meats, you can’t miss their equally delicious local pizza. Influenced by Italian immigrants, be prepared for the cheesiest pizza of your life.
Provoleta cheese
Speaking of cheese, Argentinians like to eat grilled provolone cheese too.
Eat a tasty choripan at the costanera
Choripan is an Argentine street food classic where a juicy grilled chorizo sausage meets a crispy bread roll, making it the ultimate tasty snack to enjoy by the waterfront costanera.
Drink a fernet con coca on a night out
Fernet con coca is a very popular Argentine cocktail, usually made by cutting a coca cola bottle in half and mixing some fernet into it. Locals make it themselves, but you’ll probably want to order this yourself at a bar.
Or try local malbec wine
The local wine, Malbec, is a full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors such as blackberry and plum, often accompanied by notes of chocolate, tobacco, and spices, known for its velvety texture and smooth tannins.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with dulce de leche ice cream at an heladeria
An ice cream shop in Argentina is called an heladeria, and one of the best is Rapa Nui.
💃🏼 Activities
Feel the passion at a Boca Juniors game
Argentinians are world famous for their soccer, with the likes of Messi and Maradona to their name. The Boca Juniors are one of the most successful and popular soccer clubs in Argentina, known for their passionate fans and iconic stadium, La Bombonera. You don’t have to see the Boca Juniors specifically, but you shouldn’t miss out on a one-of-a-kind soccer experience in Argentina.
Take a tango class
Dive into the world of tango in Buenos Aires. Experience the elegance, passion, and enchanting melodies that define this captivating dance, immersing yourself in the heart of Argentine culture.
Or alternatively, see a tango show
If you don’t love dancing, you can always watch a tango show along with your dinner.
See the sunset at a rooftop bar
There are not many places to see the sunset from Buenos Aires since it’s on the east coast and the sun sets in the west. A rooftop bar plus a sunset is the ultimate vibe.
Feel the beat at a la bomba del tiempo show (a local drum circle)
A conductor uses over 70 different signals to tell the drummers what to do. It’s amazing.
Dance it up at Carnaval (if it’s the season, around February time)
Most people associate Carnaval with Brazil, but Argentina has it too and it’s hella fun. You can find Carnaval celebrations all around Buenos Aires throughout the month of February, with the official festival taking place on the Monday before Ash Wednesday.
Take a cooking class to learn how to make empanadas, alfajores, or other traditional dishes
If you love to cook, why don’t you take a cooking class to learn how to make some of Argentina’s classic dishes.
Or if cooking’s not for you, go on a food tour instead
If you’re a foodie who likes eating more than cooking (don’t we all), go on a food tour. This is especially perfect if you don’t have so much time, but want to experience everything the local cuisine has to offer.
Street art tour in the Palermo neighborhood
Around Plaza Serrano you can find all sorts of alleyways covered in graffiti made by local artists. In fact, there are more than 100 murals in this neighborhood and this excellent article covers the best ones.
Listen to classical music at Teatro Colon
Teatro Colon is rated one of the ten best opera houses in the entire world!
Date Night in Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is the luxury neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Beautifully located by the water, there are plenty of upscale restaurants and bars here that will be a lot cheaper than their counterparts in the states (due to the economic crisis). We visited the luxury Osaka restaurant, which offers Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine while we were here and had a super special time.
Browse the marvelous El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore
It’s been voted the most beautiful bookstore in the world for a reason.
Shop in Palermo Soho
Argentina is not a big shopping destination in general. Due to the economic crisis and Argentina’s foreign import policies, most clothing is pretty expensive, although you can always find some stunning pieces by independent designers, especially in Palermo Soho. And if you aren’t planning on splurging, you can always window shop.
Hop on hop off tour bus
If you don’t have much time to spare, and want to see all the highlights in one go, I very much recommend taking the hop on hop off bus, which takes you to virtually every sight around Buenos Aires.
Tierra Santa
I had to add this because it’s pretty unique, at this Christian theme park in Buenos Aires you can see Jesus and experience Jerusalem from afar.
Learn Spanish
If you’re here for a long time, take a Spanish class! Argentinian Spanish is a bit different from other dialects, but the best way to learn a language is by immersion.
Relax, Meditate, or Attend an Event at the Jardin Japones (Japanese Garden)
Originally constructed to honor a Japanese prince and princess to welcome them on their visit to Buenos Aires, this is now the center for Japanese culture and Japanese immigrants in the city.
Play Some Ping Pong or Billiards at a Traditional Cafe
At Cafe San Bernardo, you can get both a taste of history, and have a fun night out with your friends!
🛍 Markets and Shopping
Although Argentina is not the best place to go shopping due to the economic crisis, it’s always fun to browse markets to find souvenirs or just for the vibe!
Mercado de San Telmo
This iconic and popular market in the historic San Telmo neighborhood has everything from antiques to food.
Feria de San Telmo
If you’re headed to San Telmo, and are into antiques, check out the neighborhood antique fair that’s close to the market, Feria de San Telmo, that takes place every Sunday.
Feria de Mataderos
Feel the countryside in the city with this gaucho (cowboy) themed street fair.
Galeria Pacifico
The most beautiful mall in town. Trust me, you’ll feel like a princess.
Distrito Arcos
If you have time, you could go to this cute outdoor outlet with both shops and food.
Galeria Güemes
One of the most intricate shopping passageways in Buenos Aires.
Galería Solar de French
Less of a shopping spot, more of a photo-op, this beautiful passageway is lined with Mediterranean architecture and umbrellas!
🧐 Sightseeing
Basic, but essential.
Colorful streets of La Boca (Caminito)
Make sure to bring your camera to capture the stunning streets in the La Boca neighborhood, but keep a careful eye on it. And don’t come here at night.
Towering Obelisco
This one doesn’t even need an explanation.
Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, and Cabildo
Located in the city center, Plaza de Mayo is the historic square of Buenos Aires. In plaza de mayo, you can find casa rosada, Argentina’s white house (or more accurately, pink house), and the cabildo, which is another historic building.
Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge)
On the weekends, its filled with street performers and artists that give it a really nice ambiance. This is where my fiancé proposed so it’s extra special to me.
Teatro Colon
Again, this is one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world!
Jardin Botanico
Botanic gardens for all my flower lovers.
Plaza de las Naciones Unidas
Park that is home to the famous metal flower that slowly opens up during the day, and closes at night.
Recoleta Cemetery
The Recoleta Cemetery is home to impressive tombstones of iconic figures that shaped Argentina as we know it today.
La Catedral de Buenos Aires
The burial site of San Martin, liberator of South America.
Palacio Barolo
A historic building with the classic beautiful Buenos Aires architecture. Plus, there’s a rooftop at the top (no pun intended).
Barrio Chino (Chinatown)
Yes, believe it or not, Buenos Aires has a chinatown! Buenos Aires has a large Chinese population, which are famously known for having lots of supermarkets. When Argentinians want to go grocery shopping, you might hear them say “let’s go to the chino (chinese)”.
🖼 Museums
MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires)
For my art lovers.
National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes)
Also for art lovers.
Museo Evita (Eva Peron Museum)
Some people may hate her, others may love her, this museum is dedicated to the controversial and famous first female president of Argentina. You might know her from the movie written about her, Evita.
CCK (Centro Cultural Kirchner)
A huge building that used to be the post office’s headquarters, now turned into a cultural center. You can find lots of art exhibitions here and also a concert hall. And best part, it’s free!
Fragata Sarmiento
Museum on a boat that was originally built as a training ship for the Navy.
Carlos Gardel Museum
Carlos Gardel was an iconic Argentine singer, songwriter, and actor, often referred to as the “King of Tango,” whose passionate voice and influential style helped popularize tango music worldwide.
Museo Sitio de Memoria ESMA
During the dictatorship, they used to take people here and torture them, now it’s a museum dedicated to the prisoners of the dictatorship.
Museo Malvinas
The Malvinas, also known as the Falkland Islands, are currently under British rule, however are subject to a territorial dispute between them and Argentina.
🚘 Day Trips
For when you need a break from the city.
El Tigre
Have you ever been somewhere where you have to take a taxi boat? Yeah, didn’t think so…
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
A passport and a ferry ticket is all you need to get to this picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site.
Gauchos
Gauchos are Argentinian cowboys, yeehaw! If you’re into nature, meat, and horses, you might want to visit a gaucho town such as San Antonio de Areco, a famous charming town known for its gaucho culture.
Rosario
Home of Messi. Enough said.
Costa Atlantica
There are lots of beach towns here if you want to spend a day tanning by the water, the most iconic of which is Mar del Plata.
Luján
This town is home to a special sacred basilica and is a point of pilgrimage for many, who come here by foot from Buenos Aires every year.
Conclusion
Mix and match pieces from this list to create your perfect vacation in Buenos Aires!
And until next time,
Take a shans!
