From museums to parks, there’s no shortage of things to do in Buenos Aires. Find out why it’s one of the best places to visit on Earth!
Buenos Aires has been called “the Paris of South America” for its beautiful architecture, lively culture, and delicious food. It’s also known as the birthplace of tango, and home to many world-class museums and galleries.
Buenos Aires is located on Argentina’s Atlantic coast, and has been home to people for thousands of years. Today, it’s a vibrant city that attracts tourists from all over the world.
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Best Things to do in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has so much to offer that you could spend weeks exploring all its sights and sounds. Here are some ideas on how to plan your trip.
Wander Recoleta Cemetery
If you love history, then you should definitely visit the cemetery in La Recoleta. This cemetery was founded by Spanish King Carlos III in 1776. It contains the tombs of some of Argentina’s most famous figures, such as Eva Peron.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes hosts works by Goya, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Rodin, Manet and Chagall among other artists. It’s in a beautiful pink building and is completely free to explore.
La Boca Neighborhood
La Boca Neighborhood is the most colorful and picturesque neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Boca means “mouth” in Spanish and it literally used to be the mouth of BA as it was the biggest port. Today, it is still a working-class neighborhood, but also one of the top tourist attractions. Be sure to hit Caminito, the famous cobblestone street where you will find steakhouses, street artists, and performers. It’s easily the most instagrammable spot in Buenos Aires.
Explore the Parks
I was most surprised by the ample green spaces in Buenos Aires. I had no idea there were so many massive parks. You will see locals out and about whether having a picnic, running, walking, or partaking in group fitness.
Catch a Workout Class
Like I said above, the parks are an amazing natural feature to the city. There are group workout classes everywhere. Seriously, there is a group exercising on every corner of the park. It may help to know some Spanish, but definitely try one either way.
Dance the Tango
BA is known for inventing the tango. Take a dance lesson yourself or definitely watch the locals perform this beloved tradition.
Explore Palermo Neighborhood
Palermo Soho is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. It has been called “the Paris of South America” because of its unique style and architecture. Many people visit Palermo Soho to shop, eat, and enjoy the nightlife.
Visit Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MASBA)
MASBA is located at Calle Florida 562 in Palermo. It was founded in 1960 by artists who wanted to promote Latin American art. Today, MASBA houses more than 20,000 pieces of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and photography.
Plaza San Martin
This plaza is located at the center of the city and is surrounded by some of the most famous buildings in Argentina. The Plaza de Mayo is also nearby.
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo is a large plaza in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina. This square has been the center of political activity since the early 19th century. It is named after May Revolutionaries who fought against Spanish rule during the Argentine War of Independence.
Casa Rosado
The official residence of the president of Argentina is open for tours!
Shopping in Buenos Aires
There are plenty of shopping options in BA. You will find everything from high end fashion stores to local markets selling food and souvenirs. If you are looking for something unique, check out the Mercado Central. This market offers an array of products from different cultures.
Teatro Colón
Teatro Colón is an opera house in Buenos Aires where you should catch a performance. It has come to be considered one of the best opera theaters in the world due to its size and acoustics.
Catedral Metropolitana de San Pedro
The Cathedral Metropolitana de la Santa Cruz is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was designed by Italian architect Giuseppe Valadier and completed in 1875.
Taste the Flavors
Argentina is well known for its food, especially steak. Be sure to check out the best restaurants in Buenos Aires to try the local flavors. And don’t worry if you don’t eat meat – neither do I!
Top 10 Attractions in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is known for its rich culture and history. This includes the architecture, art, and music of the country. In addition, there are many things to see and do while visiting the city. Here are some of the top attractions in Buenos Aires:
- Palermo Soho
- San Telmo
- La Recoleta Cemetery
- Puerto Madero
- Retiro Park
- Plaza de Mayo
- Teatro Colón
- Caminito
- Plaza Dorrego
- Plaza Lavalle
Free Things to Do in Buenos Aires
There are plenty of FREE activities in Buenos Aires including some of the museums. Here are my top free activities for your next holiday.
- Wander La Boca
- Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
- Drink Mate in the Parks – If you walk past a park, you will see the locals drinking from a thermos with a metal straw. It’s not filled with alcohol, but a bitter tea infusion called yerba mate.
- Take a Stroll through La Recoleta Cemetery
Non Touristy Things to Do in Buenos Aires
Most of the time, we are visiting a city for the touristy side of things. That is what makes destinations attractive to visitors in the first place. However, there are some great things to do in Buenos Aires so you can live like a local. My favorite way to experience a city is by doing things I would at home – going out to eat, exercising, shopping, walking, etc.
- Enjoy the parks
- Catch a Workout Class
- Walk! The best way to explore is on foot and see what you stumble upon.
- Dine at the best restaurants in Buenos Aires
- Sip wine at a local wine bar
- Shopping
Buenos Aires FAQ and Travel Tips
I felt completely safe walking around in Buenos Aires. Like anywhere, pickpocketing can happen in tourist areas and you never want to wander alone especially at night. Always be aware of your surroundings.
The best way to get around is to walk! You will get to see so much of the city this way. Otherwise, there are plenty of taxis in the area. Be sure to have an address for where you are going. Many drivers do not speak English and it took us a while to communicate where our hotel was located. Thank goodness for google translate!
Tipping of 10% is pretty common. There will not be a tip line on your check though so be prepared to leave cash in pesos or dollars. They happily take USD dollars since it is worth more right now.
I wore dresses with comfortable shoes and carried a jean jacket with me most of the time. Since it is a big city, most people dress pretty chic! Go casual for exploring and dress it up for dinners. I often wore the same dress and swapped tennis shoes for heels at night.
You will do a lot of walking so comfortable sneakers are a must – check out my favorite white sneakers for travel.
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. Keep in mind, Buenos Aires is in the Southern Hemisphere so their seasons are opposite for those of us in Europe or North America. It was quite warm when we visited in March – staying 70F – 80F during the day time.
No, you do not have to speak the language, but it will certainly help. They speak Spanish primarily and not everyone can speak English. Most menus are also not translated so you’ll need to use your phone. Google Translate app really came in handy for us!
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