30 Best Things to Do in Buenos Aires

If you’re thinking of heading to Buenos Aires soon, first of all, I’m jealous.

It was part of my first solo trip ever (which included 10 days in Chile), and it’ll always have an extra special place in my heart for that reason — but apart from that, it’s just all-around amazing.

It’s such a vibrant, culturally rich city, you could easily spend weeks here without getting bored. 

With that said, if you’re able to, plan to spend at least a week here. This will allow you to get a good feel for the city, explore a fair amount of its neighborhoods and main tourist attractions, plus try some of Buenos Aires’s best food. 

This guide is organized by neighborhoods moving in order from north to south, to make your time here super easy to navigate. 

Palermo

Let’s start off off with Palermo, the largest neighborhood (or barrio) in Buenos Aires. Palermo is also known as the “hippiest” district by some, thanks to its plethora of boutiques, restaurants, and street art. 

1. MALBA

While here, check out the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires, or MALBA, which is home to over 400 paintings, sculptures, photography and more by prominent 20th century Latin American artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. 

2. Museo Evita

You can also find a number of interesting museums worth checking out in Palermo. The Museo Evita is about controversial former first lady Eva “Evita” Perón, who is considered in iconic figure in Argentinean history.

3. Museu Nacional de Arte Decorativo

The Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo (Museum of Decorative Arts) is another popular option in Palermo.

4. The Bosques de Palermo

The city’s largest park is also a prominent landmark and worth visiting if you’re in need of some nature.

Recoleta

This upscale neighborhood is fondly dubbed the “Paris of Argentina,” and it’s not hard to guess why thanks to its heavily European-influenced architecture. It has an entirely different ambiance than the rest of Buenos Aires and is great to just wander around.

5. Recoleta Cemetery

While wandering through a cemetery may sound weird to you, Recoleta Cemetery is no regular cemetery. It’s one of the most famous things to do in Recoleta, and honestly, in Buenos Aires.

It’s where the iconic former first-lady Eva Perón (a.k.a. Evita) is buried (you’ll see her tomb covered in lots of flowers and garlands), as well as many other influential Argentinians from throughout history.

Unlike most typical cemeteries, the graves are built above ground, and you can spend hours wandering through and observing the unique tombs. 

6. El Ateneo Grand Splendid

I can never resist a book store no matter what, but even if you’re not a self-proclaimed bookworm, El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a gorgeous bookstore is worth checking out.

I’m not exaggerating — it’s widely known as one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.

Formerly an old opera house that opened in 1919, it was converted into its current form in 2000. Its original architecture and decoration has been maintained, the highlight of which is a giant dome, where you can see fresco paintings. On the former stage is also a bar where you can grab a coffee.

7. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

As you can probably tell by now, Buenos Aires is full of beautiful museums.

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is no exception. With paintings, photographs and sculptures, both by Argentine artists as well as from artists around the world, you could easily spend an hour or two here. Admission is free. 

8. Floralis Genérica

The Floralis Genérica is a giant, metal sculpture shaped as a flower. Its petals even open and close, like an actual flower. Yes, it is actually a giant, metal, moving flower sculpture.

It’s 23 meters high and weighs 18 tons. Situated in the United Nations plaza, it has become an iconic part of Buenos Aires.

9. Centro Cultural Recoleta

Pop into Centro Cultural Recoleta, a cultural center.

There are often exhibitions, performances and other cultural events going on.

Plus, it’s free to enter, and open until 10 p.m. every day except Mondays, when it’s closed.

Monserrat

10. Café Tortoni

Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni is the oldest cafe in Argentina.

Back in its heyday, it welcomed prominent politicians, celebrities and international figures.

While today it’s a somewhat pricey, always crowded tourist attraction, it’s worth popping in and checking it out.

Behind the cafe is an area reserved for tango dancers and other artistic and cultural events.

11. Plaza de Mayo

Plaza De Mayo located in a famous city square in the financial district of Monserrat is full of political history.

I’d recommend coming here on a walking tour to learn about the significance in more detail, but this is the site of mass political demonstrations and other major events in Argentina’s lifespan.

12. Casa Rosada

This beautiful pink building located in Plaza de Mayo is where the president lives, and is the sight for a lot of really interesting history (again, I 100% recommend going on a walking tour when you come here!)

I just saw it from the outside, but apparently, it is open to the public (and free to visit) on Saturdays.

Registration ahead of time is required, and it opens two weeks ahead of time.

There’s one free tour available in English (with more options in Spanish) and you’ll want to bring your passport with you.

13. See Madres de Plaza de Mayo

While Buenos Aires is an amazing city for so many reasons, it’s important to also learn about its darker history as well.

Argentina is a country that’s experienced a lot of political turmoil and tragedies over the years, and a way to see the impact firsthand is to visit Plaza de Mayo on a Thursday.

You’ll see the Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a group of mothers and other family members who have protested in front of Casa Rosada every week since 1977, for their children who went missing during the years of Argentina’s dictatorship.

It’s something that’s really stuck with me over the years, and is definitely worth experiencing.

14. Calle Florida

Calle Florida is a busy pedestrian-only street full of shops and restaurants. It’s super crowded, and will be full of people offering to sell you tours, souvenirs, or asking you to exchange dollars, so just be alert and watch your belongings.

15. Galerias Pacifico

Galerias Pacifico is also a gorgeous mall in this area that was originally built in the late 1800s before becoming the home to the National Museum of Fine Arts. 100 years later, in the 1990s, it was converted to a shopping mall.

Puerto Madero

In walking distance from San Nicolás, Montserrat San Telmo, and La Boca, is Puerto Madero, a riverfront business and shopping district, which is worth a stop to wander around, explore, and maybe get something to eat.

​​16. Puente de la Mujer

Puente de la Mujer, a pedestrian-only bridge dubbed “Bridge of the Woman,” was designed to look like a couple dancing the tango. It even rotates 90 degrees to make room for ships. 

San Telmo

While this entire city is steeped in history, San Telmo is in fact, the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires.

With cobblestone streets, art galleries, tango halls, antique shops and more, this neighborhood is lively and so fun to explore. 

I loved just walking around here and seeing what I’d stumble upon. There was a little English bookshop around here that I unfortunately don’t remember the name to, plus lots of other places to eat, street art, shops, and more.

17. San Telmo Market

If you only have one day to check out San Telmo, make it a Sunday, the day of its famous outdoor market, San Telmo Market.

Located along Calle Defensa and Plaza Dorrego, grab something to eat here and explore its endless options of antiques and unique items — perfect for a gift or souvenir.

I picked up a couple vintage postcards here and a little antique silver box for jewelry.

If you hang around in the evenings, you can usually see tango dancers here as well.

If you can’t make it on a Sunday, San Telmo also has an indoor market that’s open Tuesdays through Sundays, and is also a great place for shopping or perusing.

18. Watch a tango performance at Plaza Dorrego

There are lots of options for seeing tango while in Buenos Aires, and it’s definitely worth going to a theater for a performance.

But, tango is everywhere in Buenos Aires, even on the street. And one of the best outdoor performances is at Plaza Dorrego, where the San Telmo Market is. You’ll usually see dancers on Sundays, during late afternoon or early evenings.

Quick tip: If you see dancers on the street, it’s free to watch, but it is customary to offer a small tip as a thanks for the performance!

La Boca

This eclectic neighborhood was originally home to a lot of Buenos Aires’ immigrant community, and is considered the birthplace of tango.

19. Walk through El Caminito

The highlight of La Boca is the historic street El Caminito, filled with multi-colored buildings and oftentimes artists, musicians, tango dancers, and stalls of all kinds as well, displaying aspects of Buenos Aires’ iconic and distinct culture. 

This was one of the most unique neighborhoods I’ve ever visited thanks to its colorful buildings, statues of famous figures, and style that almost made me feel like I was in a historic circus or something.

I was warned that it’s not the safest and to keep an eye on your belongings while here, but I honestly didn’t feel unsafe at all while here.

20. La Bombonera

If you’re a soccer fan, stop by La Bombonera, one of the most famous soccer stadiums in South America. 

This was lost on me when I walked by — I know nothing about soccer, but people always seem to bring this up when I talk about Buenos Aires, so I’m assuming it’s worth a stop if you’re a fan!

21. Colón Fábrica

In this area you can also find interesting museums like Colón Fábrica, which is full of amazing costumes and set pieces to check out and even touch.

Entry is currently $4500 Argentine Pesos, which comes out to $5.34 USD. 

Things to Eat and Drink in Buenos Aires

22. Eat lots of empanadas 

While you can find empanadas or variations in a bunch of countries, Argentina claims to have invented them.

I can’t confirm or deny this, but I will say they were really good.

They are perfect for an afternoon snack when most full-service restaurants close until dinner. Beef and chicken are the most popular types, but you may also see things like sweet corn, squash, and ham and cheese.

23. Enjoy a steak

It’s no secret that Buenos Aires is a steak destination.

Go to a parrilla steakhouse to try traditional Argentine barbecue, which typically includes getting a mix of different cuts and types of meat.

La Brigada, a restaurant in San Telmo, has gotten a lot of worldwide recognition, and for good reason. First of all, for any soccer fans out there, this restaurant is completely decked out with soccer memorabilia. As in, everywhere you look, there are soccer jerseys.

But more importantly, its food and wine menu is out-of-this-world-good. One of the best meals I’ve ever had, for sure. 

I felt a little self-conscious eating alone here since I’d never gone to a fancy restaurant by myself, but I powered through for the sake of some amazing steak, and I was not disappointed.

Another perk of being alone when you eat is that you usually don’t have to wait long — I just had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table.

But if you want to be on the safe side or are planning on visiting with others, reservations would be a good idea.

24. Try an Argentine pizza

To be honest, before traveling to Buenos Aires, I didn’t realize it was such a pizza destination. But thanks to its large Italian population, Buenos Aires has established its own unique, and delicious, style of pizza.

Pizza here is thick, doughy and super cheesy.

You probably won’t see lots of toppings popular in the U.S. like pepperoni or sausage, but sliced ham is a common topping. Tomatoes, garlic, dried oregano and green olives are also popular toppings here.

I was told that Pizzería Güerrín, located in the San Nicolás neighborhood, is one of the best places to try Argentinian pizza.

In the past nearly 100 years, this pizzeria has built a reputation for itself.

Try the Especial Güerrín with mozzarella, ham, and green olives.

As a New Jerseyan and self-proclaimed pizza snob, I can confirm it was really good, as long as you adjust your expectations to know it’s a totally different style than in the U.S.

Also keep in mind that this is a spot that can get packed. But food comes out quickly, so you most likely won’t end up waiting long.

25. Order chicken milanesa 

Chicken milanesa is breaded chicken topped with marinara sauce and cheese.

It’s another classic (and delicious, if I may add) Argentine dish served at many restaurants. 

26. Snack on alfajor cookies 

Traditional alfajores are two chocolate-covered cookies packed together in sandwich form with dulce de leche inside, but you can find other versions as well.

These can typically be purchased from a kiosk, and are best when enjoyed either on their own or with a coffee. 

27. Get a choripan (hot dog with chimichurri) 

This super flavorful snack is basically a mini chorizo hot dog nestled into a baguette and topped with chimichurri sauce, a delicious garlicky, herby green sauce.

28. Drink wine 

For the wine lovers out there, Buenos Aires is one of the best places to visit.

If you’re not sure what to get, go with a Malbec. This is often said to be the best type of wine in Argentina. But honestly, you can’t go wrong.

29. Try mate

This drink is popular in several South American countries and has a number of variations, and you’ll find that it’s very culturally significant in Argentina as well.

It’s a hot, herbal drink typically shared among a group of people that’s served in a distinct metal, glass, wood, or clay gourd. 

Despite its importance, you aren’t going to find it on most restaurant or cafe menus, as it’s something more often shared among friends, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

30. Have dulce de leche

Maybe you’ve had this one before in the U.S., but to me, it somehow tasted a million times better here.

In case you’re unfamiliar, it’s similar to a caramel spread that’s made with milk and sugar.

It’s oftentimes served over pastries, or just even over bread (at least that’s how I ate it every day for breakfast while here). This is also what I chose to bring home as a souvenir, it’s just that good.

What to Know Before Traveling to Buenos Aires

What language is spoken in Argentina?  

You probably already know that it’s Spanish.

However, you’ll find that Argentinians use their own distinct slang and pronunciation.

For instance, “y” and “ll” are typically pronounced like the English “sh” sound, which is different from other Spanish-speaking countries.

Check out this helpful resource from Rosetta Stone if you’re interested in more information about Argentinian Spanish.

What’s the currency in Argentina?

The Argentine peso. At the time of writing (updated November 2024) 1 Argentine Peso equals 0.0010 USD.

Argentina deals with a lot of inflation and economic instability, meaning the U.S. dollar goes far there, and is even accepted at lots of places. (Long story short, because the peso’s value shifts so much, the dollar’s value is consistent, making it worth more to locals.)

Keep in mind that with Argentine currency, you’ll be carrying around large bills a lot, but there’s a shortage of small change in Buenos Aires, meaning if you don’t have exact change, you may have a problem.

While it’s also good to have a credit card on hand, not everywhere will accept cards, so having a mix of U.S. dollars, pesos, and a card will be your best bet.

What’s the weather in Buenos Aires?

I visited in January, which is summertime in Buenos Aires, meaning super hot, and super humid.

Personally, that doesn’t bother me at all, but fall (March to May) and spring (September to November) are usually considered the most pleasant weather-wise.

During the winter, temperatures can range from the 40s to 60s.

A note about timing in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city all about the nightlife. And by that, I mean dinner time for most locals starts around 9 p.m.

Don’t feel like you have to rewire your entire schedule here, but keep in mind that many places can close during the afternoons into evenings and not open until later for dinner service, so plan accordingly if you like to eat dinner on the earlier side.

Where to stay in Buenos Aires

America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires

I could not speak more highly about my experience at this hostel. My stay included breakfast, which was always filling and included a good number of options (no serving toast and coffee and calling it “free breakfast” here).

The hostel was also the perfect starting off point for daily walking tours that allowed me to explore every neighborhood on my list. There were also daily social activities which made it easy to experience other cultural activities such as attending a tango show. 

I opted for a private room, and it was really spacious, had a nice bathroom, a television, and air conditioning.

It felt super safe but was also extremely conveniently located in the San Telmo neighborhood. This hostel was within walking distance to a bunch of other must-see destinations, like Plaza de Mayo and Puerto Madero.

Book your stay here.

Looking for another incredible place to visit in Argentina? Iguazu Falls is a natural world wonder and is an plane ride away (like, under 2 hours easy!) from Buenos Aires.