Buenos Aires Travelers Recommend

A heady blend of Spanish and African traditions, the tango developed in the brothels and communal backstreets of Buenos Aires’ poorer port districts in the 1880s. As an art form, the tango reached a climax in the first decades of the 20th century when the language of the streets formed the poetic lyrics of tango. This blend of tragedy and passion was fused in the love songs of famed tango singer Carols Gardel. Today, the tango has UNESCO World Heritage status, part of the world's 'intangible cultural heritage.' The tango spread from Argentina to Uruguay and Europe, but Buenos Aires remains its traditional home. Tango shows and culture are a huge draw card for visitors to the city, culminating each year with the celebrations of Tango Day on December 11.

Buenos Aires is a huge, sprawling city, but most areas of interest are in the compact and foot-friendly downtown. The locals call themselves porteños, celebrating the fact that Buenos Aires is a port city, born on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. Elegant and stylish, with a good-sized dollop of European ambiance, you can feel the passion in this busy city where the culture, nightlife, food and drink come with an eminently affordable price tag. Greet the day in El Microcentro, the 19th century city center, where proud porteños parade along Avenida Florida. Follow your nose to the neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, or join a walking tour for a central B.A. overview. See what opera or ballet is showing at the elaborately gilded Teatro Colon theater, pay your respects to Eva Peron at the Recoleta Cemetery, and see what’s shaking in the gelati-hued enclave of La Boca.