Buenos Aires Travelers Recommend

The cowboy life is very much alive and well in Argentina, and many working ranches (estancias) near Buenos Aires welcome guests. Visitors interested in gaucho folklore and culture can saddle up and learn all about life on the Pampas. Here’s how.

Highlights

• Party down at a “fiesta gaucha”, taste Argentinean empanadas and wine, and enjoy a horseback ride during a daylong visit to Estancia Santa Susana.

• Visit the Shrine of Lujan and enjoy a traditional BBQ (asado) at a working estancia in San Antonio de Areco.

• Take part in one of Argentina’s most beloved sports with a polo lesson and match at the posh Estancia Villa Maria.

• Spend the day in the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco and learn all about its Spanish heritage on a private tour.

• Enjoy a traditional barbecue lunch with all the fixings, horseback riding, trick horse demonstrations, and dancing as you learn about the life of an Argentine gaucho.

With three days in Buenos Aires, there’s plenty of time to take in important sights such as Plaza de Mayo, explore colorful neighborhoods with time for cafes and restaurants, and spend a day in the countryside at a traditional ranch. Here are some ways to experience Buenos Aires in three days.

Day 1: Sightseeing in the City

Joining a guided sightseeing tour or taking the hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get your bearings. Stop at Plaza de Mayo to see Casa Rosada and Metropolitan Cathedral, and then head to Avenue 9 de Julio, home to the Obelisk and Teatro Colón. Enjoy a coffee at the oldest cafe in the city, Cafe Tortoni, before visiting Evita’s grave at Recoleta Cemetery.

In the afternoon, stroll around the cobbled streets of San Telmo, where the historic buildings are home to artisan boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. Further south, explore the waterfront district of La Boca, known for its brightly painted houses, and browse the shops for handicrafts and souvenirs.

At night, book a table at one of Buenos Aires’ best grill houses (parrillas) to sample Argentina’s world-famous steak. La Carnicería and Don Julio are located in the lively Palermo Soho area. Stay to experience the nightlife—the area’s bars and clubs are crammed with locals and stay open late. 

Day 2: Take a Day Trip

For a uniquely Argentine experience, head out into the pampas for a day at a traditional ranch (estancia). Meet the cowboys (gauchos), watch their horsemanship skills, and perhaps take a horseback ride. Finish with a tasty barbecue and a gaucho-style fiesta. 

Alternatively, visit the provincial town of Tigre, an hour by train from Buenos Aires. As the city lies along the scenic Tigre Delta, a highlight is a scenic cruise around the islands and stilted houses of the delta. 

It’s also possible to cross the border and visit Uruguay on a day tour—regular ferries run across the Rio de la Plata to the colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento. For value, choose a tour that includes hotel pickup, round-trip transport, and lunch.

Day 3: Experience Argentine Culture

Explore the northern district of Palermo by bike to experience the parks and bustling plazas. Cycle around Palermo Woods and visit the Japanese Gardens, stop to browse the shops, grab a coffee on Plaza Italia or Plaza Serrano, or admire Latin American art at the renowned MALBA museum. 

Spend the afternoon soaking up more Argentine culture. Perhaps take a cooking class and learn to make local specialties such as empanadas and alfajores, sample Malbec during a guided wine tasting, or learn to tango with a lesson led by a professional instructor. If you’re in the city on a game day, plan to attend a soccer (futbol) match at Bombonera Stadium.

In the evening, book a tango dinner show to experience an integral part of the city’s culture.

Uruguay is a nation of tidy European-style cities, expansive cattle ranches, and attractive vineyards. Buenos Aires locals and visitors alike enjoy getaways to Uruguay, just a short ferry ride away. Here are two top Uruguay day trips from Buenos Aires.

Montevideo — 174 miles (280 km) from Buenos Aires

Elegant yet understated, Uruguay’s capital city is surprisingly sophisticated for its size. Montevideo is home to the headquarters of Mercosur (the increasingly powerful South American free-trade zone) and boasts beaches, varied architecture, and plenty of museums and art galleries. Whether it’s a day spent relaxing by the waves or exploring the city’s multitude of architectural styles (from Spanish Colonial to art deco), a trip to Montevideo is sure to impress. Be sure to explore the city’s refurbished historic quarter, Ciudad Viejo.

Colonia del Sacramento — 62 miles (100 km) from Buenos Aires

A day trip to Colonia del Sacramento is a relaxing way to get a feel for old Uruguay. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded across the Rio de la Plata from Argentina in 1680. Originally a settlement governed by Portugal, this picturesque village changed hands several times during the country’s rough-and-tumble colonial era. Today its historic buildings and cobblestone streets embody Uruguay’s unique blend of Spanish and Portuguese cultures.

Legend has it that tango developed in the brothels and backstreets of Buenos Aires' port districts. Today, the passionate dance form is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Read on for the best ways to experience tango in Buenos Aires.

Highlights

• Listen to authentic tango music at one of Buenos Aires' live music venues.

• Take in a professional tango show and enjoy a dance lesson afterward.

• Combine a dance lesson with a historical tour of Buenos Aires' most important tango landmarks.

• Enjoy a typical 3-course Argentinean meal during a tango dinner show.

• Many tango-themed tours include round-trip hotel transportation.

Tango Shows with Dinner

Why not make a whole evening of it and combine a traditional tango show with a delicious dinner? Many professional tango shows include an optional 3-course meal of classic Argentinean food and wine, which you'll enjoy during the dance performance. Many tours offer hotel pickup and drop-off.

Tango Dance Lessons

For a truly quintessential Buenos Aires experience, immerse yourself in the local scene while learning basic tango steps during a lesson at a traditional milonga (tango dance club). Dance lessons can be taken on their own or as part of a combo tour that includes dinner and a professional tango show.

Two days in Buenos Aires gives you plenty of time visit top attractions such as Plaza Mayo and experience Argentine cultural highpoints such as a tango show. You also have time to explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, museums, and restaurants. Here are a few ideas.

Day 1:  Explore Buenos Aires Neighborhoods

Morning: A walking tour or hop-on hop-off bus is the most convenient way to take in the central sights. Start at Plaza de Mayo, home to Casa Rosada and Metropolitan Cathedral, and continue along Avenue 9 de Julio, where you find the Obelisk and Teatro Colón. End the morning browsing the Florida Avenue shops.

Afternoon: Discover two of Buenos Aires’ most atmospheric districts, San Telmo and La Boca. San Telmo is liveliest on market day (Sunday), when tango dancers and musicians provide live entertainment, but the historic buildings are beautiful any day. In La Boca, the star attractions are La Bombonera football stadium and the colorfully painted Caminito Street houses.

Night: Continue sightseeing with a drive through the waterfront Puerto Madero district—the high-rise buildings and futuristic Puente de la Mujer bridge are impressive when illuminated at night. For dinner, sample Argentina’s world-famous steak with dinner at a steakhouse—the Palermo Soho district has some of the best.

Day 2: Parks and Museums

Morning: After a breakfast of coffee and pastries at Cafe Tortoni, the oldest in the city, head to Buenos Aires’ northern neighborhoods, Recoleta and Palermo. The leafy plazas and parks offer a perfect backdrop for a bike tour, taking in the Palermo Woods, Botanic Gardens, and Japanese Gardens.

Afternoon: Visit the Recoleta Cemetery to see Evita’s grave, and learn more at Palermo’s Evita Museum. See Latin American art at the MALBA museum, which is within walking distance of the Floralis Genérica statue. The flower sculpture closes its petals as the sun goes down, so time your arrival for sunset.

Night: Spend your final night in Buenos Aires watching a tango show. For the full experience, choose a package that includes a pre-show dinner and a tango class. For your last hurrah, head to bar- and club-filled Palermo Soho—it’s the place to be after dark. 

Argentina is hailed as the home of polo, the world's oldest team sport. Introduced by English settlers in the 19th century, today it's one of the nation's most popular games. Here's how to experience this national pastime while in Buenos Aires.

Polo Lessons

To polish up your taco (polo mallet) skills, opt for a polo experience at a polo club or on an estancia, where you can become a player for the day. Learn how to play polo on the field, participate in expert-led training lessons, and get a chance to see professional polo players in action. Even if you've never ridden a horse before, you can enjoy a match and lesson on a day trip from Buenos Aires.

Polo Match Viewing

Polo is a huge part of Argentina's culture, thanks in part to the national team winning numerous world championships and creating some of the sport's top players. Argentina hosts three of the world's most important polo tournaments—the Argentine Open, the Hurlingham Open, and the Tortugas Open—and watching a live polo game here is an unbeatable experience for visitors to Buenos Aires. It's also possible to watch a match in the Argentinean countryside on a full-day tour.

Even with just 24 hours in Buenos Aires, you can see a lot of Argentina’s capital city. From landmarks such as Casa Rosada, Evita’s famous balcony, to its main opera house, Teatro Colón, there’s much ground to cover in this cosmopolitan Latin American city (and nightlife options, too). Read on for our picks.

Morning: See the Central Sights

To see more of the city in a limited amount of time, join a guided tour, which also takes the hassle out of navigating an unfamiliar city. Travelers who want more flexibility opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Must-see landmarks include Casa Rosada, where Evita addressed the people from the balcony; Metropolitan Cathedral, the former church of Pope Francis, on Plaza de Mayo; the colourfully painted houses of Caminito Street in La Boca; and the opera house, Teatro Colón. Finish with a drive along Avenue 9 de Julio, the world’s widest boulevard, for a view of the Obelisk. Finally, head into historic San Telmo where you can stroll the cobblestone lanes and browse the street market (Sundays only). 

Afternoon: Explore Palermo and Recoleta

After tucking into a typical Argentina empanada lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Buenos Aires’ northern neighborhoods. Stroll around Recoleta Cemetery, where the grand mausoleums include Evita’s grave, and stop for a coffee at nearby Plaza Francia. Continue into Palermo, where you might visit the Botanic Gardens, MALBA art museum, or Evita Museum; alternatively, soak up the atmosphere on Plaza Italia or Plaza Serrano. At sunset, head to the Floralis Genérica statue—the flower sculpture closes its petals as the sun sets.

Night: Watch a Tango Show

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Argentine tango, and a tango show is a quintessential visitor experience. Choose a show that includes a pre-show dinner or attend a dance class to learn tango basics for yourself. Sample the city’s legendary nightlife after the show, heading to the bars of Palermo Soho to sip cocktails with the locals or to Puerto Madero, known for its glamorous bars and nightclubs. For the best views, choose one overlooking the glittering waterfront and Puente de la Mujer bridge. 

For Argentines, soccer is more than just a game—and Argentina has firmly cemented its status as a top football nation. Locals’ passion for the sport can make for some heated conversations! Here are the best ways to experience futbol in Buenos Aires.

Soccer Stadium Tours

Football stadium tours are a popular way to explore what goes on behind the scenes at a football match. On a stadium tour, visitors can step inside the locker rooms and VIP areas, and walk on the pitch before a  game kicks off. In addition to the iconic La Bombonera (home stadium of Boca Juniors) and El Monumental (home of River Plate), clubs in the greater Buenos Aires region include Club Atletico Independiente, San Lorenzo de Almagro, and Racing Club de Avellaneda.

Soccer Matches

Attending a football match in Buenos Aires is a unique experience. Even the smallest league teams draw huge crowds to their games—and the enthusiastic, nonstop football chants and pounding drums will leave your ears ringing.

Soccer History City Tours

Nearly every neighborhood of Buenos Aires has its own soccer team, and each team has its own history. A soccer-themed tour of the capital city’s neighborhoods reveals the culture of the teams and the importance of football in Argentina. You can even take a tour all about legendary player Diego Maradona, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Argentina may be best known for its red malbec wines, but the country’s varied terrain yields quite a few varietals—enough to pique the interest of even the most serious wine lover. Here’s how to experience the nation’s wine scene in Buenos Aires.

Must-Try Varietals

When you think of Argentinean wine, it’s probably a juicy, red malbec that first comes to mind. Those setting off to discover Argentina’s best-known varietal will likely have Mendoza pegged as their top destination, but there are plenty of places in Buenos Aires to try malbec. Torrontes is a unusual, crisp, floral white grape that grows best in the high mountainous regions around Salta. And although merlot is generally blended with malbec to produce a smooth table wine, some producers make a 100-percent varietal that can rival a French wine.

Must-Do Experiences

• Explore chic wine bars and restaurants on a walking tour of the Palermo neighborhood.

• Feast on Argentinean cuisine during an interactive dining experience featuring steak, empanadas, mate, alfajores (cookie sandwiches traditionally filled with dulce de leche or other confection and covered in chocolate or powdered sugar)—and, of course, wine.

• Sample a few of the world’s finest malbecs at some of Palermo’s hippest speakeasies and secret cafés.

• Sip some wines (and nibble on tapas) at a prestigious cellar under the direction of a professional sommelier.

No one is as closely associated with Argentina as Eva Perón, who used her position as first lady to champion labor rights and found the country's first significant female political party. Here's how to experience Perón's legacy in Buenos Aires.

Bike Tours of Palermo and Recoleta

The neighboring barrios of Palermo and Recoleta are two of the most beautiful in the city—an ideal setting for some guided pedaling along the shady streets. Bike tours through these neighborhoods stop at Recoleta Cemetery as well as the Evita Monument, where travelers can pay respects at her tomb and learn more about this influential woman.

Walking Tours

A half day is plenty of time to stroll the shady streets of Recoleta, including the famous cemetery where Peron was laid to rest, or to explore the landmarks in and around Plaza de Mayo, where you can gaze up at the balcony where Evita often spoke publicly. A full-day walking tour can cover both neighborhoods, plus San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and La Boca.

Customizable Tours

Short on time? Book a private tour of Buenos Aires to make the most of what you have and still see the Evita-related sites most important to you, whether that be Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza de Mayo, or the Evita Museum, where you can view photographs, films, and personal items of Evita's in a 1923 mansion.

Buenos Aires Highlights Tours

Those who hop aboard a city tour will not only get to see some of the places linked to Evita, such as the rose-hued Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace), but also catch other important Buenos Aires sites, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, colorful Caminito Street, and San Telmo's Dorrego Square, where it's common to catch a spontaneous tango performance. This is a great option for travelers pressed for time in the Argentine capital.

Diego Armando Maradona, considered one of the best soccer players of all time, grew up in Buenos Aires and spent his formative footballing years playing for club teams in the capital. Here’s how soccer fans can learn about Maradona in Buenos Aires.

Follow in Maradona's Footsteps

Trace the retired soccer star's time in Buenos Aires on a football-centric tour of sites linked to Maradona’s personal and professional life in the city. Travelers can visit the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, where Maradona was married, and spend some time at the Argentinos Juniors Club, where he played his first professional games. No soccer tour would be complete without a visit to the Bombonera, the Boca Juniors stadium where Maradona played for much of his career. Tour the locker rooms and stands, catch a glimpse of Maradona’s private box and visit the museum that honors the team he so loved.

Stadium Tours and Museums

Maradona falls on the Boca Juniors side of the great Buenos Aires soccer rivalry, but true fans of the sport will want to visit the stadiums and museums of both Boca Juniors and River Plate, their bitter rival. After touring the Bombonera, head to El Monumental, the River Plate stadium where Maradona was the admired enemy. El Monumental has its own museum highlighting its stars.

City Sightseeing Tours

Save money (and make the best use of your time in the capital) by booking a two-day package that includes both a behind-the-scenes stadium tour and a Buenos Aires walking tour. Visitors can spend a Maradona-filled morning at La Bombonera before taking an afternoon to explore El Monumental. The next day, see the city's most important sites and monuments, including the Obelisco, Plaza de Mayo, Caminito, Puente de la Mujer (Bridge of Women) and the iconic Recoleta Cemetery. This is a good option for those with limited time in the city.