What to Do in Buenos Aires: Top 25 Ideas for Your Itinerary

Struggling to figure out what to do in Buenos Aires? It can be overwhelming! This guide highlights the must-dos in this awesome city.

So, you’re planning your trip to Buenos Aires. Your first question is likely to be: how do I figure out what to do?

Luckily, there’s plenty to do here!

I lived in this vibrant city for two years and after exploring a tonne of the best things to do in Buenos Aires, I’ve pulled together a list of my recommendations, which is what you’ll find in this article.

Here you’ll find my favourites: things to do, bars, restaurants, museums, tours, markets and more.

These are the absolute must-dos if you only have a short time in Buenos Aires. 

This guide will help you whittle down what I’m sure is a long list so you can build your own Buenos Aires itinerary that’s actually realistic and doable!

Map of what to do in Buenos Aires

To help you visualise the city and plan your trip, I’ve included a map of Buenos Aires and highlighted everything that’s listed in this Buenos Aires travel blog post.

It’s even colour-coded for ease (red denotes things to do in Buenos Aires, while green are all the things to eat and drink).

You’ll notice that throughout this article I’ve included addresses and websites where possible, but not prices. That’s because Argentina’s peso fluctuates wildly, and prices change regularly here.

Prefer to have some help deciding what to do in Buenos Aires (and Argentina)? Check out my guide to 3 days in Buenos Aires with day-by-day recommendations, as well as my advice on where to stay in Buenos Aires. Or, if you’re visiting Argentina beyond Buenos Aires, I’ve put together this guide to 2 weeks in Argentina as well as ideas for how to spend 1 to 4 weeks in Argentina. First time visiting Argentina? My guide to planning a trip to Argentina has you covered.

1. Take a free walking tour

One of my favourite things to do on my first time in a new city is take a free walking tour. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land – and some extra tips from your guide.

There are plenty of free walking tours in Buenos Aires, all of which visit most of the city’s attractions (some of which I’ll list later in this article). 

Buenos Aires Free Tour has free walking tours through the city’s various neighbourhoods: the city centre, the elegant barrio of Recoleta, colourful La Boca and hip Palermo.

Don’t want to join a group? You can arrange a private tour that can be customised to your needs instead. When we moved to Buenos Aires, this is the first thing we did: a private walking tour that helped us familiarise ourselves with the city (but also gave us insights into the culture and how things work, essential info as new expats!). 

2. Try Argentina’s famous steak

Prepare to put on a few kilos when you visit Buenos Aires – you won’t be able to say no to all the delicious food options.

And the most obvious food to eat in Argentina is, of course, steak. 

Argentina consumes the most meat of any country, and you’ll find a steakhouse on almost every block of the city. 

My favourite steak restaurants in Buenos Aires are:

• Parrilla Peña (Rodríguez Peña 682) – a buzzing steakhouse with a regular clientele, this is one of those places that people have been going to for years (if not decades). My favourite is entraña (flank steak) smothered in chimichurri sauce. Bonus: you’ll get a free empanada when you sit down!
• Don Julio (Guatemala 4699) – this popular steak restaurant regularly tops the list of the best restaurants in the world. While the popularity may have impacted the quality recently, you’ll still need to reserve in advance or prepare for a long wait (which is not so bad – you’ll get a glass of sparkling wine while you’re waiting).
• La Carnicería (Thames 2317) – this is one of my favourite places to eat, because it’s traditional food with a modern twist. It’s a tiny restaurant with only a few tables.

For more food-related goodness, I’ve got a whole post on where to eat in Buenos Aires, as well as recommendations for the best bars to visit.

Not sure where to start when it comes to steak? Let local guides lead you through the best cuts and where to eat on this fun parrilla tour of Buenos Aires.

3. Taste wine

Just like steak, Argentina is renowned for its wine. And you don’t even need to leave Buenos Aires to try some of the best.

The city is filled with awesome wine bars and restaurants selling Argentine wines by the glass or bottle. While Malbec is the most well-known, I recommend trying the Torrontes varietal, a white wine from the Cafayate wine region that quickly became my favourite drop.

Some of my favourite wine bars in Buenos Aires are:

• Pain et Vin, Gorriti 5132
• La Cava Jufré, Jufré 201
• Hache Almacén, Angel J. Carranza 1670

If you’ve only got a few days in Buenos Aires, consider booking this wine tasting tour where you’ll get to know Argentina’s local varietals, particularly Malbec.

4. Enjoy the Argentine Experience

An experience I highly recommend to first-time visitors – even though it’s totally aimed at tourists – is The Argentine Experience. It aims to share Argentine culture through food.

The Argentine Experience is great for families. You’ll learn how to make empanadas, pick up some Argentine slang and hand gestures, and stuff yourself silly on steak. Book your fun night online!

Note: The staff are very generous with pouring wine!

5. See a Candlelight Concert

One of the more unique things to do in Buenos Aires is one of these beautiful Candlelight Concerts.

If your visit to Buenos Aires coincides with one of Fever’s Candlelight Concerts, I encourage you to book.

Concerts are held in beautiful venues in Buenos Aires, with performers surrounded by candles. Performances include everything from classical music to tributes to musicians as diverse as Pink Floyd and Taylor Swift!

Check show dates and ticket availability here.

6. Catch a tango show

Tango is synonymous with Argentina. This sensuous dance was born in Buenos Aires, and there are plenty of places in the city to catch an authentic tango show.

While many people think that tango shows are touristy, they’re part of the cultural fabric of the Argentina.

If you’re interested in seeing a tango show, here are a few recommendations.

• Bar Sur, Estados Unidos 299 (this is my favourite tango show!)
• Café Tortoni, Avenida de Mayo 825
• Rojo Tango, Martha Salotti 445 (inside the Hotel Faena), book online here to guarantee tickets
• Café de los Angelitos, Avenida Rivadavia 2100, book tickets online
• El Viejo Almacen, Avenida Independencia 299

If you actually want to participate in tango, then a milonga could be for you.

A milonga is a social dance event, similar to a dance hall, where locals go to dance. It’s less performance-based than a tango show.

Some milongas are for serious dancers only, others welcome newcomers and even offer free dance lessons before the actual milonga begins. Some popular milongas include:

• La Catedral, Sarmiento 4006
• La Viruta, Armenia 1366
• Salong Canning, Raúl Scalabrini Ortíz 1331

If the thought of just turning up at a milonga makes you nervous, then book a tour like this one or book a private tango lesson before you hit the milonga floor.

7. Visit the San Telmo Market

If you’re in Buenos Aires on a Sunday, then you just can’t miss the famous Feria de San Telmo – the San Telmo Market.

Every Sunday the streets of San Telmo come alive as a huge street market springs up, covering dozens of blocks in the neighbourhood.

Here, you can find antiques, leather goods, clothing and all sorts of knick-knacks.

I recommend heading there around noon when all the stalls are set up – any earlier and the atmosphere can be lacking (although the crowds will be fewer). Plan to spend a good half of the day here.

8. Wander through Palermo

Palermo is the coolest area in Buenos Aires, and most visitors end up here at some point or another.

Made up of several smaller barrios, with names like Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, it’s here that you’ll find great shopping, lovely parks and plenty of restaurants and bars.

Palermo is a great place to explore on foot. It’s also best visited on weekends, when tables will be spilling out of bars and restaurants, and markets pop up in some streets.

9. Visit La Boca

No doubt you’ve seen the colourful buildings of La Boca on the cover of a guidebook.

Yes, this area is touristy, but it’s still worth a visit.

The main street here is Caminito, which is lined with those colourful houses. There are also shops selling tango-related trinkets and other souvenirs, as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants.

There’s a great museum, Usina del Arte (Agustín R. Caffarena 1), to visit, as well as La Bombonera (Brandsen 805), home of the Boca Juniors (one of the football teams).

This area is probably the only place you’ll go in Buenos Aires where you have touts attempting to lure you into their restaurants or stores, but it is an iconic part of the city and a must for your Buenos Aires itinerary.

Be careful around La Boca, though. Stick to the main Caminito area and steer away from the streets surrounding it as the area tends to be a bit dodgy. Take a taxi or Uber to get here, or jump on the Buenos Aires hop-on hop-off bus, which has a stop in La Boca.

10. Take a street art tour

Like many big cities around the world (including my home city of Melbourne), Buenos Aires has an amazing street art scene. From large murals to smaller pieces hidden in alleyways, there’s street art all over the city – if you know where to look.

To learn more about this vibrant and ever-changing form of expression, take a street art tour. There are plenty of options available, including free tours and paid ones.

I’ve done a tour with Graffiti Mundo and they were great, and this street art tour also comes highly recommended.

11. Experience an estancia

Buenos Aires is awesome, believe me. But it’s a big city, which means there’s traffic and noise and people rushing about at all hours of the day.

A great way to escape the busy-ness of the city is to head to the countryside and spend a night or two at an estancia – the Argentine equivalent of a ranch.

I’ve got a whole guide on the best estancias near Buenos Aires to give you some recommendations.

An estancia is all about relaxation and culture. Enjoy the beautiful countryside, participate in traditional activities like polo matches and gaucho shows (gauchos are Argentine cowboys), and indulge in some delicious Argentine barbecue. Or go horseback riding or bike riding through the countryside.

While I think a few days is a great amount of time to spend at an estancia, you don’t need that much time. There are day trips to estancias which are really fun.

• Gaucho Day and Wine Tasting with Lunch
• Gaucho Day Trip to San Antonio de Areco

12. Discover the city’s architecture

Buenos Aires is known for its stunning architecture, blending European styles with a touch of Latin American flair. From neoclassical buildings to art deco masterpieces, there’s no shortage of impressive structures to admire.

Some must-see buildings include:

• The Casa Rosada, the city’s iconic pink palace, which serves as Argentina’s presidential office and is where Evita addressed her adoring fans from the balcony (there are also free guided tours in English on Saturdays – bookings required)
• Teatro Colón, one of the world’s most renowned opera houses
• The striking green-domed National Congress, a stunning example of French Second Empire architecture
• Palacio Barolo, one of the most interesting buildings in Buenos Aires – and one that most visitors don’t know about. This building is inspired by Dante’s 14^th-century poem, The Divine Comedy
• Catedral Metropolitana, not so much famous for its architecture as for being Pope Francis’s church – there’s a small gift shop inside selling plenty of pope memorabilia – and for holding the remains of General José de San Martín, the “liberator” of Argentina, Chile and Peru
• The Obelisco, which rises to almost 70 metres, is one of the most photographed spots in Buenos Aires

I also recommend taking a walk through the neighbourhood of Recoleta, particularly Avenida Alvear, which is one of the most beautiful streets in Buenos Aires. Lined with lavish buildings, expensive hotels, luxury shops and towering statues, it’s worth a stroll for a glimpse at how the city’s elite live.

I actually lived right on this street when we lived in Buenos Aires, and we always felt out of place surrounded by the older women in their fur coats!

Other interesting buildings are the Pasaje de la Defensa, which you may recognise from the movies Focus starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie. The building was originally built in the late 1800s for a wealthy family, but after the yellow fever outbreak of 1871 it later became a tenement home that housed more than 30 families. Now you’ll find some lovely little antique shops around the sunny patio.

I also think El Zanjón de Granados is fascinating. Not many people notice the entrance to El Zanjón de Granados. But I wanted to include some of the more unusual things to do in Buenos Aires. A tour of this 1800s building takes you underground to explore a series of tunnels that previously crisscrossed the city. Some historians even say that this spot is where Buenos Aires was first settled in the 1500s.

13. Have coffee at a bar notable

Café culture is a huge part of Argentina. There are many historic cafes where notable figures from the literary, musical and political worlds would meet to discuss ideas over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

The city of Buenos Aires has declared more than 70 of these cafes bares notables, recognising their role in the city’s cultural fabric.

With the décor of each carefully preserved, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time when you enter one of these lovely cafés. They’re great for a coffee and a place to rest your feet after a long day of sightseeing.

Some important bares notables to put on your list include:

• Café Tortoni, Avenida de Mayo 825 (downtown)
• El Faro, Avenida de los Constituyentes 4099 (Parque Chas)
• Confiteria las Violetas, Avenida Rivadavia 3899 (Almagro)
• Bar El Federal, Perú and Carlos Calvo (San Telmo)
• El Banderín, Guardia Vieja 3601 (Almagro)
• El Preferido de Palermo, Borges 2108 (Palermo)

14. Indulge your sweet tooth

Argentina isn’t just famous for its steak – Argentines also have a notoriously sweet tooth and some amazing desserts to try. (Trust me – I’ve never had as many fillings or dental visits as I had when I lived in Argentina!)

Medialunas are deliciously flaky, buttery, croissant-like pastries. Argentines usually start the day with a coffee and a medialuna.

Another reason for my many cavities is dulce de leche. This creamy caramel sauce is ahh-mazing and is found stuffed into medialunas, pancakes and other desserts.

With an Italian heritage, you better believe that you can find great ice cream in Buenos Aires. There are ice cream stores everywhere – make sure to try the dulce de leche flavour (of course), of which there are usually 5-7 varieties! The best ice cream can be found at:

• Rapa Nui, multiple locations
• Freddo, multiple locations

Finally, alfajores are cookies that are filled with dulce de leche. Sometimes those cookies are even then dunked in chocolate. They’re delicious.

15. Wander through Recoleta Cemetery

Wandering through a cemetery may not be something you’d normally do when you visit a city, but as soon as you step through the gates of the Recoleta Cemetery you’ll understand why you should see this one.

Rows and rows of ornate tombs house the remains of some of Argentina’s most notable and wealthy figures. You can simply wander through the tombs yourself, buy a map at the entrance, or hire a guide to take you through to learn some of the stories of the people who “live” here.

There are often guides offering tours at the entrance, or here’s a guided walking tour which shares stories of Recoleta’s famous and not-so-famous residents.

16. See a concert at Teatro Colon

Teatro Colón is one of the most stunning buildings in Buenos Aires. It’s one of my personal favourite attractions in Buenos Aires.

While you can take a guided tour to check out the interior of the building (lush fabrics, ceilings dripping with chandeliers and ornate carved columns), what’s even better is to see a concert or performance here.

This theatre regularly hosts opera, ballet, orchestras and concerts – and contemporary music shows, too. You will need to book ahead in most instances to get tickets, but you can also try for last-minute seats.

17. Visit the world’s most beautiful bookstore

Regularly lauded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a former theatre that was converted into a bookstore in the early 21^st century.

It’s one of the most popular attractions in Buenos Aires because of it’s majestic beauty.

Browse the huge range of books for sale here or take a coffee in the café which now occupies the former stage.

18. Have a drink at a speakeasy

Cocktails are aplenty in Buenos Aires. But the city also has a booming speakeasy scene where you need a password or you enter through a secret door.

The most fun speakeasy bars are:

• Frank’s (Arévalo 1445) – check the Facebook page for clues, figure out what the password is, give it to the doorman who’ll then give you a code which you’ll enter into a phone booth.
• Florería Atlántico (Arroyó 872) – enter this bar through a giant refrigerator inside a lovely florist store. The bar snacks are great, as are the cocktails on the extensive menu.
• Harrison Speakeasy (at the back of Malabia 1764) – you’ll need to first eat dinner at Nicky NY Sushi and then when you get your bill, ask the waiter for the details of how to access the bar.
• Uptown (Arévalo 2030) – The whole place is a reconstruction of a (clean) New York City subway. You’ll need to call ahead to put your name on the guest list.

19. See La Bomba de Tiempo

On Monday night the CC Konex comes alive with the rhythm of a percussion group called La Bomba de Tiempo.

Over three hours you’ll be grooving and shaking your booty with hundreds of other people in a pulsing party.

The group invites other Argentine and foreign artists to join, and has been going for almost two decades. Book tickets online.

20. Take a day trip to Tigre

Just a short trip outside of Buenos Aires lies a huge delta which makes for a great day trip.

Many Porteños vacation in the Tigre Delta and there are many homes that sit along the delta and “islands”. Boats are the transport of choice in this area.

Spend your day cruising along the waterways, checking out the houses on stilts and belle époque mansions.

Don’t miss the Puerto de Frutos market where you can buy everything from homemade jams to artisan crafts. For art enthusiasts, the Museo de Arte Tigre showcases beautiful Argentine art in an equally stunning building. There are several riverside restaurants or cafes where you can eat a meal before heading back to Buenos Aires in the evening.

If you don’t want to visit Tigre alone, consider one of these tours:

• Tour the Tigre River Delta and San Isidro, including a cruise around the canals, the fruit market and the cathedral. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, guide and snacks. Book the Tigre and San Isidro tour here.
• This half-day tour includes a cruise on the Rio de la Plata to Tigre with a guide. You’ll visit the riverside market and Tigre’s historical centre. Book the small-group tour to Tigre online here.

21. Join the crowds at a football match

If you think your country has fanatic football fans, then you haven’t been to Argentina.

If you can, join the heaving, sweating, screaming crowd at a football match in Buenos Aires for a deep dive into Argentine culture. The ultimate would be to catch a superclasico game where rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate face off against each other.

Matches are held during the day and at night. Going to a football match in Buenos Aires can be a pretty intense experience, so leave it to a local to organise it all and go with you on this tour.

22. Enjoy the nightlife

Porteños are night owls. In Buenos Aires, you won’t see any Argentines eating dinner before 9 or 10pm, nor will you see them out at the clubs before 2am.

If you want to party in Buenos Aires, you need to spend the afternoon napping and then head out around midnight. Then head to a boliche around 2am knowing full well you’re not going to be in bed until 5 or 7am. Best of luck to you!

Some of the best boliches to party at include (I had to ask a friend for recommendations because I’m such a grandma!):

• Tequila, Avenida Rafael Obligado 6211
• Jet, Avenida Rafael Obligado 4801
• Afrika, Junín 1787

23. Relax in a park

City life can get overwhelming, but luckily there are plenty of places to escape in Buenos Aires. The city has some beautiful green spaces, which also double as great people-watching spots.

In Palermo, the huge Tres de Febrero park (also known as the Bosques de Palermo) is the perfect place to unwind. Relax on the grass, watch Porteños exercising or going about their day, or stroll around the lake. On Sundays the park is usually packed – watch out for the rollerbladers weaving their way along the roads!

The park also houses a garden with more than 8,000 roses. The Rosedal de Palermo is also dotted with the busts of famous literary figures.

Also in Palermo is the Jardín Japonés, the tranquil Japanese gardens, one of the largest outside of Japan.

The Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays (named after the French landscape architect who designed the gardens) is another spot to chill out in. Inside the gardens are some gorgeous winter-houses.

In Recoleta, there are plenty of green spaces and squares to enjoy. We used to love taking our dog to the park that houses the Floralis Genérica, a giant metal flower sculpture that opens and closes in the morning and evening (when it’s actually working properly…).

One of the biggest green spaces in Buenos Aires is the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in Puerto Madero. On the weekend, Argentines head here for a relaxing walk or bike ride. Once deep inside the reserve, you won’t even know you’re in a city.

24. Go shopping for souvenirs

You can’t leave Buenos Aires without picking up a souvenir or two to take home. I’ve written a whole post on what to buy and where to go shopping in Buenos Aires so check it out for more information.

You can pick up some great souvenirs from the many local markets that spring up around the city, usually on the weekend. My favourite markets in Buenos Aires are:

• Feria de Plaza Francia – On weekends, you can pick up handmade leather bags, wooden boxes, edible goods and ponchos from the stands that pop up at Plaza Francia (on Avenida Libertador). The market is right next to the Recoleta Cemetery.
• Mercado de las Pulgas – This flea market is mecca for antique lovers. The permanent market is home to vendors selling furniture, light fixtures, mirrors, antique glassware and more.
• Feria de Mataderos – You’ll need to take a bus about an hour from the city to experience the Feria de Mataderos, a market that brings the country to the city. Gauchos (Argentine cowboys) perform for the crowds, and vendors sell mates and bombillas, ponchos and silver goods. It’s a great place to try traditional Argentinian foods like locro.

If you’ve got a few days in Buenos Aires, consider getting a leather jacket made. You can having something custom designed and made, and you’ll pay far less than what would you to buy a factory-made jacket in the United States or Europe. Bring a photo of your design, get measured up, and you’ll have your jacket in 24-72 hours.

Recommended tailors are:

• Bettina Rizzi, Maipu 929 – this is where I got my leather jackets made
• Uru Recoleta, Vicente López 2132
• Silvia Eisele, Recoleta, by appointment only

25. Wander through a museum

Buenos Aires is bursting with museums that cover art, notable figures and history. If museums are your jam, here are a few to consider.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

Housed in a former water pumphouse, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is one of the best museums in Buenos Aires. Here, you’ll find works by Argentina and other Latin American artists, as well as from the European masters.

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)

Probably the most popular museum in Buenos Aires, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, or MALBA for short, has a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions, all of which feature Latin American artists.

Coleccion de Arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat

This art museum holds the private collection of the late Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat, a businesswoman, philanthropist and socialite.

Carlos Gardel museum

Go inside the house of tango’s most famous performer, Carlos Gardel, to learn about his life and tragic death. You’ll of course be able to hear his songs, including what is arguably his most famous, Por Una Cabeza.

Evita Museum

For anyone enamoured with Argentina’s iconic heroine, this museum is a must. Museo Evita houses a collection of books, photos and items from her wardrobe. If you don’t know much about Eva Perón, this is the place to start.

Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes

The water company palace may not sound very exciting, but as soon as you gaze up at the exterior you’ll be absolutely wowed. Built in 1894, more than 300,000 bricks were used in the building. One of the highlights of the Aguas Corrientes museum is a room full of toilets!

Final thoughts: What to do in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a big city, which means there’s a LOT to do here. I know it can be overwhelming to decide, so this guide has shared what I think are the absolute can’t-miss things to do in Buenos Aires. Use it to decide how you want to fill your days in this incredible city.

Have you visited Buenos Aires? Is there anything else you’d else to this list of what to do in Buenos Aires? Drop your ideas in the comments below!

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Related posts

Before you go… You might also like these Buenos Aires articles:

• How to spend 3 days in Buenos Aires
• Where to eat in Buenos Aires
• Where to stay in Buenos Aires
• What to buy in Buenos Aires
• The best estancias near Buenos Aires
• Is Argentina safe to visit?

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