This is an easy question, with an easy answer: Buenos Aires is for sure worth visiting. We have to be honest. One of us was born in Buenos Aires and we got married there. We love the city and visit often.
Buenos Aires is massive. It faces the widest river on earth: Plata River. The city has quite unique neighborhoods. It also boasts splendid parks. The city is famous around the world for its delicious cuisine and fantastic nightlife.
The city is modern and inclusive. It’s always been a magnet for migrants from all over the world. Porteños are some of the most diverse people on the planet. Besides, Buenos Aires is the entry point to Argentina and its world wonders.
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Reasons to Visit Buenos Aires
It is Home to a Beautiful City Center
Buenos Aires’ center is the area around the Casa Rosada. The epicenter is the Plaza de Mayo. The historic City Hall Building and the Cathedral are there. Walk along Av. De Mayo to Congress Plaza admiring the buildings. Check out Palacio Barolo, our favorite.
You will cross Av. 9 de Julio. Walk along the widest avenue on earth to the iconic Obelisk. Colon Theatre, one of the best in the world, is also in the center over Lavalle Square. That area is full of historic buildings.
Pedestrian Florida Street is the center’s main drag. It takes you to Plaza San Martin, overlooking the English Clock Tower, Retiro Train station, and the river. The historic Galerias Pacifico Shopping Mall is there too. You can take the metro in the center.
There are Charming Old Neighborhoods
Recoleta is north of the City Center. Walk along Posadas street checking the French-inspired buildings. Patio Bullrich used to be a cow market, now it’s a mall. Our favorite bookstore is on Santa Fe and Callao Av., El Ateneo.
Don’t forget to check the Recoleta Cemetery and the Recoleta Cultural Center. The neighborhood south of the Center is San Telmo. Its epicenter is Plaza Dorrego. Locals dance tango here. Spend your afternoon here getting lost in its cobbled streets.
La Boca is further south. Check Caminito Street with its colorful tin roofs. The Usina Art cultural center used to be a power plant. Fundacion Proa in front of the river is another one cultural center. Football fans should visit La Bombonera Stadium.
Great Museums
We strongly recommend visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts, in Recoleta. It used to be a drainpipe. Now it homes one of the largest collections of art in South America. The National Library is nearby. It’s one of the grandest brutalist buildings in the world.
Walk to the Decorative Arts Museum, also in Av. Libertador. It’s a grand mansion with a lovely garden. The Latin American Museum of Art is next. It’s a sleek contemporary building with a collection of Latin American art.
In Puerto Madero go to the Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat Art Collection, next to the river. From there it’s a short walk to the Kirchner Cultural Center. The 1928 post office is now one of the biggest cultural centers in the world.
Wonderful Parks
One of the things we love the most about Buenos Aires is its trees. Tall trees line the city’s streets. There are parks everywhere. The nicest ones are in Recoleta, Palermo, and next to the River. Begin in front of the National Library.
Check out the Law University and the massive aluminum flower, Floralis Generica. Palermo Forest is northwest. Visit the rose garden and the Japanese garden. Continue to the 1967 Planetarium. You can walk for long around the lakes and the hippodrome.
If you continue further north you can walk next to the river. Check out the University Park and the Memory Park. We recommend visiting the former zoo in Palermo. It’s a fantastic park now called Ecoparque. The Botanical Gardens are nearby.
Tango
You can’t leave Buenos Aires without experiencing its tango culture. You will see street performers in San Telmo and in Florida Street. However, we strongly recommend going to an actual milonga. These are ballrooms where locals go to dance.
In San Telmo, we always go to Maldita Milonga. They have a class before the show begins. The best milonga in the center is Salon Canning (Milonga Parakultural). It’s a huge traditional place where you can have wine, grab a bite, dance, and watch live performances.
However, our favorite milonga is La Viruta, in Palermo. The place is completely authentic plus the food is pretty good. For a fancy night out, we recommend Rojo Tango Show in the Faena Hotel, a former silo now a luxury hotel.
Food is Delicious
Everybody knows about Argentinean meat. You should try an authentic asado, grill. Our favorite parrilla in San Telmo is Grandes Carnicerias del Plata. The meat is top notch and the service perfect. If you don’t eat meat, you can also eat pasta.
We used to live in front of Parrilla Cero5 in the center. It’s a simple place with the most delicious meat ever. If you are vegetarian go around the corner to Veggie Medio Oriente. They serve delicious inexpensive food and beer.
In Palermo we always go to Don Julio. They have meat, pasta, fish, and a wide selection of wine. To eat with unforgettable views over the city go to Piso 15 Sky Bar in the center. Coffee we have at the historic Confitería Ideal in the center.
Nights are Exciting
Buenos Aires never sleeps. You can go out every night all night long. Porteños love to hang out at night. Locals usually meet late at night for drinks and then go out dancing. Bars in Palermo are very popular.
To have cocktails with breathtaking views over the city go to Alvear Roof Bar, on top of the Alvear Hotel in Recoleta. Bars and discos line Av. Niceto in Palermo. Our favorite is Club 69. They hold the most inclusive and fun party ever!
The bars and clubs next to Palermo Forest are pretty cool too. Go to La Mala Pub and then dancing to Crobar. It’s a great club under the train tracks. However, our favorite club is Palacio Alsina in the center.
Puerto Madero and Ecological Reserve
Puerto Madero is the upscale neighborhood east of the center. The former silos have been converted into fancy hotels and residential buildings. It’s also full of parks and green areas. To reach it, cross the docks through the Calatrava designed Woman’s bridge.
Walk next to the docks. All types of restaurants and bars face the river locks. Continue walking until you reach the river proper. This area is full of tall trees. From here you can access the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
It’s a massive green area directly over the river. There are no buildings here. Locals come to exercise, relax, and socialize. You can walk all around the park. You can see Puerto Madero’s skyline and the river.
Buenos Aires has Great Hotels
The best places to stay in Buenos Aires are in the center and in Recoleta. If you can afford it, stay in the Alvear Palace, the best hotel in the city. It’s a 1932 grand hotel with plush rooms and outstanding service.
They have another fantastic hotel in the center, the Alvear Art Hotel. It’s a contemporary tower with modern day amenities in an unbeatable location, meters from San Martin Plaza. The views from the rooftop pool will take your breath away.
Our final recommendation goes to Sileo Apart, in front of the Recoleta Cemetery. The rooms are big and feature comfy beds and wooden floors. The best ones have big balconies and spa baths. The hotel has a pool.
Fantastic Day Trips
If you have extra time, we suggest going on a day trip to San Isidro, Tigre, or Colonia in Uruguay. San Isidro is the posh suburb north of the city, next to the river. Visit the main square, the historic mansions, and the Cathedral from the 18th Century.
Tigre is one of the biggest deltas in the world. Besides, it’s the only major delta that ends up in a river. The city center is pretty interesting and boasts historic buildings. You can take a local boat and tour the islands for hours.
Colonia is a lovely little town in Uruguay, directly in front of Buenos Aires. To get there, take the Buquebus. The station is between the center and Puerto Madero. It’s a beautiful ride across the river. In Colonia walk next to the river.
How Many Days in Buenos Aires
If you are wondering how many days are needed in Buenos Aires to cover the basics, its cause you are short of time. We believe you should spend four days in Buenos Aires. You will visit the city’s most important attractions and experience its vibe.
Evidently, if you can spend more time, do so. The last time we visited we spent a month and never had a dull moment. The least you should spend in the city is 2 days. You will have to rush and won’t see everything, but we are sure you will be back.
If you have more than a week you could perhaps visit Iguazu Falls, Talampaya & Ischigualasto or the Glaciers in the south. Argentina is all about nature and these places are among the grandest in the world.
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