Getting started: About Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires is one of the most populous cities in Latin America and the capital of Argentina.
- The city was founded twice; the first time in 1536 and again in 1580.
- Buenos Aires is distinguished by its wide avenues and vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- A graceful blend of traditional and modern neighborhoods, Buenos Aires offers both classical and avant-garde architecture.
- In addition to Spanish, which is the country’s official language, Italian, English, German and indigenous languages (Mapuche, Quechua) are spoken in the region.
Check out the Buenos Aires flights page to fly to the city where music fills the air and the tango shows are overflowing.
Places to visit in Buenos Aires
Plaza de Mayo
We begin exploring Buenos Aires by discovering its historic landmarks. Surrounded by the city’s main cathedral, the Pink House government palace, and other important buildings, Plaza de Mayo has served as the center of numerous social movements and public gatherings throughout Argentina’s history. Standing at the center of the square, the May Pyramid was built to commemorate the first anniversary of Buenos Aires’s liberation from Spanish rule. Banco de la Nación, located on the northern side of the square, was designed in 1939 by the renowned Argentine architect Alejandro Bustillo.
The Pink House
The main entrance of the Pink House (Casa Rosada), which appears to have turned its back on Plaza de Mayo, is located on the side facing away from the square. The palace is known as a building that has witnessed many significant moments in the country’s history. Madonna also filmed scenes here for Evita, in which she portrayed Eva Perón.
The building’s striking pink color, which is particularly dazzling on sunny days, dates back to the administration of Sarmiento, who was in power between 1868 and 1874. The peace-seeking leader had the palace painted pink, a blend of red and white—the colors associated with federalism and unitarianism, the dominant political ideologies of the period. Closed during the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983, the palace is now open to visitors.
Free guided tours are organized on weekends and public holidays, but visitors must book in advance through the official website and bring their passports. As tours may occasionally be suspended, check the latest information before visiting. Located immediately behind the palace, the Casa Rosada Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and admission is free. The museum also displays Ejercicio Plástico, the famous mural by Mexican painter David Alfaro Siqueiros.
La Boca
The neighborhood takes its name from the Spanish word “la boca,” meaning “mouth,” because it was founded at the mouth of the Riachuelo River. Founded by immigrants from many European countries, especially Italy and Spain, La Boca is now home to bohemian artists, tango dancers, workers, and football fans. You can explore the neighborhood in a short time with a planned walk.
The Casa Amarilla, the Ghost Tower, Banchero Pizzeria, the old bridge Puente Transbordador, Teatro de la Ribera, the stadium where Boca Juniors plays, and the Benito Quinquela Martín Museum of Fine Arts are the main stops in the neighborhood. Since La Boca is known as the birthplace of tango, you may also come across dancers performing tango on Caminito Street.
Teatro Colón
One of the most important opera houses in the world, Teatro Colón deserves a line in your list of places to visit in Buenos Aires. Upon entering the building, you’ll be struck by its magnificent architecture. Stay for a concert, opera or ballet, and you’ll be mesmerized by the extraordinary acoustics. A point of pride in Argentina, Teatro Colón has a total capacity of 2,478 seats. To learn more about the theater’s history, we recommend a visit to its library, featuring a collection of around 5,000 volumes.
National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes)
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes was established in 1896 and features a noteworthy collection of almost 13,000 works, including those of Argentinean artists and pieces from other Latin American sculptors, painters and illustrators. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays between 11.00 – 20.00; Saturdays and Sundays between 10.00 – 20.00. It is closed on Mondays.
Malba, Museum of Latin American Art
If you are curious about Latin American art, add the Malba Museum to your list of places to visit in Buenos Aires. Originally known as the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires Malba, the museum features exhibitions, guided tours and a lively shop. You can visit the Malba Museum of Latin American Art between 12.00 – 20.00 on Thursdays and Mondays and between 11.00 – 20.00 on Wednesdays. It is closed on Tuesdays.
The Obelisk of Buenos Aires (Obelisco de Buenos Aires)
What the Maiden’s Tower is to Istanbul, and the Eiffel Tower to Paris, the Buenos Aires Obelisk is to Buenos Aires. A tribute to the fourth century of the city’s foundation, the 67.5-meter-high Buenos Aires Obelisk has been Buenos Aires’ most iconic landmark since 1936.
Recoleta Cemetery
Erected in 1822, Recoleta Cemetery is one of the first historical sites in Buenos Aires. The city’s first public cemetery, Recoleta includes mausoleums and more than 4,500 imposing vaults, standing out in the lists of places to visit in Buenos Aires. Many historical figures, from former presidents to writers, are buried here. The cemetery also illustrates the periods in which the city’s leading families competed to build pantheons, making it a place of high architectural as well as historical value. Spreading across an area large enough to have its own streets, this “land of the dead” resembles an abandoned city more than a cemetery. Walking among the tombs, each decorated with strikingly intricate marble sculptures, is an experience in itself. Residents of Argentina can enter the cemetery free of charge, whereas foreign visitors must purchase a ticket. Tickets can be purchased by card at the entrance or online. Free guided tours in Spanish are offered at certain times of day, while private companies provide English-language tours for an additional fee.
Tres de Febrero Park (Parque Tres de Febrero)
For rest and relaxation, Tres de Febrero Park is Buenos Aires’ most popular green space. The 400-hectare park encompasses forests, lakes and hiking trails, and is a great place to spend the day; you can walk, picnic amid the lush green trees, or rent a small boat along the lake. The park’s rose garden houses thousands of roses, a perfect setting for botanical enthusiasts. For a temporary respite from the bustling city, add Tres de Febrero Park to your list of places to visit in Buenos Aires.
Japanese Gardens (Jardín Japonés)
Opened in Febrero Park in 1967, the Jardin Japones is a traditional garden established by the Japanese community. Opened to commemorate the first visit by a member of the Japanese imperial family to Argentina, the garden is now regarded as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Shortly after opening, the garden deteriorated to the point of nearly disappearing due to neglect, but it was later restored multiple times. Since 1989, it has been one of Buenos Aires’ most visited places for spending time in nature and is even associated with peace and tranquility. Another distinctive feature is that it is the largest Japanese garden outside Japan, a country renowned for its highly developed garden culture.
Carlos Thays Botanical Garden
Thays Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays) draws inspiration from Ancient Roman, French, and Eastern gardens. The garden, which features plants from around the world, particularly Latin American species, is also adorned with numerous sculptures and monuments. The most prominent sculpture depicts Carlos Thays, the French-born Argentine landscape architect after whom the garden is named. The grounds also include a gardening school affiliated with the University of Buenos Aires’ Faculty of Agronomy, as well as a library and a museum. Do not forget to take plenty of photographs in this enchanting garden, which you can visit for free.
Ecological Reserve
Covering a vast 350-hectare area, the Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica) is a remarkable natural habitat with a river where reptiles such as iguanas and turtles can be seen, as well as more than 200 bird species. The area, which has the highest biodiversity of any green space in the city, was designated a Ramsar site in 2005. Offering views of the waters of the Rio de la Plata, the reserve is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Admission is free.
Once a month, on the Friday evening closest to the full moon, “moonlight” night walks offer one of the reserve’s most special experiences. These free tours have limited capacity and require advance registration. On hot days, you can rent bicycles at the southern and northern entrances to explore this vast area more easily and more quickly.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore
Once a magnificent theater hosting plays, ballets and operas, El Ateneo Grand Splendid, opened in 2000 as a bookstore, has preserved many of the former theater’s original features and is subsequently one of the planet’s most beautiful bookstores. Its basement is dedicated to children’s books, while the upper floor hosts exhibitions and screenings. Get lost amid thousands of books while exploring the building, then have a coffee in the cafeteria set on the stage of the old performance space.
Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral
As the center of the Argentine Catholic Church, the cathedral is in a key area of the city and also functions as a museum. Standing out among the historical and religious buildings in the list of places to visit in Buenos Aires, the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral also draws attention architecturally. Due to its historical and architectural value, we recommend a visit to the cathedral while in Buenos Aires.
Galerías Pacífico
For shopping with a scenic backdrop, head to Galerías Pacífico. The structure’s architecture and impressive murals are complemented by the shops of leading brands. The building has an interesting story: It was erected in 1889 as a shopping center, but the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) used it until 1940. Thus, Galerías Pacífico has always been a stellar architectural example and is considered a national historical monument. Lively, dynamic and vibrant, Galerías Pacífico attracts around 900,000 visitors every month – and is also one of the best places to discover the city’s gastronomy and culinary culture.
Getting around Buenos Aires
Urban transportation in Buenos Aires
To travel via bus and metro in Buenos Aires, visitors can buy and top up rechargeable SUBE travel cards at the airport, or at stations or kiosks around the city. The SUBE app is also available. An important note: If you do not register the card in your name, you will pay a noticeably higher fare on every trip. Registration can be completed free of charge through the app or the official website.
Most of the popular tourist attractions in the city are accessible by metro; running 24-7, buses are the most convenient way to get around the city. Trains are also used, especially when traveling to areas further away from the center. Buenos Aires has bicycle paths and, as well, yellow and black taxis are available.
Airport transportation in Buenos Aires
There are two airports in the city. Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) is on the southwest side of the city, about 31 km from the city center. Buses, airport transfer vehicles, shuttle services and taxis operate between the airport and the city center. Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport. The second airport, Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP), is just 8 km from the city center.
What to eat in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires is also one of Latin America’s gastronomic capitals, home to many of the region’s top restaurants. Do not leave without experiencing the city’s rich cuisine, from mouthwatering steakhouses to Mediterranean dishes. Thanks to Italian immigrants, you will also find pizzerias and pasta restaurants everywhere.
Empanada
This famous pastry, found throughout Latin America, is an essential part of the table in Buenos Aires. An empanada (a filled pastry) comes with fillings ranging from minced meat and cheese to vegetables and corn, and is either baked or fried. You can enjoy it on the go at empanada shops on almost every corner of the city.
Milanesa
Similar to schnitzel in Austrian cuisine, both in preparation and appearance, milanesa (breaded meat cutlet) is made by coating a slice of meat with a breading mixture, usually consisting of breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and soy, then frying it in olive oil. Vinegar, garlic, or parsley may also be added to the breading mixture, depending on preference. Popular in almost every Latin American country, milanesa entered Argentine cuisine, particularly after extensive immigration from Spain and Italy. Usually served with salad, French fries, and mayonnaise, and more rarely with a slice of lemon, this dish can be found in restaurants throughout the city.
Dulce de leche
Made with sugar and milk, dulce de leche (a thick milk caramel) is one of the best-known flavors in Argentine cuisine. It can be eaten by the spoonful on its own or used between layers of cake, ice cream, and biscuits.
Alfajor
Argentina’s status as the world’s leading consumer of alfajores makes it the ideal place to try the treat. Alfajor is made with pure honey, almonds, hazelnuts, crumbled bread, sugar, flour, sesame, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander, with mousse, jam, or dulce de leche between two round biscuits or pieces of cake. Alfajores are usually coated with caramelized sugar, while those covered in milk chocolate are called “black” and those covered in white chocolate are called “white.”
Best times to visit Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is in the southern hemisphere. January is the hottest month on average while July is the coolest; summers are hot and rainy, and winters cold and windy. The months from October through April are the best time to visit the city.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is Buenos Aires in?
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and a port city on the Rio de la Plata. It is one of the most populous cities in Latin America.
What are the places to visit in Buenos Aires?
Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, La Boca neighborhood, Teatro Colón, Recoleta Cemetery, the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore, the Japanese Gardens, and Carlos Thays Botanical Garden are among the city’s main attractions.
What can you do in Buenos Aires?
You can watch tango performances in La Boca, sample Argentine cuisine at steakhouses, attend an opera or ballet at Teatro Colón, and spend time in nature at Tres de Febrero Park and the Ecological Reserve.
What should you eat in Buenos Aires?
Empanadas, milanesas, dulce de leche, and alfajores are among the city’s most prominent flavors. Do not leave without also experiencing Argentina’s famous grilled-meat culture.
Is there an entrance fee for Recoleta Cemetery?
Residents of Argentina can enter free of charge, while foreign visitors must pay an entrance fee. Tickets can be purchased by card at the entrance or online.
How do you get around Buenos Aires?
A rechargeable SUBE card is used on the metro, buses, and trains. Registering the card in your name significantly reduces fares. Yellow and black taxis and bicycle lanes also provide alternatives.
What is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
The period from October to April is ideal. Because the city is in the Southern Hemisphere, January is the hottest month and July is the coldest.
