Buenos Aires Top Tourist Attractions
Things All Travelers Should Do and See in Argentina's Capital
Dec 12, 2008
Buenos Aires is a great place to blend in. Sit at a café for hours, people watching and absorbing the local culture. However, Buenos Aires is also a great place to be a tourist, and every trip to Argentina’s capital should include these highlights.
Recoleta Cemetery
Since opening in 1822, some of Argentina’s most important families and citizens, including Evita, have been laid to rest in Recoleta Cemetery. Lavish mausoleums in varied architectural styles line narrow alleyways and avenues, turning the cemetery into a tiny village. Informative tours walk visitors through the history of the cemetery’s residents, Buenos Aires, and Argentina.
Junín 1760. Open daily 7am-5:45pm. Guided tours in English, Tue and Thurs 11am. Guided tours in Spanish, four daily, except Mondays. Duration: 1-1.5hrs. Admission and tours free. *
Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo
The heart of downtown Buenos Aires is Plaza de Mayo. Both the name of the plaza and the Pirámide de Mayo, a small obelisk, commemorate Buenos Aires’ independence from Spain. On Thursdays, the Madres de Plaza de Mayo march in remembrance of loved ones who disappeared during the military dictatorship of 1976-83. Impossible to miss is the Casa Rosada (Pink House), the salmon colored presidential palace. The Museo de la Casa Rosada chronicles the life and works of past presidents (Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sun 2pm-6pm. Adm. free).
Puerto Madero
Within walking distance of Plaza de Mayo is Puerto Madero, the port connecting Buenos Aires to the Río de la Plata, and the city’s most modern and exclusive barrio. Along the waterfront are brick warehouses converted into upscale restaurants, offices, apartments, and hotels, including Philippe Starck’s Faena Hotel + Universe. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava’s impressive pedestrian bridge the Puente de la Mujer spans Dique 3. Walk or jog by day, enjoy fine drinking and dining by night.
San Telmo Antiques Fair
On Sundays, San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego hosts a popular antiques fair. Lace, jewelry, and a surprisingly wide array of seltzer bottles are among the collectibles for sale. The square itself is something of an antique, with buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Street performers, musicians, and impromptu tango shows round out the scene.
Plaza Dorrego (Defensa & Humberto Primo). Open Sundays 10am-5pm.
Caminito and La Boca
South of San Telmo, along the Riachuelo River, is the working-class neighborhood of La Boca. The main attraction is Caminito, a “little walkway” named after a tango song and lined with colorfully painted metal houses. There’s not much to see here, but it’s a great place to take pictures and buy souvenirs. Note that La Boca can be dangerous outside of the tourist areas.
Tango
Still a prevalent part of Argentina’s popular culture, tango arose from Buenos Aires’ immigrant communities in the 1880s. Tango concerts are held nightly at Café Tortoni, a Buenos Aires institution dating back to 1858 (Avda. de Mayo 829, 4342 4328, shows daily from 8:30pm). San Telmo’s El Viejo Almacén organizes over-the-top dinner shows (Avda. Independencia and Balcarce, 4307 6689, dinner 8pm show 10pm daily). To learn or practice tango, head to a milonga, like La Viruta (Armenia 1366, 4774-6357, classes Wed-Sun, confirm schedule and prices).
Red Meat and Ride Wine
Argentine steak accompanied by a glass of Malbec makes the perfect end to a day of sightseeing. Favorite parrillas include Palermo’s La Cabrera (Cabrera 5099, 4831-7002, Open Tue-Sun) and Don Julio (Guatemala 4691, 4831-9564, Open daily).
For more suggestions, check out Top Outdoor Activities in Buenos Aires.
*All prices listed in pesos.
**Prices and schedules subject to change.
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