Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina and it once was one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It still drives a lot of trade and economic activity in South America but has greatly changed over the years. The city was once a magnet for immigration, primarily from Europe, and has an interesting mix of cultures represented today. Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of South America due to an admiration of the architecture of Paris that is reflected in the buildings in the city center and other neighborhoods. Here is how you can discover what to do in Buenos Aires during your visit. While the itinerary is over 3 days, there is so much more to do and explore in this city. Consider expanding your time here to experience more of what to do in Buenos Aires or plan a return trip to go deeper into the rich culture of this amazing city.
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A 3 Day Itinerary with What to Do in Buenos Aires
This guide is a starting point to exploring the city and the surrounding area. While culturally unique, Buenos Aires is a big city and the main activities are to explore various neighborhoods, visit museums, go to sporting events, and more. Below you will find some of the most significant things to do in the city to give you the best idea of local culture.
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Day 1
Take a walking tour of the city center of Buenos Aires
Discover the San Telmo market for lunch. Spend the afternoon walking around the neighborhood, making your way to the Teatro Colon area.
Go to a tango show for your evening at Tango Porteño
Day 2
Take a morning tour of La Boca and grab some lunch in this lively area
Head to the Recoleta neighborhood and walk around or take a tour of the Recoleta cemetery. Consider visiting the Museo de Bellas Artes
Spend the evening going out in Palermo Soho at various restaurants and bars
Day 3
Walk around the Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood neighborhoods
Go on a short trip to the town of Tigre outside of Buenos Aires and take a boat cruise of the canals
Enjoy a nice dinner in Palermo or Recoleta before departing the next day
Day 1: Getting an Introduction to What to Do in Buenos Aires
City Center Walking Tour
For your first day discovering what to do in Buenos Aires, we recommend an introduction to the city through a free walking tour of the city center. The tour of the city center gives a strong introduction to Buenos Aires and the evolution of the Argentine government over time, starting as a Spanish colony and evolving to the current political system today. The tour walks around some of the more significant landmarks of the city center and puts them into their historical context, which helps understand how the city has changed over time.
San Telmo Market for Lunch
The area around the San Telmo market is one of the oldest areas of Buenos Aires and is an important part of the history of the city. The interior market is open every day and is an amazing place to find delicious local food. (You can also consider doing a walking tour of the San Telmo market.) We recommend checking out Juan Bautista Perilla Gaucha inside the market for lunch where you will find coal fired food including a modern take on choripan, a popular Argentine sausage sandwich.
Being one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, you will find beautiful architecture in this area as you wander around. After lunch, make your way towards the Teatro Colon area of the city. You can also look into stopping at El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a beautiful bookstore within the city. Buenos Aires is the city with the most bookstores per capita and this one is worth a stop for to admire its beautiful interior.
Tango Porteño Dinner and Show
To end your day in Buenos Aires, you should attend a dinner and show at one of the many tango theaters in Buenos Aires. We recommend booking a show with Tango Porteño. They have a variety of options for their show, including adding dinner or a tango lesson to your experience. You can check out their different options on their website here and tickets can be purchased in advance. (If you choose just the dinner and show option, you can also get a bus transfer to and from your hotel.)
The show includes a display of traditional dancing and music, all performed live. At the show, dancers will walk around the floor to take photos with attendees. These photos are available for purchase but you can always politely decline the photo or the offer for purchase.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
Palermo Soho
This neighborhood is a favorite for those interested in a vibrant part of town. It has cobblestone streets, boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. making it one of the best areas to stay.
Recoleta
This is the neighborhood that gives Buenos Aires the nickname Paris of South America. There are large green parks, beautiful condos, and many hotels geared towards international tourists.
Villa Crespo
This neighborhood does not have hotels and, as a result, has a very local feel to it. You can stay in short-term accommodations within the neighborhood to get a more authentic vibe.
Day 2: Dive into the Iconic Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires
La Boca
For your second day discovering what to do in Buenos Aires, we recommend heading to the famous neighborhood of La Boca. La Boca is a colorful working class neighborhood that has completely transformed throughout history. This colorful neighborhood is a must-visit when in Buenos Aires and will be particularly busy when a Boca Juniors game is being played at the stadium located here. If you are a futbol fan, attending a game in the famous Bombonera Stadium is a must do activity to witness the passion of this fanbase in an unforgettable setting,
It is recommended that you take an Uber or taxi to get to the neighborhood (do not walk to get to the neighborhood). You can get to the neighborhood 30 minutes before your tour (see below) to climb to the second story of the entry building to the colorful Caminito and take some photos at this iconic location of Buenos Aires. (The line to take this photo is typically shorter in the morning than the afternoon).
The best way to experience this neighborhood is through a tour to understand the complex history of the area. This working-class neighborhood is a big part of the city’s culture and story. We recommend the tour linked here to best explore the area. The guides (speaking both Spanish and English) are often from the neighborhood itself and very knowledgeable about the transformation.
After the tour, stay within La Boca to find a lunch spot. The guide from the tour can give you some recommendations of where to try Argentina favorites such as empanadas, grilled meats, and more.
Discovering Recoleta
After spending the morning in La Boca, take a taxi or Uber to the neighborhood of Recoleta. This is where the aristocracy of Buenos Aires lived during the peak of the economic power of the city. You will find enormous mansions, most of which were purchased to become embassies for various countries when the aristocrats no longer had the funds to maintain these properties. It is fun to wander through the neighborhood to look at these beautiful properties.
Israeli Embassy History
Make sure to stop at the Plaza Israeli Embassy, the former location of the Israeli embassy and now a memorial. In 1992 and 1994, two separate terrorist attacks committed by suicide bombers targeted the Israel embassy and a Jewish community center, collectively killing over 100 people. The Jewish population of Buenos Aires is the largest in all of Latin America and this terrorist attack has had major implications for national security, international relations, and the Jewish community in Argentina. The plaza is a memorial to those who died and were injured in the two terrorist attacks.
Recoleta Cemetery
The final place to explore within Recoleta is the famous cemetery. This is where many famous people who have impacted the culture of Argentina are buried. These people include artists, politicians, writers, etc. Just walking around this cemetery is quite special as it is full of enormous and beautifully designed crypts. If you want to know more about the characters that shaped the history and culture of the country, consider taking this tour of the cemetery.
Going Out in Palermo Soho
You can spend the evening going out in Palermo Soho to discover some of the different bars and restaurants in the area. Here are some popular places to consider for your night out:
Restaurants
- Chori – a modern take on choripan which is a popular fast food dish in Argentina
- La Alacena Trattoria – an Argentine Italian restaurant by a great local chef
- Helados Italia – delicious gelato (many people in Argentina are descendants of Italians and there is a lot of Italian influence in the local food.
- Gran Dabbang – interesting Indian cuisine and delicious
- Don Julio Parrilla – one of the most popular restaurants in the city know for its classic steaks, Argentine dishes, and extensive wine list in an upscale setting
Bars
- Tres Monos – a unique cocktail bar, especially the interior
- Cochinchina – a high end cocktail bar with beautiful decor
- Backroom bar – a bar next to a book store with a cool interior that integrates the bookshop into the design
Day 3: Getting Outside of Buenos Aires
Exploring Palermo
Palermo Soho is one of the best places to stay in Buenos Aires. You can check out various hotels for the neighborhood here.
Start off your morning by walking around the Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood neighborhoods. These two areas are right next to each other and are some of the most popular in the city because of the boutique offerings. It’s a great area for brunch and shopping. In addition, head into the alleys to explore the murals and street art. If you want to dive deeper into the meaning of the murals, you can take a walking tour.
An Afternoon Trip to Tigre
For your afternoon, you will head out of the city to visit the town of Tigre, right outside of Buenos Aires that is easy to reach with the public transportation system. It has a unique culture and history that is worth discovering. We wrote a whole article about visiting Tigre that can help you make the most of a day trip.
