10 Places to Visit in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the second largest city in South America, bursting with color and culture. Home to 47 barrios (neighborhoods), each with their own unique character, this city has managed to maintain old traditions and appearances. Boasting brightly-painted houses and bohemian arts hubs, there’s no shortage of things to see. Here are just ten of the best places to visit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

La Boca

La Boca is one of the most colorful barrios around, a vibrant collection of buildings that reflects the creativity and excitement Buenos Aires offers. Vivid artwork, street shops, and twirling tango dancers line the streets, highlighting the artistic nature of the area. Work your way over to the Caminito Street Museum, an open-air museum and art market bursting with bright colors.

La Recoleta Cemetery

If a city has a cemetery that also serves as a tourist attraction, you should probably go. But this isn’t a haunted house or anything like that: it’s a resting place for many of Argentina’s most famous individuals and a display of elaborate crypts. Perhaps the most well-known mausoleum is that of Eva ‘Evita’ Peron, elaborate and usually decorated with flowers laid by locals. The cemetery is replete with beautiful and interesting architectural endeavors, mausoleums designed in modernist, art nouveau, and art deco styles (to name a few).

Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo is rich with Argentinian history, home of the 1810 revolt against Spain and mass demonstrations in the 1940s that led to the release of future Argentinian president Juan Domingo Peron. It’s still a hub of political life, but the plaza is also a tourist area. Much of the two-block plaza is pedestrianized, and popular landmarks are nearby. Check out the presidential palace Casa Rosada and explore the many buildings along Avenida de Mayo.

Palermo

Palermo is one of Buenos Aires’ most popular recreational sites, home to many parks, boutiques, and cafes. The neighborhood is broken into three sections, each with unique offerings. Whether wandering the grounds of Jardin Botanico or grabbing dinner at a tapas bar, Palermo is a great representation of Argentinian life and culture.

Feria De Mataderos

The Fair of the Mataderos is a must, especially if you want to experience some true Argentinian culture. You’ll find gauchos (basically cowboys) astride horses, tango dancers sporting vivid colors, and vendors offering a wide variety of arts, crafts, and food. Watch the gauchos outdo each other in feats of horsemanship, and be sure to try some delicious steak—the good citizens of Buenos Aires love their meat.

Puerto Madero

By day, Puerto Madero is a quiet center of business. The port was once a major destination for European trade, but is now a bit more mellow. During the day, that is. At night, you’ll find locals swarming to the many dance clubs and restaurants, seeking steaks – which match perfectly with Malbec wine – or tangos. Whether you’re looking for the nightlife or an evening stroll illuminated by the city lights, Puerto Madero should be your destination once the sun sets.

San Telmo

San Telmo is a neighborhood in the southern part of the city, lined with cobblestoned streets, colonial houses, and more dancing clubs than you’ll know what to do with. If you’re looking for an evening of flamenco or tango dancing, Independencia Street is sure to please. If shopping is more of your style, a stroll along the Calle Defensa cobblestones will give you plenty to do. Sundays in San Telmo are particularly noteworthy, however—Plaza Dorrego hosts a lively Sunday market you won’t want to miss.

El Zanjon de Granados

For an interactive exploration of Buenos Aires’ past, head over to El Zanjon de Granados. It looks like an ornate mansion from the outside, but it’s what lies underneath that is really fascinating. El Zanjon boasts a network of underground tunnels, a labyrinth of old Spanish settlements and ancient artifacts. Walk the maze with a tour guide for the most informative experience.

Colón Theater

Colón Theater is a world-class music establishment, open since 1908. Hosting classical music, operas, and ballet performances, this theater boasts incredible acoustics and guided tours of the buildings inner workings. Be sure you catch a performance in the auditorium that hosted Pavarotti, Stravinsky, and Toscanini (to name a few)—you need to experience the acoustics for yourself.

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires

The name is a mouthful, but the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires is a fascinating building that museum-lovers will admire greatly. The museum’s contemporary design resembles several interlocking cubes, and inside you’ll find a wealth of avant-garde works from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Keep an eye out for works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two of the most famous artists featured.

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