12 Enlivening Things to Do in Buenos Aires
Dive Into This Bold and Sexy City
Buenos Aires is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city that blends European ambiance with Latin American edginess. Heady, sexy and unapologetic, this city will suck you in and won’t let go.
Slip into a world of decadence and style, where days are spent shopping on busy avenues and nights are spent dancing tango to the sound of rusty accordions, under the light of flickering street lamps.
You will be seduced by the brazen, bold nature of the city, and the Porteños who live there. It simply exudes romance, making it the perfect addition to your couples bucket list.
Buenos Aires is more than the capital of the country; it is the center of all things culture, history and cuisine related, with a steady pulse of excitement thrumming under the hard city facade. Knowing where to begin exploring a city this size can be tougher than overcooked steak, so to help you get started, here is a list of the best things to do in Buenos Aires.
See Buenos Aires’ Colorful Side in La Boca
One of Buenos Aires’ most distinct barrios, La Boca is a working class neighborhood bordering the old port, founded on shipyards and the houses of the people who worked in them. Its gritty nature is alleviated by the brightly colored houses that line the Caminito.
Against the splashes of color, performers tango and tourists pose. It can be crowded, edgy and confronting if you wander off the main tourist strip, but La Boca is unmissable.
Take a Trip down History Lane in the Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo is central to both the city and Argentinian political life. It has been the heart of Buenos Aires ever since the 1810 revolution that led to independence.
In this square, the most powerful protests still take place, and the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo continue to gather there every Thursday to march for justice. The unmistakable Casa Rosada sits to one side, and if you look closely you might see the balcony from where Evita used to address crowds of people.
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Get Cultured in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
No visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts, which houses many of Argentina’s most important national artworks. There are key works from important Argentinian artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Benito Quinquela Martín, Xul Solar and Edwardo Sívori.
There are also many famous European names in the mix, with Cezanne, Picasso and Rembrandt rounding out the museum’s collection. If modern art is more your style, MAMBA is the hub of modern art in Buenos Aires, and another essential stop for museum buffs.
Dine on Steak and Wine
Buenos Aires serves up cuisine from countries as far removed as France and Armenia. Where it really earns its culinary chops, however, is in the ubiquitous Parillas.
You can’t walk more than a couple of blocks without stumbling upon one of these steakhouses. Feasting on the juicy steaks they dish out is a carnivore’s dream.
Grilling sides of beef to perfection is an Argentinian art form, perfectly complemented by bottles of wine produced from Mendoza’s lush vineyards.
Take a Walk on the Morbid Side in La Recoleta Cemetery
It sounds gloomy, but wandering through the elaborate graveyard of La Recoleta is one of the most popular things to do in Buenos Aires. You don’t need to worry about the number of tourists crowding the cemetery though; people virtually disappear into the miniature city of crypts, mausoleums and statues.
A whole day can be absorbed by the fascinating tangle of dusty graves, as you hunt down the final resting places of Argentina’s rich and famous, as well as politicians, heroes and presidents.
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Learn to Love Opera at the Teatro Colon
Buenos Aires’ primary opera house is also one of the best in the world. The third best in fact, according to National Geographic.
More than 100 years old, the seven-story opera house is undeniably impressive. Its size alone will make you feel insignificant: it takes up an entire block and can house up to 3,000 spectators.
Acoustically superior, the opera, classical music and ballet performed in this building are simply swoon-worthy.
Breathe in the Bosques de Palermo
If the hustle and bustle of the city is overwhelming, Buenos Aires offers escape in the form of the Palermo Woods. A sweeping expanse of green space, water features, paddleboats and gazebos, the park has an abundance of peaceful nooks and quiet crannies.
The enormous park also encompasses zoological and botanical gardens, a planetarium, polo grounds and a racetrack. Whether it is a few moments of peace, or a whole day of walking, cycling or skating, Bosques de Palermo is the best place to go for respite from city life.
Be Awed by El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Bibliophiles rejoice! One of the most spectacular bookstores in the whole world is found in Buenos Aires.
In just under 100 years, the Grand Splendid has lived several lives, first as a theater, then as a cinema and now as a majestic bookstore. Imagine shelves of books stacked under frescoed ceilings, ornate theater boxes and curved balconies, and lavish red curtains framing a stage where the best tango dancers once spun before awed crowds.
The Grand Splendid is worthy of its name, and even if you aren’t interested in the books it is worth visiting just to take in the glory of the building itself.
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Hunt for Treasure in the Feria de San Telmo
The Sunday Fair in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo is the place to be on a Sunday morning. Traffic is replaced by craft stalls, fruit vendors, street performers and a crowd of locals and tourists alike in the cobbled streets.
The combination of artisans, antiques and the architectural beauty of the area make the market a unique experience, and the perfect place to score a one-off souvenir.
Take a Selfie on the Puente de la Mujer
The centerpiece to the Puerto Maduro area and one of Buenos Aires most striking pieces of modern architecture, the “women’s bridge” is a pedestrian bridge that rotates to allow water traffic to pass below.
The bold design of the bridge is supposed to represent a couple dancing tango, and while it looks more like a giant harp, it’s still a stunning sight. The bridge makes for a pleasant stroll both during the day and under the glittering night lights.
Shop in Belgrano
One of Buenos Aires’ most traditional barrios, Belgrano is a well-heeled, leafy area that feels more like a small town than a neighborhood in the city. While not your typical tourist haunt, it is a great area for strolling, shopping and getting a feel for residential Buenos Aires.
Avenida Cabildo is the main artery of the neighborhood, and features numerous cafes, theaters, boutiques and specialty shops, making it a popular weekend hangout for Porteños.
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Tango, Tango, Tango
Buenos Aires is synonymous with tango. Glamorous, steamy and sensual, tango is seduction in the form of dance.
Whether it is gaping at street performers flashing their moves, slipping into smoky milongas (dance events) to see how the locals do it, or trying your own hand (and feet) at the dance in classes, tango will find a way to make you love it. Be warned, it won’t be long before you see why Buenos Aires is the perfect place for travel romance.
If you want to go for a truly elegant and professional tango show, check out Café Tortini or Café de los Angelitos.
