When you think about Argentina, we bet the first things that will come to your mind are the famous soccer player, Lionel Messi, and of course, the Argentine tango. Like seriously! The people of Argentina are crazy about football, and they admire the tango dance alike. 

Argentina is teeming with the best cities for travelers to explore. You’ve got Mendoza, San Carlos de Bariloche, Ushuaia, Córdoba, and Puerto Iguazú, just to name a few. You can visit them all if you have the money. But, if you are a budgetarian tourist and traveling to Argentina for the first time, no doubt, one of the first places to head over to is Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. There are a lot of things to do in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires is authentically Latin, and filled with colonial architecture fusing with its eclectic cuisine and energetic nightlife. Many travelers describe this city as sexy and alive. It’s time to prove these on your own. Join us as we discover the best things to do in Buenos Aires.

What Are Some Of The Best Things To Do In Buenos Aires?

Hola! Here are some of the best things to do in Buenos Aires.

1. Admire The Architecture Of The Chic Neighborhood Of Palermo

When you’re here in Palermo, the chic and sprawling Argentine neighborhood located in northern Buenos Aires, you’ll realize that it is divided into three parts: the Alto Palermo, the Palermo Chico, and the Palermo Viejo. The third is further divided into Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. 

There are a lot of things to do in Buenos Aires once you’re here. In Alto Palermo, you can visit museums and urban parks like the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden. If you wish to view sophisticated mansions, go to Palermo Chico. For more colorful visuals and more of the local vibe, visit Palermo Viejo. 

Within Palermo Soho, you can drop by its boutiques, cafés, bars, and cobblestoned streets. If you want to try some tapas and shop at some festival outdoor markets, Palermo Hollywood is the destination. 

2. Watch A Tango Show And Jive With The Rhythm

Buenos Aires, not just merely Argentina, is considered as the birthplace of tango. The passionate dance of Argentine tango originated during the end of the 19th century, particularly in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. So, if you are filling out your list of the best things to do in Buenos Aires, watching a tango show should be on top of your list. 

There are literally several tango productions around the city, and they are dense especially in San Telmo, the oldest barrio or neighborhood in Buenos Aires, and Puerto Madero, a revamped dockside area. Dinner is usually served before the show, but if you just want the drinks and the show, there are also options for this.

Two of the most popular tango shows in Buenos Aires are the El Querandi Tango Show and the Señor Tango Show. While both of these shows are great, they are distinct from one another. The Señor Tango Show is more extravagant, while the El Querandi Tango Show is the more affordable of the two.

Welcome to our “things to do in Buenos Aires” piece. We got more stories about Argentina on our blog: 21 Best Photography Spots In Argentina 

3. Gain Insight Into Buenos Aires’ Culture And History At Plaza De Mayo

Plaza de Mayo is Buenos Aires’ historic square, and the political and historical heart of the city. Tourists have come to this place from the time Argentina declared independence from Spanish colonialists in 1810. 

If you happen to be here, one of the attractions to visit is the Casa Rosada or Pink House perched at Plaza de Mayo’s eastern tip. Casa Rosada is also the country’s presidential headquarters. Once before, from its lofty balcony, the famous Argentine First Lady, Eva “Evita” Perón, spoke to crowds of Peronists or members of the city’s poor labor class. 

There’s also the Pirámide de Mayo, erected to commemorate Argentina’s revolutions and is the oldest monument in Buenos Aires. Speaking of uprisings, be warned because tourists who’ve been here at Plaza de Mayo say there almost always a protest being held here. So, if you want to avoid the clash, you better know the best time to visit here.

4. Indulge In Tapas, Empanadas, Dulce De Leche, And More

Argentinian cuisine is well-regarded for the richness of its flavors and influences from foreign lands. The country’s food is heavily influenced by European immigrants, particularly from Spain and Italy. 

Some of the most famous food here are: the tapas or Argentine beef, which is also famous worldwide because of its quality and tenderness; the empanadas or stuffed pastries filled with a scrumptious and savory filling; and the dulce de leche or that light brown caramel-colored sticky spread made with milk, cream, vanilla, sugar, and baking soda.

The best restaurants in Buenos Aires where to try various Argentine recipes are at Fogon Asado, The Argentine Experience, Hierro Parrilla San Telmo, El Mercado, and A Fuego Fuerte Restaurant.

5. Catch A World-Class Performance At The Beautiful Teatro Colón

Teatro Colón is Argentina’s opulent opera house where its architecture and interior are as pleasing to the eyes as its performances are to the ears. Inside this space that screams grandiosity, you’ll find European-style décor such as Italian marble staircases, Venetian mosaics, and French stained glass, not to mention an imposing chandelier that challenges that of “The Phantom of the Opera.”

You can catch world-class ballet and opera performances here. The theater has also been a space where iconic artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Richard Strauss, and Igor Stravinsky have performed. This is certainly one of the things to do in Buenos Aires that you should try.

This “things to do in Buenos Aires” guide is part of our extensive gallery of other travel guides about Latin America, such as this for Brazil. 

6. Go On A Private Tour Around Buenos Aires

The traditional group tours may still be popular, but are already passé because you don’t have the time freedom and when you want to stay at a particular location or spot to take photos, you can’t because the tour keeps moving. So, the solution is taking a private tour where you can customize the trip and dictate the time according to what’s most convenient to you.

Take a private tour around Buenos Aires. A local guide leads the tour so they pretty much know everything about the ins and outs of the city. You’ll ride a private, air-conditioned vehicle that will take you to landmarks such as La Bombonera, Casa Rosada, and Recoleta Cemetery.

7. Taste Some Local Argentine Boutique Wines

If you are searching for unique things to do in Buenos Aires, this tour won’t fail you. In this tour, you won’t just be tasting Argentine wines, but you’ll be tasting these wines literally for two hours! Guided by an experienced sommelier, you’ll be tasting some local Argentinian boutique wines in a subterranean wine cellar. You’ll also love it that you will just be with a small group of people, around eight or even fewer, learning about varietals such as Malbec and Torrontes. Cheers!

Can’t get enough of this “things to do in Buenos Aires” guide? We have more travel and photography guides just for you. 

8. Wander Around The Fashionable Neighborhood Of La Boca

If in many countries in Asia, you’ll come across lots of temples, in Buenos Aires, there’s an abundance of neighborhoods. You’ve learned about Palermo earlier. This time, it’s all about La Boca. 

La Boca, which translates to “The Mouth,” is the fashionable neighborhood of Buenos Aires located in the city’s southern side, filled with trendy boutiques and art galleries. In the past, it was a gritty shipyard filled with European immigrants, but now, this area already houses local artists, soccer fans, and middle-class workers. 

There are lots of things to do in Buenos Aires while you’re here in La Boca. You can enjoy viewing the colorful houses in La Boca’s caminitos or little walkways. You can visit the houses here for free, peek into the galleries where you can see all the shops, and take the stairs up to see how life before was lived here. 

La Boca is also where you can catch some tango performances while having lunch in one of its bars. And, if you are a Boca Juniors fan, don’t miss the tour in La Bombonera stadium and visit La Boca Museum.

9. Sashay Your Way To San Telmo

If you’re reading closely, you’ve learned earlier that San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Being its oldest barrio, it has been said that this is where tango has left its mark.

Though San Telmo’s streets have earned a reputation for having lack of elegance during the early 1990s, it has successfully blossomed into jam-packed blocks screaming of Bohemian vibes. Meander through its cobbled streets and you’ll pass through some colonial houses, traditional restaurants, quaint coffee shops, various shops, and festive tango and flamenco clubs. 

When you want to shop, head over to the narrow and cobbled street of Calle Defense, which is lined with stores. Find what you want. For foodies, dine at La Brigada, a steakhouse famous for its hearty steak recipes. If you want to dance, head to Independencia Street where you can find several nightclubs. And if you happen to be in San Telmo on a Sunday, there’s a weekend market in Plaza Dorrego where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and even vintage clothing.

10. Practice Yoga At Centro Cultural Kirchner

It was former Argentine president Néstor Kirchner who first proposed to turn this abandoned former central post office into a vibrant cultural center in 2005. He may have passed away in 2010 before this project was finished, but this breathtaking space was named in his honor. Its original building, modeled after New York City’s main post office, took almost three decades to complete. 

Now, Centro Cultural Kirchner houses several art galleries and event spaces. Head over to Ballena Azul, a concert hall with world-class acoustics, and if you want to try yoga, this place also hosts some classes. There you have it, 10 of the best things to do in Buenos Aires. There are certainly more, so don’t feel constricted with just this list. 

Thank you for dropping by our “things to do in Buenos Aires” article. Learn more about South America from our other stories on this website. 

Things To Do In Buenos Aires: Best Outdoor Activities To Try

Buenos Aires may be about the historic landmarks, neighborhoods, Argentine food, and of course, tango, but if you are traveling to this capital of Argentina, you should also give its outdoor experiences a try. Here are the best things to do in Buenos Aires for the outdoorsy traveler, or for everybody actually. 

• Bike tours around North and South Buenos Aires 
• Boat ride at Tigre Delta
• Sunset cruise with open bar at Puerto Madero 
• Private helicopter flight over Buenos Aires 
• Parks and gardens 

Explore Buenos Aires Your Way 

Buenos Aires is charmingly beautiful. This personality of the city makes it an attractive destination for all kinds of travelers. No wonder Buenos Aires lures every traveler to come and see what it has to offer. It holds the reputation of being one of the best cities to travel to in South America. There are so many things to do in Buenos Aires. 

From visiting the historic neighborhoods in San Telmo to immersing in the city’s tango culture and catching a performance, Buenos Aires has it all for the lover of cultural activities. This Argentine city guarantees an unforgettable experience for you. Gracias! Viaje feliz! (Thank you! Happy trip!)