10 Great Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Last Updated on August 26, 2026

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

By Jim Ferri

As in many major cities, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires.

But what sets the Argentine capital apart from others is that music and tango are everywhere. Ditto for beautiful parks and museums and head-turning architecture. And, of course, steak. Lots of steak. And great Argentine wines to accompany it. I can personally vouch for all.

On top of that, you’ll find that the Porteños, as the city’s residents are called, move to a different beat than those of us from El Norte. They also enjoy life more, immediately evident in the way they dine, dance and dress.

But even though Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful cities in South America, many North American travelers don’t include it in their travel plans because of the distance to Argentina from the U.S. and Canada.

But times and technology have changed, and flights today are shorter and more manageable than just a few decades ago. Miami to Buenos Aires is now about 9 hours, New York under 11 hours.

Airlines providing non-stop flights from the U.S. or Canada are American, Delta, United, Air Canada, Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM. There are also many non-stop flights from Europe via European and Argentine carriers.

A Buenos Aires Bonus: Time and Weather

A bonus when you travel to Buenos Aires from North America is that you fly north to south, minimizing dreaded jet lag. Also, the time in Buenos Aries is only two hours ahead of the eastern U.S. (it’s noon in Buenos Aires when it’s 10a.m. in New York).

Also, since it’s south of the equator, the seasonal weather in Buenos Aires is the opposite of that of North America. Spring is September-November, summer December-February, and fall March-May. Unless you’re a skier, it’s best to travel in those periods. It’s well worth the trip, even more so if you combine it with a tour of other areas in South America. My wife and I visited after we left Chile, via a comfortable bus ride across the Andes.

Here are my suggestions for 10 wonderful things to do in Buenos Aires during a 4- or 6-day visit. And if you want to extend your trip, perhaps traveling about the countryside (recommended), you’ll find the Argentine bus system very good.

Stroll Along Avenida de Mayo

Reminiscent of a Parisian boulevard, the 13-block long Avenida de Mayo links the Casa Rosada, where the president holds meetings, with the National Congress. It’s an elegant street lined with beautiful Art Nouveau, Belle Époque, and Art Deco buildings.

Along with its broad sidewalks you’ll find historic buildings such as the Café Tortoni, the city’s oldest café, which offers both coffee and tango.

Midway, the 12-lane Avenida 9 de Julio, the world’s widest boulevard, intersects it. Start your stroll in the Plaza de Mayo in front of the Casa Rosada.

Visit the Recoleta Cemetery

Although most cemeteries aren’t on must-see lists of travelers, we found that the Cementerio de la Recoleta should definitely be on yours. Its allure is that it’s not just a necropolis, but a grand mini-city where Art Nouveau-styled mausoleums are surrounded by mini-Greek temples and other grand memorials.

Notably, Recoleta is the final resting places of the elite of Argentina, including the much-visited tomb of Eva Perón, which is always adorned with flowers. Give yourself a half-hour to walk about, and then have a coffee or wine in one of the many outdoor cafes outside. There is an entrance fee of approximately 24,030 to 25,370 Argentine Pesos ($13 to $16 US) for international tourists. Generally open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM but there are seasonal changes (check in advance with your hotel).

Tour the Teatro Colón

The Teatro Colón on the Avenida 9 de Julio is the pride of porteños. It’s a vast and elegant building with near-perfect acoustics and European-style décor such as French stained glass and Italian-marble staircases. Its construction began in 1889, and it took nearly 20 years to complete, followed by a grand opening with Verdi’s Aida.

Since then it has welcomed numerous prominent artists, including Stravinsky, Strauss, Callas, and Pavarotti, among many others. Guided tours are offered in English daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Note that you can not take a casual, self-guided daytime walk-through of the Teatro Colón. You must join a guided tour (30,000 Argentine pesos/$20).

Relax in the City’s Gardens and Parks

In Buenos Aires you can’t help but find yourself occasionally near beautiful gardens and parks. The smallish park on Plaza de Mayo is the pulsating center for many national festivities such as raucous World Cup celebrations. But it’s also a quiet place to relax during a walk. Likewise, visit the free Carlos Thays Botanical Garden, home to thousands of plant species that are interspersed with fountains and classical statues.

The nearby Japanese Garden, with its koi ponds and bright red bridges, was a gift from the city’s Japanese community to the people of Buenos Aires. The Japanese Garden entrance fee for foreign tourists is 24,000 pesos ($16 US).

While you’re on the way to either, make a stop at Floralis Genérica, a colossal aluminum and steel floral sculpture that opens every morning and closes in the late evening.

Shop in Barrio San Telmo

The neighborhood of San Telmo is one of the oldest areas of Buenos Aires. Its cobblestone streets are lined with colonial facades of buildings that are home to plenty of old cafes, tango bars, and eclectic shops, as well as plenty of artisans and antique dealers.

If you’re looking for antiques, focus on the area around Plaza Dorrego; many of the antiques you’ll see elsewhere are knock-offs. You’ll find both at the famous San Telmo Sunday market (see below).

Don’t Miss the San Telmo Sunday Fair

One of the most popular things to do in Buenos Aires is to visit the Feria de San Telmo, one of the best-known markets in the Americas, as well as one of the most popular free attractions in Buenos Aires. While its center is the antique market on Plaza Dorrego, it has also become a flea market. I’ve visited every time I’ve been in Buenos Aires, and always found it wonderful.

With many artists and dealers, it spreads out into the surrounding streets. It’s fun and colorful, and you’ll find plenty to see and do here. It’s open every Sunday from about 10am to 4pm. Just be careful of pickpockets.

Visit “The Mouth”

Another of the things to do in Buenos Aires is to visit the Barrio of La Boca. (Its name means “the mouth,” a reference to its location near the Río de la Plata). Just continue walking south from San Telmo, and you’ll enter one of the most colorful areas of the city. The tango was born here and on weekends you’re almost guaranteed not to leave without seeing a street tango.

La Boca was also the city’s first port, as well as an African slave colony. In the late 19th century it became home to many Italian immigrants, some of who settled in the area known as El Caminito. They built corrugated metal houses, which are still occupied today, and painted themwith whatever leftover paint they could find, making the area a riot of color.

You’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants here, so it’s a good place to stop for lunch. In some restaurants you’ll find you’re served a free tango show with your meal.

Enjoy Chic in Palermo, Buenos Aires

The neighborhood of Palermo is the poster child for everything that is chic in Buenos Aires. A reasonably large area, Palermo is divided into three sections: Alto Palermo, Palermo Chico, and Palermo Viejo.

It’s in Alto Palermo where you’ll discover parks, such as the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden and the Japanese Garden. Near the mansions, in Palermo Chico you can visit the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA). Museum admission for adults is $12,000 ARS ($8 US).

And in Palermo Viejo, you’ll become immersed in local color and flair, including many boutiques, bustling cafés, and bars. Many of the hotels in the area are modern and mod-ish.

Spend Quality Time Enjoying A Quality Steak

Argentina is carnivore country, so if you like beef, you’ll be in nirvana. So one of the best things to do is to find a steak house. The city is chockablock with them, all serving some of the best steaks you’ll find anywhere on earth.

Everyone, of course, has their favorite. Mine is Don Julio in Palermo, although some locals deride it as being too touristy. It’s an old-fashioned place where both the food and the ambiance are excellent.

It can also take most of your meal just to read the wine list. One caveat is to reserve in advance. It’s always full and waits can be hours long (although they do serve you Champagne to help the time pass!).

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Take A Day Trip to A Gaucho Ranch

Another of the best things to do in Buenos Aires is visit areas outside the city. We opted for a tour to a gaucho ranch near San Antonio de Areco, a small town on the beautiful pampas. A major Gaucho Festival is held there annually in November.

It was an interesting tour, which began with a visit to a small silver museum and workshop. It was worthwhile, however, since it was upscale and authentic. And we did have the opportunity to buy quality silver goods at the source.

We had a good meal of steak and vegetables cooked by the Gauchos, followed with entertainment by them. For a full- or multi-day trip, opt for a pampas horseback ride with the Gauchos.

A Note About Buenos Aires Hotels

As might be expected, Buenos Aries is flush with hundreds of hotels in all price ranges. The most popular and highly rated hotels range from former historic palaces in the downtown area, to stylish boutique hotels in trendy areas such as Recoleta and Palermo.

The top 10 most popular include the Alvear Palace Hotel, Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt, Marriott Buenos Aires Downtown, InterContinental Buenos Aires, 725 Continental Hotel, Alvear Art Hotel, Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel, AQ Tailored Suites, Legado Mítico Buenos Aires, Be Jardín Escondido by Coppola.