There’s a place at the end of the world that everybody is talking about. They say it has gorgeous decadent architecture, lush green parks, cool coffee culture and beautiful temperamental people. Obviously we are talking about Buenos Aires.
If you are wondering how many days you should spend in Buenos Aires, we have great news for you. You can spend months in the city and never get bored. The city is very special to us! One of us was born in Buenos Aires and we got married there.
Although living in the shadow of a glorious past its citizens love to talk about, it is still a magnificent oasis in a world full of franchised cities. Completely outside of any world order, it has managed to build its identity as a true world metropolis. And while Latin Americans talk badly about it, they are in love with its avant-garde free spirit.
One Day is a Rush
Begin your tour in Puerto Madero, the swanky neighborhood next to Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. Continue south to La Boca and its famous Caminito Street. If you are into football visit La Bombonera stadium. San Telmo is immediately north of La Boca. Walk about it’s cobbled streets and watch tango dancers in Plaza Dorrego.
You can walk north to the Presidential Palace and the old Cabildo (Council). Explore the financial center and check the city’s most famous landmark: The Obelisk on 9 of July Avenue. One of the best theaters in the world is there: Teatro Colon. Take the city’s main pedestrian street Florida to Plaza San Martin.
Enjoy the views over Retiro Train Station and the English Clock Tower. Walk all across the Recoleta District admiring the French-inspired palaces. Stop by the cemetery. Continue to Palermo Forest, the largest park in the city. The hip and cool Palermo Neighborhood is there. At night, go to tango show in an authentic milonga.
Two Days are Not Enough
If you have two days, follow the above itinerary but stop in more places. In Puerto Madero stroll about the former docks and check out the former silos converted into fancy buildings. We strongly recommend walking about the Ecological Reserve. Stop by the Fortabat Art Museum.
In La Boca, visit the Usina de Arte. The former electrical plant is now a super cool arts center. Continue to Parque Lezama. The Russian Orthodox Church is there. From the Cabildo Building in the old town walk all along Av de Mayo to the Congress Building. Our favorite building is there: Palacio Barolo.
Stop by Galerias Pacifico in Florida Street. In Recoleta go to the corner of Santa Fe Av and Callao Av. One of the nicest bookstores in the world is there: El Ateneo. You have two museums to visit in the Palermo Forests: the Fine Arts Museum and the Latin American Arts Museum.
Three Days are OK
Three days are a much better idea. Once again follow the above mentioned itinerary on your first two days. Take your time and get lost in the city’s streets. Buenos Aires is the perfect place to walk about at leisure. Spend your third day on the north of the city.
We love walking along the river bank to the east of the city’s central airport. Yes, Buenos Aires has its own airport! Belgrano is a traditional neighborhood with tall trees and cobbled streets. The city’s Chinese neighborhood is there. The other huge football stadium too: River Plate.
Spend at least half a day in San Isidro. It’s the neighborhood north of the city, in Greater Buenos Aires. San Isidro is next to the river. The richest neighborhood in the city has historic buildings, grand mansions, and a very relaxed vibe. The Cathedral is from the 1800s.
Four Days are Ideal
We strongly recommend staying at least 4 days in Buenos Aires. You will have plenty of time to visit all of the above mentioned places during the day. Rest a bit in the evening, and enjoy the city’s famous nightlife. In all honesty, Buenos Aires night life is the best in the world.
Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood are great places to go out for dinner, drinks, and dancing. Armenia Square is its epicenter. There are countless bars, shops, and restaurants. You can stay until late at night mingling with the locals. La Viruta is probably the most authentic milonga in the city.
You can take tango lessons, catch a show, and have dinner. Palermo Hollywood is immediately north of Palermo Soho. We always go dancing at Club 69, the most fun and inclusive disco in the city. If you are into classical music, go to a concert at the Colon Theatre.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a very big city, with interesting neighborhoods far from each other. Unlike most European cities, its downtown – Microcentro is bustling during the day, but quiet at night, which makes it great for theaters and nightclubs. San Telmo is a good place to stay if you are into bohemian lifestyle, yet you don’t mind tourists.
If you can afford luxury you should stay in la Recoleta, its location is perfect and it houses amazing buildings. The other high end location is Puerto Madero if you prefer a modern feel. If you want to stay in a chic area, where locals and tourists mix, Palermo is perhaps the best neighborhood. All the cool bars and shops are there.
The best hotel in Buenos Aires is the Alvear Palace in the heart of Recoleta. The 1932 building is all about luxury. The service is in a league of its own. The same local company owns the Alvear Art Hotel, in the financial center, next to San Martin Square. The contemporary tower has a superb rooftop pool, awesome views, and big rooms.
Moving Around Buenos Aires
The city is completely flat, so walking around is easy. Distances are huge though, so you may need public transport to move around. Biking is increasingly popular, with an extensive network of bike lanes. There are even free bike stations all around the city.
The public transport consists of metro, buses and metrobus. The Metro consists of 6 lines and is the fastest way of moving around. It can be crowded and noisy, but is surprisingly cheap, and efficient. Take the metro to go from San Telmo, the center, Recoleta and Palermo.
Buses crisscross the entire city. You can pay on board. Ask anyone which bus to take and you will be directed. Portenos are fantastic hosts and know their way around the city. We always take taxis at night. They have taximeters and are inexpensive. Uber works in the city. There are suburban trains with several lines that can be used inside the city too.
Is Buenos Aires Worth Visiting?
Not only is Buenos Aires worth visiting, but the city is the gateway to one of the biggest and prettiest countries on the planet. Argentina is incredible beautiful and all about nature. Spend some time in Buenos Aires and continue to Los Glaciares, Iguazu, Talampaya & Ischigualasto.
We strongly recommend visiting Patagonia, the end of the world. The region is huge and boasts the tallest mountains out of the Himalayas, penguins, orcas, whales, glaciers, and pristine nature. You have to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Calafate. You won’t believe your eyes.
The biggest waterfalls in the world, Iguazu, are in the north, on the border with Brazil. Nothing can prepare you to the sheer force of nature. You will have the time of your life. One of our favorite places is the Talampaya and Ischigualasto desert, in La Rioja and San Juan Provinces. It’s like going to another planet!
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