Buenos Aires Attractions: 10 Top Highlights & Tips

Buenos Aires Attractions on a Map

To give you a quick overview of where to find the highlights in Buenos Aires, we’ve marked our top attractions on a map below.

We’ll now walk you through the best things to do in Buenos Aires in more detail. We’ll also cover cool activities and the most beautiful beaches near the city.

We recommend planning at least 4 full days for Buenos Aires. That’s enough time to hit all the top ten highlights. If you have more time, you can dig into some lesser-known spots and even squeeze in a beach day.

The 10 Best Attractions in Buenos Aires

First up: the absolute must-see highlights in Buenos Aires that you simply can’t skip.

Obelisco

The Obelisk is the landmark of Buenos Aires and usually the first stop in the city. It stands right in the middle of the main boulevard Avenida 9 de Julio in the heart of the city center.

From morning to evening, visitors line up around the monument to snap photos. It’s least crowded early in the morning, so we’d suggest heading there first thing.

We were honestly pretty surprised by how massive the Obelisco is in person — it stands a full 68 meters tall. In photos it looks a bit smaller, in our opinion.

While there isn’t much to do at the Obelisk beyond taking photos, it’s well worth walking over to Calle Florida afterward. It’s a pedestrian street in the center with lots of shops and plenty of street life.

Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo is the main square in Buenos Aires and also sits in the city center. Here you’ll find the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, as well as the Old City Hall, which today houses a history museum.

As one of the most significant squares in the country, Plaza de Mayo is a must among the top things to do in Buenos Aires. Its sheer size is genuinely impressive — though there isn’t a whole lot to actually do on the square itself beyond soaking up the atmosphere.

Puerto Madero and Puente de la Mujer

Right next to Plaza de Mayo is Puerto Madero, the port district of Buenos Aires. Puerto Madero is essentially an island connected to the city by several bridges. The most famous and most striking is the Puente de la Mujer, one of the most popular points of interest in Buenos Aires.

On the island itself, you can take a wonderful stroll along the harbor promenade or sit down at one of the great restaurants. You’ll have a fantastic view of the neighborhood’s sleek, modern buildings.

If you prefer nature, head to the far end of the island — that side opens up into a huge green park.

Teatro Colón

Right next to the Obelisk stands the Teatro Colón, an extraordinary building that’s beautiful on the outside but even more spectacular inside.

The shows performed here are seriously wonderful. Watching a performance in this breathtaking setting is an experience you won’t forget. You can buy tickets on the Teatro Colón website.

If you just want to see the interiors, you can book a guided tour of the Teatro Colón. You’ll pick up fascinating facts about this remarkable building along the way.

Guided tour & skip-the-line ticket for the Teatro Colón

By the way, going to the theater is generally a very popular activity in Buenos Aires. You’ll find many more authentic theaters along Avenida Corrientes, which leads away from the Obelisk — and there, you can often buy tickets for a show spontaneously right at the door.

Caminito in La Boca

South of the city center lies the La Boca neighborhood. It’s one of the poorer districts of Buenos Aires and yet remains one of the most popular places to visit in the city.

The neighborhood is defined by its colorful houses. The most famous spot is the Caminito alleyway — yes, it’s touristy, but it’s genuinely pretty to look at with its eye-catching painted buildings.

Around the Caminito you’ll find several restaurants and souvenir shops. The rest of La Boca is quieter and less interesting — except on game days for local soccer club Boca Juniors, when the whole neighborhood really comes alive.

A great way to explore La Boca and the Caminito is on a guided walking tour of the neighborhood. We found one on GetYourGuide that runs in English:

Walking tour of La Boca (in English)

San Telmo

San Telmo is the historic district and, in our opinion, the most beautiful neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Tango culture runs deep here — tango dancers regularly perform in many of the bars throughout the barrio.

The standout highlight in the neighborhood is Mercado San Telmo. You can browse fresh fruits, vegetables, and all kinds of local products, or pull up a stool at one of the food stands. Inside the market, we especially loved the spot Choripanería.

Small flea markets also pop up regularly on Plaza Dorrego, right next to the market — well worth a browse.

Bosques de Palermo

In Buenos Aires, the city feels like it goes on forever. As far as the eye can see, there are no mountains or fields — just one building after another.

The Palermo neighborhood — not to be confused with Palermo in Sicily — is the exception. It’s full of parks and green spaces that together are known as the Bosques de Palermo, which translates to the Forests of Palermo.

Honestly, “forests” is a bit of a stretch — it’s more of a large park area. But it’s a genuinely lovely place to go for a walk or run, or simply escape the urban buzz for a moment.

Plaza Serrano in Palermo

While the Bosques de Palermo offers a more peaceful escape, the other side of Palermo is the nightlife district of Buenos Aires par excellence. Plaza Serrano is the main meeting point, lined with bars, restaurants, and clubs.

As darkness falls, Plaza Serrano fills up with people. Worth knowing: Argentinians typically don’t eat dinner until between 10 PM and midnight, so most restaurants are pretty quiet before then. Afterward, many spots stay open until the early hours.

Experiencing the nightlife in Buenos Aires is absolutely part of what to do here — the Porteños (as the residents of Buenos Aires are called) seem to live more at night than during the day. Plaza Serrano is the perfect place to start your evening.

Cementerio de la Recoleta

The cemetery in the Recoleta neighborhood is one of the most visited sights in Buenos Aires. It carries enormous historical and cultural significance, and many famous Argentine personalities are buried here.

The highlight is the grave of Evita, the famous actress and women’s rights activist. To really get the most out of your visit — and hear the myths and stories behind the tombs — it’s worth booking a guided tour.

Admission costs around 21,000 ARS (approximately 12 euros) and can only be paid by card on-site.

Guided tour of the Cementerio de Recoleta

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

If you catch a rainy day in Buenos Aires, make the most of it by heading to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

The museum houses the largest art collection in Argentina, with well-known works by artists like Rembrandt and Picasso, plus rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

Best of all, admission is completely free. Just note that it’s closed on Mondays.

Hidden Gems in Buenos Aires

Once you’ve worked through the top attractions in Buenos Aires, it’s time to explore a few under-the-radar spots off the beaten path.

Chinatown

It’s not just major cities like New York or London that have a Chinatown — Buenos Aires has one too. It’s small but charming, tucked into the Belgrano neighborhood, and overlooked by most tourists, which makes it a genuine local favorite.

You’ll find plenty of those classic Chinese shops where you’ll discover everything you didn’t know you needed. The food is great too — we recommend the Chinese restaurant LAI-LAI.

Tigre

Tigre is a suburb of Buenos Aires, located about 25 kilometers to the north, and it makes for a great day trip if you’re craving a bit of peace and small-town atmosphere.

Several smaller rivers and one large river flow through Tigre, giving the whole place a much more relaxed feel. It reminded us just a little bit of Amsterdam.

Along the riverbanks there are plenty of restaurants, and Tigre is also very popular for cycling. The standout is the Tigre Art Museum, which is free to enter.

The easiest way to get there is by train from Retiro Station in Buenos Aires — you’ll pay around 500 ARS (30 cents) with your SUBE card. Paying cash costs double, though even that comes out to less than 1 euro.

The Coolest Activities in Buenos Aires

Here are some great ideas for fun things to do in Argentina’s capital beyond the classic sightseeing circuit.

Soccer Game in Buenos Aires

Rarely is soccer culture as deeply ingrained as it is in Buenos Aires. Every soccer fan should watch a game here — it’s a completely different experience.

The most famous club is Boca Juniors, whose stadium, the Bombonera, sits near the Caminito. Another major club is Riverplate, who play in the city’s largest stadium in the Nuñez district. Getting tickets for either of these two teams is notoriously difficult.

It’s much easier to get tickets for Racing, San Lorenzo, and Independiente — all serious clubs in Argentine football, just not quite as globally famous.

For tickets through legitimate channels, your best bet is to ask at your accommodation. Alternatively, a stadium tour is absolutely worth doing.

Stadium tour of Boca Juniors and Riverplate

Tango Show

Tango is Argentina’s most iconic dance, and in Buenos Aires you really should watch a tango show — or better yet, try dancing yourself.

Here’s where to get tickets for tango shows in Buenos Aires:

Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Dinner Option

Piazzolla Tango Show with Dinner Option

You can also take a class and try tango yourself:

Private tango lesson in Buenos Aires

If you want to show off your moves afterward, it’s worth visiting a tango dance club. These are called Milongas. Don’t worry if you’re not a great dancer — everyone’s welcome, and the fun is what matters most.

Here are three great Milonga venues:

• Región Leonesa
• Líber Piamont
• Zona Tango

Argentine Asado

In hardly any other country in the world is grilling as popular as it is in Argentina, and Argentine grilled meat is seriously world-famous. Vegetarians might want to skip this one.

Grilling in Argentina is called Asado or Parrilla. The two terms are closely related — asado refers specifically to grilling meat, while parrilla is a bit more general.

All over Buenos Aires you’ll find grill restaurants where you can try all kinds of steaks, sausages, and everything else that belongs on a grill.

The most famous is Don Julio in Palermo. You’ll need to book a table about two to three months in advance on the Don Julio website.

These are our favorite grill restaurants in Buenos Aires:

• Don Julio
• El Pobre Luis
• Parrilla Peña
• Don Benito

Argentine Pizza

Many Argentinians will tell you that pizza in Argentina tastes better than in Italy. And honestly, Argentina has a real pizza culture — so you should definitely go out for pizza at least once.

Argentine pizzas have a thick crust and a generous layer of cheese on top — absolutely delicious when you find a good pizzeria.

The most famous in Buenos Aires is Pizzería Güerrín, just a five-minute walk from the Obelisk. Even though the place is huge, expect a line after 9 PM — so it’s worth going a little earlier.

These are our favorite pizzerias in Buenos Aires:

• Pizzeria Güerrín (Microcentro)
• Siamo nel Forno (Italian pizza in Palermo)
• Pizzeria Los Leños (Belgrano)
• Pizzería Burgio (Belgrano)

Beaches near Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires itself doesn’t have any nice beaches. Since the city sits on the Río de la Plata rather than the ocean, the water tends to be brown rather than blue.

But head south from the capital and the beaches and water quality improve pretty quickly.

Uruguay

This might sound a bit unexpected, but we think the most beautiful beaches near Buenos Aires are actually in Uruguay.

You can reach Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires by ferry in just under two hours, or Montevideo in just under four hours. The most well-known operators are Colonia Express and Buquebus.

The truly beautiful beaches in Uruguay, however, are in Punta del Este, La Paloma, and Cabo Polonio. From Montevideo, it’s another two to three hours by car to reach them.

Plan for at least two nights in Uruguay if you’re thinking of combining a beach trip with your Buenos Aires visit.

All our articles about Uruguay:

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata — sometimes called Argentina’s Mallorca — is one of the most beautiful places in Argentina. It’s located about five hours south of Buenos Aires by car.

You’ll find beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and a lively nightlife scene.

If you’re staying in Argentina throughout your South America trip, or spending an extended time in Buenos Aires, a side trip to Mar del Plata is definitely worthwhile.

That said, if other destinations like Brazil or Uruguay are on your itinerary, the beaches there will more than satisfy — we think they’re more beautiful than Mar del Plata anyway.

Playa La Lucila del Mar

Lucila del Mar isn’t quite as well-known as Mar del Plata and is considerably smaller — but it’s just as good for a beach day trip.

The pace of life here is much more relaxed, and it’s easy to switch off on the beach. Just keep expectations in check: like Mar del Plata, this isn’t the kind of dream beach you might know from Colombia or Mexico. Argentina’s beaches are nice, but they’re in a different league.

From Buenos Aires, it’s about four hours by car to reach Lucila del Mar.

General Tips for Buenos Aires

Before you head off to Buenos Aires, here are a few practical tips that’ll come in handy as you explore the city.

Also read our Argentina travel tips

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires

If you’re planning a trip to Buenos Aires, it’s really important that you stay in a central, safe neighborhood.

These are our three favorite hotels in Buenos Aires:

Be sure to also read our article on the best neighborhoods and accommodation tips in Buenos Aires. There we walk you through the most beautiful districts and tell you which ones are best suited for your stay.

Getting Around Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is enormous and you have plenty of options for getting around.

Uber and Taxis in Buenos Aires

The most convenient option is a taxi or Uber. You can recognize the official taxis by their black cars with yellow roofs, and you can order an Uber through the app as usual.

Both are quite affordable. A ride from San Telmo to Palermo, for example, costs around 10,000 ARS (6 euros).

Public Transportation in Buenos Aires

There is only one transit card for public transportation in Buenos Aires: the SUBE card. You can pick one up at kiosks, airports, and metro or train stations.

The SUBE card costs 1,500 ARS (1 euro) and needs to be topped up after purchase. There are small machines for doing this at the same spots where you buy the card.

Note: Don’t load too much money onto it right away. A single ride in Buenos Aires costs only around 500 ARS (30 cents).

Metro in Buenos Aires

The metro in Buenos Aires is called the Subte — that’s the only name you’ll hear for it. There are six Subte lines. You can find more information on the Subte website.

The Subte runs approximately from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM. On holidays, the first metro runs at 8:00 AM. Exact hours vary by line.

A ride costs around 1,400 ARS (80 cents), and you tap your SUBE card on the reader to enter. You can also transfer between metro lines without paying again.

Taking the Bus in Buenos Aires

Buses in Buenos Aires run at all hours, and there seem to be an endless number of routes. Understanding the network isn’t all that easy at first.

Your best bet is to plug your destination into Google Maps and see which bus gets you there — this works really well in Buenos Aires.

Bus stops aren’t always easy to spot. Look for a sign along the street showing the number of your bus line — often the bus numbers are simply stuck to a streetlight.

Once you’ve found your stop and the bus approaches, stick out your arm so it stops. Get on and tell the driver where you’re going. Give them the cross street where you want to get off. For example, if the bus is traveling along Santa Fe and you want to get off at the intersection with Agüero, just say “Agüero.”

Then tap your SUBE card on the card reader, and around 500 ARS will be deducted depending on the trip.

Hop-on/Hop-off Bus

A convenient way to see the city’s highlights is by hop-on/hop-off bus. These run at regular intervals past all the major sights, and tickets are available for 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Hop-on/hop-off bus tickets for Buenos Aires

Safety in Buenos Aires

Personally, we think Buenos Aires is a safe city — and we were actually a bit surprised by how safe we felt, because we’d heard all sorts of things beforehand.

During the day, you can walk through all the areas covered in this article without any problems. Of course, always keep a close eye on your belongings.

At night, when things get quieter, you need to be more careful. Palermo is the safest area, especially on weekends when there’s still plenty going on late at night. In other neighborhoods like San Telmo or the Microcentro, avoid deserted streets and take Uber instead.

It’s best to avoid poorer neighborhoods like La Boca at night altogether — muggings are most likely to occur in areas like these after dark.

Also read our tips on safety in Argentina

Best Time to Visit Buenos Aires

You can visit Buenos Aires at any time of year.

The best times are fall (March–May) and spring (September–November). Temperatures are usually above 68°F but not too hot, so sightseeing is really comfortable.

Summer runs roughly from December to February and can get very hot. We’d suggest escaping to Patagonia rather than spending too long in the city during this period.

During the winter months of June through August, it can get quite cold at night — but Buenos Aires winters are nothing compared to the cold winters in northern Europe, so these months are perfectly fine for a city break.

One more thing: it can rain at any time of year. There’s no distinct rainy season or dry season in Buenos Aires.

How Expensive is Buenos Aires?

Currently, Buenos Aires is a fairly expensive travel destination — especially by South American standards. You can find more detail about prices in our article on travel costs in Argentina.

How Much Time Should You Plan for Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is a massive city. If you want to see everything and really get to know it, plan to stay for at least a week.

To hit the most important attractions in Buenos Aires, four days is enough.