Top Things To Do In Buenos Aires

It’s self professed that I am really not a city person. I will always choose the sleepy seaside town or village in the mountains over a big city.. But Buenos Aires? It completely stole my heart. It quickly (and easily!) became my favourite city in South America and shares the top spot of my all time favourite with Lisbon.

What is it about Buenos Aires that had me so smitten? For starters, the city has an undeniable charm. It’s green, it’s clean, it feels really safe in comparison to some of the other South America cities I had visited like Cali in Colombia or Quito. Despite its sprawling size, it’s also quite easy to navigate between their subway system ‘Subte’, their buses and Ubers. There’s an energy in the city that’s contagious, with a blend of European elegance and Latin American soul it was honestly just such a lovely place to spend a few weeks. Think of New York or London but somehow with a slower pace of life and way friendlier vibe.

So, what should you do when you visit Buenos Aires? Here are my top recommendations of some of my favourite things I’ve done, places I’ve visited and

Places to Visit

• La Boca & Caminito: There is no denying the colourful charm of La Boca’s famous Caminito street! I visited this spot three times purely for the busy atmosphere and street vendors. The painted houses, tango dancers, and local art create a kaleidoscope of culture. Just be mindful of your belongings and avoid wandering too far from the main area.
• Palacio Barolo: Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, this unique building offers fascinating guided tours about the buildings histroy, and it has one of the best panoramic views of the city from its lighthouse on the very top floor. It’s a bit expensive at 38,000 pesos for the tour, but worth it for the stunning views!
• El Ateneo Grand Splendid: An old theatre turned into a bookshop.. need I say more?! This place is easily the most beautiful bookstore I’ve ever stepped into.
• Teatro Colón: Whether you attend a performance or join a guided tour, this world-renowned opera house will impress with its elegance and acoustics. Even the outside of the building is majestic!
• Barrio Chino: A compact but bustling Chinatown filled with Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and quirky imports, perfect for an afternoon wander to pick up some food or souvenirs.

Things to Do

• La Bomba de Tiempo (Mondays): Don’t miss this electric drum show if you’re in town on a Monday night! The vibe is incredible, and after you can follow the drums along the street to a club. You can buy the tickets online here, and if you get them the day before they are usually slightly cheaper than on the day of the shows.
• Football Match: Seeing River Plate or Boca Juniors live is a bucket list experience. The atmosphere in the stadiums is absolutely unforgettable! Tickets are hard to get as they are allocated to fans but you should be able to secure some through your hostel. Be warned they are pretty expensive at around €120-170+ for one game.
• Puerto Madero: For a modern, upscale change of pace, stroll along this waterfront neighbourhood filled with trendy restaurants, sleek architecture, and river views. It’s an ideal spot to take a stroll at sunset!
• Go to a Tango Show: there are heaps of different Tango shows available to see in the city, mostly situated in La Boca. There are different options available such as dinner being included with the show, or you can opt for something more laid back and less informal if you want. I opted for visiting a milonga which is a social tango event where locals and visitors get up and dance in a dancehall that was the perfect balance of culture and casualness.
• Have a Steak Dinner: Argentina is famous for it’s steak, so it would be rude not to try this foodie delicacy while you’re visiting the city! Don Julio is one of the most well known places, but you can find the perfect place for you depending on your location and budget.
• La Recoleta Cemetery: Quite the unique cemetery in Recoleta where many notable people were buried including Eva Peron. Even if you don’t know any of the people buried here, the tombs are works of art themselves!

Parks & Green Spaces

• Jardín Japonés (Japanese Garden): Peaceful and beautifully maintained, it’s a lovely place to spend a quiet morning although be warned it is quite small so you finish exploring quickly. Entrance is 13,500 pesos for foreigners.
• Ecoparque: Formerly a zoo, now a green space with free-roaming animals and informative installations.. Imagine my surprise when I walked into a city park and saw two giraffes! It’s a really nice area to spend an afternoon while the sun is shining.
• Bosques de Palermo: Here you have lakes, rose gardens, and plenty of geese to keep you entertained! You can also rent peddle boats on the lakes to cruise around in.
• Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur: If you enjoy nature walks or birdwatching, this ecological reserve along the river is a must.

Markets & Ferias

• San Telmo Market (Sundays): Historic, lively, and overflowing with everything from antiques to street performers. Grab an empanada and enjoy the buzz.
• Recoleta Weekend Feria: Situated near the famed Recoleta Cemetery, this market is filled with local artisans, leather goods, jewellery, and more.
• Feria de Plaza Serrano (Palermo Soho): More alternative and bohemian, this market is a great place to pick up art, vintage pieces, and handmade wares while enjoying some live music.

Easy Day Trips

• Tigre Delta: Just a train ride away, this riverside town is full of markets, boat rides, and a slower pace of life.
• San Isidro: A charming suburb with a picturesque historic centre, ideal for a relaxed stroll and a good meal away from the city’s hustle.
• Uruguay! You can get the ferry from Buenos Aires across to Colonia, Uruguay. You can visit here for just the day, or get a bus from here to Montevideo, the capital, and stay overnight to explore more of what the country has to offer. It’s a really nice way to break up some time in Buenos Aires. You can book your ferry ticket here.

Hostel Recommendations
I’ve stayed in three different hostels in Buenos Aires. I find all city hostels have a kind of a weird vibe about them, so I didn’t LOVE any of these, but they were all pretty good at the same time – and 2/3 have curtains on their beds which seems to be hard to come by in Argentina.

• MONS – Cute, comfortable and based in Recoleta. Not the most social hostel I’ve ever stayed in, but really nice none the less.
• Milhouse Avenue – Really big, and the socialising areas are a little lifeless? But I met some really good people here and the bedrooms are big and clean – although unfortunately, no curtains!
• Che Juan – Good location, lovely bedrooms and relaxed vibe.
• Viajero – I didn’t stay here personally, but this is one of the few hostels in Buenos Aires that has a pool which might be something to consider if you’re visiting in the height of the Argentinian Summer.

Buenos Aires is vibrant, welcoming, and feels like there is an endless amounts of areas and places to explore. If you’re planning a trip to Latin America, make sure it’s at the top of your list.. it certainly earned a top spot in my heart.