Tango, Steaks, and Colourful Streets: A 4-Day Adventure in Buenos Aires
When visiting South America, it's almost a crime to skip on Buenos Aires. If you've got the time, we recommend spending at least a couple of days here, with four being the absolute sweet spot for newbies to the city. Enough time to really take in the city and its people, but not so long that you'll run out of things to see and do. In this blog, we'll serve up our recommendations on how to spend four days in Buenos Aires!
Argentina is one of those countries that manages to charm every traveller. Who can resist the gorgeous landscapes of Patagonia, where mountain peaks, glaciers, and azure lakes are waiting to be explored. Discover the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls, where the sheer power of nature cascades over cliffs surrounded by lush rainforest.
Fill your belly with amazing food, from sizzling asado (barbecue) to delectable empanadas, and get drunk on the fine wine of the Mendoza region. If it's culture you're after, visit the charming towns in the northwest like Salta and Cafayate. Want to see all you get to see and do in this great country?
Day 1: Exploring the City Centre
Morning: Historic Sites and Avenida de Mayo
Start your day with a visit to Plaza de Mayo, the historic heart of Buenos Aires. Here you'll also find Avenida de Mayo. Walk along this grand avenue, known for its beautiful architecture and cafes. Admire the iconic Casa Rosada (Pink House) and make a stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Further along the Avenida de Mayo you'll find the prominent Palacio Barolo before arriving at the Argentinian Congress. We suggest to take this morning for classic sightseeing, as it's a good way to get used to the city, and explore the Downtown area known for its grand architecture, busy streets, and shops.
Afternoon: Walk through Palermo
Head to Palermo, a trendy neighbourhood with leafy streets, cafes and boutiques. Visit Palermo Soho for its street art, boutiques, and charming cobblestone streets. Make sure to also drop by the botanical garden, a beautiful park in the middle of the city - there's even a French park inspired by the gardens of Versailles! In the south of Palermo you'll find Feria de Plaza Serrano, a street market surrounded by bars, shops and restaurants. At the market itself you can shop around for clothes, artistic souvenirs and other crafts, but even if you're not keen on shopping it's a nice place to visit, as one of Buenos Aires' main artsy areas.
If you're the museum type, Palermo has its fair share of those, with the National Museum of Decorative Art and the Evita Peron museum.
Evening: Palermo Soho Nightlife
Enjoy dinner at a local parilla (steakhouse) and savour some of Argentina’s famous beef. We recommend La Cabrera, one of the best restaurants in the area. Not super low-cost as it's in a rather trendy neighbourhood, but you're allowed to splurge every once in a while! After dinner it's a good idea to explore Palermo Soho. This trendy neighbourhood comes alive at night with bars, restaurants, and live music. There are also plenty of rooftop bars in Buenos Aires and while none of them are cheap either, the views at sunset are incredible. It's the perfect excuse for a night out!
Day 2: La Boca & Puerto Madero
Morning: Colours of La Boca
La Boca is one of the most picturesque hoods of Buenos Aires, with its colourful streets. We recommend to take a La Boca walking tour to enjoy the street art, appreciate the brightly coloured architecture and visit the famous Caminito - a street that's basically a public art exhibition. This happens to be the place where tango was born, among the houses of the immigrants that lived here during the 1900s. An interesting piece of history for sure, and a must-visit when in Buenos Aires.
Afternoon: Tango Lessons and Puerto Madero
After exploring La Boca and the origins of tango, it's time to try it out for yourself. Maybe you've already seen a tango performance, maybe you're a complete newbie - but Buenos Aires is the place to put on your dancing shoes. We recommend to take a beginner’s tango lesson at one of the local dance halls - we can arrange this for you if you're interested. Afterwards, head to Puerto Madero, a modern waterfront district with upscale restaurants and stunning views. Walk along the docks and enjoy the architecture.
Evening: Waterfront Dinner in Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is known for its upscale dining areas. It might be a little over budget, especially if you've had a big steak at La Cabrera the night before, but walking along the waterfront and taking in the view of the river and all the people is still something we recommend. Our food hack here: walk by Los Carritos, on the eastern side of Puerto Madero. Here you'll find the iconic ''carritos parrilleros'' lined up along the Costanera Sur. These carritos used to be charcoal grill cars, selling all sorts of great cheap foods for on the go, from burgers to steaks and more. The charcoal grillers have been replaced by more modern equivalents but the food is just as good! You can take it to the riverfront, or eat it like the locals do, just on the side of the road on one of the few plastic chairs standing around.
Day 3: Colonia del Sacramento & San Telmo
Morning: Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay)
Okay, technically this is not part of Buenos Aires. But if we told you it's possible to take a 1 hour and 15 minute ferry to the Unesco World Heritage town of Colonia, would you say no? Colonia isn't the biggest town, so we think a half day trip for a quick pop into town can do the trick, however, you are of course welcome to extend your stay if you have the time.
In any case, visiting Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay by boat from Buenos Aires is a relaxing and scenic trip. The boat ride across the Rio de la Plata takes about an hour, offering views of the water and city skylines. Once in Colonia, you can explore its charming cobblestone streets, lined with historic buildings. The town is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, such as the iconic lighthouse and the city gate. You can visit museums, enjoy local cafes, and walk along the waterfront. Colonia's relaxed atmosphere makes it a perfect day trip with a mix of history, culture, and beautiful views.
Late afternoon: San Telmo and El Zanjón
Depending on what time you make it back from Colonia, we recommend popping by the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo. Stop at the San Telmo Market and browse antiques and crafts. If you have the time, an interesting place to visit is El Zanjón, an underground maze of tunnels and historic ruins. Here you can learn about Buenos Aires' history and architecture.
Evening: Milongas and Bodegones
A classic trip to Buenos Aires should at least include seeing one of the milongas, which are basically Tango Halls. You can either dance (maybe with your newfound skills after taking that Tango class!) or simply watch the passionate dancers perform. For dinner, head to a bodegón, a traditional eatery known for serving hearty Argentine comfort food. These cosy restaurants offer a welcoming atmosphere and delicious dishes, making them the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed meal and soak in the local culture.
Day 4:Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur & Recoleta
Morning: Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur is not too far away from the city centre, but it's strangely serene. Escape the city buzz and explore this ecological reserve by either walking or biking along the trails. You can walk around the 350-hectare park in an hour, or rent a bike near the entrance to do it a little bit faster. We definitely recommend picnicking here for lunch, as there are plenty of spots close to the water with great views.
Afternoon: A visit to Recoleta
There's one must-see neigbourhood you haven't been yet - Recoleta! This part of Buenos Aires is known for its elegant architecture and big green spaces. Visit the Floralis Generica, a giant metal flower sculpture and the Recoleta Cemetery, which is remarkable for its mausoleums. We normally wouldn't recommend visiting a cemetery, but this one feels almost like a little village, with the rather big mausoleums lined up like houses on a street. The famous Eva Perón (the one from the museum we mentioned earlier) is buried in one of them, and she shares the cemetery with other notable people like former Argentinian presidents and Nobel prize winners.
Evening: Steak & Sky Bar Views
Spend an evening on Avenida Corrientes, which is Buenos Aires' equivalent to Broadway. It's a large entertainment district, and at night, one side of the street is only accessible on foot, meaning that even if you're not here to visit one of the many shows, movies or cultural performances, it's still amazing to stroll around, taking in the lively atmosphere around here. At some point you need to eat, right? You're in luck, as Avenida Corrientes has some of the best pizzerias in town. It'll make for a relaxing last night in the city!
