Landmarks and history
1. Recoleta Cemetery
A city of ornate marble mausoleums, including the Duarte family vault where Eva Perón rests. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee by card (around AR$24,000 in mid-2026; prices are indexed to inflation). Open daily.
2. Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
The political heart of Argentina, with the pink presidential palace, the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis served as archbishop.
3. Avenida de Mayo and Café Tortoni
A grand boulevard with belle-époque buildings, the Palacio Barolo and the city’s most famous historic café.
4. Teatro Colón
One of the world’s finest opera houses, with superb acoustics. Take a guided tour or catch a performance.
5. Obelisco and Avenida 9 de Julio
The city’s icon stands on one of the world’s widest avenues.
Neighbourhoods
6. San Telmo and the Feria de San Telmo
Cobbled streets, antique shops and the big Sunday market along Calle Defensa, with street tango in Plaza Dorrego.
7. La Boca and Caminito
Brightly painted houses, tango dancers and the Boca Juniors stadium, La Bombonera. Visit in daylight and stay on the main tourist streets.
8. Palermo
The city’s biggest district: Palermo Soho for boutiques and cafés, Palermo Hollywood for restaurants and bars, and Palermo’s parks for rose gardens and lakes.
9. Puerto Madero
Restored docks with restaurants, the Puente de la Mujer footbridge and the Costanera Sur ecological reserve.
10. Recoleta streets
Elegant Parisian-style avenues, the Floralis Genérica steel flower sculpture and weekend craft fairs.
Culture
11. Watch a tango show or go to a milonga
See professionals at a dinner show or watch locals dance at a milonga. See tango shows and milongas.
12. El Ateneo Grand Splendid
A former theatre turned bookshop, with a café on the old stage. Free.
13. MALBA
Latin American art, including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
14. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Argentina’s main fine arts museum, free.
15. A football match
Seeing Boca Juniors or River Plate play is unforgettable. Go with an organised group for tickets and safety.
Food and drink
16. Dinner at a parrilla
Order bife de chorizo, provoleta and a bottle of Malbec. Book popular places ahead.
17. Empanadas, medialunas and dulce de leche
Try them at local bakeries and cafés.
18. Ice cream (helado)
Buenos Aires has Italian-style heladerías on every corner; try dulce de leche flavours.
19. A speakeasy or rooftop bar
Palermo hides bars behind flower shops and fridge doors.
Day trips
20. Colonia del Sacramento or Tigre
Take the ferry to Uruguay’s cobbled colonial town, or the train to the Tigre Delta’s canals. See Colonia day trip.
Practical tips
- Pay with a foreign credit card for a good rate; carry some cash for discounts. See money in Argentina.
- Keep your phone hidden on busy streets.
- Dinner starts late; many restaurants open at 8pm.
For events, opening hours and official visitor information, see Buenos Aires official tourism site.
More Buenos Aires guides
- Buenos Aires travel guide
- Buenos Aires itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Buenos Aires
- Best time to visit Buenos Aires
- Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires
- Money in Argentina for tourists
- Tango shows and milongas
- Colonia del Sacramento day trip
FAQ: things to do in Buenos Aires
What is Buenos Aires famous for?
Tango, steak, football, Evita, and its grand European-style architecture.
Is La Boca safe?
Caminito and the main tourist streets are fine in daytime. Don’t wander further, and leave before dark.
What can you do for free in Buenos Aires?
Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo market, El Ateneo, the parks of Palermo, Bellas Artes and free walking tours.
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