Travel guide · Argentina
Buenos Aires travel guide
Tango, steakhouses, late nights and grand avenues on the Río de la Plata
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Buenos Aires spreads along the Río de la Plata in a grid of barrios, each with its own character: the colonial streets of San Telmo, the mansions and cemetery of Recoleta, the boutiques and restaurants of Palermo and the government buildings around Plaza de Mayo. Visitors come for tango, steak and Malbec, Belle Époque architecture and a famously late rhythm of life. Most stay in Palermo, Recoleta or San Telmo and get around by Subte, bus and taxi. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Argentina
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- EZE, AEP
- Mid-range daily budget
- $110–$220 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Tango, Steak and Malbec, Recoleta Cemetery and Teatro Colón
Why visit Buenos Aires
- Tango is everywhere, from street dancers in San Telmo to milongas where beginners can take a class and stay to dance.
- Parrillas grill some of the world's most celebrated beef, served with a glass of Malbec from Mendoza.
- Recoleta Cemetery, the Teatro Colón and the Belle Époque buildings of Avenida de Mayo reward anyone interested in architecture.
- Each barrio feels different, and Palermo's leafy streets hold the city's densest mix of restaurants, bars and designer shops.
- Ferries cross to Uruguay's Colonia del Sacramento, and trains reach the river islands of the Tigre delta in about an hour.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
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Historic site · Recoleta
Recoleta Cemetery
Opened in 1822, this walled city of the dead holds more than 4,600 vaults along tree-lined alleys, from marble temples to Art Nouveau chapels.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · Monserrat
Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
The city's founding square is framed by the pink presidential palace (Casa Rosada), the colonial Cabildo where the 1810 May Revolution began, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where grenadiers guard General San Martín's mausoleum.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Architecture · San Nicolás
Teatro Colón
Opened in 1908, the Colón is one of the world's great opera houses, famed for its acoustics, its gilded horseshoe auditorium and Raúl Soldi's painted dome.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
Street · La Boca
Caminito, La Boca
This short pedestrian lane of corrugated-iron houses painted in bright colours recalls the tenements where Italian immigrants settled by the Riachuelo port.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Art
- Free
Landmark · La Boca
La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum
Boca Juniors' steep, box-shaped stadium is famous for an atmosphere that makes the stands seem to shake on match days.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Iconic
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Landmark · San Nicolás
Obelisco and Avenida 9 de Julio
The 67-metre Obelisco, built in 1936 for the 400th anniversary of the city's first founding, stands where Avenida Corrientes crosses Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the widest avenues in the world.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Palermo Soho is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, food lovers, couples and nightlife
Palermo Soho
Boutiques, cafés and leafy cobbled streets around Plaza Serrano
$$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife and solo travellers
Palermo Hollywood
Restaurant streets and late bars north of Avenida Juan B. Justo
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, luxury, culture and families
Recoleta
French-style mansions, museums and the famous cemetery
$$ · Best for budget, culture, solo travellers and nightlife
San Telmo
Cobbled streets, antiques, tango and the Sunday Defensa fair
What to eat
- Asado and bife de chorizo — Argentine barbecue cooks beef slowly over wood or charcoal embers on a parrilla grill.
- Empanadas — Baked or fried pastry turnovers filled with hand-cut beef (carne cortada a cuchillo), ham and cheese, humita (sweetcorn) or chicken.
- Choripán — A grilled chorizo sausage split into a crusty roll and spooned with chimichurri or salsa criolla; the classic snack at football matches and before an asado.
- Provoleta — A thick disc of provolone cheese grilled until crusty outside and molten inside, sprinkled with oregano and chilli flakes; the usual vegetarian-friendly starter at a parrilla.
- Milanesa a la napolitana — A thin breaded beef cutlet topped with ham, tomato sauce and melted cheese, usually served with fries.
- Pizza porteña and fainá — Buenos Aires pizza, born of Italian immigration, has a thick, airy base and a heavy layer of mozzarella.
When to go
The best times to visit Buenos Aires are March to May and October to November, when days are mild, the parks are green and the jacarandas flower in late spring. Summer (December to February) is hot and humid, and many locals leave in January; winter is cool and quiet but good for museums, theatre and tango.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December–February | Hot and humid with highs around 30°C, long evenings outdoors and a quieter city in January, when many locals head to the coast. |
| Autumn | March–May | Mild, settled weather, autumn colour in the parks and the busiest cultural season, with film and book festivals. |
| Winter | June–August | Cool days around 15°C and chilly nights; museums, theatres, cafés and the August tango festival come into their own. |
| Spring | September–November | Warming weather, flowering jacarandas in November and busy café terraces before the summer heat. |
Getting there and around
Ezeiza (EZE), about 35 km southwest of the centre, handles most long-haul flights; taxis, ride-hailing and airport coaches take about 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. Aeroparque (AEP), on the riverfront beside Palermo, handles domestic and many regional flights and is 15–30 minutes from Palermo and the centre.
Buenos Aires is a flat grid of long avenues, best explored on foot within each barrio and by Subte, bus or taxi between them. The Subte covers the centre, Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano, colectivo buses go almost everywhere, and taxis and ride-hailing are a practical option for longer hops.
Plan your days
Three days covers Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta and Palermo. Five days adds a tango night, a Teatro Colón tour and a day trip to Tigre or Colonia; a week leaves time for an estancia visit and slow café days.
Practical information
- Currency
- ARS
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type I (and older Type C) sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water in Buenos Aires is treated and generally drinkable, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 911 police, 107 ambulance (SAME)
- Tipping
- Leave about 10% in restaurants and cafés, ideally in cash, as card machines often cannot add a tip; the cubierto on the bill is not a tip.
Pickpocketing and bag or phone snatching, sometimes by thieves on motorbikes, are the main risks, especially on the Subte, around Florida street, in San Telmo and at La Boca. A common trick involves a stranger 'helping' after someone spills mustard or another liquid on you; walk away and keep hold of your bag.
Flights to Buenos Aires
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Buenos Aires?
Three days covers Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta and Palermo. Five days adds a tango night, a Teatro Colón tour and a day trip to Tigre or Colonia; a week leaves time for an estancia visit and slow café days. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
The best times to visit Buenos Aires are March to May and October to November, when days are mild, the parks are green and the jacarandas flower in late spring. Summer (December to February) is hot and humid, and many locals leave in January; winter is cool and quiet but good for museums, theatre and tango.
+What is Buenos Aires known for?
Tango, Steak and Malbec, Recoleta Cemetery, Teatro Colón, Café culture, Late nights and Football. Tango is everywhere, from street dancers in San Telmo to milongas where beginners can take a class and stay to dance.
+Is Buenos Aires expensive?
Buenos Aires is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $110–$220 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Buenos Aires?
No. Driving in Buenos Aires is aggressive and parking is scarce; the Subte, buses and taxis cover the city. Hire a car only for trips into the pampas or the wine regions.