History · Buenos Aires · Argentina
8 historic sites to see in Buenos Aires
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bleff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada and Teatro Colón. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 11–14 hours across 6 areas; 2 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 2
- Time to see them all
- 11–14 hours
- Areas
- Recoleta, Monserrat and San Nicolás
Historic sites in Buenos Aires
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Historic site · Recoleta
1.Recoleta Cemetery
Most visitors look for Eva Perón in the Duarte family tomb, but the architecture and the stories of presidents, writers and boxers buried here reward a slow walk.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · Monserrat
2.Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have walked around the square on Thursday afternoons since 1977 in memory of the disappeared.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Architecture · San Nicolás
3.Teatro Colón
Guided tours pass through the foyers, the Golden Hall and the auditorium, and opera, ballet and concert tickets range from boxes to standing room.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
Landmark · La Boca
4.La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum
The club museum, the Museo de la Pasión Boquense, covers its history and Diego Maradona's years at the club, and stadium tours run on non-match days.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Iconic
Market · San Telmo
5.San Telmo Sunday fair
The 1897 iron-and-glass Mercado de San Telmo, a block off Defensa, mixes antique stalls with cafés and food counters.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- History
Architecture · Monserrat
6.Palacio Barolo
Guided tours climb to the dome for views over the Congress and the city.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Views
- History
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Monserrat
7.Café Tortoni
It also stages tango shows in a room at the back.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Food
- Rainy day
Museum · Palermo
8.Museo Evita
Its courtyard café is a calm stop between the Palermo parks and Palermo Soho.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Recoleta | Recoleta Cemetery | 1.5–2 hours |
| Monserrat | Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, Palacio Barolo and Café Tortoni | 1–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 45 minutes |
| San Nicolás | Teatro Colón | 1 hour for a tour |
| La Boca | La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum | 1.5 hours |
| San Telmo | San Telmo Sunday fair | Half a day |
| Palermo | Museo Evita | 1–1.5 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 2 free, 3 low cost, 3 mid-priced. Book ahead for Teatro Colón and Palacio Barolo. The longest visit is San Telmo Sunday fair; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Teatro Colón: Tours often sell out at busy times; book a slot online a few days ahead.
- Palacio Barolo: Visits are by guided tour only; reserve online, especially for sunset and evening slots.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Recoleta and Monserrat): Recoleta Cemetery → Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada → Palacio Barolo, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Monserrat, San Nicolás and La Boca): Café Tortoni → Teatro Colón → La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (San Telmo): San Telmo Sunday fair, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Palermo): Museo Evita, at least 1 hour.
The quietest months for queues
- May: highs of 19°C (66°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool, crisp days and occasional rain; museums, theatres and cafés are at their liveliest.
- June: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Early winter: cool, often grey days and cold nights, but rarely freezing; good for indoor sights and long lunches.
- August: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool and fairly dry with lengthening days; the city's big tango festival fills halls and squares.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Palermo Soho — Boutiques, cafés and leafy cobbled streets around Plaza Serrano
- Recoleta — French-style mansions, museums and the famous cemetery
- San Telmo — Cobbled streets, antiques, tango and the Sunday Defensa fair
- Microcentro and Monserrat — Plaza de Mayo, Avenida de Mayo cafés and the Corrientes theatres
More of Buenos Aires
All things to do in Buenos Aires · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Buenos Aires?
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.
+Which of these are free in Buenos Aires?
Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada and San Telmo Sunday fair.