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Looking for the best things to do in Buenos Aires? You’ve come to the right place!
Buenos Aires is a massive city, full of lively culture, amazing food, and unique activities. We’ve spent a good deal of time here, but I remember being very overwhelmed when I first stepped foot in this bustling city. are too!
That’s why I wanted to put together this list of the absolute can’t-miss Buenos Aires activities. This list makes it easy to plan your schedule, book the top experiences, and skip out on the stress and logistics of navigating this hectic city. I know you’ll end up loving Buenos Aires as much as we do!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Buenos Aires was this Sherpa Food Tour. We tried so many amazing dishes and got to learn all about the city.
Tip: This tour is popular, book it in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Check out the 5,600+ 5-star reviews and book your tour here!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- Things to do in Buenos Aires
- 1. Sherpa Food Tour
- 2. Private City Tour of Buenos Aires
- 3. Gaucho Day Tour Ranch in San Antonio de Areco
- 4. The Argentine Experience
- 5. Tango Dinner Show
- 6. Bike Tour: Half-Day City Highlights of Buenos Aires
- 7. Premium Tigre Delta and San Isidro Tour
- 8. Day trip to Iguazu Falls
- 9. Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting
- 10. Enjoy a traditional Argentinian BBQ
- Where to Stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Renting a Car in Argentina
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
Things to do in Buenos Aires
1. Sherpa Food Tour
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: Multiple times available from 11 am–6:30 pm
- Highlights: Savor Argentina’s signature flavors, sample eight local dishes and drinks, wander Palermo’s vibrant streets, discover hidden eateries with a local guide
- Inclusions: Small-group walking tour, local guide, taste 8+ authentic Argentine dishes, visit 4–6 local establishments, vegetarian and gluten-free menus available (just let us know when you book)
- Rating: 5 stars (check 5,800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Food is central to Argentinian culture, and when it comes to eating and drinking in Buenos Aires, the Palermo neighborhood is an absolute gem. In fact, there are so many cafes, bars, and restaurants here that it can be hard to know where even to begin—which is exactly where this walking food tour comes in!
On this tour, you’ll visit four different local restaurants to sample their top dishes and wash them all down with some Malbec or even fernet (a must-try in Argentina, even though it’s not necessarily to everyone’s taste!).
What we love about this tour is the insight you get from your local guide. It’s a great way to get to know the culture better and appreciate why dining out is such a central part of the culture here. We also found this tour to be a great opportunity to meet new people. Your guide will even give you some recommendations of where you can all go out as a group after the tour has ended.
Since it is a walking and food tour, wear comfortable shoes and perhaps loosen that belt a little! For more tips and our full experience, read our review of the Sherpa Food tour here!
Starting at Cacho Rotiseria, this tour runs from about 5:30 pm–9 pm and includes 8 different dishes and plenty of drinks. Honestly, we felt like it was pretty good value for money, especially given the amount of food we ate. If you’re a foodie at heart, you’ll want to take this tour!
Book this tour with over 2,500 glowing reviews here, before it fills up.
2. Private City Tour of Buenos Aires
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: Multiple times available from 8 am–6 pm
- Highlights: Wander colorful Caminito, see La Bombonera up close, snap photos at Casa Rosada, explore Recoleta Cemetery, and take in Buenos Aires’ top landmarks with a private bilingual guide
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide, air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, private tour
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 3,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to see the highlights of the city, we suggest this private tour of Buenos Aires. You can start the 4-hour tour pretty much any time of day, so it’s easy to fit into your itinerary. You can make up to 12 stops across the city—hitting all the top sights. Plus, it’s shockingly affordable!
If you decide to see all 12 stops on this tour, your itinerary will be fairly jam-packed. However, if you don’t want to rush, you can customize it by spending more time at your favorite attractions. Perhaps you’ll want more time to soak up the atmosphere of La Boca’s colorful cobblestone alleyways or sample yummy food and craft beer at the San Telmo Market. It’s a private tour, so just say the word!
One exciting highlight of this tour is that you can visit the famous Ateneo Grand Splendid, which is a bookstore built inside a very opulent old theater. It’s enormous – in fact, it’s the second-largest bookstore in the entire world. There’s even a bar on the stage where you can sit and read.
We think that this tour is perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends who want to explore together (rather than join a big group tour). And if you’ve got four people, the private experience is truly a great deal!
Check out the 1,700+ 5-star reviews here and book your private tour!
3. Gaucho Day Tour Ranch in San Antonio de Areco
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: Carriage or horseback ride through the pampas, explore San Antonio de Areco, enjoy a traditional barbecue, watch gauchos perform, experience authentic ranch life on a historic estancia
- Inclusions: Enjoy an authentic Gaucho experience on a traditional estancia, full-day tour from Buenos Aires, live music and dancing, round-trip transportation from your hotel
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 970+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Argentina’s countryside is home to one of its most iconic traditions: the gaucho, a skilled horseman who has shaped rural life and culture for centuries. This full-day tour takes you beyond the city, where you’ll meet real gauchos, hear their stories, and experience their way of life firsthand.
You’ll start with a visit to the historic Hotel Paradores Draghi to explore 19th-century goldsmithing and the gaucho’s place in local history. This tour also included a visit to Boliche de Bessonart, a saloon that’s over 200 years old!
At the ranch, you’ll set off on a horseback ride, with the option to take a horse-drawn cart if you prefer. Since it’s a working ranch, you’ll see gauchos in action and hear some of their traditional folktales. After the ride, you’ll return for a generous asado barbecue, followed by a dessert-time show featuring horse whispering, rope skills, and classic gaucho songs and poems.
This 9-hour gaucho tour includes pickup from your hotel around 8:30 am, transport, a BBQ lunch, a horseback tour, and live entertainment. Basically, the only potential extra costs are drinks and gratuities, but both of those are at your own discretion, of course.
All in all, this was an amazing day out. It was like stepping back in time to experience a slice of Argentine history! There really aren’t that many places in the world where you can have this kind of experience, so we highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity while you’re in Buenos Aires—there’s a reason it has over 900 raving reviews (see them all here!).
Book this tour in advance here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
4. The Argentine Experience
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 7:30 pm
- Highlights: Craft your own empanadas, enjoy a multi-course Argentine dinner with premium steak, learn the ritual of preparing maté, and finish with homemade alfajores
- Inclusions: Empanada, maté, and alfajores cooking class, unlimited wine and meat tasting
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If I had to pick my very favorite tour in Buenos Aires, it would have to be The Argentine Experience. For those who love cooking and trying new cuisines, this is an absolute must!
It’s an immersive dining experience that involves amazing steak, lots of dulce de leche, and free-flowing wine! It’s not a cooking class, but you still get to sport a chef’s hat and try your hand at making both empanadas and alfajores, which are basically dulce de leche sandwiches – you see them absolutely everywhere in Argentina!
As well as eating five courses of amazing food, The Argentine Experience is a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers. You’ll quickly find yourself bonding over food and some good-natured competition – like who can make the best empanada (and all of the wine helps too, of course).
Honestly, this dining experience was the best meal that I had in Buenos Aires, but it was about more than that. I came away feeling like I’d learned a lot about the culture, and I was really happy to have met such great people along the way. Basically, it’s the ultimate way to spend a night in Buenos Aires!
If you’re eager to learn more about Argentine culture, cuisine, and social traditions, I can’t recommend this tour enough. Plus, it makes for a super fun night out!
This tour is likely to sell out—check dates and book The Argentine Experience here!
5. Tango Dinner Show
- Duration: 2–4 hours
- Time: 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8 pm
- Highlights: Watch professional dancers and live musicians bring Buenos Aires’ tango heritage to life, enjoy the option to include a traditional Argentine dinner or hotel transfers for this early-evening performance
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off (if option selected), dinner (if option selected), beverages, tango show
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 650+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
A tango show in Buenos Aires is a must, but a lot of them don’t start until 10 pm or even midnight! This is fine for Argentinians who are used to staying up late, but if you prefer to go to bed at a reasonable hour, then you can always opt for this early tango show.
We went to see this tango show and absolutely loved it! You can choose to just go and watch the dancing, but we opted for the dinner beforehand, too. We got to enjoy a delicious 3-course meal. There were plenty of options to choose from, but of course, we went for steak. When in Buenos Aires…
Your meal includes a bottle of Malbec, and you can also add a cocktail with your starter course. This isn’t included in the price of the tour. However, drink prices are in line with the local standard, so they’re not exorbitant.
After we finished our main course, the dancing show started. The way the dancers moved was amazing, and the footwork was honestly exceptional. I also loved the way each dance told a story and was very dramatic. It was kind of like watching a soap opera being danced out in front of you.
The show also included drumming, and my favorite moment was when a dancer swung long bead chains to create both rhythm and movement. It was mesmerizing to watch and hear. By the end of the night, we walked out fully swept up in the emotion of tango—and still made it to bed at a decent hour.
Book your seats in advance here and get FREE cancellation options 24 hours before the show!
Related Read: Need help planning your trip to Buenos Aires? Our 3-day Buenos Aires itinerary covers all the must-dos!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Bike Tour: Half-Day City Highlights of Buenos Aires
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 9:30 am, 10 am, 2 pm
- Highlights: Cycle through La Boca, San Telmo, and Puerto Madero, stop for photos at spots like Caminito and La Bombonera, Buenos Aires’ history from an expert local guide
- Inclusions: Bikes, helmets, medical assistance, one bottle of water, skilled multilingual guides, rain gear (if needed), child seats available, small-group tour
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 970+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Buenos Aires is a very cyclist-friendly city, and a great way to see the sights is by bike! This guided tour will have you feeling just like a local as you explore the city’s highlights on two wheels.
The tour starts at Plaza San Martín before cycling through the modern, riverside Puerto Madero district with its upscale restaurants and business towers. From there, you’ll head into the Ecological Park, a vast nature reserve that offers a striking contrast to the sleek waterfront nearby.
Then, you’ll visit La Boca, our favorite part of the city! Here, you’ll see the iconic Boca Jrs stadium, hear tango music drifting through the streets, and learn about the history of this neighborhood. It started out as a slum and gradually transformed into the most interesting and vibrant part of the city. But don’t take our word for it—see it for yourself!
After La Boca, the half-day tour will take you back to Plaza San Martín via San Telmo. This is the oldest neighborhood in the city and has a cool, Bohemian feel.
This tour showcases multiple sides of this diverse city, and their beach cruiser bikes are super comfortable for long, leisurely rides. They also gave everyone a water bottle and a helmet, and provided rain gear in case of light rain. The 4-hour tour is offered daily in the morning or afternoon, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
By the end, you’ll have covered a huge stretch of the city in a fun, relaxed way—and seen neighborhoods you might not discover on your own. It’s an easy, enjoyable ride that gives you a real feel for Buenos Aires’ energy, history, and everyday life!
Check out the 600+ raving reviews and book your bike tour here!
Related Read: Now that you have some activities planned, make sure to book a hotel! Check out our where to stay in Buenos Aires blog for our top picks!
7. Premium Tigre Delta and San Isidro Tour
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Cruise the Tigre Delta’s winding waterways, explore the lively Puerto de Frutos market, stroll the riverside promenade, enjoy handmade empanadas
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, professional guide, snacks (if selected), boat ride
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 630+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This half-day tour is a great way to spend a few hours in nature and see how different Argentinian culture is outside of the capital. You’ll probably get a lot of locals telling you that the residents of Buenos Aires are very different from those who live elsewhere. Well, this tour is a great chance to get out into the countryside and experience this cultural contrast for yourself!
You’ll be picked up from your hotel by 9 am and taken to the port. Here, you’ll board a boat that will take you along the River Plate and the channels of the Delta. This was such a beautiful experience, and it was great to get some fresh air first thing in the morning!
You’ll also visit Tigre, a rustic town along the delta known for its crafts and markets. You’ll visit a fruit market, a cathedral, and one of the town’s many rowing clubs for some empanadas.
Nature can feel hard to come by in Buenos Aires, which is why we think that this 5-hour tour is a really nice way to get outside of the city. Not only will you experience nature, but you’ll get to see a more traditional Argentinian town.
We loved our experience, and we think it’s especially great for families and couples, although pretty much anyone could enjoy this! It includes round-trip transportation, the boat ride, and snacks, making the whole outing easy and stress-free.
So if you’re looking to cruise the delta and get a taste of Buenos Aires’ suburbs, this is it!
This tour sells out quickly, secure your spot now and get FREE cancellation options.
8. Day trip to Iguazu Falls
- Duration: 1 day
- Time: 4 am and 7 am
- Highlights: Fly from Buenos Aires for a private visit to Iguazú Falls, explore the Argentinian side at your own pace, ride the park train to Devil’s Throat, and learn about the region’s wildlife and history
- Inclusions: Airfare(economy, no luggage), private airport transfers (if option selected), private professional guide, national park entrance fees, Great Adventure navigation (if option selected)
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 350+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
- Price: Check price here!
Iguazú Falls is one of those places you have to see to truly grasp its power—photos just don’t compare. Even if you’re short on time in Buenos Aires, it’s well worth the trip, and this private day tour makes it easy by letting you experience the (in our opinion, superior) Argentinian side without needing an overnight stay.
Since the falls are just a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires, this tour handles all the logistics for you. You’ll get private hotel transfers to the airport, a seamless pickup at Iguazú, and direct transport to the national park. With everything taken care of, all you have to do is enjoy the journey and take in one of the most breathtaking natural sights in South America.
Plus, once you arrive at the falls, your group enjoys a private guided tour. Your guide will share the myths and legends behind Iguazú, point out the unique plants and wildlife, and make sure you don’t miss any of the viewpoints—there’s so much to take in here.
This full-day experience is ideal if you’re short on time and want every detail handled for you. Yes, it’s an early start at around 5:30 am, but it’s just one day—and you’ll maximize every minute.
With round-trip flights, seamless transport, and a private tour that brings you incredibly close to the water (including the chance to ride a boat behind the falls), all you have to do is relax and soak up the beauty of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Reserve your spot on this tour now, and pay later when you book here!
9. Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 2 pm and 6 pm
- Highlights: Taste boutique Argentine wines, learn from a bilingual sommelier, sample Malbec, Torrontés, and other local varietals, enjoy perfectly paired small bites in a Palermo Soho wine cellar
- Inclusions: All taxes, fees, and handling charges, wine tasting, professional English and Spanish speaking Sommelier, small-group tour
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 180+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Argentina is famous for its wine, so wine tasting is a must in Buenos Aires. While there are a ton of wine tours available, we absolutely loved this small-group tour. It all takes place in the Miravida Hotel & Wine Bar, which is a beautiful mansion in the heart of Palermo.
You get to spend 2 hours tasting some of the country’s most famous varietals, including Malbec, Chardonnay, and Torrontés. But the best part is you get to do it all inside a subterranean wine cellar, which we think is the ultimate wine-tasting venue!
Plus, this tour is led by an expert sommelier who will teach you all about winemaking in Argentina and how to taste wine properly. Sometimes, these experiences can feel a bit pretentious, but that definitely isn’t the case with this tour—and we genuinely learned a lot. Also, you get to sample some local boutique wines that you probably wouldn’t have come across otherwise.
You’ll be in a small group, so it’s a pretty intimate experience and a great way to meet new people. As such, you’ll be able to ask lots of questions and chat with your guide.
By the end, you walk away not just having tasted incredible wines, but truly understanding why Argentina’s wine culture is so special. It’s an experience that stays with you long after the last sip!
Book this top-rated experience here and get free cancellation before you go.
10. Enjoy a traditional Argentinian BBQ
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm
- Highlights: Prepare an authentic Argentine asado, craft chimichurri, taste premium cuts from choripán to tenderloin, sip Malbec in a historic family home
- Inclusions: All food, Malbec, soft drinks, and water, small-group tour
- Rating: 5 stars (check 330+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
You might think that you’ve had great barbecue before, but trust me, you haven’t had anything until you’ve tried an Argentinian asado. An asado is a traditional barbecue where meat is cooked over an open fire. You’ll probably get to eat a lot of asado while in Buenos Aires, but learning how to make it takes it to the next level!
This Asado Experience in Buenos Aires will teach you all about the world-famous meat. Not only will you learn how to cook it properly, but you’ll learn about the different cuts of meat, get to taste the Chimichurri sauce that perfectly pairs with the asado, and try lots and lots of wine—of course!
This class is fun for anyone, but especially those who love to cook. I think this is a great way to dive into the traditional Argentinian culture and enjoy a feast along the way. By the end, you’ll be a grill master – and really full!
It includes all your food and drinks, plus hands-on guidance and ingredients, so you can fully immerse yourself without worrying about a thing. It’s a memorable experience and, with the sheer amount of incredible food you’ll enjoy, absolutely worth it. You leave with new skills, a deeper appreciation for Argentine culture, and a story you’ll be telling long after your trip!
Book this Asado Experience with over 250 glowing reviews here!
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Now that you know the best things to do in Buenos Aires, you’ll want to find the right hotel to stay at! You don’t need to break the bank to stay here, but if you are searching for a luxurious getaway, you can find that too. Here are my top picks for various price ranges.
Hilton Buenos Aires – $$$
You can’t beat the location with the riverside Hilton Buenos Aires. You’ll be within walking distance to downtown as well as the Playa Reserva Ecológica Buenos Aires. It’s also where you’ll board the boat on the Tigre Delta Cruise! There’s a rooftop pool to relax in or sit down for a meal or drink at the hotel’s restaurant or bar.
The service is exceptional, and the rooms are spacious. It’s a more expensive place to stay at $250-$350 USD per night, but worth it if you’re looking for a five-star experience. So for the ultimate luxury in Buenos Aires, book your stay at the Hilton online here.
Grand Brizo Buenos Aires – $$
If you’re after a stylish mid‑range stay in the heart of Buenos Aires, Grand Brizo Buenos Aires hits the sweet spot. Located on Calle Cerrito—just a few blocks from the Obelisco and Teatro Colón—you’re within walking distance of the city’s best food, culture, and nightlife. The rooms are clean and modern, many with mini‑fridges and city views, and the service is always praised. Big bonuses include a killer rooftop pool, full gym, spa & wellness centre, and a lovely buffet breakfast.
At around $150 – $250 USD per night, it’s the kind of hotel that gives you comfort and convenience without blowing your budget. Check availability and reserve your stay here!
Broadway Hotel & Suites – $
Located in the heart of Buenos Aires, the Broadway Hotel & Suites offers really spacious rooms at a great price. The swimming pool on the roof has amazing panoramic city views and a sun deck to soak up some rays. The rooms feature large windows, minimalistic art deco-type décor, and bathrooms with marble fittings.
You’ll also have plenty of choices for shopping and restaurants nearby. Plus, a junior suite here can be under $70 USD! To snag this awesome deal, I highly recommend you check availability and book online in advance.
Renting a Car in Argentina
We enjoyed a rental car for our second trip to Argentina when we traveled in Patagonia – and wow, what a way to travel! But the best part was that we only paid $40 USD per day for a 5-person sedan!
But how? Well, if you’re renting a car in Argentina, the cheapest company is Discover Cars. We often get questions from readers asking us if the website is fake because it seems too cheap! It’s a great website and the one we used for our rental.
If you do want to compare prices (and you should), do a quick search on Airport Car Rentals too. They’re another big competitor, and each company often has its own deals to offer!
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Thanks for reading!
Buenos Aires is a huge place with so many things to do. I actually found it a bit intimidating when I first arrived, but after spending more time in the city, it really grew on me. It’s a place where you can dance the night away, eat delicious food, drink fantastic wine or craft beer, see amazing architecture, and lose yourself on the colorful streets.
I hope your Buenos Aires bucket list is full after reading this guide! Make sure to check out our other Argentina blogs before you book your plane ticket. We have lots of ideas for you and places to discover that you may not have heard of.
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