15 Best Things To Do In Buenos Aires, Argentina

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 we remember being very overwhelmed when we first set foot in this bustling city.  

That’s why we 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 top experiences, and skip the stress and logistics of navigating this hectic city. I know you’ll end up loving Buenos Aires as much as we do!

Buenos Aires at a Glance

Buenos Aires can feel a little overwhelming to explore at first, but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve picked up a few helpful tips during our visits that make getting around and exploring the city so much easier.

Important Tip: Use public transportation or rideshares to get around and delve into the local cuisine.

Use rideshares and public transport: Buenos Aires is well connected by its Subte (metro) system. It’s a reliable way to travel between areas like Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo. Rideshare services like Uber and Didi are also super available and easy to use.

Enjoy Argentine cuisine: Some of the best meals we’ve ever encountered were in Buenos Aires. Make it a point to center your trip around food and the local cuisine, and you won’t be disappointed! 

Reserve your accommodation in advance: From our experience, booking your Buenos Aires accommodation 3–4 months in advance is the sweet spot for securing good rates without planning too far ahead.

How We Would Spend 3 Days in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is a huge city with so much to see and do! After visiting several times, here’s how we’d spend 3 days enjoying the best food, culture, and experiences the city has to offer.

🥩 Day 1: Get to know Buenos Aires from a local’s perspective with a private city tour, then enjoy a refined lunch in Recoleta before spending the afternoon exploring its cultural highlights at your own pace. End the day with an immersive Palermo food tour to explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

🐎 Day 2: Spend the day learning about Argentina’s rural traditions on a gaucho ranch, then have dinner in the upscale Puerto Madero district.

💃 Day 3: Visit the beloved San Telmo Market and take some time to explore Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhood, then spend the afternoon exploring the colorful La Boca neighborhood. Then, wrap up your time in the city with an iconic tango show!

Things to do in Buenos Aires

1. Taste your way around the city

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 better understand the culture and appreciate why dining out is such a central part of life here. We also found this tour to be a great opportunity to meet new people. Your guide will even recommend places you can all go out as a group after the tour ends.

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!

2. Explore Buenos Aires with a private guide

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!

3. Experience a traditional Gaucho Ranch

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 a silversmith’s studio to see how buckles and mates are still being handcrafted. Then, stop at Parroquia San Antonio de Padua, a historic church on Segundo Sombra Street dating to 1869. You’ll also pass by Boliche de Bessonart, a saloon that’s over 200 years old! 

At the ranch, you’ll set off on a horseback ride, or 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.

Spending a day with Argentina’s cowboys is one of the coolest ways 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. After all, there’s a reason this tour has over 1,000 raving reviews (see them all here!).

4. Explore Recoleta

Recoleta is one of Buenos Aires’ prettiest neighborhoods. It’s also one of the most culturally significant, too. It has long been home to many of the city’s wealthiest and most notable residents. You’ll see many Parisian-style buildings here, along with palatial homes and upscale boutiques. 

The Recoleta Cemetery is by far the most famous landmark in Recoleta. It’s full of marble mausoleums built in several architectural styles, including Art Deco and neo-Gothic. These tombs are really something to see, and many feature sculptures and ornate details. 

When you enter, you get a map to help you locate the final resting places of famous Argentinian figures, including many presidents, poets, and intellectuals. 

In the summer, the cemetery is open from 8 am until 6 pm daily. In the winter, it’s open from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry for foreigners costs around $6 USD. The rate in pesos changes quickly due to inflation, but luckily, prices stay the same when you convert foreign currency. 

If you want more insight into the history and lore, this guided tour is an excellent option!

5. Indulge in an Argentinian cooking experience

If I had to pick my very favorite activity 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!

6. Enjoy a Tango dinner show

A tango show in Buenos Aires is a must, but many performances don’t start until 10 pm or even midnight! That might work for locals who are used to staying up late, but if you’d rather get to bed at a reasonable hour, this early tango show is a great alternative.

You can choose to watch the show on its own or add a three-course dinner beforehand. You can choose from several dishes, including classic Argentine favorites. Naturally, steak is a winning option. When in Buenos Aires, right?

Your dinner also includes a bottle of Malbec, and you can order a cocktail with your starter if you want to treat yourself. Just keep in mind that cocktails cost extra. Prices are in line with what you’d expect locally, so you won’t be facing outrageous drink prices.

Once dinner wraps up, it’s time for the main event. The dancers take the stage with incredible footwork, sharp movements, and plenty of dramatic flair. Each dance seems to tell its own story. It’s almost like watching a soap opera unfold through music and movement!

The show also features drumming, and one standout moment involves a dancer swinging long bead chains to create rhythm and motion. It’s a mesmerizing sight. 

By the end of the night, you’ll have a new appreciation for the passion and emotion behind tango. Best of all, you can enjoy this classic Buenos Aires experience without sacrificing a decent night’s sleep.

7. Visit San Telmo Market and neighborhood

San Telmo is Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhood, and we love it for its Bohemian vibe! It’s a great place to wander around, check out the colonial houses, and soak up the atmosphere. 

The best place to start is San Telmo Market for a morning of countless breakfast options. Once you arrive, there are plenty of stalls where you can grab a coffee and a few medialunas (half-moon-shaped croissants that are popular breakfast fare in Buenos Aires). The market opens at 10 am, and we recommend arriving around then because it’s almost always busy, especially on weekends.

After the market, you can visit Plaza Dorrego. This square is the heart of San Telmo, and it has an antiques market every Sunday. Aside from that, plenty of cafes are dotted around, and you’ll often see tango dancers practicing or performing here.

Once you’re finished taking in Plaza Dorrego, you can hop into one of the many boutique wine bars for a tasting. We love Tierra Mendocina, right in the San Telmo Market, or 1853 The Wine Experience, which is really cute and cozy.

8. See Buenos Aires on two wheels

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!

9. Take in the Grandeur of El Ateneo Grand Splendid

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is the world’s second-largest bookstore! But it’s not just the size that makes this place so cool. It’s also housed inside a beautiful old theater, making it one of the most unique bookstores you’ll ever visit.

The English section is quite small with a limited selection, but the building itself is the real attraction. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s definitely worth stopping by. 

You can wander through the different levels, admire the ornate balconies, and take in all the details that make this place feel more like a theater than a bookstore. There’s even a cafe set up on the old stage where you can grab a coffee and an empanada while enjoying the view!

Walking through El Ateneo takes about an hour or so, depending on how much you want to explore. It’s a great stop to combine with the Recoleta Cemetery since they’re within walking distance of each other (about 10-15 minutes).

The bookstore is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Related Read: Need help organizing all of these activities? See our 3-day Buenos Aires itinerary for many of these top things to do and more, all planned out for you!

10. Enjoy a cruise around the Tigre River Delta

This half-day tour is a great way to spend a few hours in nature and see how Argentinian culture differs outside the capital. You’ll probably hear a lot of locals tell you that 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. 

Along the Delta, you’ll get to visit Tigre, a rustic town known for its crafts and markets. Then you’ll have time to wander through a fruit market, visit the cathedral, and stop by one of the town’s many rowing clubs for empanadas. 

Nature can feel hard to come by in Buenos Aires, which is why this five-hour tour is such a nice way to get outside the city. You’ll enjoy the scenery while getting a glimpse of a more traditional Argentine town.

Whether you’re traveling as a group or on your own, this tour is an easy way to explore beyond the city. It includes round-trip transportation, the boat ride, and snacks so you can sit back and enjoy the outing without worrying about the logistics.

If you’re looking to cruise the Delta and get a taste of life beyond Buenos Aires, this tour is a great option!

11. Spend some time in Tres de Febrero Park

Want a relaxed morning that won’t cost much? Head to Tres de Febrero Park, a beautiful public park with two lakes, walking trails, and a rose garden. You can stroll, run, cycle, or rent a paddle boat for around $12 USD per half hour.

The Parque El Rosedal sits in the center of the park. With more than 93 rose species, a Spanish patio, and sculptures of famous writers, it’s a romantic spot for a peaceful walk.

You’ll also find the Galileo Galilei Planetarium inside the park. Its UFO-like design is hard to miss. You can explore interactive exhibits and see meteorites found in Argentina. Entry is free, though special shows have an additional cost (about $1 USD) and must be booked online. Keep in mind that the website and shows are in Spanish.

Right next door, the Japanese Gardens offer another peaceful place to wander. The gardens are open daily from 10 am until 6:45 pm and cost around $5 USD for tourists. You can explore the gardens, visit the cultural center, or browse the plant nursery. Weekdays tend to be quieter, but it’s a serene experience either way.

12. Get an authentic rooftop asado experience

Few places are as famous for barbecue as Argentina, where grilling meat and sharing wine are central to local life. This traditional asado experience lets you experience that culture beyond a typical restaurant meal. You’ll join a local Argentine barbecue master for a private rooftop dining experience overlooking Buenos Aires. How cool is that?

You’ll enjoy a seven-course menu while learning about the food and traditions behind Argentina’s asado. The small group setting makes it feel more personal, giving you time to ask questions and hear the stories behind each dish.

It starts with homemade empanadas from Tucumán, followed by traditional blood sausage and chorizo. You’ll even get to prepare the chorizo with chimichurri, a classic Argentine sauce. The main courses bring plenty of variety, including pork belly marinated for 24 hours with lemon, mustard, and local herbs. You’ll also try slow-cooked smoked tri-tip and ribeye seasoned with Malbec and herbs.

Wine pairings are part of the experience, so you can sample local flavors alongside the food. You certainly won’t leave hungry!

To finish, you’ll enjoy a traditional chocotorta cake served with dulce de leche ice cream. It’s a sweet ending to a meal that gives you a closer look at Argentine food culture.

Come hungry and ready to try something new. You’ll leave with a better understanding of asado traditions and useful tips on where to eat during the rest of your stay in Buenos Aires. 

13. Day trip to Iguazu Falls

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, 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.

14. Wander La Boca

La Boca is one of Buenos Aires’ most colorful and culturally rich neighborhoods. The buildings here were famously built from leftover shipyard wood and metal, then painted in whatever colors were available at the docks. 

Start with a stroll along El Caminito, a street known for its brightly colored houses. As you wander through, you’ll see lots of street performers and local artists selling their work. It feels busy and touristy, but it’s still a must-see. 

If you’re a big football fan, you can’t miss La Bombonera! If you’re lucky enough to be in La Boca on game day, the pre-game party atmosphere is something you’ll never forget! If not, then you can visit the Boca Juniors museum or book a stadium tour to go behind the scenes at this legendary venue.

Another stop to sneak in is the Benito Quinquela Martin Museum of Fine Arts. It features Benito Quinquela Martin’s work (after whom the museum is named) depicting life in the area between the 1920’s and 1960’s. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, and Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. 

15. Go wine tasting

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!

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.

Related Read: Don’t leave your hotel to the last minute! Our where to stay in Buenos Aires blog has top-rated hotels and info on the best areas to stay!

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!

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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