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How to Spend TWO DAYS in Buenos Aires: 2-Day Itinerary

How to Spend TWO DAYS in Buenos Aires: 2-Day Itinerary

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One of the most epic cities in Latin America is Buenos Aires. From the delicious cuisine to the fun nightlife, there’s a reason we keep coming back to this amazing place.

There are plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires, even if you can only visit for a short time. We have a list of the top sights and cultural delights to make for an epic two-day stay. We’ve also made sure the activities are paired together so you don’t have to worry about constantly traveling back and forth.

Whether you’re looking forward to seeing a tango show or joining a sightseeing tour, we’ve rounded up some of the best options for a 2-day itinerary in Buenos Aires.

Don’t have time to read the full article? While visiting Buenos Aires, you can go on this fun and informative city tour, walk through Recoleta Cemetery, enjoy mouth-watering cuisine on the Argentine Experience, and make time to see a world-class tango show.

Day 1 in Buenos Aires – Historic Highlights and Recoleta

Morning – Sightseeing tour

A sculpture on the streets of Buenos Aires on a walking tour
These sculptures are from a famous cartoon in Latin America!
The Puente de la Mujer in Buenos Aires
The Puente de la Mujer in Buenos Aires

One of our favorite ways to explore a new city is by going on a sightseeing tour. There are 48 different neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, so we think this is a great first activity to get to know this big city. It’s also a fantastic way to hit up all the major sights in less than 24 hours in Buenos Aires!

The main square (aka Plaza de Mayo) is the center point for most of these tours. Many important buildings line this area such as Buenos Aires City Hall, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Casa Rosada.

Small-Group City Tour

A brightly colored building in the Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A brightly colored building in La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina

We joined this Small-Group City Tour and it ended up being a fantastic introduction to Buenos Aires. Since you’re only visiting for two days, this is a great option because it’s a driving tour, so you can rest your legs while your guide talks about Argentina’s history.

This tour begins by driving through San Telmo, which is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. There’s so much history here and I loved admiring the architecture and cobblestone streets. It’s such a beautiful area and it was a great start to our tour.

Next, we headed to La Boca, which is known historically as being a working-class neighborhood with residents from all over the world. This is my favorite neighborhood in Buenos Aires, and I love seeing all the colorful houses! We’ll discuss more about this famous area on day 2 of this itinerary.

I was so happy that we got to explore this area on our own for a bit, and it was definitely a highlight of this tour. While we encourage you to enjoy walking around La Boca, please be careful with your belongings. Because this is such a popular spot, some tourists have reported cases of petty theft from pickpocketers and phone snatchers.

After your stop in this bright neighborhood, you’ll be on your way to another colorful building, the Casa Rosada (aka “the pink house”) which is the president’s official office. Not too far away is the Metropolitan Cathedral, where you’ll get to go inside and visit the mausoleum of San Martin, who is regarded as a national hero and led the revolution against Spanish rule in 1812.

But it doesn’t end there! Next up is a drive to some famous neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, like Palermo and Recoleta, where you’ll get to visit the Plaza Naciones Unidas. This urban park contains a giant metal sculpture known as the Floralis Genérica. This flower sculpture is 65 feet (20 meters) high and opens and closes like it’s blooming. A big storm broke the mechanism that allowed the petals to open a few years back, but it was repaired in June of 2023.

The last stop includes a drive past Recoleta Cemetery, where many famous historical figures are buried. This is a beautiful cemetery with statues, marble mausoleums, and other architectural beauties. We highly recommend getting off the tour bus to explore and entry into the cemetery is just $6 USD.

All in all, this tour costs between $29 and $34 USD per person, which includes roundtrip transportation and a very knowledgeable guide. Given everything we got to see, we thought it was a great deal! You’ll be picked up between 8:30 and 9:30 am (depending on your location from San Telmo). If you get off at Recoleta Cemetery, the tour will end around 12:30 pm, making it about 3 hours total.

You can book this tour online here and believe us, it really is the best intro to Buenos Aires!

Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Bailey on the hop on hop off bus in Buenos Aires
Old ship in Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Puerto Madero!

We love hop-on hop-off buses because they make getting around a new place so easy, while still providing the opportunity to explore independently. 

You can buy this 24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus ticket for just $30 USD. Plus, the buses run daily from 9:40 am to 5:30 pm, so it offers a lot of flexibility!

The Hop-on Hop-off Bus stop is a 5-minute walk from Plaza de Mayo, so we recommend heading there first. You can either take an Uber to Plaza de Mayo or take the subway to the Plaza de Mayo Station – it’s at the very end of line A (the light blue line on the map). However, you’ll need a SUBE card to take public transit in the city (more on that in our subway section below!).

In total, there are 25 stops on this city bus route, but we recommend passing by La Boca and San Telmo because we’re going to explore them in more depth on day 2 of this itinerary. Even if you only get off at a few stops, it’s still really nice to ride through Buenos Aires on an open-top bus! 

You can get off at Puerto Madero to explore the upscale riverside area. If you’re a night owl, we found that this part of the city really comes alive after the sun goes down. 

There’s also a stop at Galerías Pacífico, which is a beautiful shopping mall that helps reiterate why Buenos Aires is nicknamed “the Paris of South America.” Inside, there’s a large ceiling mural that would rival many cathedrals! 

We also recommend getting off at the Planetario Galileo Galilei. If you walk a short way, you’ll find the Buenos Aires Ecoparque. Buenos Aires doesn’t have much in the way of nature, so it’s nice to explore here, and you might even see Patagonian maras! Honestly, I had no idea what these cute little creatures were at first, but quickly fell in love after seeing them bouncing around many Buenos Aires parks!

The ecopark has no entrance fee and you can walk around as you please. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm but is closed on Mondays. 

Other stops on the way include the Floralis Genérica, Chinatown, and the National Museum of Decorative Art. You get to choose your own adventure and decide where you want to explore! However, I recommend getting off at the Av. del Libertador stop, since the next part of our itinerary takes you through the famous Recoleta neighborhood.

This Hop-on Hop-off Bus ticket can be purchased online here. It’s a great way to get your bearings on day 1, and you can return to some of these spots if you decide to stay longer!

Bike tour

A bike on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Colonial Street in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Colonial Street in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Another way to experience an amazing tour in Buenos Aires is by bike! We loved this bike tour because it allowed us to cover a lot of ground in just a few hours. You’ll get to see different neighborhoods and new parts of the city all while getting some exercise!

You’ll meet at Plaza San Martin at 9:30 am, next to the monument by the General San Martin subway station on line C. You’ll bike along the river through the Puerto Madero neighborhood which is the newest and most expensive area in Buenos Aires. You’ll also pedal past the colorful houses of La Boca and the historic neighborhood of San Telmo. Finally, you’ll cycle around Plaza de Mayo before ending back at Plaza San Martin. 

If you enjoy cycling, this guided tour was made for you. But if you’re not an avid cyclist, don’t worry! The entire city is super flat, so it’s smooth sailing. We also appreciate that Buenos Aires has bike lanes almost everywhere, so you’re not competing for space. There’s also time to explore the nature reserve, so you can stretch your legs before you pedal on.

This tour costs $36 USD and is quite popular. Prices include a comfy beach cruiser bike, helmets, a bottle of water, and additional rain gear if needed. You can also request child seats if you’re traveling with little ones. Tours leave daily at 9:30 am or 2 pm, but we recommend the morning tour so you can have more time for the other activities in this itinerary. Also, it’s important to show up at least 15 minutes before your tour.

If you’re ready to see Buenos Aires by bike, check availability and book your dates online here!

If you do this bike tour, you’ll end right back where you started and it’s a 25-minute walk (or a $2 USD Uber ride) to our next stop, Recoleta Cemetery. While it’s possible to take the subway, we realized there are so many changes involved en route that it ended up being faster and easier to walk! It took roughly 30 minutes on foot.

Related Read: For those who prefer an active lifestyle while traveling, check out our post on the best hikes in South America.

OR

Explore Plaza de Mayo by yourself

Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires

Look, if you can’t wait to see Buenos Aires, but don’t necessarily want to take a tour right off the bat, we get it! Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a slower morning so you can discover things at your own pace. If this sounds more enticing, we think wandering around Plaza de Mayo is one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires.

You can see Casa Rosada, where the former First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, gave speeches to the crowds. We also recommend strolling through the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is open weekdays from 7:45 am to 6:45 pm, and on weekends from 9 am to 6:45 pm. It’s free to visit, but there are often services so please be respectful.

There are also important buildings like Cabildo which used to be the city hall in the 18th century and has since been turned into a national museum. This is another place that has free entry, and it’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:30 am to 6 pm.

Another place worth checking out is La Librería de Avila, the city’s oldest bookstore. They have many rare items, but we didn’t find many English books, so just keep that in mind. Its old-worldly charm is a book lover’s dream, and it’s open weekdays from 9 am – 7 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am – 3 pm.

If you have time, check out El Obelisco, which is a 15-minute walk from Plaza de Mayo. It’s one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and it was built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Buenos Aires. If you’re a soccer fan who watched any videos of the post-World-Cup madness, this is where masses of people were celebrating.

After that, you can hop on the subway at 9 de Julio station and travel on line D to Santa Fe Carlos Jáuregui, then change to line H and stay on for one more stop. Get off at Las Heras in Recoleta. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the cemetery we touched on above. You’ll need a SUBE card to ride the subway (which we discuss in more detail in the subway section further down).

If taking the subway isn’t your jam, it only costs about $5 USD for an Uber to Recoleta Cemetary. 

Afternoon – Explore Recoleta

Beautiful buildings in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina
You don’t feel like you’re in Buenos Aires anymore!

To me, Recoleta is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. You’ll see lots of Parisian-style buildings here, and plenty of fancy boutiques and grand houses. It is associated with being the area where many of the city’s wealthiest and most notable residents live, and it has a culture of its own.

There are plenty of places to see here, but if you want to know specifically where to visit, we’ve got you covered! Some of our favorite spots in Recoleta are listed below.

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires
Recoleta Cemetery!
Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires Argentina
It’s an odd tourist attraction!

This cemetery is by far the most famous landmark in Recoleta, but it’s no ordinary graveyard!

The Recoleta Cemetery is full of beautiful marble mausoleums, many of which were built in several different architectural styles, like Art Deco and Neo-Gothic. Many tombs feature sculptures with very ornate details, so even though the idea of visiting a cemetery might seem like an odd choice, this is a remarkable place with numerous works of art. My pictures above are merely a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside!

Some of the mausoleums are almost large enough to live inside, so it feels like a little town instead of a standard cemetery. I’ll admit, it is a little eerie but overall it’s a really interesting place to visit. Upon entering, you get a map to help locate the final resting places of famous Argentinian figures, including many presidents, poets, and intellectuals. 

Also, keep an eye out for the statue of Liliana Crociati, who died on her honeymoon in Austria in the 1970s. Her parents wanted to memorialize her in her wedding dress, so a sculptor created this statue and even added her beloved pet dog by her side. Rumor has it that rubbing the dog’s nose brings luck. In fact, so many visitors have done this that the metal has changed color! 

In the summer, the cemetery is open from 8 am until 6 pm. In the winter, it’s open from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry for foreigners costs around $6 USD, but there may be some fluctuation with inflation.

Grab a beer at Buller Pub and Brewery or Temple

Buller Pub beer in Buenos Aires
Photo credit: Buller Pub
Buller Pub in Buenos Aires
Photo credit: Buller Pub

If you’ve read any of our blogs before, you’ll know that we’re huge craft beer fans! And luckily for us (and maybe you too), there just so happens to be two great craft beer spots next to the Recoleta Cemetery. 

Buenos Aires has a great craft beer scene, so much so, that drinking craft beer is one of our top activities in all of Argentina. We enjoyed local beer in El Calafate and Ushuaia, and we’re happy to report that Buenos Aires is another place in Argentina with equally incredible brews.

We recommend heading for a cold one at either Buller Pub or Temple Bar. Both are great, although we opted for Buller simply because Temple has locations across the city, so we had already been before.

Buller Brewpub has a charming outdoor terrace with a view overlooking the cemetery. They have a good selection of craft beer and bar bites in case you’re hungry. Their Papa Bear Honey beer is delicious, but be warned, it’s strong! Buller is open from noon till 2 or 3 am daily.

As we mentioned, Temple Bar is a city-wide chain. They serve everything from IPAs to honey beers and stouts in colorful cans. If you stop by the Recoleta location, you can try one of their beers on tap, along with some bar food. It’s open daily from noon till 1 am (Buenos Aires is a late-night culture, after all!).

Visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Inside El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Inside El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina

After your refreshments, it’s about a 20-minute walk (or a 5-minute Uber) to get to El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It’s the second-largest bookstore in the world! But it’s not only size that makes this bookshop so cool, it’s also the fact that it’s located inside a beautiful old theater.

Despite its size, the English section is tiny and has a very limited selection. But even if you don’t speak Spanish, this bookstore is still definitely worth checking out because it’s so elegant and unique. Plus, there’s a cafe on stage where you can grab a coffee and an empanada while you admire how pretty this place is. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 9 am – 9 pm and on Sundays from 12 pm – 9 pm.

Evening: Eat delicious Argentinian steak

No trip to Argentina is complete without trying some amazing Argentinian steak (unless you’re a vegetarian, in which case, we recommend skipping to the last bit called The Argentine Experience).

Buenos Aires is home to tons of excellent parrillas where you can enjoy some incredible steak. After your first day of exploring, we recommend heading to the Palermo Soho or Palermo Hollywood which are neighborhoods that border one another. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s top steakhouses which we’ve highlighted below!

Don Julio

Steak diiner at Don Julio  in Buenos Aires
Steak dinner at Don Julio in Buenos Aires! Photo credit: Don Julio

Don Julio is probably the most famous restaurant in Buenos Aires (and Argentina) and has a reputation for being the best steakhouse in the city. However, it’s very touristy, and we think the steak here isn’t overly superior to other steaks you’ll find in the area.

We totally understand wanting to eat here because it’s so famous. Just remember that its fame means it’s hard to book a table, so making a reservation is a must. You can do this easily via their website. If there’s no availability, try WhatsApping one of their phone numbers to make a booking instead (Argentines love WhatsApp and are more likely to accommodate you this way). Expect to pay between $40-$50 USD for a full meal here. Also, it might be a good idea to share since the portion sizes are quite large.

The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 am – 4 pm and reopens from 7 pm until 1 pm. If you can’t get a reservation, we recommend arriving early to wait in line. There’s even a rumor that they serve complimentary champagne while you wait!

Hierro

My personal favorite steak restaurant in Buenos Aires is Hierro, and there’s one right in Palermo Hollywood. The ribeye steak is amazing, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, I highly recommend their triple dulce de leche dessert! 

While Hierro isn’t as famous as Don Julio, I think the steak is just as good, and it’s a bit cheaper too. It costs around $15-30 USD for a steak here, and it’s open every day from 12 pm until midnight or 1 am. If you decide to stay 3 days in Buenos Aires, you could try both of the steak places we’ve included on this list and decide which one you prefer.

If you’re staying in San Telmo, there’s another Hierro in the San Telmo Market that you could go to instead. However, they’re only open on weekends from 12 pm – 7 pm and Tuesday through Friday from 12 pm to between 4 and 5 pm. So it would be more of a lunch or merienda by local standards!

The Argentine Experience

my steak at the Argentine Experience in Buenos Aires
It was cooked perfectly!
Our guide explaining about the food at the Argentine Experience in Buenos Aires
The guide was fantastic!

Since you’re not in Buenos Aires for long, I think the best way to dive into the food culture here is to book the Argentine Experience. It’s around 3-hours long, and it’s a very immersive dining experience where you’ll get to make your own empanadas, try lots of Argentinian wine, and eat amazing steak! 

You’ll also get tons of appetizers and two mouthwatering desserts. Plus, you’ll watch fun short presentations on different aspects of Argentinian culture (like how to make road rage gestures!). 

We had an amazing time here and it was actually one of my favorite experiences that I had in all of Argentina! I loved it so much that I even wrote this blog about the Argentine Experience.

For all the vegetarians out there, you can still enjoy this option! When we went, all the vegetarians and people with food allergies were very well taken care of. We were a little surprised by this, as the diet in Buenos Aires tends to cater towards meat-based cuisine. Just make sure to let them know what your requirements are when you book, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. 

It costs $98 USD, so while it’s pricier than going out for a meal, you get much more food and a great insight into Buenos Aires’s culture. The evening starts at 7:30 pm in Palermo, but for $32 USD more, you can add on a wine cocktail class starting at 6:15 pm.

If you can’t wait to try the Argentine Experience, you can check availability and book it online here!

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.

Late Night: Uptown

Entrance to Uptown Speak Easy in Buenos Aires
The entrance! Photo credit: Uptown
Uptown bar in Buenos Aires
The inside! Photo credit: Uptown

As previously mentioned, Buenos Aires is famous for its nightlife, and some of the best spots are in Palermo! If you’ve still got energy after your steak dinner, we recommend heading to Uptown. It’s just a short walk or Uber ride from all of the spots we suggested above. 

Uptown is a speakeasy disguised as a subway station, and the entrance is through a fake train carriage. It’s really cool, and they play great music inside that you can enjoy or even get up and dance to. If you prefer something a bit quieter, there’s also a Pharmacy-themed cocktail lounge inside where you can toast to your first day in Buenos Aires.

They’re open from 8 pm till 2 am or later. After midnight, there’s usually a line to get into Uptown, especially on weekends. Luckily, the advantage of being a tourist in Buenos Aires is that you generally tend to arrive at places earlier than the locals do! 

Once you get inside, try a fernet con coca. Fernet is an aromatic liquor that originated in Italy, and Argentinians love to mix it with Coke. It’s very popular among the locals and while it’s not for everyone, it’s a must-try on a night out in Buenos Aires! I actually enjoyed it which was a pleasant surprise, and would order one again!

Day 2 in Buenos Aires – San Telmo and La Boca

Morning – San Telmo

Shop in San Telmo Mrket
Shop in San Telmo Market

We briefly touched on San Telmo above, and as one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, we encourage you to spend part of your second day exploring this creative area more. It has an amazing, Bohemian vibe and is so cool to walk around. There’s tons of street art, colonial houses, and delectable eateries, as well as the famous San Telmo Market (more on this below!). 

Many visitors end up staying in San Telmo, but if you stay in more central areas like Palermo or Puerto Madero, the easiest way to get here is to take an Uber. You can also take the subway to Independencia on line E. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to get to the heart of this neighborhood.

Breakfast at the San Telmo Market

People eat inside the San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires
Photo credit: Carolina_J Depositphotos

San Telmo Market is the most famous market in Buenos Aires, and we definitely think that title is justified.

Operating since 1897, this market started as a place where European immigrants could buy fresh produce. Nowadays, you can still buy produce here, but the focus is more on dining out. You can treat yourself to baked goods, steak, cocktails, craft beer, Belgian frites, and more. This market has plenty of options!

There are loads of stalls where you can grab a coffee and a few medialunas (half-moon-shaped croissants that are popular breakfast fare in Buenos Aires). If you stayed out late (which is easy to do in Buenos Aires) you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of great options for brunch, too!

The market opens at 9 am, and we recommend getting there when they open because it’s always busy, especially on the weekends. It’s technically open till 8 pm, but many of the shops close early.

Visit Plaza Dorrego

People dance at Plaza Dorrego in Buenos Aires
People dance at Plaza Dorrego in Buenos Aires. Photo credit: Shinylion Depositphotos

Plaza Dorrego is the square in the center of San Telmo, right next to the market. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting on a Sunday, there is an antiques market here too! It’s not uncommon to see tango dancers performing here, particularly on Sundays.

But even if you’re here on a different day, it’s still worth checking out some of the traditional cafes around the square. If you’re looking for photos to boost your Instagram page, I recommend exploring the nearby streets on foot. There’s also a small art gallery here that has colorful umbrellas hanging above which is a classic photo op.

Related Read: For another unique experience, visit the countryside by joining a gaucho tour in Buenos Aires.

Go wine tasting

One of our favorite things about San Telmo is that it’s home to lots of little boutique wine bars where you can sample the local wines. We’re partial to wine and had a blast going on different wine tours in Mendoza. Argentina’s specialty is its exquisite Malbec (which goes really well with all the steak here, just FYI). If you prefer white wines, local wineries also produce a lot of Chardonnay as well.

Tierra Mendocina is located in the San Telmo Market and is the perfect place to go wine tasting or grab a bottle to take home as a gift (even if it’s a gift just for you). They’re open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm.

The 1853 Experience is another fantastic choice. It’s very cozy inside, and they only stock wines from small independent wineries, so it’s a great way to support small businesses. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am – 8 pm.

San Telmo Sherpa Food Tour

Food on The Sherpa Experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Food on The Sherpa Experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina

There are some great places to grab lunch in San Telmo, but this specific food tour offers an incredible local experience. Over the course of 3.5 hours, you explore San Telmo on foot with stops at five different eateries. You’ll try different traditional dishes, like empanadas and picadas, which are like the Argentinian version of tapas or antipasti. 

On top of all that yummy food, you’ll also get to try local beers, wines, and maybe even some fernet. This is a small group tour with a maximum of eight participants per group, so it’s a great option for solo travelers or couples looking to meet new people. 

This food tour starts at 11:30 am inside Bar El Federal, which is quite famous among locals. You’ll be walking to different places, including both fine dining and lesser-known hole-in-the-wall establishments, so wear comfy shoes (and maybe some loose pants). The tour ends at Zanjon de Granados, which is a traditional restaurant steeped in history.

Tours cost $78 USD, which is an amazing price considering all the food and drinks you get! It covers everything we mentioned along with a super friendly guide who shares loads of info about each location, the food, and the neighborhood.

It’s only available Tuesdays through Fridays, and you can check the dates and book this historic San Telmo food tour online here!

Related Read: If you’d rather take a similar food tour through a different neighborhood, check out our review of the Sherpa Food Tour through Palermo Soho!

Afternoon – La Boca

Bailey sits on the colorful streets of La Boca, Buenos Aires
La Boca!
A statue in the Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
So cool!

It’s a lovely 25-minute walk from San Telmo to La Boca, and this area is very safe during the day. If you don’t want to walk, you’ll need to take an Uber, as there’s no subway station in La Boca. 

But first, there are a few things you should know about La Boca. First off, its name means “the mouth” because the area sits at the mouth of the Matanza River. Many immigrants arrived here from Asia and Europe when they first set foot in Argentina, and lots of them settled here as well. 

The houses in La Boca were built using leftover shipyard materials and whatever paints they could find which is why each one is so colorful. The neighborhood became known for its garra, or fighting spirit, thanks to the resilience of the locals in the face of the area’s social problems.

La Boca is also the birthplace of the tango, and as you explore its winding streets, you’ll see lots of dancers performing and taking photos with tourists. 

If you joined one of the sightseeing tours from day 1, you might have already stopped in La Boca. But since most tours only allow 20-30 minutes to explore, we recommend returning to spend more time in this wonderful place. We loved hanging out here and it’s a main contributor to why Buenos Aires is one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

Both San Telmo and La Boca are tourist hotspots. As such, pickpockets tend to frequent the area (some even grab phones while riding by on bikes). That being said, we didn’t have any bad experiences! However, we do recommend wearing cross-body purses that fully zip and being careful when taking your phone out.

El Caminito

A famous street in the Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A famous street in the La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Colorful buildins in the Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why don’t they paint more streets like this?!

The most famous street in La Boca is El Caminito. Now, it’s considered to be an open-air museum, but once upon a time, this was a regular residential street. It followed the Matanza River (also known as the Riachuelo), but after the river dried up, it became part of the railroad street. You can still see some tracks nearby!

The railroad, along with El Caminito, was eventually abandoned. But in the 1950s, a group of La Boca residents decided to revive it. Now, the buildings are well maintained and regularly repainted, and are homes to restaurants and bars where you can sit outside and watch tango dancers perform. 

La Bombonera Football Stadium

La Bombonera Football Stadium
La Bombonera Football Stadium!

La Bombonera Stadium is the home of Boca Juniors, one of Buenos Aires’ famous football teams. They have a fierce rivalry with River Plate, the historically richer team, to the point where fights break out during games. We watched one match that was extended by 20 minutes due to a brawl on the pitch!

Fights happen so frequently that Argentinians only allow home fans into the stadium during games. So if you were a River Fan, you wouldn’t be allowed into La Bombonera to support your team, or vice versa. 

Sometimes you can get a tour of La Bombonera by visiting the museum inside the stadium. However, stadium tours were temporarily suspended last time we checked, so you can opt for this skip-the-line tour of the museum for $38 USD each instead. It’s a private tour so you can ask your guide tons of questions, and they’ll tell you fun stories, like how the stadium got its name (hint … it has to do with chocolate!), and enjoy an inside look at a soccer museum that was the first of its kind in South America!

The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and the ticket office closes at 5:30 pm. For a higher fee, you can opt to include transportation from your hotel or get a guided tour through Caminito afterward when you book online.

Check out the Quinquela Museum of Fine Arts

Located inside one of the brightly colored buildings in La Boca, is the Quinquela Museum which has some excellent samples of Argentine art. These pieces show how life in La Boca has changed from the late 19th century to the present day. 

The collection includes many works by Benito Quinquela Martín, who is considered to be one of the most talented and prolific Argentinian artists of all time. Martín is famed for his vibrant oil paintings that depicted life in La Boca, so where better to check them out than in the heart of the neighborhood itself?

The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:15 am – 6 pm and costs roughly $1 USD to enter.

Related Read: If you extend your stay in Buenos Aires, we highly recommend taking a tour to Iguazu Falls!

Evening – Tango Show

Tango during a show in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The dancing is beautiful!
Dancers on stage at a tango show in BA

There’s only one right way to finish off you’re two-day trip to Buenos Aires, and that’s with a local tango show!

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, so you can’t pass up the opportunity to go to a local show when you’re here. It was easily one of the best things that we did! 

Early Tango Dinner Show

We went to this early tango show and chose the option that included pickup and a delicious 3-course steak dinner beforehand. There’s also an option that only includes the show, but we had so much fun making an evening out of it. 

After being picked up from our hotel around 6:30 pm, we headed to the venue. We ordered a traditional steak dinner paired with local wine (shocking, I know), and it helped set the tone for the whole experience.

The food and service were excellent, and the dancers were amazing. Tango is such an intricate and intense dance. We’ve seen renditions of it before, but it’s so much better live, so it’s definitely worth seeing it in person. As well as the tango, they performed a gaucho dance which was one of the highlights of the show for us.

The dinner and show option costs $109 USD each, and it ends around 10:30 pm, so you can be in bed at a decent time, which can be harder than it sounds given the nightlife scene in Argentina. If you have an early flight out the next day, this tour is perfect!

You can also opt to forego dinner and just see the tango show. This option doesn’t include transportation, and it’ll cost $59 USD per person. You’ll need to arrive at the venue for an 8 pm start. If you can swing it, it makes more sense to go all in with the dinner beforehand and it’s a great finale to your Buenos Aires adventure.

If you’re excited to see a tango show but want to be home earlier, you can purchase tickets for this Early Tango Dinner Show right here.

Tango Porteño

Tango Porteño is known for its glitzy tango performances and elaborate costumes. It takes place in one of the city’s biggest tango theaters, and it’s a very impressive production! 

You’ll be picked up from your hotel around 8 pm and then taken to the theater for a 3-course dinner before the show begins. The food is worthy of a fancy restaurant, and the wine certainly flows, so this is another great way to spend your last night in the city. 

The show with dinner and roundtrip transportation starts at $122 USD per person. You do get better seats if you book the dinner as well, so we definitely think it’s worth it!

Without dinner, the transportation and show cost $70 USD, and you’ll be picked up around 9 pm. If you want to make your own way to the venue (Tango Porteño), the tango show is $50 USD. The show starts at 9:30 pm and lasts roughly 75 minutes.

If you’re itching to try out the famous dance for yourself, there’s also an option to partake in an hour-long tango class before dinner. Pickup isn’t included in this option, and you need to arrive by 7:30 pm. Prices start at $185 USD per person if you have two or more in your group.

For a tango show that pulls out all the stops, check availability and book your tour online here!

Two dancers perform during a tango show in Buenos Aires, Argentina
House of Tango!

El Viejo Almacen

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a tango show that starts late and offers a more intimate experience than Tango Porteño, then El Viejo Almacen might be just for you. It’s also perfect if you’re staying in San Telmo because the show takes place at a restaurant in the heart of this historic neighborhood. 

If you’re seeking a more traditional and authentic tango experience, you should definitely check this one out! The show displays various types of tango, so you really develop an overall understanding of this beautiful dance. Seeing a tango show is one of our favorite tours in Buenos Aires.

When we went, the whole experience was flawless, from start to finish. The service, musicians, and dancers were super professional, and it truly was a night to remember.  

Tickets cost $90 USD which includes an open bar, or they’re $140 USD if you want to have a 3-course dinner before the show begins. The dinner starts around 8 pm, and the dancing begins at 10 pm. Pickup is also included whether or not you want the dinner! 

There’s also an option to upgrade to VIP seats for the best views. You can do the show and drinks for $140 USD or the full dinner, drinks, and the show for $200 USD.

Depending on your travel dates, this tour frequently has special deals, so be sure to check prices for your dates and book it online!

About the Subway in Buenos Aires

People wait for the subway in Buenos Aires, Argentina
The subway is a great way to get around!

The subway and public bus are super cheap ways to get around in Buenos Aires and it only costs around $0.40 USD per journey. It’s pretty convenient, too, although it can get very busy during rush hour. 

The only problem is that to ride the subway or bus, you need a SUBE card and these are in short supply right now. You can try to buy them in tourist assistance centers (or a centro de atencion), inside metro stations, and at any kiosk with a big blue “SUBE” sign out the front, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get one. 

Having said that, we got one without any problems, and at first, we didn’t understand why other travelers kept asking us how we had managed it! It’s definitely worth checking at a few kiosks when you first arrive in the city – and that’s easy to do because they’re absolutely everywhere. 

To top up your SUBE card, just visit a teller inside any subway station. Bus drivers won’t accept cash, and when you hop on a bus, you need to tell them your destination so they can charge you accordingly. This can be a bit tricky without speaking Spanish – which is why I definitely prefer the subway instead!

If you don’t manage to get a SUBE card, Uber is still very affordable in Buenos Aires and won’t usually cost you more than a few dollars per journey. Even an hour-long ride from the airport to the city center only costs about $15 USD!

Other Activities to do While You’re in Buenos Aires

It’s incredible that you can visit Iguazu Falls on a day trip from Buenos Aires!

There is so much to see and do in Buenos Aires. You could spend weeks exploring and just skim the surface. So if you’re staying longer than 2 days, you’ll have no problem finding more fun activities. Below, you can check out some of my favorites!

  • Visit the River Plate Museum – The River Plate Museum is one of the biggest sports museums in the world, so it’s a must for any soccer fan. River Plate is one of the most successful soccer clubs in Argentina, and this museum located in Monumental Stadium covers the club’s entire history. You can get skip-the-line entry with this museum and stadium combo tour.
  • Gran Café Tortoni – Gran Café Tortoni is an iconic Buenos Aires coffeehouse. It’s one of the oldest cafes in the city and has even been named one of the most beautiful cafes in the world! This is the perfect place to grab a late-morning coffee or medialunas (Argentina’s mini croissants). You also buy a ticket for their weeknight tango shows.
  • Party! – Buenos Aires is known for its nightlife, and you can find a wide variety of events any night of the week. Palermo is the epicenter for trendy bars, and one of our favorite places to party is Glam Disco, a chic LGBT nightclub. San Telmo bars have a more relaxed, local vibe. For tango, beginners can head to La Catedral Club and keep the party going at La Viruta Tango Club.
  • Drink mate – Mate is a traditional Argentine beverage, made from dried and ground yerba mate leaves. A great spot to try mate is Las Cabras. However, if you really want to become a mate expert, you can book this tasting experience with two super-friendly local mate masters and learn all about this unique Argentine tradition.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina

spacious room at Hilton Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo credit: Hilton Buenos Aires

Now that you know how to spend your first couple of days here, you’ll want to find the right hotel to stay at! As you’re narrowing it down, you can take a peek at our guide to the best areas to stay in Buenos Aires.

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. 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.

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.

Selina Palermo – $

Stay in one of the trendiest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires on a budget! Selina Palermo puts you close to the best bars and nightclubs – giving you a great place to crash after a night on the town. The place feels really modern, and there are nice extras like a rooftop bar, breakfast, and bike rentals available. It’s also within walking distance to the Argentine Experience option from day 1!

Shared dorm rooms with bunk beds are around $20 USD per night. If sharing isn’t your style, there are affordable private rooms with nice balconies overlooking the city starting at around $90 USD. You can book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld.com to secure your room!

Planning your Trip to Argentina

Glacier Trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate, Argentina
The glacier trekking is so much fun!

Accommodation in Argentina

Booking accommodation is one of the biggest aspects of your trip, and we should know as we stay in a new hotel up to 40 times per year! Funny enough, we make 99% of these bookings on one website and that’s Booking.com – and there are a few reasons why we use this site!

Number one is the website is easy to use and sorts accommodation options. That takes the stress out of planning which honestly still affects us and we do it more than not.

Second, is the price guarantee. We have literally booked a hotel months before and then 1 week out found it cheaper (we always do a quick search), and they’ll match that price from anyone’s website including the hotels!

And third, is the Genius loyalty program. If you make a certain amount of bookings per year you get a Genius discount. We are level-two geniuses because we make more than 5 a year. At participating hotels, we get things like free breakfast included, early check-in, and up to 15% off.

You can check out all their accommodation options throughout Argentina!

Renting a car in Argentina

renting a car in patagonia
We rented a car in Southern Argentina and found that it was a very convenient and enjoyable way to travel!

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!

Tours in Argentina

drinking glacier water from perito moreno glacier
Drinking pure glacier water on our glacier tour!

We love booking online because we can check reviews of the tour and know exactly what to expect on the tour, such as the itinerary and inclusions. Sometimes the tours are pricier online than booking directly in person, but this is why we always book with Viator. If we happen to find the exact same tour for a lower price once we’re at the destination, Viator will actually refund the price difference!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.

SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.

SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.

Book your travel insurance with SafetyWing here!

Thanks for reading!

Daniel and Bailey take a selfie in Buenos Aires
Thanks for reading!

That is a full itinerary if I do say so myself! Thank you so much for reading this blog and we sincerely hope it has given you some ideas for your next Buenos Aires adventure. We love this city and we know you will too!

If you’re interested in learning more about this area, check out some of our other blogs. We’ve been all over Argentina and South America, and we’d love to help plan your next trip! We’ve included some blogs below that you might like.

18 Things you NEED to Know Before Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

21 FUN Things to do in Bariloche, Argentina

12 BEST Day Trips from Santiago, Chile that You Don’t Want to Miss