What to Do in Buenos Aires: Tango, Art, and Soulful Sophistication
Buenos Aires, Argentina’s magnetic capital, is a city where European elegance flirts with Latin American passion. Known as the "Paris of South America," Buenos Aires seduces travelers with its tree-lined boulevards, Beaux-Arts architecture, and a cultural rhythm defined by tango, steak, and spirited conversation. If you're a culture-loving traveler wondering what to do in Buenos Aires, prepare to fall for a city that never stops moving, yet always invites you to linger just a little longer.
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Top Experiences in Buenos Aires
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Palermo Small‐Group Food Tour with Dinner
Explore the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires through your taste buds with this small‐group tour. You'll visit a total of four different restaurants, where you’ll sample at least eight drinks and dishes. A local guide will be with your group the entire time to teach you about local culinary traditions and answer any questions you may have.
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Buenos Aires Hop‐On Hop‐Off Sightseeing Bus Ticket
See Buenos Aires on your own terms, at your own pace, by booking hop‐on hop‐off bus tickets. Passes valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours are available and entitle visitors to get on and off at more than 20 different stops. Once onboard, you can take in views from an open‐air deck or stay cool by opting for a seat in the air‐conditioned interior, and listen to commentary from a multi‐lingual audio guide.
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The Argentine Experience: Empanada Making, Steak and Wine
This unique interactive dining experience starts with your arrival at the location, at which point you'll receive a Malbec wine‐based cocktail and meet your fellow foodie travelers. Suit up in an apron and chef hat, and then learn how to close traditional Argentine empanadas using different 'repulga' techniques. After, sit down to a dinner consisting of food from all four corners of the country, including bife de lomo, arguably Argentina's best steak. The food served varies, but might include famous culinary exports like chorizo and grilled provoleta cheese, and is paired expertly with four varietals of wine. Finish by learning how to make your own mate, a traditional tea drink that has its own ritual, etiquette, and history, which you'll enjoy with alfajores, the typical Argentine dessert. Mixology Option: Enter the “aroma room” to test your olfactory senses, learning how to identify wine based on its smell with the guidance of a sommelier. Accompanied by gourmet appetizer pairings, you'll learn to create wine‐based cocktails using red wine, white wine and rosé. Then, choose your favorite and mix yourself a large glass to take to dinner with you.
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Buenos Aires Palermo Graffiti and Street Art Walking Tour
Palermo is one of Buenos Aires’ coolest neighborhoods, known for its hip bars, cafés, and boutiques. On this walking tour, dive into the district’s art scene as you explore its creative hubs and street art hotspots. Marvel at colorful murals, striking graffiti art, and quirky street art, and learn more about local artists and their inspirations.
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Buenos Aires City Highlights Tour via Bicycle
Admire the spectacular sights of Buenos Aires on a half‐day bike tour of the Argentinian capital’s architectural highlights. Beside your knowledgeable guide, cycle through vibrant neighborhoods such as La Boca and Puerto Madero, and marvel at landmarks including Casa Rosada, La Bombonera Stadium, and Plaza de Mayo. Throughout the tour, make regular stops to listen to informative commentary and gain an inside perspective of Buenos Aires from your guide. All safety equipment is included on this tour.
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Buenos Aires Small‐Group Creole Cooking Class
Discover Argentine culinary traditions with this interactive, small‐group cooking class in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Learn to prepare authentic dishes like empanadas, tenderloin, and dulce de leche flan under the guidance of an experienced chef. Enjoy hands‐on cooking in a group setting and then enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine pairings.
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Buenos Aires La Boca Walking Tour
Explore the vibrant La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires when you book this 2‐hour walking tour. Delve into the area’s rich cultural heritage as you explore the birthplace of tango; hear captivating stories of the local history; and admire the colorful house and bohemian atmosphere of the beautiful neighborhood.
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Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English
The magnificent Recoleta Cemetery dates back to the 19th century and houses the burial sites of some of Argentina’s most important historic figures. On this tour, explore the famous cemetery with a guide and learn the secrets behind one of the world’s most impressive graveyards. Admire the grand mausoleums; visit Eva Perón’s (Evita) grave; and hear stories of hauntings, curses, and gravediggers.
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Tango Porteño: Tango Show
Created with the unique style of a multi‐award‐winning dancer and choreographer, Mora Godoy, the Tango Porteño Show is a night out to remember in the heart of Buenos Aires, packed with all the passion you'd expect! Settle in for the perfect union of the best tango dancers, combined with the talents of an exceptional orchestra. Feel the power of the singers' voices as they create a unique fusion with folklore in a converted Art Deco cinema that only enhances this magical, once‐in‐a-lifetime experience. If you're looking for Argentine flavor, and a top night out in Buenos Aires, look no further.
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Buenos Aires: Hop‐on Hop‐off Bus Tour
Discover Buenos Aires in a whole new way! Hop on the vibrant tourist bus and explore every corner of this bustling city with ease. The tour includes an audio guide to help you uncover the secrets of Buenos Aires. From traditional neighborhoods like La Boca, San Telmo, and Puerto Madero to modern locales like Palermo and Belgrano, there's something for everyone. Starting in the city center, you'll see iconic buildings, historical sites, cultural spaces, and diverse neighborhoods. The bus makes designated stops so you can easily connect with other activities and attractions along the way.
What to Do in Buenos Aires: Culture and Elegance
For those exploring what to do in Buenos Aires through a lens of culture and refinement, the journey begins in Recoleta. This upscale neighborhood is home to the Recoleta Cemetery, a must see in Buenos Aires where Argentina’s elite, including famed First Lady Eva Perón, rest beneath intricate marble mausoleums. Just steps away, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes houses works by Goya, Rembrandt, and the great Argentine painter Xul Solar.
What to Do in Buenos Aires by Night
Wondering what to do in Buenos Aires once the sun has gone down? The city’s energy intensifies after sunset. Begin your evening with cocktails in the chic speakeasies of Palermo Hollywood, then dine at a closed-door restaurant (puerta cerrada) where local chefs serve multi-course meals in intimate, secret locations.
Unexpected and Unique Things to Do in Buenos Aires
Looking for unique things to do in Buenos Aires? Step off the tourist track and visit El Zanjón de Granados, a network of restored 18th-century tunnels beneath San Telmo, offering a surreal glimpse into the city’s colonial past. Or, head to Feria de Mataderos on a Sunday for a folkloric festival on the city’s edge where gauchos perform horseback stunts and artisans sell traditional crafts.
When crafting your itinerary, you'll quickly realize that deciding what to see and do in Buenos Aires is really about deciding where to go. In San Telmo, cobblestone streets and antique markets whisper of a bohemian past. In La Boca, the colourful houses of Caminito burst with energy and drama. Palermo, split into Soho and Hollywood, delivers design‐forward boutiques, modern galleries, and the city’s best coffee scene.
Don't miss Puerto Madero, where polished skyscrapers meet leafy nature reserves. A stroll along its waterfront boardwalk, especially at the golden hour, is among the best things to do in Buenos Aires.
What to Do in Buenos Aires: One‐Day Itinerary
If you’re tight on time and wondering what to do in Buenos Aires if you have only one day, start in Recoleta with the cemetery and museum, followed by lunch at the iconic El Sanjuanino for empanadas and locro stew. In the afternoon, head south to San Telmo for a market stroll and coffee at Café Rivas. Then cross over to La Boca to admire Caminito’s vibrant facades before capping your evening with a steak dinner at Don Julio, one of the world's top parrillas, or traditional Argentinian grill restaurants.
What to Do in Buenos Aires in Two Days
Planning what to do in Buenos Aires in two days allows an opportunity for deeper immersion. Spend your first day as above, then dedicate day two to Palermo. Explore the Botanical Gardens, Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), and shop at local designer stores. Linger in Plaza Serrano for cocktails, then end your day with a milonga experience in Villa Crespo or a rooftop wine tasting in Palermo Soho.
Top Things to Do in Buenos Aires for the Culturally Curious
Here’s a curated hit list of the city’s top cultural attractions and activities for those still pondering the top things to do in Buenos Aires:
Final Thoughts: The Romance of Buenos Aires
Figuring out what to do in Buenos Aires is like dancing the tango — there’s structure, yes, but also plenty of room for spontaneity, rhythm, and joy. With every leafy plaza, whispered political debate, or perfectly poured Malbec, the city cannot fail to seduce.