Discover the vibrant artistic heart of Argentina in this cultural hub. Admire traditional luxury at Alvear Palace Hotel (Hermes bath products and Louis XVI furniture). Savour buttery medialunas (Argentina’s version of croissants). And learn dramatic tango steps during an energetic milonga dance session.
At MALBA, explore works by celebrated Latin American artists. Next stop should be Teatro Colon – one of the world’s premier opera houses boasting unrivaled acoustics!
La Recoleta Cemetery
La Recoleta Cemetery is one of Buenos Aires’s most beloved attractions and revered burial grounds for prominent national figures, creating a sense of pride and respect among both locals and visitors. Guided tours offer visitors more in-depth exploration, revealing interesting anecdotes about notable people and their contributions to society.
Cemetery walks feature grand neoclassical gates and pathways lined with marble mausoleums that dazzle visitors, boasting different architectural styles from baroque, gothic and Art Nouveau through art deco – each telling its own tale of mourning or love and loss. Many tombs also display powerful religious iconography or feature neogothic motifs.
Visitors to this sprawling cemetery can spend hours wandering its grounds, admiring impressive mausoleums, and paying their respects to those buried here. However, for a less daunting experience take one of the free guided tours offered. These typically occur Tuesday and Thursday (check website prior to visit for exact times), or hire a guide at the entrance to help find specific graves.
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo stands as an icon for political gatherings, protests and celebrations in Argentina. Admire its historical landmarks while discovering their powerful symbolism.
Begin your exploration by walking the square’s most significant buildings. Admire the exquisite architecture of Casa Rosada (Pink House), seat of Argentine government. Additionally, learn of General Manuel Belgrano’s significance through discovering his impressive Monument dedicated to him – creator of national flag.
Learn about Argentina’s revolutionary May Revolution & how it helped set it on its journey towards independence. Visit the impressive Piramide de Mayo as a memorial to those fighting for democracy while visiting Cabildo (former town hall) & Catedral Metropolitana where Pope Francis served as Archbishop before being elevated as head of Catholicism in 2013.
Continue walking along Avenida de Mayo, passing La Inmobiliaria with its iconic dome and Palacio Barolo’s gorgeous Art Nouveau office block bearing symbolic references to Dante’s Divine Comedy. Be sure to stop for some street stall garrapinada (salty caramelised peanuts) as well as Cafe Tortoni, one of the city’s oldest cafes that has long been associated with tango as well as writers such as Jorge Luis Borges.
Obelisco
Alberto Prebisch designed the iconic 67.5-meter-high obelisk as the signature landmark of Buenos Aires in 1936 to mark its establishment and raise a flag as an independent country for the first time ever. Much like Washington Monument or Eiffel Tower, this 67.5 meter-tall structure serves as a powerful magnet that attracts all sorts of gatherings ranging from religious services and candlelight vigils, musical concerts, sporting event celebrations (such as when Argentina wins at soccer), religious congregations and religious congregations alike – people congregate here in droves!
Take photos of the Obelisco’s mysterious figure or explore its base with a guide, before moving on to nearby Plaza de Mayo for some further history-learning at Palacio de Tribunales (Supreme Court), and Club Atletico – an urban concentration camp during military dictatorship. Finally, enjoy cafe culture at legendary Cafe Tortoni that feels like Paris in Buenos Aires!
9 de Julio
9 de Julio Avenue is one of the widest avenues in the world and a major center for Argentine culture. One of the major draws along this avenue is Casa Rosada (the pink palace), home to Argentina’s presidential palace with images depicting Che Guevara, Salvador Allende and Evita Peron among many others – one of many important attractions on 9 de Julio.
Recoleta Cemetery lies nearby and houses Argentina’s rich and infamous. Discover their stories as you wander its maze-like tombs or join a guided tour.
Just a short stroll north is Teatro Colon, an outstanding opera and ballet theatre that is definitely worth visiting – book tickets online in advance to enjoy an afternoon or evening tour complete with performances and wine tasting!
San Telmo
As one of the main barrio’s in old Buenos Aires, Plaza Dorrego boasts an abundance of interesting tourist attractions – be they steakhouses, cafes or antique stores – you will find all three here within its streets around Plaza Dorrego where Defensa Street meets Humberto Avenue. Museums, galleries and street art offer powerful visual experiences while upmarket tango venues provide late night entertainment.
Plaza Dorrego serves as the central square and historic hub of Barrio Dorrego. Once serving caravans traveling into the city from the Pampas, today it serves as an active gathering spot where locals and visitors meet to drink coffee from classic cafes or watch tango dancers pass hats for tips.
The Museo Historico Nacional of Argentina is one of its foremost cultural attractions and provides a fascinating overview of Argentinean history from 1810 revolution and war of independence to 19th century. Housed in an exquisite former palace belonging to an influential businessman, it’s open daily.
Recoleta Cultural Center
Theater enthusiasts should not miss the Recoleta Cultural Center when looking for live performance events in Barcelona, where tickets start from only 15 euros! Don’t miss this fantastic chance!
This cultural center hosts exhibitions and activities aimed at all kinds of audiences. The complex includes theatres, art galleries and exhibition halls as well as cinemas and workshops – perfect for entertaining all.
At this venue, various events take place, such as concerts, poetry readings and dramatic performances. Students and children also can attend workshops here; you can even join one of their yoga classes!
Recoleta offers many bars and cafes for an after-work drink, from Floreria Atlantico’s signature cocktails made with top-of-the-line ingredients to its elegant decor and sophisticated atmosphere. If visiting on weekends, don’t forget the craft fair!
Museo Quinquela Martin
Museo Quinquela Martin (Benito Quinquela Fine Arts Museum) continues the mission set out by its founder – to promote Argentinian art and culture – located in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, housing original paintings created by Benito Quinquela as well as personal items that belonged to him.
Port scene paintings were one of the artist’s specialities and are displayed at the museum. His use of composition and perspective allowed him to depict scenes from unique angles, providing viewers with a memorable viewing experience.
Benito Quinquela Martin created his Museum as a love letter to La Boca and El Caminito where he was born and raised, offering visitors an experience that captures its vibrant energy, vibrancy, roughness and rough charm reflected through paintings by him. It allows visitors to feel its spirit through Benito Quinquela Martin’s paintings of La Boca life.
The third floor of the museum served as Van Gogh’s living space until his death in 1977; now, it hosts temporary exhibitions as well as his personal items collection.
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano
Buenos Aires’ premier art museum–an absolute must for any culture lover–is an exquisite array of vibrant brushstrokes and bold hues, offering up paintings, sculptures and installations galore to dazzle and amaze. You could easily lose yourself among its magnificent masterpieces!
MALBA is an exceptional modern museum that showcases the evolution of creative expression across an entire continent, through rotating exhibitions that are sure to excite. Their collection boasts works by Argentine artist Xul Solar as well as pieces by Latin American icons Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo that will surely impress.
The museum features an international curator program and boasts collections featuring works by modern and contemporary artists as well as historical pieces.
Discover why Buenos Aires earned its moniker as the ‘Paris of South America’ on this 3-hour guided tour of its premier art museums and galleries. Learn about Argentine president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento at Belgrano’s Museo Historico Sarmiento; view his sword at Monserrat’s Museo Nacional de Arte Antiguo; head up the roof for great photo opps of two large-scale street art murals! Photography tip: Head up top for great shots of two large scale street art murals!
