All citiesBuenos Aires Things to do and walking itinerary
Argentina Buenos Aires travel guide
32 things to do in Buenos Aires, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Buenos Aires
- Recoleta Cemetery — Historic cemetery whose marble mausoleums feel like an open-air sculpture museum, resting place of famous Argentines. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Casa Rosada — The pink-façaded presidential palace facing Plaza de Mayo; free guided tours on weekends. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Colón Theater — opera house in Buenos Aires (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Plaza de Mayo — square in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Obelisco de Buenos Aires — Iconic historical monument in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Buenos Aires Cathedral — cathedral in Argentina (visit ≈ 35 min)
- National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina — national art museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Buenos Aires Botanical Garden — botanical garden in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Templo Libertad — synagogue in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Torre Monumental — clock tower in Buenos Aires (visit ≈ 40 min)
- National Historical Museum — museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Museum of Decorative Arts — museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
- El Ateneo Grand Splendid — former theatre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, now used as a bookshop (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Cabildo of Buenos Aires — historical building in Buenos Aires, government house during colonial times (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires — art museum in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Pirámide de Mayo — monument in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Parque Tres de Febrero — park in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Plaza San Martín — square in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art — art museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Japanese Gardens — Japanese garden in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Congressional Plaza — square in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- El Faro Towers — tower (visit ≈ 40 min)
- San Martín Palace — palace in Buenos Aires (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Buenos Aires — church building in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Buenos Aires Zoo — zoological garden in Argentina (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Al Ahmad Mosque — the secondo mosque opened in Argentina (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palace of Running Waters — building in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
- plaza Miserere — square in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Argentine Air Force Square — square in Buenos Aires (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Plaza Italia, Buenos Aires — square in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires — church in Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 30 min)
- AMALITA Collection — museum in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina (visit ≈ 120 min)
3-day Buenos Aires walking itinerary
Starting point: Palermo Soho. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.7 km · 11,760 steps · 1 h 57 min on the way): Buenos Aires Botanical Garden → Parque Tres de Febrero → Japanese Gardens → Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires → National Museum of Decorative Arts
- Day 2 (≈ 9.4 km · 12,740 steps · 2 h 6 min on the way): National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina → Recoleta Cemetery
- Day 3 (≈ 8.8 km · 11,890 steps · 1 h 58 min on the way): El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Buenos Aires
- Mariano Moreno National Library — Brutalist library raised on massive pillars in Recoleta, with a park around it and views from the top floors. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Calle Defensa — San Telmo's historic street of antique shops; on Sundays it becomes a long street fair with tango. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Palacio Barolo — 1920s office tower inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy; guided tours climb to its lighthouse top. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- San Telmo Market — An 1897 iron-roofed market hall with antique dealers, produce stalls and old-town atmosphere. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Floralis Genérica — Giant stainless-steel flower sculpture above a pool, designed to open and close its petals. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Tigre Delta — A train ride away, a calm town where water taxis wind through the channels of the Paraná delta. (visit ≈ 240 min)
Where to stay in Buenos Aires
- Palermo Soho: Boutique hotels, cafés, bars and parks.
- Recoleta: Elegant Parisian-style streets and museums.
- San Telmo: Cobblestones, antiques and tango.
- Puerto Madero: Modern docklands, safe and upscale.
- Microcentro: Central and good value; where metro lines meet.
Getting from the airport to Buenos Aires
- Ezeiza (EZE): Tienda León shuttle bus ≈ 50 min
- Aeroparque (AEP): Taxi or Uber ≈ 20 min
Getting around
Subte and buses use a SUBE card; some lines also take contactless bank cards. Cabify and Uber are common.
Classic places to eat
- Don Julio: Wood-fired bife de chorizo; book ahead.
- La Cabrera: Huge steaks with lots of little sides.
- El Cuartito: Cheesy pizza and fainá since 1934.
- Pizzería Güerrín: A standing slice of muzzarella on Corrientes.
- Café Tortoni: Since 1858; hot chocolate with churros.
- La Biela: Classic Recoleta café; medialunas and coffee.
- Bar El Federal: San Telmo bar from 1864; picada plates.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Aramburu — 2 MICHELIN stars, Innovative
- Don Julio — 1 MICHELIN star, Argentine grill
- Crizia — 1 MICHELIN star, Seafood
- Trescha — 1 MICHELIN star, Innovative
Romantic views
- Puente de la Mujer (Puerto Madero) (Evening): The white swing bridge stands among the lights of the old harbour docks.
- El Rosedal (Palermo Rose Garden) (Afternoon): You stroll among thousands of roses beside a lake.
- Caminito, La Boca (Afternoon): Wander between colourful houses to the sound of tango.
- Plaza Dorrego, San Telmo (Evening): Couples dance tango on the cobbled square in the evening.
Football stadiums in Buenos Aires
- La Bombonera: Home of Boca Juniors
- Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires: Home of Club Atlético River Plate
- Libertadores de América Stadium: Home of Club Atlético Independiente
- Estadio Pedro Bidegain: Home of San Lorenzo de Almagro
Good to know before visiting Buenos Aires
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Watch for pickpockets and the "spilled mustard" distraction scam.
- Rates change fast; foreign cards usually get a fair rate, and use official exchange houses for cash.
- Dinner starts after 21:00.
- The Malvinas/Falklands topic is sensitive; be respectful.
- Emergency: police 911, ambulance 107, fire 100
- Plugs: C/I, 220V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe in Buenos Aires.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary, usually in cash.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Argentina, Wikivoyage — Argentina, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Buenos Aires travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Buenos Aires?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 13 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Buenos Aires?
- Highlights: Recoleta Cemetery, Casa Rosada, Colón Theater, Plaza de Mayo and Obelisco de Buenos Aires. The map has 32 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Buenos Aires?
- Palermo Soho: Boutique hotels, cafés, bars and parks. Other options: Recoleta, San Telmo, Puerto Madero and Microcentro.
- How do you get from the airport to Buenos Aires city centre?
- Ezeiza (EZE): Tienda León shuttle bus ≈ 50 min · Aeroparque (AEP): Taxi or Uber ≈ 20 min
- How do you get around Buenos Aires?
- Subte and buses use a SUBE card; some lines also take contactless bank cards. Cabify and Uber are common.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Buenos Aires?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: Aramburu (2 stars), Don Julio (1 star), Crizia (1 star), Trescha (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Buenos Aires?
- Emergency: police 911, ambulance 107, fire 100.
- Do you tip in Buenos Aires?
- About 10% is customary, usually in cash.
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