Buenos Aires is a unique place.
By far the most European-influenced city in South America, its understated beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and exceptional culinary scene make it a pleasant shift of pace from the rest of the continent.
It’s not gushing with top-tier attractions like Paris or London. But that doesn’t matter when one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires is to simply exist, Fernet-Branca in hand, watching the city roll by before honing in on your next bite.
That’s not to say there’s not plenty to do. What this city has to offer, it does so with incomparable passion. From its steamy tango halls to cult-like worship at its football stadiums, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the Porteno lifestyle.
Here are the best things to do in Buenos Aires.
Take in some tango
As one of Argentina’s greatest gifts to the world, you’re missing out if you don’t experience at least one bit of Tango dancing on your Buenos Aires trip. The steamy, intimate style found its origins in the lower-class bars and brothels of Buenos Aires and nearby Montevideo in the late 1800s before spreading across the world as a lauded ballroom style.
Its influence remains in the city, and there are countless ways to enjoy it. The easiest, and the best if you’re on a tight schedule, is to attend a Tango show. Often including dinner and drinks, you’ll enjoy a few hours of world-class dancers in a wonderfully fancy setting.
Of course, you might want to try it for yourself. There’s no better place than La Catedral Club. Wonderfully rustic, beginners can grab lessons any day of the week before the real party starts. After learning the basics, head through to the next room and watch the locals take the floor—and even you if you’re feeling confident.
Experience Argentinian football
Take the greatest sports fan you know, and quadruple that passion. You’re then in the lower end of the expansive ballpark of Argentinian football fans.
The beautiful game is tantamount to religion in Buenos Aires. Maradona and Messi are worshipped as gods, their images adorned on the walls of the city, and tattoos on the bodies of its people. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, or any sports fan, for that matter, it’s worth going to a game. In fact, it might just be one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires.
The city has 24 professional teams within its limits, more than any other city in the world, and the frantic, exhilarating atmosphere is similar in every stadium. If you’re able to snag tickets for one of the big five (Boca Juniors, River Plate, San Lorenzo, Racing, and Independiente), go. You’ll never forget it.
Know that it can be tough to find tickets, though. Boca Juniors only offers tickets to club members, and there’s currently an eight-year wait to become one. Your best bet is to check local Facebook groups and tour agencies or scan Airbnb experiences for fans with tickets to spare. That’s how I did it.
Visit its cemeteries
A morning walk around a cemetery might not sound like the happiest way to spend time in Buenos Aires, but after stumbling upon Recoleta, you’ll understand why it’s the most popular tourist attraction.
Portenos are passionate about many things, and building breathtaking resting places is one of them. The city’s graveyards look more like cities, a gridlike system where mausoleums line the streets. Each family’s tomb feels grander than the previous, with no set style to bind them together. In some areas, the mausoleums have fallen into disrepair, and it’s possible to see down into the vaults where the coffins lay.
Recoleta is the most famous and features the understated resting place of Eva Peron. As it’s the busiest, it does cost around $10 to enter. If you’re on a budget, try Chacarita. It’s free to enter and equally impressive.
Eat steak and drink Malbec
While we’ve already covered some of the best places to eat in Buenos Aires, steak and Malbec are more than deserving of a place on this list.
Argentinians take their carnivorous tendencies seriously, as evident in the city’s countless steakhouses locals call Parillas. Prices are generally very affordable, and even the highest-end restaurants like Don Julio are significantly cheaper than comparable restaurants in the US or Europe.
If you’re unfamiliar with the cuts, bife de chorizo is basically a sirloin, vacio is flank steak, and bife de lomo is a tenderloin. It’s best to ask your waiter for their preferred cuts. And just try all the wine. Why wouldn’t you?
Take a day trip
Sometimes one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires is to get out of the city.
If you’re feeling like a change of pace, hop on the ferry to Tigre. The river town is a popular weekend getaway for locals searching for a little peace and quiet. Sitting at the mouth of the third-largest delta in the world, a day spent exploring the delta by boat and wandering along the town’s canals is the perfect reset after a busy few days in Buenos Aires.
If you’re still looking for a little adventure, head out to the ranches to meet some gauchos. Named estancias in Argentina, many open to guests, allowing them to experience rural life in Argentina. The gauchos (ranchers) are immensely impressive, building remarkable relationships with their horses. Many also have parrillas on site, allowing you to revert happily to eating more steak and wine.
Visit Teatro Colon
Buenos Aires has almost 300 theatres within its limits, the most impressive of which is Teatro Colon. Widely regarded as one of the best opera houses in the world, it’s open for guided tours, and if your trip coincides with a performance, it’s worth the expense—the acoustics are legendary in the art world.
Explore La Boca
If you manage to snag tickets to a Boca Juniors match, you’ll already experience this area of the city at its most lively. But even if you don’t, make sure you get over to La Boca on your trip.
The colorful neighborhood is a hive of activity during the day. Tango dancers hone their craft on the street, cobbled streets are framed with punchy murals, and art museums showcase the best of Argentina. It’s not to be missed.
by travelers, for travelers.
