Buenos Aires has been at the top of my bucket list for years. It’s the sort of city you can lose yourself in – only to discover a new version of yourself. You can spend weeks in the city and still only scratch the surface. If you’re heading to Argentina, Buenos Aires should be your first stop.
I spent just over a week in Buenos Aires and was surprised by how much I loved it. There’s something in this city for everyone, even if you’re a mountains gal like me!
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Buenos Aires is an excellent option for a city break or if you’re doing a multi-city itinerary to explore Argentina and South America. A four-day trip will give you the perfect snapshot of Buenos Aires and plenty of ideas for your next trip to Argentina.
Travel Tips for Buenos Aires
You want to get the most out of your Buenos Aires itinerary, whether exploring the city for 4-days or taking a week-long trip. While you want to take things at your own speed and enjoy your vacation, a little research and extra preparation will help you tick off everything on your itinerary.
- Early mornings for the win
You might want to hit ‘snooze’ on your alarm and take a lazy morning while in Buenos Aires – but an early morning gives you a unique perspective on the city. Buenos Aires is a sleepy city, and getting up early one morning can help you beat the crowds, go to the most popular tourist attractions, and do some people-watching.
- Don’t skip the shopping
Buenos Aires is one of the best places to shop in South America. While you’ll recognise plenty of items from home, you’ll still come across many unique and original items. Look out for craft markets and sample some of Argentina’s legendary industries, from world-class wine to luxury leather.
- Do a guided tour
If it’s your first time in Argentina – or South America – don’t underestimate the value of a guided tour in your Buenos Aires itinerary. You can keep it casual with a hop-on/hop-off bus or sign up for a food tour to explore the city like a local. A guided tour will help you cover a lot of ground quickly and find places to explore later in your trip.
Recommended Tours
Private City Tour With a Local Guide: Get to know Buenos Aires on this guided half-day tour, where you’ll be driven to several stops in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and walk between places. This is the perfect way to get an overview of the city upon arrival or for those who have just a few hours in the town to walk. Among the stops are Alberto J. Armando Stadium (La Bombonera), Casa Rosada, and Recoleta Cemetery, but the entrance fees are extra.
Gaucho Day Tour Ranch in San Antonio de Areco: Venture into the wild Argentinian pampas and experience ‘gaucho’ (cowboy) life on a traditional ‘estancia’ (ranch) on this full-day tour from Buenos Aires, including lunch. Saddle up for a horseback ride or ‘sulky’ (horse cart) tour, visit the country town of San Antonio de Areco, enjoy a folklore show and tuck into a barbecue lunch. At the same time, the gauchos entertain you with rope tricks and tales of estancia life.
La Ventana Tango Show and Dinner: Enjoy a memorable night out in Buenos Aires and experience the passion of the Argentine tango at an evening La Ventana tango show. This is one of the city’s most unique tango performances with live tango, folk bands, and a gaucho demonstration. For the whole experience, kick off the night with a delicious 3-course dinner.
Sherpa Local Food Tour: Explore the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires through your taste buds with this small-group tour. You’ll visit four different restaurants to 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.
How to Spend Four Days in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the perfect spot for a long weekend or to get a taste of South America. While I spent a week exploring the city at a chilled pace, I’ve compiled a four-day itinerary to inspire you for your next trip to Buenos Aires.
This itinerary has things to do grouped by geographical location, making for a smooth visit without too much hopping around the city!
Want this itinerary in snapshot form? Check out my TikTok video on eight things to do in Buenos Aires.
Day One: Palermo Neighbourhood and Gardens
Start your first morning in Buenos Aires by wandering around Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. You’ll find plenty of little boutique stores and cafes to grab a coffee. Head to La Alacena Trattoria for lunch. It’s been recently recommended in the Michelin guide and serves up some of the best pasta you’ll ever have.
In the afternoon, explore El Rosedal and the Botanical Gardens, two of my favourite places in Buenos Aires. El Rosedal, nestled in the lush Parque Tres de Febrero in Buenos Aires, is a fragrant oasis renowned for its stunning collection of roses. This enchanting rose garden, with its beautifully landscaped paths, serene lakes, and charming bridges, offers a tranquil retreat from the city’s bustle. Nearby, the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden is a haven for plant lovers, showcasing diverse flora worldwide. Better yet? They’re both free to enter!
In the evening, try a traditional Argentine asado at La Terracita. It was one of the highlights of our trip, with an unbeatable atmosphere. Imagine meeting fellow travellers, sipping delicious malbec and trying a whole range of local foods (from choripan to dulce de leche!), all while taking in the view from a rooftop in Palermo – you can’t beat it!
Day Two: The “Main Strip”
Spend your second day exploring the sites and indulging in Argentinean culture. Start at Plaza de Mayo, the city square, and see the Casa Rosada & cathedral. The Casa Rosada, with its distinctive pink facade, is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina. Overlooking the historic Plaza de Mayo, it’s a symbol of political power and history. Nearby, the Metropolitan Cathedral, an architectural marvel, is the main Catholic church in the city. It’s known for its neoclassical façade, contrasting with the elaborate interior, and is the final resting place of Argentine hero General San Martín.
Next, tour Palacio Barolo for great views of the city’s iconic neo-romantic and neo-gothic architecture. The building is an architectural marvel inspired by Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”. Designed by Italian architect Mario Palanti, it was once South America’s tallest building. Its 22 floors are divided into three sections, representing Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, mirroring the structure of Dante’s epic. Nearby, you’ll also find the architecturally stunning Congress building; I believe they also hold free guided tours, although we didn’t go inside.
Head to Pizzería Güerrín for dinner. It’s walk-ins only, but the traditional Argentine pizza is worth the wait. I’d recommend getting there around 8 pm or earlier for the shortest queue; the queue was down the road when we left at 10 pm!
Day Three: Colours and Culture
Start by exploring the colourful Caminito street of La Boca. You’ve undoubtedly seen this spot all over Instagram, and while it is VERY touristic, I still absolutely loved it and would recommend everyone visiting Buenos Aires to see it. It’s a living gallery where local artists showcase their vibrant works. This area, deeply rooted in the city’s tango tradition, often features spontaneous dance performances, adding to the incredible atmosphere. Aim to get here around 10 am to beat the crowds and get the best pictures. I enjoyed having breakfast (cafe con leche and medialunas, of course) in the cafe next to the most famous photo spot, watching people queue up to take a photo with the Messi statue!
Next up, and in my opinion, a real hidden gem in Buenos Aires, see the props and costumes from Teatro Colon at Colon Fabrica (These tours are only available Friday to Sunday). I loved that you’re encouraged to touch and play with all the sets from these famous operas and ballets!
Take the bus to San Telmo and have lunch in the neighbourhood. Head to the market to grab some of the best coffee in the city. If it’s Sunday (and I’d recommend you time your visit so it is), spend the afternoon wandering the famous San Telmo market. This street bazaar began as a 250-stall antique market in the 70s and has grown into a vast come-as-you-are street bazaar that draws over 12,000 people weekly!
Once the market calms in the evening, head to Plaza Dorrego and grab a glass of wine and perhaps a bite to eat as you watch the local tango dancers take over the previously bustling market square – pure bliss.
Day Four: An Exploration of Architecture
Start with a morning tour of the famous Teatro Colon, considered one of the world’s most beautiful and renowned opera houses. Here, you’ll be able to see and fully appreciate the gorgeous space for which all the costumes and sets you saw yesterday were designed!
Head to El Ateneo Grand Splendid (it’s perfectly safe to walk), which was voted the most beautiful bookshop in the world by National Geographic back in 2019. Once a theatre, it has been transformed, preserving its ornate, frescoed ceilings, grand stage, and plush red curtains. The former theatre boxes now offer cosy reading nooks, and the stage is a cafe!
Try an alfahores (or 3) from Guolis next door and get some treats to bring home. In case, like me, you have no idea what an alfahore is, let me teach you: typically, they consist of two round, soft biscuits joined together with a layer of dulce de leche. Often, they are rolled in desiccated coconut or covered in a layer of chocolate or powdered sugar, and you can get various flavours. We bought 6 to share between us, and my favourite was the coconut!
To finish the day, walk to the Recoleta Cemetery and explore the fantastic city of the dead. Eva Peron is interred here in the Duarte family mausoleum. If you’re a fan of ghost stories, this cemetery has its own ghost story. Entry is charged for tourists (at the time of writing, it’s around 5000 pesos), and they only accept cards, but it’s well worth the fee to explore such a unique place.
Bonus: if you want to see the cemetery from above head to the mall next door and go up to the fast food restaurant, they have a balcony with amazing views!
Where To Stay in Buenos Aires
When I researched where to stay in Buenos Aires, Palermo was one of the most recommended areas for first-time visitors, and we stayed there during our trip to Argentina.
It’s a great central spot where we felt safe and as if everything was on our doorstep. You’ll find various accommodation options in Palermo, from mid-priced hotels to hostels and apartments. There’s something to suit every budget.
There are almost 50 neighbourhoods within Buenos Aires, not counting suburbs just out of the city.
Other popular places to stay in Buenos Aires include:
- Montserrat – a downtown area in the city centre ideal for snapshot trips.
- San Telmo – close to most major tourist sites with an exciting food scene.
- Recoleta – the most affluent area of Buenos Aires where you’ll find the most expensive hotels, including the Park Hyatt and the Four Seasons.
- Chacarita – an upcoming area that is quieter but still has its own nightlife and shopping districts.
You can quickly adapt this guide to create your own Buenos Aires 3-day itinerary or even use it as inspiration for a jam-packed 7-day Buenos Aires itinerary.
Are you looking for more travel inspiration? Check out all my travel guides here, including my ultimate Buenos Aires guide for first-time visitors.
