Mar 22, 20233 min read

Top 5 Things To Do in Buenos Aires

There are so many amazing experiences that you can have in Buenos Aires. This capital city is a vibrant mix of nostalgia and ambition. For every group of friends you see sipping cocktails at a rooftop bar, you’ll also see a cluster of old-timers huddled around a radio on a sidewalk listening to old tango. The European charm of Buenos Aires gave it the nickname of “Paris of South America”. Even with that moniker, it still has that warm, welcoming vibe that only South American cities have.

This city has so much to see and do that you could spend weeks trying to do it all. Here is my list of the top five experiences to have in Buenos Aires:

#5 View Street Art Across the City

Buenos Aires is renowned for its vibrant street art culture, with many listing it as one of the top cities in the world to see urban art. Street art is highly valued and more socially acceptable than in many other cities, and laws are relatively relaxed, with artists usually only needing the permission of the property owner to create their work. La Boca and Palermo are great neighborhoods to see colorful art expressions as you walk around and explore.

Wakanda Forever in Palermo. Photo Credit: Ronda Wright

Tip: The longest mural in the world is in the neighborhood of Barracas (next door to La Boca). It was painted by Alfredo 'El Pelado' Segatori and can be found on the streets Lavadero and San Antonio.

#4 Dance or Watch Tango

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Tango, so it’s the perfect place to learn the sensual dance…or you can just watch the pros like I did 😊 There are locations where you can purchase dinner and a show while enjoying the dancers perform. If you’d like to join in the action, dozens of venues across the city host tango nights so you can take a class and try to learn. Milangos are also held often where people get together to dance tango. So, there are many opportunities to join in and put on your dancing shoes. Of course, there’s also no issue with having a glass of wine while watching others dance the night away.

#3 Explore San Telmo Market

The neighborhood of San Telmo has a large indoor market made up of stalls offering everything from antiques to fresh fruit and spices. The market originally opened in 1897 to cater to the needs of the wave of immigrants arriving from Europe. The stalls have since been updated but the internal structure of the market remains the same, with metal columns and beams, so stepping inside is still like stepping back in time. There are stalls selling food, antiques, crafts, records, and clothing, making it the perfect spot for an eclectic mix of goodness.

Restaurant stall in San Telmo Market. Photo Credit: Ronda Wright.

Tip: If you visit San Telmo on Sundays, be sure to check out the Sunday street fair on Defensa Street. This has become a full-out street fair hosting over 12,000 people each week that shop for antiques, art, and homemade snacks.

#2 Visit Recoleta Cemetery

Is it odd to describe a cemetery as beautiful? This cemetery is like none that you’ve likely seen. It’s the resting place of many of the rich, famous, and powerful of Argentina. In this cemetery you’ll find ornate mausoleums packed tightly in what feels like a city of graves. The maze of pathways is quite impressive and offers the ability to see many different architectural styles as you traverse the cemetery. There are over 6400 graves onsite, so I highly suggest grabbing a map, particularly if you want to see specific graves such as Evita Peron.

#1 Drink Argentine Wine and Eat Big Steaks

Honestly, eating tremendously delicious steak and drinking great wine is what I was most excited about before visiting Buenos Aires. Now that I’ve had this experience – believe the hype! Argentine beef is some of the best in the world and you can feast on it at a number of steakhouses across the city. You can splurge and go to upscale restaurants like Don Julio or La Cabrera. Also, please understand that you can get a nice steak dinner at most local neighborhood restaurants as well.

I even got to cook some nice, juicy steaks in a cooking class! Photo Credit: Ronda Wright

Malbec is the most popular local wine in Argentina but, there is no shortage of varietals to taste. There are several wine boutiques around the city where you can have wine with small plates and charcuterie as you try to figure out which bottles you’d like to bring back home with you!

With so much to see and do, hopefully this list highlights some experiences that should top your list on your next visit to Buenos Aires.