Buenos Aires is a nautical phrase, meaning ‘fair winds’. The city and its inhabitants have retained their close links to the sea throughout the centuries. They welcome newcomers, no matter how long they intend to stay. Many have left their mark on the metropolitan melting pot, and there is much to see and do.
The city is at once bustling and laid back. It requires careful planning to make the most of your time here, so why not let our private guides design a personalised tour that suits your pace?
A Full Day
There is always life on the streets of Buenos Aires, and a day in this multicultural city can last the full 24 hours. The mornings are usually calm, so start your day off by carbo loading for endurance. Café Tortoni, the iconic Parisian coffee house overlooks our first stop. It was established in 1858 and is consistently rated among the ten most beautiful cafés in the world. A typical continental breakfast comprises pastries, preserves, and coffee.
Plaza de Mayo, the birthplace of the modern city, is a good place to get your bearings. Take note of the historic buildings on the periphery. These include the Casa Rosada where the revered Eva Perón addressed the post-war crowds, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis held mass for two decades. Follow the path along Avenida de Mayo to the national congress. En route, stop in at the Barolo Palace, once the tallest building in Buenos Aires. You can also make your way to the viewing platform and the lighthouse dome for a bird’s eye view of the city.
The Palace of the Argentine National Congress is an Italianate structure made of marble. Front and center is an 8 meter tall bronze statue of a carriage drawn by four majestic horses and driven by Lady Liberty. It is beautifully set against the backdrop of the building’s massive green-tinged metal dome. The central landmark of the city is a huge concrete obelisk which towers to a height of 71.5 meters. It was constructed on site to celebrate the fourth centenary of the founding of Buenos Aires. Keep an eye out for the gigantic north-south facing metal portraits of Evita.
After indulging in some downtown shopping, order a sampler platter of empanadas in one of the many restaurants in the area. For a sunset stroll, head to the waterfront of the refurbished Puerto Madero. Dine al fresco with a view of the stunning 19th century museum ship, the ARA Presidente Sarmiento as the lights of the high rises reflect off the water. Once refreshed, head back to Avenida Corientes in the city centre for a taste of the night life. You can dance the night away in one of the many clubs, or listen to Latin rhythms in a speakeasy.
A Weekend in the City
On weekends, the inner city suburbs really come to life. La Boca is the city’s most colorful district, first inhabited by unskilled immigrants hoping to find work at the harbor. Some of the multi story dwellings in this erstwhile shanty town appear to defy gravity. Homes were made with scrap material found in the shipyards and decorated with leftover paint.
El Caminito is one of the main attractions in La Boca. The street, or ‘little path’, was made famous by a local artist, Benito Quinquela Martin, who painted murals and other artworks on the tenement walls. It is now a pedestrian walkway where you can purchase souvenirs and eat in one of the street cafés while watching a live tango show.
Another attraction is La Bombonera, the large blue and yellow so-called ‘chocolate box’ stadium that is home to La Boca Junior soccer club. The club pays tribute to Diego Maradona, one of the all time greats of the sport in a small museum attached to the stadium. Saturdays are usually match days, and fans are easy to spot in their traditional colors.
For a change of pace, head to the midtown Colón Theater located at the end of Avenida 9 de Julio. It took twenty years to build and features acoustics and architecture that rival the famous opera houses of the world. All the greats of the performing arts have appeared here, including Maria Callas, Enrico Caruso, Nijinsky, and Nureyev.
Contract one of our private guides to prebook the much sought after tickets for a show, or tour the venue and enjoy dinner on the premises. The massive underground complex houses costumes, props, and scenery from many of the performances held at the theater. Head to a jazz show afterwards. The night is still young.
Sundays are for visiting San Telmo, especially its Victorian era covered food market where the locals purchase their meat and fresh produce. The wrought iron and steel detail overhead is a Steampunk work of art. As the city slowly awakes, enjoy a leisurely brunch in one of the indoor kiosks.
Down the cobblestone streets, you will find Feria de San Telmo, the mammoth weekly antique fair and hippy market. It stretches 13 city blocks and attracts an international cast of vendors and street musicians.
In lieu of a Sunday afternoon nap, visit one of the many tango halls and let the lilting music wash over you. Alternatively, visit the Santísima Trinidad Russian Orthodox Church, a 17th century Muscovite style church. Explanatory tours are conducted once a month in the mid afternoon.
A Week or More
There are two more suburbs that should be on any Buenos Aires bucket list. First up is Palermo, an area with many personalities, each sporting its own name. Palermo Hollywood is renowned for the number of media personalities that have made their home there, while Palermo Soho is the trendy center of design and fashion.
All told, Palermo is calmer and more laid back than other areas of the city, and there is far more green space. Here you can find the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden, home to over 5,000 different species of plants and trees. The serene Japanese Gardens is also located a few blocks away and is the largest of its type outside of Japan, the gift shop even sells bonsai trees as souvenirs.
Next door, visitors can find the Parque Tres de Febrero, famous for its extensive rose garden. It was established in 1914 and has amassed a collection of more than 18,000 plants from around the world. It is popular with locals who stroll along the pathways or row their boats on the lake.
If the weather drives you indoors there are several museums in the area, including one dedicated to Eva Perón. For a spot of stargazing, you could visit the Galileo Galilei planetarium. More than ten thousand celestial bodies are projected onto the interior of the 20 meter semi-spherical dome that is covered in reflective aluminium.
Recoleta is an upmarket district, which is evident in its world famous cemetery. Among the rows of private mausoleums and crypts, you will find Evita’s final resting place. There are more than 6,000 graves in what appears to be a mini city, with an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The area is signposted but a private guide will bring a tour of this destination to life.
Repeat Visits
If you are fortunate enough to be a frequent visitor to Buenos Aires, there is ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture. Learn to tango or get to know Argentinian wines from the Mendoza region.
Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city of multinational architectural styles. The city has always been liberal in its approach to art, and many fledgling architects have been allowed to experiment here. As you learn the layout of the land, look out for Spanish neo-colonial, Greek classical, French Beaux-Arts, and American art deco buildings and features.
This gregarious city has a busy schedule of festivals and celebrations. The summer program includes the October Beer Festival, international Jazz and Polo events, and the February carnival. In the cooler months, the activities move indoors. The opera and ballet season opens in March, while Fashion Week and a fortnight of tango contests take place in August.
Conclusion
Visitors to the ‘Paris of the south’ are spoilt for choice. There is something here for everyone. To enjoy your stay to the maximum, contact one of our local guides who will streamline your itinerary. Together, they have decades of experience in the tourism industry and can customize tours that suit your unique needs.
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