What do you need to know before arriving in Buenos Aires? Welcome! In addition to its mustsees, find out everything you need to know before your first visit.
1) A guide on your mobile phone To orient yourself through the streets of Buenos Aires,
the best option is to download the free Cómo Llego app. It will tell you which are the
most convenient alternatives for each transfer.
2) Proposals for each day If you come for a day, 48 hours, or a week, check out our
itineraries that combine history around Plaza de Mayo, gastronomy in Puerto Madero,
the traditional walk through Caminito, and visits to Palermo, among many other
places.
3) Useful information Learn about the climate, health level, currency, accessibility, and
security in Buenos Aires. More info.
The capital of Argentina combines European style with a rich history and energetic nightlife.
Often called the “Paris of South America,” in Buenos Aires you will find tree-lined boulevards
with 19th-century architecture, and colorful areas and nightlife districts that compete with
the best in the world. A great way to get to know Buenos Aires is to take the subway, or
“subte” as it is called in Argentina, which will take you to practically any place in the city.
Start at Plaza de Mayo, in the Centro area. Here the battle of the Argentine Revolution was
fought and it is the site where the Casa Rosada is located, the pink-toned building that
houses the office of the Presidency of Argentina. Visit La Recoleta Cemetery, where the
remains of Argentina’s most famous people lie, including Eva Perón. The area next to the
cemetery is one of the richest and most famous in the city, and there you will see the best
architecture in Buenos Aires. Take the subway north to Recoleta, where you will find Palermo,
the most elegant area of the city. In this area of terrace houses and cobblestone streets,
boutiques and cafes abound. Walk along the avenues heading north or, if traveling with
children, visit the site of the former Zoological Garden of Buenos Aires, declared a National Historic Monument, is now occupied by the Ecopark Return at night and enjoy the best bars and nightlife in the
city of Palermo Hollywood. Take advantage of seeing a Tango show or enjoying a glass of
Argentine Malbec. Many people also visit Buenos Aires for shopping. If you like international
designers, be sure to visit Florida and Lavalle streets in the Centro area. For a more local
experience, browse the shops in Palermo Soho and Viejo. The Puerto Madero district is
excellent for taking photos with the city as a backdrop.
Without a doubt, meat is the protagonist of Argentine cuisine. In this country, almost 50 kg
per person per year is eaten. That is why most tourists who come to Buenos Aires, Argentine
or foreign, look for the best grills to satisfy their curiosity (and their stomachs). In this City,
traditional grills coexist with the most modern ones. How to recognize them? The first ones
continue with their little braziers that reach the table loaded with cuts of meat or with their
traditional stainless steel dishes. The latter added other cuts of meat to the traditional ones
such as ribeye (wide steak), skirt steak, wide steak cap, and rump cap. They continue to
evolve and represent one of the strongest icons of gastronomy and meeting culture, all in
the warmth of the fire.
As the Gastronomic Capital of Ibero-America 2017, Buenos Aires has an inexhaustible cuisine proposal and gastronomic poles to taste the best recipes. A warm stew, a rich roast, or a delicious hot chocolate with churros are options to regain energy after a day full of activities on these winter vacations. Gastronomic poles Palermo, Puerto Madero, Las Cañitas, Recoleta, and San Telmo are some of the gastronomic poles of the city, where culinary proposals of all kinds are concentrated, local and foreign, gourmet, and fast food, and many more offers. Discover the gastronomic poles of Buenos Aires. We recommend trying typical Argentine dishes such as the Creole empanada, locro, and, obviously, the traditional roast. Notable Bars There are bars in the city of Buenos Aires that were the scene of significant cultural activities and that due to their age, architecture, or local relevance are considered “notable” and officially form part of the city’s cultural heritage. Bar Sur, Café Tortoni, and El Federal are some of the more than 60 Notable Bars in the city. In many of them, in addition to enjoying a delicious coffee you can witness music and dance shows. A winter classic? The hot chocolate with churros at Café Tortoni is a delight that you cannot miss. Cocktails For some years now, sophisticated bars and protagonist bartenders have been a new trend in the city: cocktails are a cool attraction in Buenos Aires. The most outstanding bars are located in the neighborhoods of Palermo, Retiro, and Recoleta; their proposals align with international cocktails and in some cases surprise with original local touches. Passion for tango Sensual and nostalgic, tango is part of Buenos Aires’ identity. Get to know it! What is tango? Born in the Río de la Plata in the 19th century, tango is a musical style that results from the fusion between African culture and the local cultures of gauchos and indigenous peoples, in addition to the contribution of European immigrants – mainly Spanish and Italian – and from the Middle East.
