20 great things to do in Buenos Aires
Get passionate about football, tango and tombs in sunny Buenos Aires
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Tango dancers on the streets of Buenos Aires - © Marc van der Aa/Time Out
1. Become a Boca fan
Ole, ole ole, ole. The most thrilling and visceral experience of any visit to Buenos Aires is probably donning a fluffy blue and yellow hat and bouncing along with the tribal fanatics of Maradona's beloved team. The intoxicating display of the leaping and singing multitude is often more exciting than the game on the pitch. There is no more intense encounter than Boca Juniors playing their rivals River Plate. But any visit to Boca Juniors' intimate Bombonera stadium will be an adventure that you'll never forget. A word of warning, hang on to your wallet!
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2. Eat intestines and even more glands
Possibly even a more essential cut than the wonderful steak is the offal. The chorizo and morcilla (black pudding) will usually be accompanied by crispy chinchulines (chitterling), briny riñon (liver) and the truly delectable molleja (sweetbread). As they arrive on your plate, you could be forgiven for a wobble at the sight of their biological appearance. But if you persist, you'll be treated to a quintessentially Argentinian feast. Don't forget your camera - it will be great for grossing out your friends when you get home. You can try them at La Brigada.
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3. Frolic in a love hotel
Not quite as seedy as they sound, telos, as they are known in Buenos Aires slang, are rented by the hour and offer as much fun as you can have, well, with your clothes off. When you check into one of these albergue transitorios, identified by neon lights and a token shrub outside the door to offer the pretence of anonymity, you and a loved one can enjoy a couple of hours frolicking on water beds under mirrored ceilings, in all manner of themed rooms. Head to Rampa Car.
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4. Tour the eye of the Tigre
Forty-five minutes from the noise and smog of downtown is an almost unspoilt subtropical delta full of densely forested islands and shining waterways. Hop on to a river bus and enjoy a boozy picnic. See www.tigre.gov.ar.
5. Witness the social coming of Christ
No, honestly. Every half hour on the quarter hour, a 20-metre plastic Jesus rises from the earth (also made out of plastic) at the wonderfully surreal Tierra Santa, the world's first religious theme park (www.tierrasanta-bsas.com.ar).
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6. Get lost among the dead
Losing yourself in a labyrinth of tombs and mausoleums might sound like an Edgar Allen Poe short story. But Cementerio de la Recoleta, a remarkable necropolis in one of BA's most exclusive areas, is the final resting place of the good, the bad and the beautiful people of Argentina's past. When you find the crowd, you have found Evita's ghostly flower-strewn monument.
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7. Dine in style
Brunch at this super-chilled Scandinavian Olsen restaurant is probably the best in the city. For those really suffering there is an ample vodka menu for hair of the dog remedies. Opulent and expensive, high tea at the Alvear Palace Hotel offers a glimpse into BA's past wealth and grandeur.
Blow the budget at El Bistro, possibly BA's most exciting restaurant, within the remarkable Faena Hotel + Universe. Headed by Mariano Cid de la Paza, a protégé of star Spanish chef Ferrán Adriá, the menu is as singular as the Philippe Starck-designed interior. Inspired by molecular gastronomy, 'spherifications' of olives and 'foams' of lettuce appear. Think of a Spanish omelette served in a martini glass.
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8. Mind your toes at a milonga
The spirit of tango oozes from every corner of Buenos Aires. Milongas (tango nights) blend the familiarity of a social club with the elegance of a 1930s ballroom dance. Etiquette is king at venues such as La Calesita: men and women are seated on either sides and procuring a partner involves an intricate code of subtle nods and eyebrow twitches. The traditional milongas attract the older crowd, but several welcome novices: visit Tango Cool, La Viruta and La Marshall.
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9. Snack on coffee and medialuna
In Buenos Aires, you should drink a cup of freshly roasted coffee with a crispy medialuna (Argentinian croissant). A splendid place to bite into one is the Café Tortoni, the city's most traditional café. Founded in 1858, it has doubled as both a bohemian and literary joint over the years. The best part is that it hasn't lost any charm, despite the throngs of tourists that hover around.
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10. Drink until the early hours
One of the kings of the bar scene is Gran Bar Danzón. Although the food is great, crawlers rarely look beyond the drinks menu. The cocktails are ingenious and the vast wine list is mostly available by the glass. If that booze isn't enough for you, then browse through the Park Hyatt's vinoteca (wine bar), which is home to over 3,000 bottles of Argentinean reds and whites.
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11. Have a picnic and go bird watching
With over 200 species of birds, scuttling iguanas as well as joggers and cyclists, the Reserva Ecólogica Constanera Sur is a multi-purpose green space. In this nature reserve, four lakes, giant pampas grass, willows and shrubs create a lush habitat for local wildlife, as well as keen exercisers. Here, you can join around 15,000 visitors who descend here to picnic and enjoy a spot of bird watching in peace. Moonlight tours are organised once in a while, but make sure that you book ahead of time.
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12. Marvel at South American modern masters
You can't leave Buenos Aires without a trip to Malba: Colección Costantini, where works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Tarsila do Amaral share the walls with lesser-known Argentinean modern masters. There is an excellent café and terrace restaurant, plus a small cinema specialising in art house retrospectives.
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13. D is for dulce de leche
The milky caramel syrup is the flavour of the city. You'll find it in sweet delights, ranging from cakes and bonbons to ice cream and crepes. We recommend trying dulce de leche in torta rogel, a crispy cake with layers of soft meringue at the upscale bakery-café Como en Casa; taking a light bite of some alfajores (round biscuits) at Florencio; or eating a filling flan at the cantina on Chico.
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14. Pay homage to Evita
It's hard not to think of Evita when visiting the presidential palace, Casa Rosada. Check out the balcony on which the Peróns spoke to the people and the spot where Madonna belted out her famous Argentina ballad in the film Evita. Then head to the Museo Evita, housed in an aristocratic residence that Peron expropriated to convert into a women's shelter for his wife's welfare agency. Gaze at paintings and posters, as well as fabulous outfits (and jewellery) that she wore on tours of Europe.
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15. Go relic hunting on San Telmo
You may hear that San Telmo is dirty, run-down and unsafe (mainly at night). But don't let that stop you from looking for hidden gems on San Telmo's main drag, the Calle Defensa. Here, you can find antiques in the shops tucked away around every corner, many at bargain prices. To step back in time, visit the lovely Pasaje de la Defensa, a refurbished 1880 house spilling over with bric-a-brac stores. Alternatively, take a trip to El Zanjón de Granados, a beautifully restored residence, which encapsulates three centuries of urban living.
16. Pick up classic souvenirs
Once you've tanned, tangoed and drunk yourself silly, then it's time to go home. So don't forget to take a few souvenirs with you. Find a cool mate set for your morning coffee at the shop Estudio MW and a polo shirt from La Martina. Fill your cellar with traditional Malbec wine from any supermarket and if you're a collector of curios, a gaucho knife set is a must-buy from the stalls at Feria de Mataderos.
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17. See a polo match in Palermo
Long regarded as a sport for the elite and possibly the world's oldest sport, polo has made Argentina famous. The sport is played in Buenos Aires between September and November. The latter is the golden month when the Abierto Argentino de Palermo (Argentinean Open) takes place at the magnificent 16,000-capacity Campo Argentino de Polo. Beginners and experienced players can have lessons: El Rincon de Polo club is probably the best choice of school.
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18. Tango, tango and yet more tango!
Carlos Gardel was to tango what Elvis was to rock 'n' roll. He is probably the most prominent figure in the history of ballroom dance. A new house museum, the Museo Casa Carlos Gardel, celebrates his legendary years in Buenos Aires, and you can pay your respects to him at the Cementerio la Chacarita. If you want to give tango a whirl, head to the Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso, a serious venue in which respected artists perform regularly. If you prefer to dip and swirl members of the same sex, then the gay milongas are the place to be. La Marshall and Tango Entre Muchachos are excellent venues for queer tango.
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19. Groove to South America's best DJs
Blend in with the hippest people in the city at the Niceto Club, undoubtedly one of the city's trendsetting nightspots. Traditional South American styles and rhythms mix with electronica, driving the crowd absolutely wild. Don't miss Wednesday's underground party Zizek, one of the best nights in town.
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20. Turn fashion conscious in Palermo Viejo
While international designers are always popular, local couturiers command top peso these days. At the Palermo Viejo, you can discover funky boutiques that stock the latest fashions. Consider Cecilia Gadea's romantic range, inspired by ocean waves, or the willowy bohemian look of Mariana Dappiano. Sift through Maria Cher's eclectic collection of cocktail dresses and enter a world of fantasy when you gaze at Martin Churba's experimental prints.
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Argentina Polo Day is a MUST-DO!
seriously, highly recommended!
argentinapoloday.com.ar
This is a great list of tourist and not so tourist things to do... I also enjoy going to the Zoo and the Japanese park .... lots of ponds full of Coy. In any of these parks stop at a food vendor and buy a chori pan --- a yummy grilled sausage served on soft bread! Plaza Serrano is also really cool on the weekend with an outdoor locals market. enjoy!
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Hello! We offer an exclusive tour up tp 4 per tour. It's an all day plan!
The experience starts early when we pick you up, we take you to the river, then we go on a boat to have an argentinian home meal lunch and later... we dance Tango! When the sun goes down, we take you back to the hotel, tired, but happy! =)
Thank you,
Tango Delta.
Awesome suggestions. For some more, check out: http://iplantravelcanada.com/travel-experience-blog/bid/240829/4-Unusual-Things-To-do-in-Buenos-Aires-Argentina
Great list of things to do in Buenos Aires, some of them can be done on your own by just exploring the city, others should be booked... for these ones I suggest to check out www.bookthingstodo.com/argentina/buenos-aires Enjoy BA!
Thanks for all the comments below guys, BA was so incredibly daunting to explore as there were so many things to do.. in the end i did the following:
Argentine Experience - a great way to sample argentina's culinary delights in one evening
Foto Ruta - really unique way to see the city...loved the concept and the way it made you really look around and explore neighborhoods you wouldnt normally visit
La Catedral - Milonga, full of locals as well as tourists. It was the location that blew me away. stunning!
This was amazing trip i touch and i went to all these places and i loved it! :)
NOT!
It was actully areport that i did and so i really didnt.
The most delicious and interactive dining experience in Buenos Aires. Forget huge meat and wine menus, The Argentine Experience has done all of that for you. Eat the best steak available, the best wine, learn how to make your own empanadas for starter with the best possible fillings (they also send you all their recipes so you can make them at home), make your own alfajores for dessert (with dulce de leche and melted chocolate fondue), then learn how to prepare mate (Argentinas national tea drink), and have a charismatic guide to interact you with everyone else. They also help you with your onward itinery as they know people Ll over Latin America. Honestly, start your BA experience here and you won't be disappointed.
We stayed at the a lovely private rental in Palermo very close to the zoo and Japanese Garden. We enjoyed exploring the city but found our 'home' in Buenos Aires to be quite comfortable and soothing at the end of the day. There were many things to do and see within blocks from our rental apartment. If a private apartment vacation rental is your thing, please check out. www.vrbo.com/104122
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Hello. We offer personalised polo days out at an authentic, working estancia just 50 mins from the city centre. Run by an anglo-argentine couple, the full day includes a delicious Argentine barbecue, pick-up and drop off, lesson and mini match with a professional polo player. Check Guapa Polo out, we are recommended by Time Out Buenos Aires magazine: www.guapapolo.com.ar.
If you want to practise or watch Sports during your stay in Buenos Aires RUGGER SPORTS TRAVEL con do it posible.
Sport plays an important role in the lifes of argentinians. Football is one of the most vital aspects of life for many argentine people. We of er a variety of tailor-made sports tours to Argentina, including acommodation in Hotel, transfers, etc. Di effrent excursions can be organised such as: Local footbal
matches, learn to play polo or watch Polo matches, Gauchos Land, Tango Experience or even
fly to Iguazu and experience the majestic Iguazu Falls. Inbound
Argentina is a diverse, captivating and beautiful country. It provides an
incredible range of attractions, fantastic places, excellent gastronomy
and a variety of entertainment for all kinds of tastes. People are friendly, full
of kindness and on top of that weather is mostly pleasant all year round.
www.ruggersportstravel.com
We have been having a fantastic time in Buenos Aries. The best place to eat is the steakhouse Palermo Mu in Gorriti 5615, Palermo with the best cuts of Argentinian beef and premium quality wine from Mendoza with a great atmosphere. The worst place to go is Rodizio on Av Alicia Moreau de Justo 840, Puerto Madero. The service was appalling the Argentinian waiter was arrogant and could not be bothered to pour us our wine or explain the menu. He brought us our French fries after we had eaten our main course and took it away when he could clearly see we pointed out it was served late. When we complained to the supervisor they put something in our Dom Pedro desert which made us sick. When it came to settle the bill the manager was disinterested in our comments and only interested in our credit card. The grilled meat and buffet food was priced at double the price for Palermo miu yet served without any enthusiasm. This is a tourist trap do not go there at all costs they are overpriced and unfriendly and won't hesitate in getting your food poisoned if you complain. The Manager is very arrogant and clearly doesn't want his staff to speak English yet he expects international customers who are the only ones that can afford to pay his ludicrous prices.
If you are planning to travel to Argentina you have to practice their most popular game, POLO !!!
You don´t need prior knowledge in the sport. Believe me, is extremely funny !!!
These lessons con be taken individually or by group and take place throughout the year and are dictated by players with Handicap and vast experience in Polo tournaments. We are also accompanied by the presence of sports advisors which enrich the learning process.
We will provide all the necessary tools for the practice: stick, helmet, whip and horses.
You could also find us in Facebook as ¨ Polo Class ¨
poloclass@hotmail.com.ar www.tristansuarezpolo.com.ar/
Check out www.menteargentina.com if you want to study, intern or volunteer in Buenos Aires!
Dont forget Foto Ruta www.foto-ruta.com a new way to explore Buenos Aires.... we run photo treasure hunts around lesser known barrios of the city. A great way to meet people and learn a bit about photography!
As a 4 star hotel concierge I give you this advice: never, never choose BuenosAires Fun for football tickets, as their prices are scandalous high and their “service”, awful. There are much more better options in Buenos Aires (Sonido Urbano, Tangol, even GoFootball). They state you are paying for the tickets + guide + afternoon meal, but they only give you very bad tickets without nothing more. It’s very common to hear guests complaining about them, so don’t let them fool you.
If you're a futbol/football/soccer fan and love to play, come out and join us for a pick-up 5-a-side futbol match! We are FC BAFA, Buenos Aires Futbol Amigos and we invite you to come play a game with us. We are a mixture of local Argentines, travelers, and ex-pats, everyone is welcome. See you on the field! For more info, check out our website, www.fcbafa.com
You can do most of these 20 must do's by bike! Tour the North, South, Full-City or discover BA street art every Sunday on our Graffiti Tour! Bicycle rentals and purchases are also available. Check out our website for more info www.bikingbuenosaires.com
We look forward to meeting you!
You must try a Polo Experience in Buenos Aires, it´s a wonderful program !!! Even for total begginers !!
Also you can watch the best Polo & Rugby Matches of Argentina !!!
www.basportsandtours.com
We offer Polo Experiences (polo for begginers), and we offer tickets & transfer to go & watch the best Rugby in Buenos Aires every saturday !!! (from april to november), how can we advertise in Time Out???
But what do you do when the weather is bad? On a rainy day (like today) in Buenos Aires, we take advantage of Lisa Goldapple's top 20 tips: http://www.therealargentina.com/argentinian-wine-blog/what-to-do-when-it-rains-in-buenos-aires-our-top-20-tips/
Wednesdays and Fridays 20.30 - 22.30 Chenaut 1940 Buenos Aires. Aerial theatre classes. Come and learn to fly in a harness, run up walls and float through the air with performers from De La Guarda and Fuerza Bruta. Check out our website and see who we are www.cuerdaproducciones.com
Learn spanish in four days while touring Buenos Aires!
Learn Spanish and get an introduction to our culture while visiting the most interesting places in Buenos Aires!
www.espanol4d.com
No. 22. Study and Intern in Argentina!
Internships are another way of gaining practical experience and distinguishing yourself from the competition, learn spanish, understand local culture
and make new friends!!. An internship often takes the form of a vacation placement, lasting between 4 to 16 weeks over the summer and is a great way of gaining insight into a particular industry and finding out how a particular company operates.
For more information check out: www.baplacement.com
For those looking for doing some shopping in BA look no further than this guide of vintage stores dotted around the vast city of Buenos Aires.
http://oasiscollections.com/the-best-vintage-shopping-in-buenos-aires/
cheers!
James
You must try a Polo Experience in Buenos Aires, it´s a wonderful program !!! Even for total begginers !!
Also you can watch the best Polo Matches of Argentina !!!
www.basportsandtours.com
Great blog=) Iam a argentinen and i go for river so i think one has to go to each stadium and see for themselves. Bt Great blog well done
Your blog is great, thanks for all the recommendations.Take a look at www.tailormadehotels.com , a cool boutique hotel in Palermo BA. Thanks!
ok, lets slow down here. Maybe becoming a fan of Boca is a bit of an overstatement. I AM a fan of Boca and also Argentine but if you go there, you have to visit BOTH stadiums and judge for yourself. The Boca stadium is about the local folklore.. more of the masses to call it somehow.. you have to see it and live it. I'll add something to the article: do NOT take your wallet with you, just take some cash and off you go - and a compact camera but for God's sake make an effort and do not look like a turist ;-) - joke over - you'll love it. Nuñez (where the River Plate stadium is) is more "civilised" if you will, but a different flavour of things. Again, you have to see both. I've been to both and ultimately prefer to jump with the crowd at Boca, then come back to the UK and work in a suit all week ;-)
Is there no one who can advise on how to get there and how to find reasonable accomodation on line and when it is the best season to be there ......we are from UK
The cost of living in Argentina
We have a lot of inflation in argentina so by the time you read this it will probably be out of date.
1)i will try to help as best i can with this list of headliners.
FOOD AND BERVERAGES Supermarkets are very cheap espcially for beers and wines. They also offer big discounts on certain days if you pay by credit card.
2)ACCOMMODATION the cheapest way to stay in buenos aires is to rent an apartment.you can rent a fully furnished apartment for about u$s1000 per month.all bills included. I would reccomend myspaceba.com but there are many others.
3) PUBLIC TRANSFER is very cheap. The subway is 30cents u$s for a journey of any distance.
Buses are equally as cheap but a little bit dificult if you don´t know the city too well.
A return train ticket to tigre is less than u$s1 for a journey of more than 20miles each way.
If staying in the city you really won´t need a car. The public transport is that good. Plus finding a place to park a car is a bloody nightmare and becomes expensive.
4)UTILITYS BILLS if you rent a furnished apartment all the bills will be included. Sometimes the owner puts a limit on the bills just to remind the tenant to turn off the ac when they go out.
But most bills are inexpensive in comparison to the us and europe.
5) INCOME TAX now thats a grey area. Argentina is the biggest black economy i have ever seen.
So people are paid a certain amount in cash some in vouchers and some is taxed, it really is a different answer for every person.
MEDICAL INSURANCE We are a family of four and pay u$s300 per month for very good quality medical insurance.
SCHOOLS Public education is not great here so its best to pay and go private. Buenos aires is awash with bilingual fee paying schools and they are very cheap in comparison to europe or the states. Starting prices are from about u$s200 amonth but can go much higher.
NURSERY care is about u$s200 for 3 hrs per day.
6) ENTERTAINMENT AND RESTAURANTS IN BUENOS AIRES are as good as any place you will ever visit.
Very affordable with loads of choice.many tango shows theatres and operas and thousands of great restuarants.
We'd say here... cualquiera!!! Boca???
I'm not a big fan of football, but Boca is what it is thanks to a huge worldwide marketing thing... that's all.
Thumbs up to the neighbourhood... thumbs down for the football team. Sorry..
I will add also Buenos Aires free tour!!
http://www.bafreetour.com
Cheers
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