Buenos Aires

Argentina’s vast metropolis is a melting pot of cultures and colors, of food and football, history and, above all, tango. Pulsing with life as only the truly great cities can, it swings to its own beat 24 hours a day and never seems to sleep. A city of neighborhoods – each with a distinct blend of local and national cultures, almost all worth visiting – it can be tricky to feel like you’ve really experienced Buenos Aires. Which is why we’ve danced on the streets, gorged on the meats at the city's best restaurants, and explored local markets, attractions, shops and hotels to uncover what really makes it magic. Don’t forget your dancing shoes. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Buenos Aires has made a name for itself as the beef capital of the world - and with good reason; trying the local delicacy is a quintessential thing to do in the city. The smell of open flame parrillas (grills) fill the streets and the thick cuts of ojo de bife are not to be missed, but there’s so much more to this city than its famous grilled meat. A glorious mix of diverse cultures, the food scene in Buenos Aires is vibrant, varied and ever-evolving. Here, old-school bodegóns and food stall-laden markets rub shoulders with Indian fusion restaurants, hidden sushi bars and Korean cafés. But the classics will always have a place in this city’s heart; so this list of Buenos Aires’ best restaurants is a combination of old and new; fancy and fast food; sumptuous and simple. While it’s impossible to name all the must-see restaurants in Buenos Aires, this list is a good place to start.

Few cities conjure up an image of romantic, Belle epoque living quite like the leafy boulevards and Parisian and Italian architecture of Buenos Aires. Hotels here are luxurious and aplenty, and it should come as no surprise that this city is replete with lodgings such as decadent twentieth century mansions in some of the city’s finest and most elegant barrios. Five-star luxury rubs shoulders with more modest lodgings in chic neighborhoods such as Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, and more central Monserrat and Recoleta. Whatever your budget, it’s not hard to find a hotel (or Airbnb) in Buenos Aires that’s right at the heart of the action – be it a glitzy tango show, dinner at a top restaurant, or the city’s most exclusive nightlife. There are plenty of great things to do in the city, and diverse lodgings to match.

Microcosms of the neighborhoods they inhabit, markets – or ferias – are one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires, and a great way to immerse yourself in the culture, mingle with locals and pick up a few treats. Argentines never throw things out, which – along with their artisanal prowess – makes for market nirvana. You’ll find a market (many lined with restaurants and even top hotels) in almost every neighborhood in the city, but many are worth going out of your way to visit, whether that’s to pick up a vintage bargain, a local masterpiece or just to watch life unfurl in a riot of dance and color on the cobbled streets.

A dream destination for sun-seekers, history-lovers and culture-vultures alike, the city of Buenos Aires is an exciting blend of European style and South-American glamour. With beautiful architecture, world-class restaurants, vibrant streets and plenty of amazing things to do, it's easy to get swept away in the cosmopolitan magic. And when browsing images isn't enough to satisfy your Argentina-based wanderlust, it's time to plan a trip. Luckily, there's a whole host of hotels and affordable Airbnbs all over the capital, to help make that holiday happen (and to make it affordable, too). So pack your bags, people: here's some of the best Airbnb venues in Buenos Aires.