Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotels and City Guide

Buenos Aires - Attractions

Time Off: What to See and Do in Buenos Aires

Food, fun and, of course, dancing are all favourite pastimes for the average Argentine. Museums, galleries and buildings of historic significance are abundant and respectfully preserved. Great works of literature, opera, intelligent cinema, sport and a thriving theatrical tradition are all celebrated aspects of the rich and varied Latin culture that sparkles here day and night.

Buenos Aires' Main Attractions

Buenos Aires offers an array of attractions, from social and political landmarks to museums and cultural centres. Our picks below of Buenos Aires' main attractions are arranged according to location;

City Centre
Retiro
San Telmo
La Boca
Recoleta
Palermo
Puerto Madera

City Centre Attractions

Plaza de Mayo
The May Pyramid dominates the centre of this plaza named in remembrance of the May 1810 Revolution which marked Argentina’s fight for independence from Spain. Tragic and glorious national events have taken place on this main stage of Argentine political life over the centuries: until 1853 it was the scene of executions; in 1955 it was bombed by the Argentine Air Force in an attempted coup d’état; since April 1976 the mothers of dissidents who disappeared during the military dictatorship of 1976-1983, ‘Madres de la Plaza de Mayo’, meet there every Thursday at 15.30 to protest against the fate of the missing. Their symbol of a white headscarf forms part of the brickwork.

In 1982 there were major demonstrations against the military dictatorship, while in 1984 a large demonstration took place when the ‘Nunca Mas’ (Never Again) Report, listing the names of missing persons, was presented to the new civilian president, Alfonsin. In 2001 demonstrators were killed by police during a demonstration against the government’s confiscation of money in bank accounts. To this day “filling the square” means a successful event or demonstration.

Cabildo
Open: Tues-Fri 12.30-19.00, Sun 15.00-19.00
Admission: ARS1.00

The original seat of Spanish colonial power, the town hall in the city’s main square was designed by Jesuit architect Andrés Blanqui in 1580. It was the government house of the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. It fell into disrepair but the reconstruction of two stories and eleven arches began in 1725, mostly completed in 1764 although the building was not totally finished by the May Revolution in 1810. Having raised the tower by 10 metres and added a dome in 1880, it was demolished with three of the eleven arches in 1889 to make way for Avenida de Mayo. Another three arches were destroyed in 1931 to build Julio A Roca Avenida, leaving only five of the original eleven. Finally, in 1940, architect Mario Buschiazzo reconstructed the Cabildo in colonial style from original 1810 plans.

The National Museum of Cabildo and the May Revolution
Open: Tue-Fri 10.30-17.00, Sat-Sun 11.30-18.00
Admission: ARS1.00

This National Museum now occupies the building housing old weapons, paintings, artifacts, maps, documents, old photographs, clothes and jewellery of the 18th century. The 1835 ornamental well has survived in the patio. A crafts fair takes place in the courtyard on Thursdays and Fridays from 12.00-17.00.

Casa Rosada
Free tours of the public rooms at 11.00 or 16.00.

Across the plaza is today’s version of Government House from where the Argentine president governs. Many political figures over the years have appeared on the balconies to address the crowds in the square, including Eva Perón when she delivered her last speech.

A small museum on the south side contains presidential paraphernalia, including that of Evita Perón. Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-18.00, Sun 14.00-1800.

Metropolitan Cathedral
Open: Mon-Fri 08.00-19.00, Sat-Sun 09.00-19.30

The twelve columns of the neo-classical exterior of this elegant building represent the twelve apostles. It was built between the 18th-20th centuries which explains the different styles of architecture from Baroque to Romantic. A votive flame in memory of the Unknown Soldier as well as a tribute to Argentina’s liberator General José de San Martin is located in front of the cathedral. His 1880 tomb within the cathedral is a National Historical Monument. The cathedral has three naves, mosaic floor, and a 46m high dome.

National Bank
Built between 1940-1955, the dome of this impressive building is one of the largest in the world having a diameter of 50m and a height of 36m.

Avenida de Mayo

Completed in 1894 the 1km-long Avenida de Mayo connects the Plaza de Mayo with the Plaza del Congreso passing through the monumental 9 de Julio Avenue. Historically and currently the scene of political rallies and social marches, this elegant avenue consists of sumptuous buildings. Artists of all nationalities designed the façades of the buildings, turning the whole avenue into an architectural delight well worth wandering down. Buildings include the National Congress, Avenida Theatre and Café Tortoni .

The National Congress
Avenida de Mayo

The early 20th century Greco-Roman Congress Palace - modelled on the Capitol in Washington DC - boasts a 30,000-tonne copper dome, an 8m high bronze quadriga sculpture over the main entrance and beautiful rooms. It overlooks the vast Plaza de los Dos Congresos, covering almost three city blocks with shady trees, fountains and statues, including one of six copies of Auguste Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’. Facing the Congress Palace on the opposite side of the plaza, is the stunning Italian-style Barolo Palace.

Avenida Theatre
Avenida de Mayo

Two other grand buildings found here are the late 19th century domed La Prensa newspaper house, capped with a bronze allegorical statue of a woman, now home to the City Cultural Ministry, and the Avenida Theatre.

Café Tortoni
Avenida de Mayo

Situated in an Art Nouveau building the historical Café Tortoni is one of the oldest literary cafés in the city where tango and jazz bands still play at night.

Plaza de la República
Intersection of Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio

The iconic 67m high Obelisk, built in 1936 to commemorate the 4th centenary of the city's first founding, is the central point of the small jacaranda-lined Plaza de la República at the intersection of Avenida Corrientes and the vast Avenida 9 de Julio, 120m wide with 16 lanes, and 3kms long.

Avenida Corrientes is the ‘Broadway’ of Buenos Aires where most theatres are concentrated. This busy street comes alive at night, but is also known for its bookstores and famous cafés, giving the street a bohemian atmosphere.

Teatro Colón
Cerrito 618

Near the Obelisk with its back facing Avenida 9 de Julio, the impressive Teatro Colón built in 1908 re-opened in May 2010 after a 3-year restoration. It is sumptuous and superb and, with La Scala in Milan, has the best acoustics in the world. It hosts operas, symphonies and ballets. Toscanini, Maria Callas, Pavarotti and Nijinsky are but a few of the stars who have performed here. The interior of the beautiful dome was painted by the renowned Argentine artist Raúl Soldi in 1966.

There are one-hour conducted tours daily at 11.00, 13.00 and 15.00, costing ARS12. Theatre tickets can be purchased at the box office.

Retiro Attractions

Plaza San Martin
Florida Street, northern end

Situated at the northern end of pedestrianised Florida Street between Avenida Santa Fé, Avenida del Libertador and San Martin Street, this beautiful leafy plaza was once the site of a slave market, a bullring, and Argentine liberator José San Martin’s artillery unit’s barracks. It was where the Argentines defended themselves against the British invasion of 1806. A statue of San Martin towers over the square. In 1833 the area was converted into a landscaped park leading down to the riverside, when more than 300 Ombú, Linden and Floss Silk trees were planted, some surviving to this day.

In 1900 Argentina’s wealthiest landowners built their mansions around the plaza, three of which survive: the Beaux Arts Anchorena Palace, the Second Empire Paz Palace and the neo-gothic Haedo Palace (all now occupied by government departments).

Malvinas War Monument and Torre de los Ingleses
Florida Street, northern end

The Malvinas War Monument dedicated to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who died during the Falklands War is at the bottom of the embankment, opposite which is the Torre de los Ingleses, a gift to the city built by British residents in commemoration of the centennial of the 25 May 1810 Revolution. The watchtower on the 6th floor offers panoramic views of Plaza San Martin. After the 1982 Falklands War, the name of the tower was changed to Torre Monumental (but is still referred to as the English Tower).

San Telmo Attractions

Populated by aristocratic families at the end of the 19th century, the large mansions became squats after the yellow fever epidemic. With its Bohemian flavour it is now possibly the most charming of Buenos Aires’ barrios. Relics of its historical past are found in narrow cobblestone streets, colonial buildings with attractive iron railings, gas lamps, art schools, a renowned antique fair and historical cafés that haven’t changed over the years.

Manzana de las Luces
Calle Perú 27
Open: Mon-Fr 10.00-19.00, Sat-Sun 15.00-19.00.
Admission: Free. Tours: Sat & Sun 15.00 and 16.30 (for ARS2.00 fee).

In the 17th century this block of land was granted to the Jesuits who built the Church of San Ignacio de Loyola. The city’s oldest church was completed in 1722. It is famous for being a place of resistance during the English invasion of 1807. It boasts a baroque façade, bell tower, main doors with carved friezes, a glazed white-tile dome, and a wooden altar carved by Isidro de Lorea.

The church was nearly destroyed when Perón attempted to reduce the power of the Catholic Church during the revolution that toppled him in 1955. This building complex (manzana meaning a city block and las Luces meaning ‘light’ referring to intellectuals) includes a network of underground tunnels which connected the Jesuit churches to strategic points in the city, including the Cabildo and the port. Speculation is that they could also have been built for military purposes or for smuggling goods into the city during colonial times.

The tunnels were extended by military dictators as a quick means of escape during unexpected coups. Certainly Perón used the tunnels when he fled from the Casa Rosada on his way to Paraguay. In the colonial era this ‘block of illumination’ housed the first public school, university and library. Today it is a cultural centre for art workshops and exhibitions, theatre and movies.

Plaza Dorrego
Corner of Defensa and Humberto Primo

This delightful shady square is full of life, historic cafés, street markets, folk music, and is famous for the Antique Fair held every Sunday from 10.00-17.00 where many a good bargain can be found. Antique shops are found in the neighbouring streets. Impromptu street dancing, milongas, adds to the festive atmosphere. The tango is danced in the streets accompanied by guitars. Or sit at a sidewalk bar to enjoy the street shows while eating. Don’t leave the area without visiting the classic Plaza Dorrego Bar, an Argentine icon.

Santisima Trinidad Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Avenida Brasil 315
Open: Sat 17.00-20.30, Sun 10.00-12.30

Spectacular blue onion domes characterise this exotic church.

National History Museum
Calle Defensa 1600
Open: Tues-Sun - Feb-April and Oct-Dec 11.00-18.00, May-Sep 11.00-17.00.
Closed: January

Housed in the former Italian-style mansion of the Lezama family, the museum exhibits relics from the May Revolution and the Argentine War of Independence including battlefield paintings by Candido Lopez.

Museum of Modern Art
Avenida San Juan 350
Open: Tue-Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat-Sun 11.00-20.00
Admission: ARS1.00. Free on Wednesdays.

This old red-bricked tobacco warehouse is home to permanent exhibits of local and international artists such as Dali and Picasso, as well as a temporary collection of exhibits by local painters and sculptors.

La Boca Attractions

This old port district was the destination of mainly Italian and Spanish immigrants in the 19th-early 20th centuries. While in the area notice the old President Avellaneda bridge, and if football is your passion, visit the Boca Juniors Athletic Club.

El Caminito is a one-block pedestrian street with no sidewalks filled with brightly painted corrugated-iron houses, graffiti, arts and crafts vendors, painters and tango dancers. Have a meal in a cantina while enjoying a tango show or other musical entertainment. Don’t miss this atmospheric street where you will probably have to dodge tango dancers and vendors hoping for some pesos.

Museo de Bellas Artes de la Boca
Avenida Pedro de Mendoza 1835
Open: Tue-Fri 10.00-18.00, Sat-Sun 11.00-18.00
Voluntary contribution: ARS 3.00-5.00

Featuring late 19th century and early 20th century Argentine paintings, the museum was founded in 1938 on the site of local artist Benito Quinquela Martín’s studio. His best works are on the third floor. Sculpture gardens are found on the rooftop terraces which offer lovely views of the neighbourhood and harbour.

Fundación Proa
Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929
Open: Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00
Admission: ARS3.00

This museum hosts excellent temporary exhibitions of contemporary Latin American works, as well as paintings of international artists.

Wax Museum
Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-18.00, Sat-Sun 11.00-20.00
Admission: ARS15

Situated on the second floor of a grand Italian Renaissance-style house close to El Caminito, this small museum features famous historical characters including Evita and Juan Domingo Perón, sport stars and celebrities.

Recoleta Attractions

The most exclusive area of Buenos Aires has various attractions for the visitor.

Plaza Francia

Plaza Francia hosts a colourful arts and crafts fair at weekends attracting many artists, street musicians, mimes and more.

Floralis Generica Sculpture
Plaza de las Naciónes Unidas in Avenida Figueroa Alcorta y Austria

This unusual and beautiful steel and aluminium flower sculpture by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano is 23m high. Situated In a large pond and resembling a lotus, the flower opens and closes its petals over 24 hours, glowing red at night.

Recoleta Cemetery
Junín 1790

Dating from 1822, the maze of paved streets in this cemetery contains over 6,000 enormous elaborate tombs and mausoleums of the former rich and famous citizens of Buenos Aires, including that of Maria Eva Duarte, better known as Evita Perón (1919-1952). Her embalmed body stayed hidden in a crate in Buenos Aires for three years before being sent to Bonn as part of the Argentine military attaché’s household effects and was probably buried in the ambassador’s garden or in the basement of the embassy.

At some stage it was removed and secretly buried in Milan, Italy, under the name of Maria Maggi. In 1971 her coffin was handed over to Perón and his third wife Isabella while in exile in Spain where it was kept in an upstairs room. Perón returned to power in Argentina in 1973. A year later Isabella succeeded Perón and brought Evita’s coffin back to Buenos Aires.

After Isabella was overthrown in yet another coup in 1976, Evita’s body was handed over to her sisters and finally came to rest in her family’s tomb in 1977. Guided tours take place daily, starting from the entrance on Junín 1760.

Recoleta Cultural Centre

The convent and part of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar’s cloisters have been converted into the Cultural Centre. The gutted interior has avant-garde exhibitions, a cinema, and a large auditorium hosts the Tango Festival. Upstairs there is a hands-on museum for children.

Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

This historical church with its square tower and bell-shaped dome built by Franciscan friars in 1732, nestles in trees adjacent to the cemetery. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1942 owing to its six German baroque altars, the central one ornately overlaid with engraved Peruvian silver. Visit its splendid cloisters before relaxing at one of the many attractive pavement cafés and bars a few steps away.

Museo Naciónal de Bellas Artes
Avenida del Libertador 1473
Open: Tue-Fri 12.30-19.30, Sat-Sun 09.30-19.30

Situated in a large pink building, this fine museum has 24 galleries on the ground floor housing an impressive collection of international paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including works by Impressionists. The first floor showcases some of the best 20th century Argentine painters. Rodin’s sculpture, ‘The Kiss’, is on one of the sculpture terraces.

Museo Naciónal de Arte Decorativo
Avenida del Libertador 1902
Open: Tue-Fri 14.00-20.00, Sat-Sun 11.00-19.00
Closed: First weeks of January.
Admission: ARS8.00. Free: Tuesdays.

This beautiful French neo-classic mansion designed by French architect René Sergent and completed in 1917 was the home of Chilean aristocrat, Matías Errázuriz and his wife Josefina Alvear, opulent art connoisseurs. Converted into a museum in 1937, the building itself is an architectural work of art. It is filled with over 4,000 treasures from South America, Asia and Europe, including silver, porcelain, mirrors, crystal and bronze chandeliers, French and Flemish tapestries, paintings, sculptures, period furniture and a room of extraordinary Imperial Russian miniatures. Don’t forget to walk around the formal garden.

Palermo Attractions

Palermo Viejo is a trendy and colourful neighbourhood with much activity around the small Serrano Square. There are sidewalk bars, restaurants, foodstalls, barrows selling an eclectic mix of goods, craft stalls, street musicians, art exhibitions and enticing narrow picturesque passages. Avant-garde theatres, designer shops and small stores are found near Costa Rica Square. Enjoy a tour around Palermo in a horse-drawn carriage.

Evita Perón Museum
Lafinur 2988
Open: Tue-Sun, holidays. May-Oct 13.00-19.00, Nov-Apr 11.00-19.00
Admission: ARS10.00. Restaurant open: Tue-Fri 09.00-01.00.

Evita Perón’s foundation bought and restored this beautiful mansion as a shelter for single mothers with children in 1948. In the few short years remaining to her, she was able to improve the lot of the poor, unaware this mansion would become her museum in 2002, 50 years after her death. It was declared a National Historical Monument in 1999. The museum chronicles the life of Eva Duarte through photographs, articles, her quotations and her clothes from childhood, to youth as an actress, and finally to much-beloved First Lady in 1946 to President Juan Perón. She served in office until her death in July 1952 at the age of 33. The Perónist political movement founded by the Peróns is represented today by the Justicialist Party. Eva remains an Argentine heroine.

Juan Perón (1895-1974) was elected President of Argentina three times. During World War II, Perón supported Mussolini and Hitler which explains why Argentina became a haven for Nazi war criminals after the war. Overthrown in a military coup in 1955, he fled to Paraguay. In exile for 18 years mainly in Venezuela and Spain, he returned to power in 1973, serving for 9 months before his death from a heart attack.

Parque 3 de Febrero
Northern-most stretch of Avenue Del Libertador

Situated within this sprawling neighbourhood close to Recoleta is the recreational Parque 3 de Febrero, also known as the Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods), the 25-hectare green lung of the city inaugurated in 1875. Between 1892-1912 the French landscape artist Carlos Thays designed: the Botanical Gardens; the 18-hectare Zoological Gardens where 350 different species of animals exist in an exotic habitat; the Japanese Garden with pagodas and ponds full of bright fish, a bonsai nursery and a Japanese teahouse; the Rosedal rose garden with 15,000 rosebushes of 1,000 different species; as well as the adjoining Plaza Italia.

A charming vine-covered Andalusian patio with majolica tiles and Spanish mosaics and a quaint bridge were added in 1927. The Galileo Galilei Plantarium was erected in 1951 on the edge of one of the three lakes used for boating. A Poets’ Garden contains stone and bronze busts of famous poets, while the Eduardo Sivori Museum houses paintings, sculptures, drawings and tapestries from the 19th and 20th centuries.

As well as an 18-hole golf course, other sporting sights to see in this barrio are the Palermo Racetrack and the famous Argentine Polo Fields.

Puerto MaderaAttractions

The old port of Buenos Aires has been converted into a vibrant modern district with condominiums, shops, cinemas and trendy restaurants in the former redbrick warehouses. Modern skyscrapers soar behind them in stark contrast.

Not far from Plaza de Mayo the river can be crossed at Dock 3 via the elegant Puente de la Mujer Bridge representing a tango dancer which rotates 90 degrees to allow the passage of ships. The English-built frigate Presidente Sarmiento, a training ship from 1897-1961, now a museum, is also docked here. Close by, at the end of Avenida de Mayo, is the 6.25m high Christopher Columbus Monument sculpted from Carrara marble. Notice the damage done by missiles fired in 1955 during the coup to remove President Perón.

At Dock 4 the Uruguay Corvette Ship Museum is next to the exclusive Puerto Madero Yacht Club.

Constanera T. Achával Rodrigiuqes Avenue separates the city from the 350-hectare Ecological Nature Reserve, a green lung of willows, alders, pastures of Pampas foxtail grass, home to otters, red opossums, amphibeans and reptiles. You can sail, walk, jog, cycle in this recreational reserve.

Stroll along the Constanera Sur Esplanade, see the beautiful marble Fountain of the Nereids or visit the Calcos Museum, exhibiting copies of famous Gothic and Renaissance sculptures.

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