Buenos Aires Vacations

1. San Telmo

If you want to visit rustic markets and see artwork produced by local artists, visit San Telmo. This authentic neighborhood hugs the banks of the South Darsena River and is known for its colorful street art, pop-up galleries, and weekly market—featuring rare books and ornamental antiques. Join locals as they hunt and haggle for the perfect piece, or watch from a sidewalk cafe. Take coffee with a dulce de leche Alfajore, cookie sandwich, as you admire the colonial architecture.

2. Plaza de Mayo

A great place to breathe in the history of Argentina is the Plaza de Mayo. Constructed in 1884, this historical square has been alternately a place of protest and celebration. See the famous balcony of Casa Rosada where the Peróns famously gave speeches to the people and walk under the Pirámide de Mayo, Buenos Aires’ oldest national monument. Make sure to peek inside the Metropolitan Cathedral whose main giltwood altar dates back to colonial times.

3. Puerto Madero

To see the more contemporary side of Buenos Aires, visit Puerto Madero. On the Rio de la Plata riverbank, this highrise district provides much more than towering skyscrapers. Cross Puente de la Mujer, “the women's bridge,” designed to evoke a couple dancing the Tango. Get onboard either the Sarmiento or the Uruguay; these navy vessels are also interactive nautical museums. Take a respite from the busy city with a stroll or cycle through the lagoons and marshes of the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.

4. La Boca

If you’re a sports fan, visit the world-famous La Boca neighborhood. This translates as “the mouth” of the city, and is the home of Boca Juniors soccer club. If you can snag tickets to see them play at La Bombonera Stadium, seize the opportunity. Speak to your Tourlane Travel Expert for more information.

5. Recoleta

Recoleta is Buenos Aires’ most elegant, upscale neighborhood, where the architecture is Beaux-Arts and dinner isn’t served until after 10pm. Independent boutiques, charming cafes, and smart cocktail bars line the leafy streets of this affluent residential area. El Ateneo bookstore is a must-see, this former theater on the border of Recoleta and Palermo puts literature center stage with an ornate gold interior unchanged from its days as an opera house.

6. La Recoleta Cemetery

Another important site of historical significance in Buenos Aires is Recoleta cemetery, which is unlike any other gravesite worldwide. Here, you’ll find elaborately carved stone mausoleums—all above ground. This is the resting place of some of the country’s most iconic figures including Eva Perón and writer, José Hernández. While you’re there, visit the city’s second-oldest church, Our Lady of Pilar whose quaint exterior houses a dazzling baroque altar.

7. Palermo

Palermo is the city’s largest neighborhood so there’s a lot to explore. Tour the Botanical Gardens and spy the population of domestic cats that live there. Shop local wares at the outdoor markets of Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia. Indulge in a submarino, hot milk served with a block of chocolate to be stirred in as you people watch.

8. Tigre Delta

If you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of central Buenos Aires, take a 45-minute jaunt from the city to explore this little “Venice” on the Paraná river delta. Named for the jaguars who once hunted there, Tigre is a peaceful island formed by river back channels. Take a boat ride around town stopping off at Puerto Frutos, the waterfront market that once sold fruit, to peruse the wares of local artisans and birdwatch at the Delta Terra Natural Reserve. Less