October 20, 2023
Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina is a thriving, cosmopolitan city that is known around the world for its incredible history and culture. Often referred to as the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful cities in South America. With its distinct European architecture, bustling nightlife and incredible gastronomy it is an infectious city that requires thoughtful planning to be able to experience everything it has to offer.
1- Buenos aires and its thriving barrios
Buenos Aires is divided into many different neighbourhoods that all showcase a contrasting side to the city.
San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood or barrio in Buenos Aires. It is incredibly well preserved and showcases the unique colonial buildings that were built throughout the years. The cobbled streets are lined with unique art and antique boutiques as well as pop-up galleries and quaint coffee shops. San Telmo is considered to be the bohemian quarter of the city as well as the heart of the tango culture.
- At night the barrio comes alive with tango performances and late-night bars.
- A market takes place on Sunday where stalls set up shop selling hand-made crafts, antiques and souvenirs. Browse through the market in the morning before settling down for a steak at one of the numerous restaurants found here that specialise in parilla.
The neighbourhood of Recoleta gets its name from a Franciscan Order that set itself up here during the 18th century. It is considered to be one of the wealthiest areas in Buenos Aires due to its affluent inhabitants. The buildings are very reminiscent of Parisian-style architecture with white-washed houses and graceful balconies enhancing the front of buildings. The barrio is most known for its cemetery that attracts a lot of tourists and locals alike. Recoleta cemetery is lined with mausoleums each larger than the next one. The cemetery is particularly famed for being the resting place of Eva Perón who was the wife of Argentinian President Juan Perón and First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952. She was the inspiration being the musical Evita.
- Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a must-visit in Recoleta. A once opulent theatre it has since been transformed into a beautiful bookstore after careful restoration. You can browse the 100,000 thousands books and enjoy a coffee under the beautifully painted dome and frescoes of the shop.
La Boca which means ‘mouth’ in Spanish gets its name from sitting on what used to be the biggest port in the city. It was the entrance by which immigrants would come into Argentina before settling along the port and its surrounding area for easy access to ships and cargo during the 18th century. It is known as the most colourful barrio in all of Buenos Aires with houses and shacks painted bright yellow, turquoise and red.
- The area is great for football fans as the neighbourhood is the location for the famous Argentinian football team Boca Juniors. On days when there is a football match, the streets are swarmed with supporters wearing the infamous blue and yellow colours of the football team.
Palermo is the biggest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires and houses an eclectic mix of activities to do and sights to see. The barrio is so large that is it often divided into smaller parts such as the trendy Palermo Soho and the chic Palermo Hollywood. With an amalgamation of restaurants, boutiques and bars it is a great place to head to if you are looking for a nice meal in a friendly ambiance. Palermo is also home to many parks and verdant areas which makes it an ideal place to wander around if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the main city.
- Parque Tres de Febrero is home to a stunning rose garden that holds no less than 12,000 varieties of the flower.
- A large number of the most popular museum in Buenos Aires such as the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA), the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo and the Evita Perón Museum are located here
2- The best of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires offers a multitude of experiences and activities to take part in when you visit Argentina. It is first and foremost the birthplace of tango and an intricate part of Argentinian culture. There are plenty of opportunities to witness tango dancing with many performers taking to the streets to showcase their skills. Tango lessons are also available throughout the city and is a great way to embrace the local culture. However, the best way to appreciate tango is to head to one of the many milongas (dance halls) where professional tango dancers showcase their talents in front of a live tango orchestra.
Argentina is also known for being one of the biggest producers of Malbec and an Argentina holiday wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the many wineries that can be found surrounding the capital city. It is the perfect day trip to explore the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires while learning all about the history of wine making and its process.
Another exciting day trip, is a visit to El Tigre, a town situated on the Rio de la Plata and is considered to be a natural wonderland. Considered by many as a ‘rural Venice’ the main mode of transportation is by boat, cruising along the many canals to discover the beautiful passing gardens and upscale architecture of the surrounding homes. Filled with bright colours and friendly vendors, you will have the ability to wander around and marvel at the variety of fruit and food on offer.
Buenos Aires is a treasure trove for art and culture seekers. Here you will find a large number of museums spread across the city to satisfy everyone’s tastes. From architecture and design at the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo to a collection of famous Latin American artists such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Fernando Botero at the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires. There is sure to be a something to suit your taste. A must-do during your Argentinian vacation is to take tour of the Teatro Colon, one of the grandest theatres in the planet. It is considered to be in the top five best concert venue spaces in the world and you will not regret watching a performance here.
3- Gaucho Culture in Argentina
Buenos Aires is surrounded by an incredible fertile flatland called the “Pampas”. A large majority of the country’s population live here and it plays an essential role in the country’s economic development. This area is particularly renowned for being the birthplace of Gaucho culture. Gaucho are skilled horsemen known for their knowledge of arts, tools and Argentinian traditions. They played a big role in Argentina’s independence from Spain and are therefore very respected within the country. There are is an annual celebration in November that showcases the incredible horsemanship of the Gaucho and bright to light their way of living.
4- A Visit back in time in Colonia
If you fancy discovering more of South America why not take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata to the city of Colonia in Uruguay. This city that was founded by the Portuguese has many of its streets and neighbourhoods listed under UNESCO protection. The town is relatively small but pack a lot of punch. From the historic quarter to the Calle de los Suspiros and the Colonia del Sacramento lighthouse, there is a lot of history to discover in this town. Antique cars line the cobbled street and vines wind their way across building facades. A visit to Colonia is a true trip back in time.
5- Behind the scene with Uncover Colombia
At Uncover South America we have created a special Buenos Aires itinerary and tour that encompasses all of the main sights and activities as well as some unique, away from the tourists offerings.
From the moment we pick you up at the airport we curate a special trip for you to make sure you get the best experience of Buenos Aires. During the tour, you will learn new skills and discover different parts of Argentina that include:
- A visit to the varying different neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires and the highlights of the city.
- Experiencing a local artists workshop that specialises in the creation of the jewellery for the world-famous Evita Musical on Broadway.
- A trip to a traditional estancia in San Antonio de Areco to learn about Gaucho culture and take part in the daily ranch activities. In addition, you will be able to witness live demonstrations of gaucho skills such as cattle herding, races and traditional horseback games.
- A dinner and tango show at one of the best milongas in the city.
- A day trip to El Tigre to see the famous Puerto de Frutos traditional market as well as a visit to Victoria Road, where the Olivos Presidential residence and many of the most popular museums are found.
There is an innumerable amount of things to do in Buenos Aires. This vibrant capital city offers so much that one trip would not be enough to see and discover it all. Be sure to get in touch with us so that we can organise a trip that ticks all the boxes and makes sure that you do not miss out on any of the sights and wonders of Argentina and Buenos Aires.
