Buenos Aires is my city! I was born and lived 23 years in Buenos Aires before moving to London and still visit every year as my family lives here. Without much further ado, these are the best things to do and see in Buenos Aires. I also include detail on some of the things you must eat when in Buenos Aires as well as where to stay.
VISITING BUENOS AIRES: THE ESSENTIALS
Transport / It’s super easy to get around BA walking, by bus and subway. You’ll need a SUBE card which you can buy and load in subway stations and kiosks. Uber and Cabify are also widely used and cheaper that taxis on the street. The airport is quite a way from the city so I recommend you use WelcomePickups (which is what I use).
Tours / There are countless tours on BA but these are the most popular ones:
Buenos Aires: Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner
Buenos Aires: Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus Tour
Buenos Aires: La Boca Guided Walking Tour in English
Buenos Aires: City Highlights Guided Tour with Transfer
Buenos Aires: La Recoleta Cemetery Guided Tour in English
Stay / If you are looking for self-catering and cheap accommodation in a perfect location in Palermo then I wholeheartedly recommend you stay at my Mom’s Airbnb. If looking for hotels these are the best:
Alvear Palace Hotel $$$
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires $$$
Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires $$$
CasaSur Palermo Hotel $$
Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires $$
Mine Hotel Boutique $$
Loi Suites Recoleta $$
Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires $$
Eat / My top recommendations for each meal:
Brunch/Breakfast: Malvon
Coffee: Cuervo Cafe
Dinner: Don Julio (steak) / Sacro (veggie)
Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Buenos Aires, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for Argentina.
Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN BUENOS AIRES
Have “asado” in a “parilla”
Our asado (barbecue) is just such a big part of our culture. Asado brings Argentina’s friends and families together, and it is done so much differently from anywhere in the world. It’s not just food, it’s a ritual, a tradition. Moreover, Argentineans eat practically the entirety of the cow in asados, not only the meat, but what we call “achuras”. Chinchulines (intestines), chorizo (thick sausage), molleja (sweet bread), morcilla (blood sausage) are only some of them, and they are delicious! We also have lots of sides that are cooked in the ‘parilla’ (the actual barbecue) as well. If you are visiting Buenos Aires for one day only, make a point of having asado. It’s definitely one of the main attractions in Buenos Aires. Now, asado in a restaurant will NOT be the real deal. Thankfully, you can now book the real deal here.
You should also go to a restaurant to have asado if you are staying for a while. This guided experience is excellent. If you prefer to just visit a restaurant on your own, the best places for asado are La Cabrera followed by Don Julio both in the neighborhood of Palermo and then La Brigada in San Telmo.
