Sightseeing
Buenos Aires is a pulsating, passionate, cosmopolitan city.
The combination of rich architectural and cultural heritage, modern creative energy, electric nightlife, unique traditions, a vibrant arts scene, extensive parks, and warm, friendly hosts makes it one of the world’s most exciting capitals.The city's cosmopolitan, multicultural identity was forged in a melting pot of cultures, from native American and colonial Spanish roots, to the influences of immigration from Italy, France, Great Britain, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. You'll see this eclectic mix of influences in the city's architecture, food and in the character of its people. And while Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city always looking towards the latest trends, people have passionate pride for their history and tradition.
Climate and Weather
July weather in Buenos Aires is a little cold. Average low temperatures are around 8˚C (46.4˚F), while average high temperatures don't exceed 15˚C (59˚F). Sometimes, though, these parameters breach their typical limits, with lows decreasing to 4˚C (39.2˚F) and high increasing to 19˚C (66.2˚F).Some rainfall can be expected, and there are approximately six hours of sun each day.
Official Language
Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English is widely spoken at varied levels of proficiency in the well-traveled touristic areas.
Smoking
The city of Buenos Aires is 100% smoke free in all bars, restaurants, and public places
Art, Culture and Tango
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Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires MALBA
The Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA) is one of the cornerstones of the city's cultural life. Its centerpiece is businessman and founder Eduardo Constantini's collection of more than 220 works of 19th- and 20th-century Latin-American art in the main first-floor gallery.
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The Teatro Colon
This emblematic theatre is regarded as one of the finest theatres in the world, renowned for its acoustics and the artistic value of its construction. Its current venue celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008.
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El Ateneo Grand Splendid
El Ateneo Grand Splendid is one of the biggest bookstores in South America and certainly the most luxurious. Located in the ritzy Recoleta neighborhood, El Ateneo is as splendid as its name, and exudes Buenos Aires’s nostalgic elegance. The building originally housed the theater Teatro Grand Splendid, designed by architects Pero and Torres Armengol in 1919. After years of popular shows, including performances by the famous tango singers Carlos Gardel and Ignacio Corsini, the Grand Splendid was converted into a movie theater in the late ’20’s, featuring some of the first sound movies shown in Argentina.The El Ateneo publishing house converted this old theater into a bookstore in 2000, thankfully conserving its original aspect, but replacing seating with bookshelves. The theater’s spectacular cupola (dome), painted by Italian artist Nazareno Orlandi, depicts an allegory for peace after WWI. Framed by plush crimson curtains, the stage is now a cafe where literary types and people-watchers alike form part of the spectacle; acting like a porteño by sipping a cafe and struggling over a Cortázar story has never been so literal!
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La Boca
A wonderfully colorful neighborhood right next to the old port of Buenos Aires, La Boca is synonymous with both tango and football. With its multi-coloured houses and taverns, the neighborhood maintains its tango tradition, football passion, and Italian roots. Today it is one of the most important cultural centres and tourist attractions in Buenos Aires. Take a walking tour, watch a soccer game at the famous boca stadium or attend a local tango show.
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Caminito
Named after a famous tango song composed by the renowned singer Carlos Gardel, Caminito - or little walkway - is an open air tango museum and arts market. Its cobbled streets, brightly coloured houses and original artwork throughout the neighbourhood are an unusual sight – something you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Traditional restaurants feature live tango shows where dancers and musicians show off their talent. A visit to Caminito cannot be left out of your trip to Buenos Aires.
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Boca Juniors Stadium
The colourful blue and yellow Boca Juniors Stadium is a one of the most famous landmarks in Buenos Aires and attracts thousands of Argentines and foreigners alike. At a football game in Buenos Aires, you can feel the sheer passion and incredible devotion the Boca fans have for their team.
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Food
The history of Argentine cuisine is rich and diverse. The country benefited from numerous food influences stemming from their extensive immigration through many years. Local food is famous for the quantity and quality offered, especially beef: the country’s national dish. Italian, Spanish, British, German, Jewish, and other cultural influences are immersed in the delicious dining experiences of Buenos Aires. Argentina is the world’s fifth largest producer of wine, and the variety of grapes grown reflects the country’s many immigrant groups. Among the more popular varieties are Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Torrontés.
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Café Tortoni
Café Tortoni is the oldest and perhaps best preserved of the city’s many officially recognised historic cafés. Founded in 1858, this elegant venue was named after a café in Paris and was frequented by politicians, writers such as Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar, the musician Arthur Rubinstein and the singer Carlos Gardel. The façade on the Avenida de Mayo was designed by the architect Alejandro Christophersen in 1898.
In this café time seems to have stood still like an old photograph, when people used to come here to play billiards, cards, or just to share a coffee with friends. With each day that passes, the place becomes an ever more indispensable part of the history of Buenos Aires.
Order a coffee and medialunas or indulge in churros with chocolate and soak up the atmosphere. The café also serves cider on tap and hosts evening jazz and tango shows.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
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Plaza de Mayo
Founded in 1580 as Buenos Aires’ first central plaza, Plaza de Mayo is the symbolic and physical center of Argentina’s rocky history. The square’s name commemorates the May Revolution that began Argentina’s process of independence from Spain. Plaza de Mayo has seen it all – spirited crowds cheering as Eva Perón shouted from the Casa Rosada’s balcony, military bombings in 1955, and the march of the Madres as they protest the ‘disappearance’ of their sons.
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Casa Rosada
This rosy Renaissance-style palace is known as the Casa Rosada. It is home to Argentina’s presidential offices. Construction began in 1862 on the site of Buenos Aires’ fort, and the building was painted pink shortly after. Visitors marvel at the coral hue without realizing the gritty fact behind it – at the end of the 19th century, ox blood added color and texture to ordinary whitewash.
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The Recoleta Cemetery
Wander for hours in this amazing cemetery where ‘streets’ are lined with impressive statues and marble sarcophagi. Crypts hold the remains of the city’s elite: past presidents, military heroes, influential politicians, and the rich and famous. Hunt for Eva Perón’s resting place, and bring your camera – there are great photography opportunities here.
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Puerto Madero
This waterfront neighbourhood of Buenos Aires is the most modern part of the city. With towering glass skyscrapers, elegant restaurants and chic nightclubs, Puerto Madero is enjoyed by the wealthy and the trendy. It is a young neighbourhood that came out of the largest urbanization project in Buenos Aires’ history. In 1993, the city government remodelled the old docks that were part of the port, creating the opportunity for a new development in the city; a safe, beautiful area for leisure and luxury living. Puerto Madero is nowadays considered the most important business centre and also one of the must-see tourist attractions of Buenos Aires.
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San Telmo
The oldest residential neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, San Telmo exudes a special historical vibe. As one of the most important centers during the 19th century, San Telmo has preserved many of Buenos Aires’ architectural landmarks, museums, antique shops and old churches that nowadays serve as a backdrop for business, cultural events and day to day activities. San Telmo is one of the best places in Buenos Aires to really get an insight into Argentine culture.
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Microcentro: - Florida Street
An elegant pedestrian street, Florida street starts at Avenida de Mayo and goes on for less than a mile (1km) until the beautiful Plaza San Martin in Retiro. Surrounded by shopping malls such as GaleriasPacifico with brand name stores, leather and souvenir stores. Florida Street is an interesting place to observe Buenos Aires' fast-paced activity and to enjoy some shopping in Buenos Aires.
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Avenida de Mayo
This major avenue connects Plaza de Mayo and Plaza Congreso along a 10-block stretch of European neoclassical and art nouveau structures that reflect the European influence on the city. Named after the 1810 May Revolution, the street houses historical treasures.
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9 de Julio Avenue and el Obelisco
You cannot miss the incredible view from Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world. The Obelisco stands elegantly at the junction of 9 de Julio and Corrientes. From here, you can enjoy a walk by day or night to see many of Buenos Aires' famous tourist landmarks such as the Colon Theatre, the French Embassy and a row of sculptures and monuments on the sidewalks.
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Palacio Barolo
One of Buenos Aires' most beautiful buildings is this 22-story office block, whose unique design was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy;its height (100m) is a reference to each canto (or song), the number of floors (22) to verses per song, and its divided structure to hell, purgatory and heaven. To see Palacio Barolo you'll need to book a guided tour, during which you'll get to ride in the 1920s elevator and admire the panoramic views from the rooftop lighthouse.
PARKS AND NATURE
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Buenos Aires Botanical Garden
This beautiful garden is located in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The garden is triangular in shape, and is bounded by SanteFé Avenue, Las Heras Avenue and RepúblicaÁrabeSiria Street. It was declared a national monument in 1996, has a total area of 69,772 square meters (751,020 square feet), and holds approximately 5,500 species of plants, trees and shrubs, as well as a number of sculptures, monuments and five greenhouses. Designed by French-born Argentine architect and landscape designer Carlos Thays, the garden was inaugurated on September 7, 1898.
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Ecological Reserve
Behind the modern architectural extravagance of Puerto Madero you can see the Costanera Sur, which hinges on the Ecological Reserve. It’s a delightfully tranquil hideaway, so if you need a few hours of peace and quiet on your trip to Buenos Aires, this is the place to go to escape all the hustle and bustle. As well as admiring stunning flora and fauna, you can partake in a selection of outdoor activities such as walking or biking along the trails that lead to Rio de la Plata.
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Tigre
Located just 17.5 miles (28 km) north of Buenos Aires Centre, this beautiful and colorful town is located on the shore of the exotic Parana Delta. It’s a short train ride away and is a great place to visit on a Tigre full day tour or even a half-day tour, if you're short of time.
