Reasons to go to Buenos Aires

  • Discover the energy of Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital city for the perfect contrast to the epic wilderness of Patagonia
  • Tour the cultural heart of Buenos Aires, then spend an evening with a tango show or gastronomic extravaganza
  • Go beyond the city with a stay on a traditional estancia or a daytrip across the River Plate to Uruguay
  • Extend your adventure with a selection of packages showcasing the best of Buenos Aires
  • Connect with the rest of Patagonia with easy flight connections to Los Glaciares, Tierra del Fuego, the Argentinian Lake District and more

What to see & do in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires city tours

Buenos Aires has often been dubbed ‘the Paris of South America’ and a city tour is a great way to discover why, whether on foot or by bicycle.

Tours take in the best of the city: from the grand fin de siècle architecture and boulevards lined with jacaranda trees that lead to the central Plaza de Mayo, to elegant Recoleta with its grand neoclassical cemetery.

Buenos Aires’s famed street art is everywhere, especially in the artsy district of Palermo and leafy San Telmo. Alternatively, you can head to Boca, with its brightly painted zinc houses and the Boca Juniors football stadium, where the immortal Maradona first wrote his name in the stars.

Bike tour of Buenos Aires with mural of Maradona

Bike tour of Buenos Aires

A night of tango

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of Tango, first emerging in the 1880s, when the great boom in southern European immigrants helped forge an iconic piece of Argentina’s national identity. There is simply is no better place to see a tango show.

Milongas (tango events) can be found across Buenos Aires. They can take almost any shape or form, but if you want a guarantee of great dancers and music to match, a late night tango show is often the best way to go.

Tango shows typically include dinner, and often offer an introduction to other Argentinian folk dancers – though the snap of heels and guitar flourishes will quickly tell you which one people truly feel most passionate about.

Buenos Aires

Tango in Buenos Aires

Swoop says

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Buenos Aires is one of the greatest cities in South America – I wouldn't live anywhere else! My favourite time of year is spring and early summer, when the jacaranda trees are out, covering the streets with purple blossom.

Lujan Torrontegui Patagonia Assistant Sales Manager

Eating out & foodie experiences

With more than 60% of modern Argentinians claiming some sort of Italian ancestry, it’s no surprise that Buenos Aires has such a rich food culture.

There are many ways to experience this, but one of our favourites is a street food walking tour in the colourful Palermo district. Arrive hungry and be ready to discover dishes that are more than just empanadas, those delightful stuffed savoury pastries.

Argentina also takes its culinary cues from the gauchos (cowboys) who herd cattle across its plains. Asado (barbecue) is raised to an art form in Buenos Aires, and nowhere more so than at Fogón, where a juicy 9-course tasting menu will have you coming back for more.

The Argentine Experience foodie dining in Buenos Aires

The Argentine Experience in Buenos Aires

Estancias

If the bustle of Buenos Aires has you wanting to hit the reset button, escape is at hand in the nearby countryside with a stay at an estancia or historic ranch. 

Estancias are traditionally associated with Argentina's celebrated gaucho culture. While horseriding is often a key experience here, you're under no obligation to saddle up during a stay. Modern estancias offer a whole host of activities from walking trails and bike rides to cookery classes using fresh ingredients straight from their kitchen garden. 

Alternatively, you can do nothing but relax by the pool all day, rising only for a glass of wine before dinner in the ideal country escape.

Gauchos as Estancia La Bandada

Estancia La Bandada

Colonia del Sacramento

A boat trip from Buenos Aires across the wide River Plate to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay is like travelling back in time. This World Heritage-listed town was founded in 1680 and is packed with delightful 17th and 18th Century colonial architecture.

The heart of Colonia is the Barrio Histórico, on a small peninsula that sticks out into the river. It is surrounded by fortified walls, which you pass through to explore cobbled streets and squares, all lined with historic buildings with fading stucco and red tiled roofs.

Major landmarks include Uruguay's oldest church, a lighthouse in the ruins of a convent and several houses converted into museums.

Old building in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay.

Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay

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Swoop says

Buenos Aires is more than just a gateway for exploring Patagonia. From here, you can easily build your trip out to include Argentina's wine country around Mendoza, the tropical Iguazu Falls spanning the border with Brazil, and the colonial heritage of beautiful Salta. 

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What our customers think of Buenos Aires

We liked Buenos Aires and had our schedule allowed, we would have spent more time exploring the city. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2024

Tonya Gibbs - USA

Great guide… great location and an inspiring city. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2023

Daniel Spiller - USA

We were really surprised at how Buenos Aires is so very much a 'European' city, but in South America. We absolutely loved the tango show. And the Arts Gallery was wonderful - we never expected to find whole rooms of pictures by French Impressionists. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Peter Heywood - UK

There were many memorable moments. The trip to the falls was very worthwhile and inspiring. Buenos Aires was a wonderful city. The entire experience there was memorable because of the combination of culture, people and environment. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Peter Margolis - USA

A beautiful first-world capital without a lot of the hassles and costs of European cities. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Hugh Mulcahy - Ireland

Buenos Aires is so fun! The food, parks, and museums were wonderful and we were able to walk everywhere. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2022

Debbie Knaub - USA

As far as cities go, I love Buenos Aires. It is so much like a European city with much culture, parks, and flair. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2022

Andrew Karigan - USA

Buenos Aires exceeded my expectations. It's a stunning city full of history. I was amazed how green it is. Beautiful parks are extremely well maintained. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2019

Audrone Urbonaviciute - Belgium

The guide who picked us up at the airport was wonderful in explaining the city to us. We loved the hotel, very well located and very nice. The half day city tour was good. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Mary Lou Bell - United States Of America

We were really impressed by the police and security in Buenos Aires and the cleanliness of the city. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2018

Marianne Smith - United Kingdom

Review:

Where to stay in Buenos Aires

Argentina’s vibrant capital has a wealth of places to stay to suit every taste and budget. Choose from premium hotels to fashionable boutique guesthouses to stylish luxury. If you want to stay outside the city, there’s also the option of staying at a nearby estancia for a taste of the outdoor lifestyle.

Within Buenos Aires, our two favourite districts to base yourself in are the characterful neighbourhoods of Palermo or Recoleta, which are full of great architecture, restaurants and nightlife.

Lounge at Hotel Legado Mitico, Buenos Aires

Hotel Legado Mitico, Buenos Aires

How to get to Buenos Aires

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires is Argentina's international gateway. The airport is 14 miles (22 km) south of the city centre.

Domestic flights fly from Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP) in the centre of Buenos Aires. Allow at least five hours to connect between international and domestic flights.

There are multiple daily flights to El Calafate (FTE, 3 hours) for Los Glaciares National Park, Bariloche (BRC, 2 hours) for the Argentinian Lake District and Ushuaia (USH, 3½ hours) for Tierra del Fuego. Other domestic destinations include Iguazu Falls (IGR, 2 hours), Mendoza (MDZ, 80 minutes) and Salta (SLA, 2 hours).

There are direct flights to Santiago (SCL, 2 hours).

Arrivals at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires

When to go to Buenos Aires

Our add-on packages for Buenos Aires

Classic Buenos Aires

Explore the iconic sights of Buenos Aires and the unique neighbourhoods of Palermo, San Telmo, Recoleta and La Boca. Take a boat trip to visit the Paraná Delta at Tigre and historic San Isidro. Complete your experience in the capital…

  • 3 Days
  • $879
Buenos Aires Express

Tailored to suit our travellers—en route to Patagonia—who only have one night in the captivating capital city of Buenos Aires. This program offers you the chance to take in the must-see sights with your private guide by day and choose…

  • 2 Days
  • $675
Rest and Re-energise in Buenos Aires

Ease into your Patagonia adventure—or unwind afterwards—with a relaxing escape in rural Argentina. Just a short trip from Buenos Aires, a stay at an authentic country estate allows you to slow down and breathe in the fresh air of the…

  • 3 Days
  • $865
Buenos Aires In Depth

With spectacular architecture, a world-class food scene and irresistible energy, Buenos Aires is a city that invites you to stay longer. Add another stamp to your passport as you combine Argentina's capital with a day in Colonia, Uruguay. Cross the…

  • 4 Days
  • $973

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