1- Plaza de Mayo and surroundings

(Downtown - Microcentro)

Surrounded by the Casa Rosada, the Cabildo and the city’s main cathedral, Plaza de Mayo is the place where Argentines gather to protest and celebrate (along with the Obelisco in Avenida 9 de julio nearby). The square is surrounded by some of the city’s most significant buildings:

The Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Central House of the National Bank. At the center of the Plaza is the Pirámide de Mayo, a white obelisk built to mark the first anniversary of independence from Spain.

If you happen to be here on a Thursday at 3:30pm, you’ll see the Madres de Plaza de Mayo gather and circle the pyramid, holding photographs of their missing children. These mothers of the 'disappeared’ (Argentines abducted by the state during the military dictatorship of 1976 to 1983) continue to march as a reminder of the past.

2- Avenida de Mayo

Avenida de Mayo stretches from Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada at one end, to the National Congress building at the other. Inaugurated in 1894, distinguished buildings, theaters, and elegant cafés line the avenue.

A few highlights:

• Plaza de Mayo and the Cabildo.

• Pasaje Roverano and London City, a historic café dating back to 1954.

• The oldest café in Buenos Aires (founded in 1858), Café Tortoni became a hub of intellectuals and artists, with many meeting there as part of the Peña del Tortoni period from 1926 to 1943, when a formal board of artists ran events and meetings in its basement.

• Teatro Avenida, inaugurated by the Spanish community in 1908 and restored in 1994 after a fire in 1979.

• Bar 36 Billares, as old as Avenida de Mayo itself, is a classic spot where you can play some pool and enjoy a beer with a slice of pizza.

• Confitería El Molino.

• The Palace of the Argentine National Congress is a monumental building, seat of the Argentine National Congress, located in the barrio of Balvanera at its limit with Monserrat, an area informally known as the Congreso neighbourhood. Constructed between 1898 and 1906, the palace is a National Historic Landmark. The Kilometer Zero for all Argentine National Highways is marked on a milestone at the Congressional Plaza, next to the building.

• Palacio Barolo, one of Avenida de Mayo’s most emblematic buildings. This eclectic structure, completed in 1923, was designed based on Dante’s Divine Comedy.

3- San Telmo

A must-visit in Buenos Aires is the historic neighborhood of San Telmo and its Sunday market.

San Telmo is located in the oldest part of Buenos Aires and is the city’s most traditional neighborhood, once part of the original old town.

When visiting San Telmo, I recommend stopping by two historic churches:

• The Parroquia de San Pedro Telmo, which gave the neighborhood its name.

• The spectacular Russian Orthodox Church, known for its blue domes adorned with golden stars.

Take a stroll along the cobblestone streets, once traversed by trams, to enjoy the neighborhood’s architecture and bohemian vibe. As you wander, you’ll encounter its iconic streetlamps and vibrant street art murals.

The most important highlight in San Telmo is its weekend market. Starting from Av. San Juan and stretching to Plaza de Mayo, this open-air market features crafts, local cuisine, and a wide variety of products.

The Antiques Fair, held every Sunday, is centered in Plaza Dorrego and extends into the surrounding streets. It offers a rich selection of antiques and unique, quirky items.

4- Avenida 9 de Julio, El Obelisco, and Teatro Colón

Avenida 9 de Julio
Once considered the widest avenue in the world (a title now disputed by an avenue in Brasilia), Avenida 9 de Julio is so expansive that it’s impossible to cross in one go.

El Obelisco of Buenos Aires
The city’s most iconic monument and symbol is El Obelisco. Built in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires, it stands in Plaza de la República, the site where Pedro de Mendoza first founded the city.
This towering structure, almost 68 meters high, is strategically located at the intersection of two of Buenos Aires’ most famous avenues: 9 de Julio and Corrientes.
It is also said to be the site where the Argentine flag was raised for the first time. Today, El Obelisco serves as a central meeting point for porteños, who gather here to celebrate political, sports, and cultural events alike.
In front of El Obelisco, you’ll find two large “BA” letters decorated with flowers, perfect for a quintessential Buenos Aires souvenir photo, as well as the crests of all the Argentine provinces.

Teatro Colón
Teatro Colón is Buenos Aires’ most famous and iconic theater, renowned worldwide. With its impressive architecture and exceptional acoustics, it’s considered one of the top three opera houses in the world.
The building has been fully restored while maintaining its original splendor. Its main hall, shaped like a horseshoe, reflects a classical Italian and French style.
A must-do in Buenos Aires is the guided tour of Teatro Colón, where the stunning interior will leave you in awe. If you have the chance, don’t miss the opportunity to attend a performance on one of its evenings. The season typically begins late in the year (November or December), but check the official website for other available shows: www.teatrocolon.org.ar.

5- Recoleta Neighborhood

Recoleta is the most elegant district in Buenos Aires. Don’t miss these must-see spots:

Plaza Francia
This square is surrounded by iconic buildings:

• Centro Cultural Recoleta.

• Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

• La Biela Café: Located in front of the square on Quintana, this historic café was inaugurated in 1942. It has hosted some of Argentina’s most memorable figures, with representations of them displayed throughout the venue.

Facultad de Derecho, Floralis Genérica, and the Bridge over Avenida Figueroa Alcorta.

On Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, you’ll find a striking Doric-style building with 14 columns, home to the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires. Continuing along the avenue, you’ll encounter the monumental Floralis Genérica, the city’s first moving sculpture, controlled by a hydraulic system and photoelectric sensors.

Avenida Alvear

Avenida Alvear is Buenos Aires’ most elegant street, a journey through French-style buildings and palaces constructed during Argentina’s golden era.

Notable landmarks include:

• Palacio Pereda (now the residence of Brazil’s ambassador).

• Palacio Ortiz Basualdo (home to the French Embassy).

• Mansion of Concepción Unzué de Casares (headquarters of the Jockey Club).

• Palacio Alzaga Unzué (now the Four Seasons Hotel).

• Palacio Duhau (Park Hyatt Hotel).

• Alvear Palace Hotel, the avenue’s emblematic building, which combines early 20th-century French architecture with modernity.

6- Palermo

Palermo is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires and the most active, buzzing 24 hours a day. Due to its size, it includes several “sub-neighborhoods,” each with its own distinct character.

El Rosedal (Palermo Parks)
In the heart of Buenos Aires, there’s a green oasis that refreshes and relaxes, connecting lakes, parks, and tree-lined neighborhoods.

Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood
These are Buenos Aires’ trendiest areas.

• Palermo Soho: This is a neighborhood to explore on foot. You’ll find an endless gastronomic hub with restaurants, bars, and cafés showcasing the city’s vibrant scene. It’s also a design hotspot, with incredible shops, creative spaces, and a weekend fair around Plaza Serrano, featuring independent designers, crafts, and countless dining options. A must-see during your visit to Palermo.
Palermo Soho is also one of the best places to discover Buenos Aires’ street art. Check out Russell and Santa Rosa passages, but feel free to wander and uncover hidden gems on your own.

• Palermo Hollywood: This area is perfect for nightlife, with its concentration of restaurants, bars, and original venues like the growing number of speakeasies scattered throughout the city.

7- Avenida Corrientes

Avenida Corrientes is the quintessential porteño street. While it spans over 8 km, I recommend focusing on the stretch from 9 de Julio to Callao.

From the 1940s to the 1970s, it was the city’s cultural hub. Though it lost some of its charm over the years, recent efforts have revitalized its cultural essence.

This avenue never sleeps, bustling 24 hours a day. Here are three must-do activities:

• Explore the bookstores

Stroll through its late-night bookstores, where you’ll find classic works of Argentine literature and rare, hard-to-find manuscripts.

• Savor the pizzerias and cafés

Within just a few blocks, you’ll encounter a dense concentration of iconic cafés and pizzerias serving the unmatched pizza porteña, a local adaptation of Genoese-style pizza.

Embark on a pizza tour along Corrientes and visit spots like Pizzería Güerrin, Banchero, Las Cuartetas, Los Inmortales, and El Palacio de la Pizza. Each offers its own unique specialty.

8- Puerto Madero

Around 30 years ago, Puerto Madero was transformed into a luxury district with high-end buildings, outdoor leisure spaces, and repurposed warehouses and hangars. It’s now an exclusive and upscale neighborhood.

Many consider Puerto Madero a tribute to women, as its streets are named after notable women in Argentine history. The centerpiece of the area is the Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge), designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

9- La Boca

Traditional immigrant and working class neighborhood in Buenos Aires that has been ruined by cheesy overtourism. You can watch tango on the streets and walk around, but the neighborhood is not safe and it won’t really give you an authentic experience. 

10-Tigre

A picturesque suburb of Buenos Aires surrounded by the delta islands and wetlands of the Paraná river. Great for a pleasant and relaxing day-trip, where you can take a boat trip (in a lancha colectiva or a private yacht) and find a quiet parrilla in one of the many islands. You can also visit the town’s old fruit harbor, the Puerto de Frutos, which  is now a busy craft market. Nearby, the Mate Museum traces the history of the traditional Argentinean drink and has a mate bar. Rowing clubs and restaurants line the Paseo Victorica, a riverside esplanade. 

11- Barrio Chino 

Located in the quiet and posh neighborhood of Belgrano C, this is Buenos Aires’ Chinatown, it is much smaller than its US counterparts (only about 5 blocks long), but it has recently become trendy and a tourist attraction because of its cool bars and restaurants. 

12- BUENOS AIRES BUS

Operate EVERY day from stop 00 Recoleta,
Address: Av Presidente Manuel Quintana 591,
From: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when the last bus leaves, ending the service at 8:30 p.m.

The tourist bus will take you to visit the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires. Your tour begins in the Recoleta neighborhood, a few meters from the famous La Biela café, with panoramic views so you are able to appreciate historical places, cultural spaces and unique neighborhoods full of Argentine culture.

The buses run every 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the circuit, and the ride within the city lasts 3 hours 30 minutes, providing a Hop On/Hop Off service so you can get on and off the bus as many times as you want. We operate EVERY day from stop 00 Recoleta, at Av Presidente Manuel Quintana 591, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when the last bus leaves, ending the service at 8:30 p.m.

You can get on at the station of your choice and start your journey. Do not miss it!

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