Buenos Aires has something for everyone to do, especially when they have friends or family coming to visit. Sure, every city says the same thing, but Buenos Aires puts its money where its mouth is and goes all out. A family-centric culture, activities focus on making the family unit coalesce. Here, you won't find theme parks or other expensive activities. Instead, you will find history, culture and fun all wrapped in hundreds of neat, little packages.
Things to do alone in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is widely known as the “Paris of South America.” The French-style architecture is mindful of the French capital, but turn a corner, and it's easy to feel like you're in London. Buenos Aires is a Latin American city, multicultural and diverse. Bars, tango and food mingle to make the city vibrant.
Learn to Tango
What better place to learn than the birthplace of tango. But “it takes two…”, right? Not always. The Argentine Tango Foundation, located on Avenida Cordoba, is a non-profit organisation that helps improve the lives of street children and offers Tango classes for free. A donation is always accepted, but not required. Tango classes range from basic tango to advanced.
Free walking tours
A free walking tour can give insights into the city's history as well as helping the newly arrived find their way around. The Buenos Aires Walking Tour starts at the gate of the National Congress building every day. Tours begin at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. You don't need a reservation, just show up.
Cafes
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of sidewalk cafes in the city. Meals range from the ultra-cheap to the ultra-expensive depending on your taste. Besides a great meal, the people watching from the sidewalk cafes are endless. Most newly arrived, solo-flying expats, opt for Tortoni's, the city's oldest cafe.
A French-style cafe, Tortoni's opened in 1858 and was formerly a hang out for painters, musicians and writers of Buenos Aires. Today, a person can enjoy a tango show while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Other choices
Maybe those three aren't your style. Here is a short list of favourite items on an expat's to-do-and-see list:
- Recoleta Cemetery - Eva “Evita” Peron is buried here
- Palermo — Amazing restaurants, artsy shops and well, artists
- Buenos Aires Bar Crawl — Learn about the nightlife in the city and enjoy making friends
- Library — El Ateneo Grand Splendid is the city's most famous
Things to do in Buenos Aires with your family and friends
What if you have friends or family coming to visit. What is there to do in the city then? There are thousands of things to see and do, but here are the most popular activities for adults.
Teatro Colon
Every 15 minutes, an hour-long tour begins at this beautiful theatre located just a few blocks from Plaza de Mayo. Consistently ranked among the top five globally, Teatro Colon looks like Cinderella got bored and did a make-over in style.
Palacio Barolo
Located near Casa Rosada, Palaco Barolo's design is based on the nine circles of hell in Dante's Inferno. As you get near the top of the building, the stairs get narrower, and the elevator only goes to the 7th floor of the nine-story structure. The payoff is one of the best views of Buenos Aires' cityscape you will ever see. Sure, all that sounds like hyperbole from a cheap brochure, but in the case of Palacio Barolo, it's true.
Los Bosques
Walk among the roses, to paddle-boating or eat in the Japanese gardens — everything is a treat when you spend an afternoon in a beautiful setting.
Things to do in Buenos Aires with your partner
Buenos Aires brings to mind late nights on the town, images of tango and plenty of wine. If you are here with your partner, here are some of the most pleasant things to do to kindle, or re-kindle, a romance.
Helicopter ride over the city
The trip is worth every peso as you take in the size, scope and beauty from on high. Leaving from Puerto Madero, the ride takes you over Rio de Plata before exploring some of the city's 48 barrios, neighbourhoods, from the air.
Some companies include a romantic lunch on the banks of the Parana River.
Evening stroll
Speaking of Puerto Madero, it is a trendy spot to hang out and enjoy an evening stroll along the river bank.
The iconic Puente de las Mujeres is a pedestrian bridge which represents a couple dancing the tango.
Picnic at La Costanera Ecological Reserve
A 350 hectares park beckons if you want to escape the city and enjoy Rio de Plata's cool breezes and the sounds of silence.
The best spot for a romantic picnic is along the bank of Rio de Plata where you can relax on the grass.
Good to know:
Free bike rentals are available once you are inside the reserve.
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