The Best Things to Do and See in Buenos Aires in 5 Days
Buenos Aires is the national capital city of Argentina. The city’s name means fair winds and its quite fitting as it sits along the coast of Rio de la Plata in the South Atlantic Ocean. Owing to the beautiful coastline there are numerous fun things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina by the beach. But, it is not just the beach which is worth exploring. The city has a lot of historical, modern and post modern attractions to offer. There are also several wonderful museums among places to visit in Buenos Aires.
As colorful as the nightlife and dance is to explore during Buenos Aires travel, the buildings are no less vibrant. La Boca neighborhood itself sums it all up with a line up of colorful buildings. It is among must see Buenos Aires tourist attractions. The city also has lively cultural aspects to explore. The tango dance being one of them. Either dance to the tango or enjoy a performance of the iconic dance style among top things to do in Buenos Aires. The art scene of the city is equally wonderful with the nation’s best art, fine arts and modern art museums. There are also museums featuring private art collections among Buenos Aires attractions.
The people of Buenos Aires are popular for being warm, welcoming and friendly. You can bet that you would make a few friends when you visit Buenos Aires. This makes Buenos Aires sightseeing all the more fun and interesting. The city is not all buildings, there are loads of happening spots and party places to explore. The nightlife is among the best things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is the city of tango after all. The nightlife of the city is known to keep the music going till the morning. After the party you can enjoy a beautiful coastal sunrise in the morning. It is among the most amazing things to see in Buenos Aires.
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Table of Contents
A Complete 5 Days Travel Itinerary for Buenos Aires Tourist Attractions
This section outlines some of the biggest Buenos Aires tourist attractions which you can explore in 5 days. Though majority of tourist places of the city are covered in this trip itinerary, there is still so much to explore. We have also compiled a list of all the Buenos Aires attractions and activities as well.
Day 1
1. La Casa Rosada
Also known as the President’s Museum, this pink castle is a beautiful from the outside and regal on the inside. You would need about 2 hours to explore the palace and the museum within.
2. Plaza de Mayo
The plaza sits at the center of the city. It is also one of the most important historical things to see in Buenos Aires. You would need about 30 minutes at this Plaza.
3. Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires)
This cathedral is located at Plaza de Mayo and is a beautiful landmark to see when you visit Buenos Aires. You will need about 30 minutes to explore this cathedral.
If you like to know more about life of Pope Francis then you should book a Pope Francis Tour in Buenos Aires.
4. Cabildo of Buenos Aires
Cabildo is also located on Plaza de Mayo. It is popular for being on of the last buildings from the colonial era. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes at this church.
5. Palacio Barolo
When it was built, Palacio Barolo was the tallest building of its kind in all of South America. This historical building is an important historical monument among Buenos Aires attractions. You will need about an hour at Palcio Barolo.
I suggest you should book a guided tour of Palacio Barolo in advance.
6. Congressional Plaza and Palace of the Argentine National Congress
Also known as Palacio del Congreso, this palace is where the national congress of Argentina sits. You would require about 2 hours to explore the palace and the entire complex around it.
Day 2
1. Palermo
This is one of the most well known areas to explore during Buenos Aires sightseeing. It is the place for good shopping and great dining. You would need about 2 hours to explore this neighborhood on foot.
2. Rose Garden (Paseo El Rosedal)
Paseo del Rosedal is a huge garden is the pride of Parque Tres de Febrero. You can have an hour long walk surrounded by scenic garden when you visit this attraction on Buenos Aires travel.
3. Japanese Garden (Jardín Japonés)
This garden is also a part of Parque Tres de Febrero. You will need about 45 minutes to explore this Japanese style garden.
4. Evita Museum (Museo Evita)
This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Evita Peron. She was one of the most important historical figures in Argentina. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.
5. Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays)
This botanical garden is included among national monuments of Argentina. You would need about an hour and a half to explore this place.
6. Plaza Seranno
This is one of the most happening Buenos Aires tourist attractions to visit during weekends. It is quite popular among the locals as place for food, shopping or just hanging out. You can enjoy a fun weekends evening at Plaza Serrano.
Day 3
1. Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA)
The museum’s actual name is Museo de Arte Latino Americano de Buenos Aires. It is the best place to visit during Buenos Aires sightseeing for art lovers. You would need about 2 hours to explore all the exhibits at this museum.
2. Floralis Generica
This huge sculpture can be found in Plaza de las Naciones Unidas. The steel and aluminum sculpture was built in 2002. All you need is 30 minutes or less to admire this sculpture and click pictures of it or with it.
3. National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes)
The museum has some of the best works of art in all of Argentina exhibited in its halls. You would need 2 hours to explore this huge museum. For art lovers, this museum would be among the top things to do in Buenos Aires.
4. Recoleta Cemetery
The cemetery was included among the best of its kind in the world by BBC in 2011. You would need an hour to explore it.
Day 4
1. Obelisco
This 47 meters tall monuments commemorates the first attempt to lay foundation to the city by Pedro de Mendoza. You would need about an hour at this monument.
2. Teatro Colon
This theatre is an important historical building to visit during Buenos Aires sightseeing. Besides it’s rich history, the theatre is also well known for its architecture and acoustic quality. You will need about an hour here.
I suggest you should get your admission ticket of Teatro Colon in advance.
3. Galerias Pacifico
This is the most popular shopping destination in the city. This mall is also among National Historical Monuments of Argentina. You can easily spend 2 hours exploring the mall.
4. Basilica of the Holy Sacrament (Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento)
This wonderful church is among the top things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The interior of the church is especially admired by all those who visit Buenos Aires. You will need an hour at this church.
5. Falkland Island War Memorial (Monumento a los caídos en Malvinas)
The memorial honors those who lost their lives in the battle against Britain in 1982. You would need 30 minutes here.
Day 5
1. Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur)
This ecological reserve is home to several species of plants and animals. If you enjoy hiking or exploring nature, this is among the best places to visit in Buenos Aires. You can easily spend 2 hours or more exploring the riverside reserve.
2. Fortabat Art Collection
This gallery exhibits the art collection of Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat. You can see artworks by some of the most well known artists of South America as well as some world renowned artists. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore the exhibits here.
3. Bridge of Woman (Puente de la Mujer)
This rotating footbridge is among the most well known Buenos Aires tourist attractions. You will need about 30 minutes here.
4. Puerto Madero
This area offers some of the top things to do in Buenos Aires in terms of sightseeing, shopping and dining. You should keep aside an hour to explore this district.
If you like boating then you should go for Panoramic Boat Tour at Puerto Madero.
5. San Telmo & Plaza Dorrego
This plaza is the second oldest of its kind in Buenos Aires. This plaza also has an interesting history and is surrouded by several fun things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina. You would need an hour at this plaza.
6. Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno – MAMBA)
This museum houses some of the finest works of modern by revered artists like Josef Albers, Antonio Berni, Curatella Manes and so on. You would need 2 hours to explore this museum.
The section below covers a list of all the best things to do in Buenos Aires. You add attractions from the list below to the above itinerary or create an itinerary of your own. There are many unique and fun things to do in Buenos Aires, choose what would make your vacation most enjoyable.
Things to do in Buenos Aires
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Buenos Aires
- Casa Rosada
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Caminito Museum
- Teatro Colon
- Obelisco
- Floraris Generica
- Museo National de Bellas Artes
- Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo
- Cathedral Metropolitan
- Torre Monumental
- Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art
- Congreso de la Nación Argentina
- National Museum of Decorative Arts
- ARA Presidente Sarmiento
- Cemetery de la Chacrita
- Eva Peron Museum
- Piramide de Mayo
- Museu de los Ninos Abasto
- Palace of the Running Waters
- Argentine National Historical Museum
- The Illuminated Block / Manzana de las Luces
- Museu de Arte Hispano Americano Isaac Fernandez Blanco
- El Zanjon Historical Ruins
- Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum
- Eduardo Sivori Museum
- Mariano Monero National Library
- Paz Palace
- Galeria Guemes
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
- Remembrance Park
- Enrique Larreta Museum
- Palais de Glace
- Santo Domingo Convent
- Museu Casa Rosada
- Centro Cultural Borges
- Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat Art Collection
- Boca Juniors Football Museum
- Carlos Gardel Museum
- MACBA – Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museu de la Inmigración
- San Martin Palace
- Lola Mora Fountain
- Participatory Science Museum
- River Plate Museum
- Monument to Carta Magna & Four Regions of Argentina
- Benito Quinquela Martin Museum
- Ernesto de la Carcova Museum
- Mafalda Monument
- Xul Solar Museum
- Sarmiento Historical Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Buenos Aires
- Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Buenos Aires
- Bosques de Palermo
- Jardin Japones
- MALBA
- Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays
- Parque Lezama
- Kirchner Cultural Center
- Buenos Aires Zoo
- Centro Cultural Recoleta
- Planetario Galileo Galilei
- Holy Land
- Parque Centenario
- Fundacion Proa
- Casino Buenos Aires
- Usina del Arte
- Ecoparque BA
- San Martin Cultural Center
- Sarmiento Park
Shopping in Buenos Aires
- Mercado San Telmo
- Coquettish Alvear Avenue
- Microcentro
- El Salvador
- San Telmo Antiques Fair
- Recoleta
- Andres Arguibel
- Avenida Santa Fe
- Plazoleta Julio Cortazar
- Palermo Viejo
- Cabildo Avenue
- Avenida Cordoba
- Bullrich
- La Boca
Beaches in Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires Playa
- Parque de los Ninos
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Buenos Aires
- River Kayaking
- Hiking
- Parana Delta Boat Trip
- Riverfront Train Ride
Sightseeing in Buenos Aires
- Plaza de Mayo
- 9 de Julio Avenue
- Palacio Barolo
- Plaza Dorrego
- Punte De La Mujer
- May Avenue
- Plaza San Martin
- El Ateneo Grand Splendid
- Plaza del Congresso
- Avenida Corrientes
- Plaza Italia
- Paseo el Rosedal
- Plaza Serrano
- Plaza Francia
- Kavanagh Building
- Avenida Rivadavia
- Barancas de Belgrano
- Ciudad Park
- Rivadavia Park
- Plaza Naciones Unidas
- Plaza Inmigrantes de Armenia
- Plaza Miserere
- Parque Las Heras
- Plaza Intendente Alvear
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Buenos Aires
- Alo’s
- Don Julio
- Los Platitos
- Chori
- Narda Comedor
- La Alacena
- Corte Comedor
- El Baqueano
- El Pobre Luis
- Gran Dabbang
- Anafe
- Guerrin
- Mishiguene
- Roux
- Casa Cavia
- Proper
- Fugazetta Pizza
- Cuervo Cafe
- Sacro
- Nuestra Parrilla
- Strange Brewing
- Don Carlos
- Salvaje Bakery
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Buenos Aires. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Buenos Aires.
Luxurious Hotels
- Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center
- Hilton Buenos Aires
- Mine Hotel Boutique
- Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires – MGallery
- Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta
- Hotel Madero
- Alvear Art Hotel
- Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel
- Arc Recoleta
- Melia Recoleta Plaza
- Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires
- El Conquistador Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- Savoy Hotel
- Duque Hotel Boutique & Spa
- Pestana Buenos Aires
- Icaro Suites
- Eurobuilding Hotel Boutique Buenos Aires
- NH Buenos Aires City
- Rendez Vous Hotel Buenos Aires
- Amerian Buenos Aires Park Hotel
- Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Novotel Buenos Aires
- Madero Urbano Studios
- Magnolia Hotel Boutique
Budget Hotels
- Up Tribeca
- Cyan Recoleta Hotel
- Two Hotel Buenos Aires
- Hotel Patios De San Telmo
- Hotel Ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
- Ker Recoleta Hotel
- Bisonte Libertad
- Broadway Hotel & Suites
- Gran Hotel Argentino
- Unique Executive Central
- Embajador Hotel
- Unique Art Madero
Custom Tours Package in Buenos Aires
How to Reach Buenos Aires?
By Air
Ezeiza International Airport is the best option for Buenos Aires travel. The airport is located about 35 km away from the city in the southern direction. You can get direct flights to visit Buenos Aires from Europe, North America, South America and Australia. In South America, you can fly to the Argentina capital from Quito, Lima, Bogota, Montevideo, Caracas, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santiago de Chile and many more. North American cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York, Houston, Toronto, Mexico City, Newark and Panama City also offer direct flights for Buenos Aires travel. As for Europe, you can get direct flights from major cities of the continent like London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and more.
You can use a train, bus or taxi to reach all the places to visit in Buenos Aires from Ezeiza International Airport.
By Road
You can get trains to reach Buenos Aires from several towns and cities in Argentina. There are also buses available for the same, but they take longer and are more expensive. Though if you are looking for greater comfort during travel and the journey time is short, you might as well opt for a bus for Buenos Aires sightseeing. You can also get international buses from Mendoza, Cordoba, Bariloche, Iguazu, Rosario, and Santiago de Chile.
If you plan to visit Buenos Aires by car, you can take several different routes including route number 9,7, 3 and 2.
By Water
You can get ferry and tour boats for fun things to do in Buenos Aires, Argentina from Cardoba, Madero, Viamonte, Costanera Sur, Nueva Palmira and Carmelo.
Image Reference
- Plaza de Mayo – Peter M Graham / Flickr
- Casa Rosada & The Presidential Museum – Eleazar Rojas / Flickr
- Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires) – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
- Cabildo of Buenos Aires – Liam Quinn / Flickr
- Palacio Barolo – Paula De Francesco / Wikimedia Commons
- Congressional Plaza and Palace of the Argentine National Congress – GameOfLight / Wikimedia Commons
- Palermo – Pedro Angelini / Flickr
- Rose Garden Walk (Paseo El Rosedal) – Roberto Fiadone / Wikimedia Commons
- Japanese Garden (Jardín Japonés) – Viajar Ahora / Flickr
- Evita Museum (Museo Evita) – Jonas de Carvalho / Flickr
- Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays) – Phillip Capper / Wikimedia Commons
- Plaza Serrano – Gervacio Rosales / Wikimedia Commons
- Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA) – B.jars / Wikimedia Commons
- Floralis Generica – Kimon Berlin / Flickr
- National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes) – Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación / Flickr
- Recoleta Cemetery – estergb / PixaBay
- Obelisco – Sebastianalmaraz / Wikimedia Commons
- Teatro Colon – Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
- Galerias Pacifico – Andrzej Otrębski / Wikimedia Commons
- Basilica of the Holy Sacrament (Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento) – Luis Alveart / Flickr
- Falkland Islands War Memorial (Monumento a los caídos en Malvinas) – Liam Quinn / Flickr
- Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur) – Luis Argerich / Flickr
- Fortabat Art Collection – Luis Argerich / Flickr
- Bridge of Woman (Puente de la Mujer) – Andrzej Otrębski / Wikimedia Commons
- Puerto Madero – sergio gallo / Flickr
- San Telmo & Plaza Dorrego – magro_kr / Flickr
- Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno – MAMBA) – Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires