Argentina

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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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.

La Casa Rosada

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.

Plaza de Mayo

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.

Metropolitan Cathedral

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.

Cabildo

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.

Palacio Barolo

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.

Congressional Plaza

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.

Palermo

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.

Rose Garden

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.

Japanese 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.

Evita 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.

Botanical Garden

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.

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.

Museum of Latin American Art

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.

Floralis Generica

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.

National Museum of Fine Arts

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.

Recoleta Cemetery

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.

Obelisco

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.

Teatro Colon

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.

Galerias Pacifico

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.

Basilica of the Holy Sacrament

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.

Falkland Island War Memorial

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.

Ecological 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.

Fortabat Art Collection

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.

Bridge of Woman

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.

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.

San Telmo and Plaza Dorrego

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.

Museum of Modern Art

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

  1. Casa Rosada
  2. Recoleta Cemetery
  3. Caminito Museum
  4. Teatro Colon
  5. Obelisco
  6. Floraris Generica
  7. Museo National de Bellas Artes
  8. Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo
  9. Cathedral Metropolitan
  10. Torre Monumental
  11. Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art
  12. Congreso de la Nación Argentina
  13. National Museum of Decorative Arts
  14. ARA Presidente Sarmiento
  15. Cemetery de la Chacrita
  16. Eva Peron Museum
  17. Piramide de Mayo
  18. Museu de los Ninos Abasto
  19. Palace of the Running Waters
  20. Argentine National Historical Museum
  21. The Illuminated Block / Manzana de las Luces
  22. Museu de Arte Hispano Americano Isaac Fernandez Blanco
  23. El Zanjon Historical Ruins
  24. Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum
  25. Eduardo Sivori Museum
  26. Mariano Monero National Library
  27. Paz Palace
  28. Galeria Guemes
  29. Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
  30. Remembrance Park
  31. Enrique Larreta Museum
  32. Palais de Glace
  33. Santo Domingo Convent
  34. Museu Casa Rosada
  35. Centro Cultural Borges
  36. Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat Art Collection
  37. Boca Juniors Football Museum
  38. Carlos Gardel Museum
  39. MACBA – Museum of Contemporary Art
  40. Museu de la Inmigración
  41. San Martin Palace
  42. Lola Mora Fountain
  43. Participatory Science Museum
  44. River Plate Museum
  45. Monument to Carta Magna & Four Regions of Argentina
  46. Benito Quinquela Martin Museum
  47. Ernesto de la Carcova Museum
  48. Mafalda Monument
  49. Xul Solar Museum
  50. Sarmiento Historical Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Buenos Aires

  1. Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Buenos Aires

  1. Bosques de Palermo
  2. Jardin Japones
  3. MALBA
  4. Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays
  5. Parque Lezama
  6. Kirchner Cultural Center
  7. Buenos Aires Zoo
  8. Centro Cultural Recoleta
  9. Planetario Galileo Galilei
  10. Holy Land
  11. Parque Centenario
  12. Fundacion Proa
  13. Casino Buenos Aires
  14. Usina del Arte
  15. Ecoparque BA
  16. San Martin Cultural Center
  17. Sarmiento Park

Shopping in Buenos Aires

  1. Mercado San Telmo
  2. Coquettish Alvear Avenue
  3. Microcentro
  4. El Salvador
  5. San Telmo Antiques Fair
  6. Recoleta
  7. Andres Arguibel
  8. Avenida Santa Fe
  9. Plazoleta Julio Cortazar
  10. Palermo Viejo
  11. Cabildo Avenue
  12. Avenida Cordoba
  13. Bullrich
  14. La Boca

Beaches in Buenos Aires

  1. Buenos Aires Playa
  2. Parque de los Ninos

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Buenos Aires

  1. River Kayaking
  2. Hiking
  3. Parana Delta Boat Trip
  4. Riverfront Train Ride

Sightseeing in Buenos Aires

  1. Plaza de Mayo
  2. 9 de Julio Avenue
  3. Palacio Barolo
  4. Plaza Dorrego
  5. Punte De La Mujer
  6. May Avenue
  7. Plaza San Martin
  8. El Ateneo Grand Splendid
  9. Plaza del Congresso
  10. Avenida Corrientes
  11. Plaza Italia
  12. Paseo el Rosedal
  13. Plaza Serrano
  14. Plaza Francia
  15. Kavanagh Building
  16. Avenida Rivadavia
  17. Barancas de Belgrano
  18. Ciudad Park
  19. Rivadavia Park
  20. Plaza Naciones Unidas
  21. Plaza Inmigrantes de Armenia
  22. Plaza Miserere
  23. Parque Las Heras
  24. Plaza Intendente Alvear

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Buenos Aires

  1. Alo’s
  2. Don Julio
  3. Los Platitos
  4. Chori
  5. Narda Comedor
  6. La Alacena
  7. Corte Comedor
  8. El Baqueano
  9. El Pobre Luis
  10. Gran Dabbang
  11. Anafe
  12. Guerrin
  13. Mishiguene
  14. Roux
  15. Casa Cavia
  16. Proper
  17. Fugazetta Pizza
  18. Cuervo Cafe
  19. Sacro
  20. Nuestra Parrilla
  21. Strange Brewing
  22. Don Carlos
  23. 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

  1. Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center
  2. Hilton Buenos Aires
  3. Mine Hotel Boutique
  4. Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires – MGallery
  5. Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta
  6. Hotel Madero
  7. Alvear Art Hotel
  8. Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel
  9. Arc Recoleta
  10. Melia Recoleta Plaza
  11. Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires
  12. El Conquistador Hotel

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Savoy Hotel
  2. Duque Hotel Boutique & Spa
  3. Pestana Buenos Aires
  4. Icaro Suites
  5. Eurobuilding Hotel Boutique Buenos Aires
  6. NH Buenos Aires City
  7. Rendez Vous Hotel Buenos Aires
  8. Amerian Buenos Aires Park Hotel
  9. Anselmo Buenos Aires, Curio Collection by Hilton
  10. Novotel Buenos Aires
  11. Madero Urbano Studios
  12. Magnolia Hotel Boutique

Budget Hotels

  1. Up Tribeca
  2. Cyan Recoleta Hotel
  3. Two Hotel Buenos Aires
  4. Hotel Patios De San Telmo
  5. Hotel Ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
  6. Ker Recoleta Hotel
  7. Bisonte Libertad
  8. Broadway Hotel & Suites
  9. Gran Hotel Argentino
  10. Unique Executive Central
  11. Embajador Hotel
  12. Unique Art Madero

TripAdvisor

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

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making