Choose from 74 Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires
Barolo Palace (Palacio Barolo)
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Buenos Aires Zoo
The 18-hectare park aims to mimic a range of different ecosystems, with a variety of unique enclosures and architecturally impressive buildings, set around a boating lake and island inhabited by a population of Madagascan Lemurs. Highlights include the subtropical jungle exhibition, where a suspension bridge offers a prime view of the lush vegetation and birdlife; an aquarium where piranhas, sea sharks and tropical fish are displayed alongside a penguin and seal pool; a Japanese style pagoda housing a family of Giant pandas; and a dimly-lit bat enclosure. Giraffes, rhinoceros, pumas, lions, monkeys and elephants are just some of the zoo’s animal inhabitants, along with some more unique specimens like Red Pandas, Orangutans and a colorful array of native birdlife. There’s even a petting zoo where visitors can interact and feed goats, donkeys, llamas and Shetland ponies. The zoo also frequently opens its doors during the evening hours with after-dark visits offering the chance to see a different side of the animals’ lifestyle as well as getting the rare opportunity to watch the zoo’s nocturnal animals at large.
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Buenos Aires Chinatown (Barrio Chino)
- Leave yourself plenty of time to browse the shops and supermarkets, where you’ll find foods and other items that can’t be found anywhere else in Buenos Aires.
- Most shops in Chinatown are open from 9am to 9pm.
- Many of the area’s restaurants are closed on Mondays.
El Monumental Stadium
The Basics
Few activities whip Argentines into a frenzy like a football (soccer) match, and watching local team River Plate—one of the country’s top teams—playing at their home stadium is an experience like no other. Football fans can also explore behind the scenes on a guided stadium tour, including the press conference room, training field, and trophy hall, or even combine it with a guided stadium tour of La Bombonera.
The stadium is also home to the River Plate Museum, a huge sporting museum with a 360-degree movie theater, multimedia exhibitions, and displays of trophies, original uniforms, and club memorabilia.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is a café and gift shop on-site, and game-day visitors have many more food options.
- Stadium tours typically include entrance to the museum.
- The stadium and museum are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get to There
El Monumental Stadium is located in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires. The closest metro station is Congreso de Tucumán (Line D), about 20 minutes’ walk away. Several buses (colectivos) pass the stadium, including No. 29, which runs from Plaza de Mayo and No. 15 from Avenida Santa Fé in Palermo. An easier option is to take a taxi or opt for a tour with hotel pickup and drop-off.
When to Get There
The main football seasons in Buenos Aires run from August to December, and February to July. Most matches are held on weekends, or occasionally on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Unless you’re attending a game, it’s best to avoid visiting on match days when the stadium will be overrun with crowds.
Memorable Events at El Monumental Stadium
Built in 1937, El Monumental Stadium boasts an illustrious history, hosting many of the nation’s most prominent sporting events, including the 1978 World Cup finals and the First Pan American Games in 1951. The 75,000-capacity stadium is also used as a concert venue for international artists. Performers who have taken the stage here include Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, U2, and Madonna.
Address: Av Pres Figueroa Alcorta 7597, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Admission: Varies
Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral)
- There is no admission fee to visit the cathedral.
- Mass is held several times daily and free concerts are held regularly.
- The main areas of the cathedral are wheelchair accessible.
Cafe Tortoni
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Barrio Del Abasto
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Buenos Aires Cruise Port
How to Get to Buenos Aires
Your ship will dock at the pier about a half-mile from the center of Buenos Aires. Complimentary shuttle buses may be available to take you into town. Otherwise, taxis are plentiful and many offer set prices to certain neighborhoods. Walking from the port into the center of the city is not recommended.
One Day in Buenos Aires
Start your day in El Centro, the cultural, historical and financial center of Buenos Aires. Ask your taxi to drop you off at the Plaza de Mayo. There, check out the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral and catch a glimpse of the Casa Rosado, where Eva Peron addressed Argentinian crowds from the balcony. Then, make your way on foot along the pedestrian shopping street, Calle Florida, to the Plaza San Martin. From there, head north to the upscale Recoleta neighborhood, where you can spend the rest of your morning.
The prime attraction in Recoleta is the Recoleta Cemetery, the burial place for the city’s aristocracy since 1822. Covering four square blocks, it is lined with elaborately designed tombs and mausoleums, and is the final resting place for Eva Peron. If you are visiting on a weekend, your next stop should be the nearby Plaza Independiente Alvear, home to a lively crafts and souvenir market. If not, take some time to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the largest museum in the country, or take in some of the art galleries throughout the neighborhood.
By now, you may be so hungry you could eat a steak - and you should, since Argentina has some of the best! If you won’t have time to enjoy dinner in the city, take a break at lunch to enjoy both a glass of Argentina’s fine wine and a nice steak. Whether you hang around Recoleta or return to Calle Florida, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to choose from.
After lunch, grab a taxi or retrace your steps along Calle Florida to Plaza de Mayo, and then make your way to the working class neighborhood of La Boca. In La Boca, you’ll discover a colorful artists’ quarter where the tango was born. Wander around the cobbled streets before heading to El Caminito, a pedestrian marketplace for craftsmen where you may also catch couples dancing the tango.
Alternatively, you may want to spend your afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires’ fine museums, including the National Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires and the National History Museum. Opera fans may also want to take a guided tour of the Colon Theater, one of the most lavish opera houses in the world.
Don’t forget to grab a few souvenirs before heading back to your ship – leather goods, wine, gems and handicrafts are all excellent options.
Port Information
The official language is a form of Spanish known as Castellano, but English is generally spoken in hotels and shops. The currency is the Argentinian peso, but you may be able to use US dollars in some instances. ATM's can be found throughout the city and credit cards are widely accepted.
Barrio Norte
- Most of the bars, restaurants, and shops in Barrio Norte can be found in the area between Plaza Güemes and Las Heras Park.
- Most shops in Barrio Norte open between 9am and 10am and close between 8pm and 9pm.
- Many of the area’s museums are closed Mondays.
Casa Rosada
Erected in 1862, the Renaissance-style palace was initially to be painted white and theories abound as to hoe it got its rosy makeover, from ox blood being mixed into the paint to the then-President blending the red and white colors of opposing political rallyists. Designated a National Historic Monument of Argentina, the pink palace is perhaps most legendary for its lower balcony, from which the beloved Evita rallied the working class crowds back in 1949 – a moment that was famously recreated by Madonna in the 1996 movie Evita and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name.
The Casa Rosada now houses a museum showcasing the presidential history of Argentina and many of the opulent government chambers are open to the public by guided tour. Tour participants even get the chance to stand on Evita’s famous balcony, offering expansive views over the bustling Plaza de Mayo below.
Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno)
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Buenos Aires Botanical Garden
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Cabildo
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Avenida 9 De Julio
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Centro Cívico
The plaza that lies between the civic center and Lake Nahuel Huapi is a scene of ongoing activity and contrast. There are the tourist-happy vendors, complete with photo-ops with barrel-toting Saint Bernards, and more than its share of postcard vendors. At the same time, there’s a continual rotation of graffiti on the statue of General Roca, a controversial figure in Argentine military history.
Connected to the Centro Cívico is a tall stone tower with a steeply-pitched roof, which serves as the clock tower (Torre Reloj), and which strikes noon every day. Also on the plaza, to the north east, is the Museo de La Patagonia Perito Moreno (Perito Moreno Patagonian Museum), which brings together ethno-historical and natural displays, the former about the original (indigenous) inhabitants of the area, such as the Mapuche, Tehuelche and Fuegian peoples.
The natural history part of the museum contains a taxidermied collection of animals endemic to the area and farther afield. The third part of the museum follows Bariloche’s development from its founding in 1903. Next to the Patagonian Museum is the Biblioteca Sarmiento, a library and cultural center. One block north is the building that houses the administration of the national parks.
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El Querandi
The historic venue has been making its mark in the tango world since it first opened its doors in 1920 and while the nightly dinner shows are now mostly for the benefit of tourists, the passion and artistry of the tango is still very much alive. Tracing the history of the sultry tango from the late 19th century bordellos, through its many generational interpretations and including plenty of gasp-inducing modern twists, the El Querandi tango show is a stylish introduction to the iconic dance. Entering the dimly lit venue is like stepping back in time, with tuxedoed waiters and glittering chandeliers bringing a touch of old world glamor, film reels showcasing clips of the tango greats and dazzling costumes and performances by some of the city’s most talented dancers.
Caf e de los Angelitos
- There is no dress code for the evening tango shows, but most guests wear smart-casual attire.
- The main café area serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and live music is often performed in the afternoons.
- Free Wi-Fi is available on-site.
- The café and auditorium are wheelchair accessible.
Caminito
- La Boca is known as one of Buenos Aires’ less safe neighborhoods; it’s advisable to stick to the main tourist areas and take a taxi if you’re traveling at night.
- Tours of Caminito Street are often combined with other La Boca attractions, such as La Bombonera stadium.
- There are a number of bars, cafés, and restaurants along Caminito Street
- Caminito Street is wheelchair accessible, though it is mostly cobblestoned and uneven in places.
Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón)
- There is an admission fee for visitors without performance tickets to enter the theater; a guided tour is included.
- Tours run daily, every 15 minutes (except during performance times) and last about 50 minutes.
- Tours are offered in multiple languages, including English.
- There is a range of seating options and ticket prices available for performances, but advance booking is always recommended.
- The theater is fully wheelchair accessible.