Buenos Aires attractions

The Kavanagh Building is one of the city's architectural masterpieces, situated on the edge of Buenos Aires' famous Plaza General San Martin. Once the tallest building in Latin America, its rich history and captivating design make it a must-visit stop on any sightseeing itinerary for architecture enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.

From the nomadic gauchos of the Pampas to the skilled champions of polo, Argentina’s illustrious equestrian history draws horse lovers from all over the world. One of Buenos Aires’ principal equestrian venues is the art nouveau–style Argentinean Palermo Hippodrome (Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo).

Located in the moder Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Madero Tango is a dance hall with many extras. The building offers panoramic views of the old port, and its nightly show guides guests through the evolution of tango, from its golden age to today, with a live orchestra, electronic music, and the fusion of genres.

The San Telmo Market (Mercado de San Telmo) is a historical indoor market in the eponymous neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Every Sunday, the area around the market hosts the city’s most famous street fair, the Feria de San Telmo, when hundreds of vendors line the streets surrounding Plaza Dorrego, most of them dealing in one-of-a-kind antiques.

This whitewashed colonial church, built by Franciscans in 1732, sits alongside the city’s famous Recoleta Cemetery. Buenos Aires’ elite often stage weddings here, and tourists come to see the church’s six baroque altars, including one overlaid with Incan ornamentation and engraved silver from Peru.

Covering 18 acres (7 hectares) and housing 5,500 plant species from six continents, the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays) offers an idyllic escape from the city's busy streets. Highlights include a Roman garden, a formal French park inspired by the Palace of Versailles, and an art nouveau greenhouse that was designed for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair.

An atmospheric tango venue in the heart of tango legend Carlos Gardel’s neighborhood, Catulo Tango treats guests to an intimate tango experience. With 10 costumed dancers taking to the stage, accompanied by live musicians and tango singers—the performance is a fitting tribute to the city’s tango legacy.

The 17th-century San Ignacio de Loyola Church is nestled in the heart of Monserrate, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods. Visually, the church makes an impression with its two towers and marble-white facade. Inside, it's awash with golden grandeur. Its temples, tunnels, and cloisters testify to centuries of history.

The Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno or MAMBA) showcases a 7,000-piece permanent collection of contemporary art largely from Argentine artists. While paintings and other more traditional mediums are represented, the museum also covers photography, graphic design, printmaking, and works of new media.

Less than one hour from Buenos Aires, Parque de la Costa is one of Argentina’s leading amusement parks. With more than 50 attractions—which range from gravity-defying rollercoasters to classic carousels—there’s something to appeal to both thrill seekers and toddlers.

Buenos Aires ranks among South America’s most popular ports of call, featuring on expedition cruises to Patagonia and trips through the Panama Canal. The Buenos Aires Cruise Port sits near the heart of the city, with both plenty to do in the surrounds and farther afield.

Old Palermo (Palermo Viejo), the old quarter of Buenos Aires’ largest barrio, is a popular destination where you’ll stroll past grand buildings and gardens. Drop into trendy cafés and fashion boutiques on Plaza Serrano, or unwind in the area’s many parks clustered around Avenue del Libertador.

Discover the intellectual heart of Buenos Aires at the National Library. From its brutalist architecture to its extensive collection, it offers a window into Argentina's history and literature. Whether you're a history buff, a literature lover, or seeking a serene space, this library promises a captivating experience.

Buenos Aires’ Chinatown (Barrio Chino) has been a popular gathering place for the city’s Taiwanese and Chinese immigrants since the late 1980s. Tucked in the heart of the Belgrano residential area, the small 4-block area is a colorful ode to the city’s Asian population and a foodie hot spot.

The Estadio Boca Juniors, locally known as La Bombonera, is the Buenos Aires home for Argentine soccer (football) team Boca Juniors. The 2-floor Passion for Boca Juniors Museum (Museo de la Pasión Boquense) is housed within the stadium and chronicles the team’s history, dating back to their modest beginnings as a neighborhood club in 1905.

Named after the Argentine tango lyricist Homero Manzi—who wrote the tango classic Sur within its walls—this protected building is hailed as one of the best places to watch tango in Buenos Aires. Performances showcase the energy and flair for which Argentina’s national dance is renowned, in a setting redolent of 1920s glamor.

Less than an hour from Buenos Aires, Campanopolis Medieval Village is one of Argentina’s quirkiest open-air museums. Eclectic buildings, castle-like towers, and cobbled lanes transport you to medieval times and make for unique photo opportunities.

This art museum in Puerto Madero displays works from the collection of the late cement heiress and socialite Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat. Argentina’s wealthiest woman was closely involved in the design of the largely concrete building that now houses works by Argentine and international artists.

Formerly an ice rink and dance hall, Palais de Glace (French for Ice Palace) is now an art gallery and library. Its permanent collection showcases contemporary Argentine art from the 19th century, while temporary exhibitions spotlight up-and-coming names in sculpture, photography, and painting.

Sitting on the Lujan River at the mouth of the Tigre Delta, this waterside museum boasts the ideal setting for Argentina’s National Naval Museum. The museum is devoted to the country’s naval history and rich maritime heritage and is packed with seafaring memorabilia—from ancient maps and naval weaponry to large-scale models of ships and cabins.

If you’re heading to Palermo’s parks and botanical gardens, you’ll pass by Plaza Italia, the buzzing epicenter of the northern neighborhood. Dating back to the 19th century and presided over by a statue of Italian Revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi (hence the name), this small square is a transport hub and the gateway to several popular attractions.

Flanking the borders of Palermo and Recoleta in northern Buenos Aires, the area known as Barrio Norte is one of Buenos Aires’ most affluent residential districts. Travelers flock to this neighborhood to browse the shops, stroll around the Japanese Gardens, sip cocktails with the locals, and visit the Evita Museum.

Argentina’s rich Jewish heritage takes center stage at the Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires, which adjoins the Templo Libertad, the country’s largest and oldest synagogue. Small enough to visit in an hour, the museum is brimming with religious artifacts, Torahs, manuscripts, and art, most of them donated from the personal collection of Dr. Salvador Kibrick.

Named after the tango pioneer who helped bring the dance form to the masses, the grand Esquina Carlos Gardel is one of the most atmospheric venues to watch a tango performance in Buenos Aires. The theater’s interior oozes Belle Epoque splendor and is adorned with chandeliers, red-velvet curtains, and ceiling murals.

Don Silvano Ranch (Estancia Don Silvano) sits on the pampas outside the Argentine capital. A day trip to this ranch gives visitors a glimpse into the history, heritage, and traditions of Argentina’s cowboys, or gauchos, who worked as cattle herders and have become famous for their impressive skills on horseback.

Just outside of Buenos Aires, the town of Lujan is famous for its neo-Gothic cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of Lujan, the patron saint of Argentina. The basilica is an architectural landmark—its twin towers stand an imposing 348 feet (106 meters) tall—as well as one of Argentina’s most visited pilgrimage sites.

The vibrant Mataderos Fair is an often-overlooked cultural gem of Buenos Aires, where culture, crafts, and cuisine come alive. As you explore the fair's food stalls and gaucho performances, you'll gain insight into the country's rich heritage and experience the rhythms of Argentine life.

Step (or dance) into the beating heart of Buenos Aires’ tango heritage and thriving culture in Barrio de Abasto. This vibrant neighborhood, once home to tango legend Carlos Gardel, pulsates with rhythm, art, and history. Delve into the essence of Argentina’s soul by exploring its iconic tango venues, colorful murals, and shopping venues.

Composing part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay, this 180-mile (290-km) long estuary is formed by the confluence of the Uruguay and Paraná Rivers. After multiple explorations by various Spanish navigators, the waterway came to be known as the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) for the promise of riches thought to lie upstream.

A burgeoning foodie hot spot, the lively barrio of Villa Crespo has become a fashionable haunt for the city’s young and hip. The district is most notable for its array of bars and eateries—just as chic yet more affordable than those in neighboring Palermo to the northeast—which make it an atmospheric option for an evening out in Buenos Aires.