There is an endless list of things to do and see in Buenos Aires. If you are here for a short period of time, here is my recommended itinerary to experience as much of Buenos Aires as you possibly can in just a week!
Monday
Palacio Barolo
You get a bird’s eye view of the city, 22 stories high and a 360-degree viewpoint from the renowned lighthouse. You even get a tour of the magnificent building inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. I recommend the day tour where you get to see nothing but clear blue skies and the ocean bordering the city! The tour lasts for approximately an hour and a half with plenty of time to capture your memories on camera.
Address: Avenida de Mayo 1370
La Bomba de Tiempo
If there is any musical performance to watch, La Bomba is definitely it. An incredible percussion ensemble that is sure to leave you jumping along with the rest of the audience and dancing to the infectious beat. Head there a half hour before the show starts to get yourself food and drinks or simply to soak in the atmosphere. Just when you think the performance ends, they bring the performance out to the streets! They parade around the streets of Buenos Aires along with a trail of people dancing to this phenomenon. You are bound to sweat buckets so be sure to wear something light and airy! La Bomba only happens on Monday nights so if you are in Buenos Aires on a Monday, do yourselves a favor and join in the infectious rhythm that is La Bomba!
Address: Sarmiento 3131
Tuesday
Japanese Garden
Amidst the Latin American culture, you will find an exquisite Japanese garden that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped into Japan itself. The Japanese garden offers so much and you can easily spend an hour or two there. From Japanese flowers to koi fishes, the garden has something for everyone. You can’t help but feel peaceful and serene sitting amidst the beautifully manicured garden. You could even pop into the Japanese restaurant within the garden for a quick bite of some of Japan’s famous delicacies. Do remember to bring along 70 pesos for the entrance fee as well as your camera for great pictures by the mini red bridges and fountains!
Address: Av. Casares 2966
Bosques de Palermo
Walking from the Japanese Garden to Bosques de Palermo takes approximately 10 minutes. I would dedicate an entire day to visit the urban park that ranges 400 hectares in the neighborhood of Palermo. It still amazes me how Buenos Aires dedicates a large part of the city to green spaces for people to enjoy a great day outdoors! It is truly a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Head on down to the rose gardens or even to the beautiful lake in the midafternoon. You could even rent yourselves a paddle or rowing boat, an activity I would certainly recommend if you wish to take a tour around the lake at your own pace. So put on your walking shoes and take the grand tour of one of the largest city parks in Latin America!
Address: Crossroads of Avenida Sarmiento and Avenida del Libertador
Wednesday
La Boca
The neighborhood offers two must-sees. Caminito as well as La Bombonera for soccer enthusiasts. The streets are lined with box-like houses of all colours. Treat yourselves to a delicious meal of bife de chorizo and a glass of wine as you watch two beautiful dancers take the stage with a round of tango. For the soccer enthusiasts, La Bombonera, rated as the number one stadium to watch a soccer match, is a sight to behold. Splashes of yellow and blue, the colours of soccer team Boca, engulf you as you take a tour around the stadium. Take a step further and do the stadium tour while you’re there!
Address: Brandsen 805
Thursday
Plaza de Mayo
The Argentinian flag flies high and proud in the center of Plaza de Mayo. Thursdays at Plaza de Mayo are especially unique and some might even say exciting. It is the city’s ground zero location for protests. My personal favorite was being a spectator to ‘Madres de la Plaza de Mayo’. Every Thursday at 3.30pm, mothers march around the plaza in search of their disappeared and lost children. It is a march for social justice that started in 1977 and still continues today. With the backdrop of Casa Rosada, also known as the Pink House, these women take a stand and march despite the sweltering heat. Truly admirable and definitely a must see.
Address: Balcarce 50
Friday
Puerto Madero
Its name has probably given it away. Once a port to passing cargo ships, it is now a busy landmark of Buenos Aires with some of the best restaurants and bars. Puerto Madero is best visited in the later part of the evening when the sun is just about to make its descend. Red, orange and yellow flank the skies and it creates the perfect picturesque shot with the bridge, Puente de la Mujer as its main attraction. Do pop into the floating ship museums along the dock and end your evening with dinner in just about any restaurant where the food is always delicious!
Address: Puente de la Mujer
Saturday
Recoleta Cemetery
The city winds down over the weekend and it is a perfect day to stroll along the streets in one of the most well-kept and beautiful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, also known as Recoleta. Your week would not be complete without taking a tour amongst the dead in the world renowned Cementario de la Recoleta. You could take a guided tour in either English or Spanish and find yourselves enthralled in the city of the dead. You can wander for hours listening to the interesting stories of the many people buried in the cemetery. You most certainly would want to bring along your cameras for this tour!
Address: Junin 1760
Feria de Recoleta
The flea market in Recoleta is one you should not miss. Take a little coffee break after your visit to Cementario de la Recoleta and prepare yourselves for another round of walking as you bask in the ambience that is the flea market. The Recoleta flea market is home to some of the most unique items for sale. You will certainly find yourselves buying something particularly unique which include hand-made leather bags to intricately designed mate sets and even ships in a bottle with your favourite Argentinian soccer team flag on the miniature ship docks.
Address: Junin 1930
Sunday
San Telmo + Plaza Dorrego
As they say, Sunday funday! Close the week with a delightful stroll along San Telmo’s flea market that spans as far as the eye can see. From mate sets, second hand books and even hand crafted jewelry, there is indeed something for everyone! It could get a little overwhelming with the numerous stalls lined up so my advice would be to head there just after lunch. Or you could stop for a quick Quilmes stop! End the day in Plaza Dorrego where a makeshift dancefloor is set up just as the sun makes its descend. Dancers, ranging from amateurs to experts gather in the plaza to dance the tango. It is a sight to behold and a perfect end to the perfect week!
Address: Crossroads of Defensa and Hipolito Yrigoyen
