DISCOVER BUENOS AIRES
Buenos Aires is a vibrant city steeped in culture, history, and art, providing a diverse range of experiences for every kind of traveler.
If you're short on time, here are the key highlights of Buenos Aires:
Plaza de Mayo: The historical heart of Buenos Aires, home to Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cabildo. It’s a site of political importance and a symbol of the country’s history.
La Boca: Known for its colorful houses and vibrant street art La Boca is famous for Caminito, a lively street where tango dancers and artists perform. The neighborhood is also home to the iconic Boca Juniors football stadium, La Bombonera.
Recoleta Cemetery: The famous cemetery is the resting place of many Argentine elites, including Eva Perón (Evita). Its elaborate tombs and mausoleums are a sight to behold, making it a unique and historical place to visit.
Teatro Colón: One of the world’s finest opera houses, Teatro Colón is an architectural marvel renowned for its exceptional acoustics. Guided tours are available, or you can catch a world-class performance.
Palermo: A trendy neighborhood filled with parks, cafes, boutiques, and galleries. It’s divided into several sub-districts, like Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, and is a hub for dining, nightlife, and fashion.
San Telmo: One of the oldest neighborhoods, San Telmo is known for its colonial architecture, antique markets, and tango culture. The San Telmo Sunday Market is a must for those looking for antiques and unique crafts.
Puerto Madero: The city’s revitalized docklands area, Puerto Madero is now home to modern skyscrapers, upscale restaurants, and the famous Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge), a striking architectural symbol.
Café Tortoni: Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni is a historical café where writers, artists, and intellectuals used to gather. It’s the perfect spot for coffee, pastries, and experiencing Buenos Aires’ rich literary culture.
Tango Shows and Milongas: Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango. You can enjoy professional tango performances at venues like Esquina Carlos Gardel or join the locals at a milonga, where people of all ages gather to dance.
MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires): This museum showcases an impressive collection of modern Latin American art, featuring works from artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Xul Solar.
Avenida 9 de Julio: One of the widest avenues in the world, home to the famous Obelisk and Teatro Colón. Walking down this avenue gives a sense of Buenos Aires’ scale and its bustling urban life.
Japanese Garden: Located in Palermo, this serene and beautifully maintained garden is one of the largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle.
Three days exploring Buenos Aires
Day 1 – Arrival in Buenos Aires
After arriving in Buenos Aires, transfer to your hotel to freshen up after a long journey. Spend some time exploring your neighborhood on foot then enjoy dinner at the Faena Hotel where you’ll experience the famed Rojo Tango show at El Cabaret, an enchanting performance showcasing talented dancers, vocalists, and musicians in an intimate setting.
MALBA
Day 2 - Exploring barrios, gardens, and art
Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina, is renowned for its architecture and vibrant culture. A vibrant city brimming with creativity, Buenos Aires is home to a diverse population of food enthusiasts, fashion lovers, designers, and nightlife seekers. Known as porteños, the residents inhabit a range of eclectic barrios (neighbourhoods) such as Recoleta, Palermo, and San Telmo, each exuding its own unique atmosphere and energy. My personal favourite is Palermo Soho, where you’ll find plenty of charming boutique hotels, great restaurants and coffee shops, and weekly street markets.
Palermo is home to an abundance of green spaces including the Botanical Garden and is also known as the polo capital of the world. While in Palermo, be sure to visit MALBA, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, which houses an extensive collection of 20th-century Latin American art.
In Recoleta, there’s the famous Teatro Colón and Templo Libertad, the oldest synagogue in Latin America. Be sure to visit Recoleta Cemetery to see the beautiful mausoleums and resting places of past presidents, Nobel prize winners, and Eva Perón.
La Boca
Day 3 – Explore colorful southern Buenos Aires
Today, discover some of the fascinating southern neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Begin your journey at the Plaza de Mayo, which features the historic Cabildo and the Casa Rosada presidential mansion.
Continue south through San Telmo, the city's oldest neighborhood, renowned for its vibrant contemporary art museums. This bohemian neighbourhood is best discovered on foot. Enjoy its warm, historic ambiance while immersing yourself in the city's rich history. The vibrant heart of San Telmo is defined by Plaza Dorrego, the city’s second oldest square following Plaza de Mayo. Every Sunday, this charming square transforms into a lively and unique antiques market.
Spend some time exploring the galleries before you make your way to La Boca, the most colourful and Instagrammable neighbourhood of the city. La Boca was once “the mouth” of Buenos Aires due to its port-side location. In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, products, goods, and immigrants poured in by the shipload. These immigrants established their businesses in the nearby area, labouring at the docks and constructing homes from the leftover scrap materials from shipbuilding. As you make your way back to your hotel, stroll through Puerto Madero, now one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, with lovely promenades and plenty of great restaurants.
The best way to soak up a city’s vibe is a walking tour! Our friends at Context Travel have some stellar guided adventures in Buenos Aires. Whether you’re into Art & Architecture or Food & Wine, Context has something for everyone. Get in touch for help pulling it all together into your ideal itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN BUENOS AIRES
Be Jardín Escondido by Coppola 5*
A hidden paradise in Palermo Soho, my fave neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, just a short walk to great boutiques, restaurants & bars, craft fairs, and more. Jardín Escondido, as you may have guessed, features gardens on three levels, a heated pool, and an outdoor kitchen. Part of the Family Coppola Hideaways, Be Jardín Escondido offers guests a calm, elegant, and inviting retreat in one of the city’s best neighborhoods.
Algodón Mansion 5*
Just east of Palermo lies Recoleta, a long-established residential district whose stately Belle Époque structures (Algodón Mansion included) are key to Buenos Aires’s status as the most European city in the New World. Algodón Mansion is right at home in this luxe neighbourhood, with ten suites mixing period architectural details with stylish modern comforts and a posh but relaxed vibe that feels more like upscale apartment living than a typical hotel. All of the luxe suites include butler service, and at the top end, they’re probably the finest in town, right down to the personal chefs.
Fora Perks include Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in; $100 USD hotel credit per room, per stay; Complimentary welcome drink per guest, per stay; Welcome treat in room on arrival.
Hotel Casa Lucia 5*
In fashionable Recoleta, Hotel Casa Lucia draws together the best sides of Buenos Aires in one grand building. Its original architecture has been reinvigorated with chic cosmopolitan interiors that celebrate the old city and the new. Book a skyline or balcony suite to enjoy the best views of the city, and banish jet lag at Casa Lucia Spa.
Fora Perks include a credit worth $50-$100 (USD) per room per stay; Daily Continental breakfast for two people; Room upgrade to next room category, subject to availability at the time of check-in; Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability at the time of check-in; Complimentary WIFI
If you have a few extra days, consider adding-on a visit to the wine region of Mendoza
Vineyards of Mendoza
Mendoza is the premier wine-producing region in Argentina, boasting more than 1,200 wineries and vineyards in its vicinity. The region is especially renowned for its Malbec wine, regarded as some of the finest globally.
One of the premier experiences in Mendoza is the 'wine bike route,' allowing you to rent a bike and enjoy wine tastings at various wineries located just outside the city center. Alternatively, we can create a tailored itinerary featuring exclusive visits to select wineries in the area. With countless options at your disposal, we can arrange full days filled with tours and tastings, along with delightful lunches and dinners throughout your stay in Mendoza. Reach out to customize your itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN MENDOZA
Cavas Wine Lodge 5*
At the foot of the Andes lies this beautiful 18-room property in the middle of a 55-acre vineyard. Cavas Wine Lodge is understated elegance, a lovely hotel built in the Spanish colonial style and devoted to the joys of wine. Enjoy wine tours, cooking classes and a fabulous spa.
Fora Perks include a VIP Welcome per room and per stay; Complimentary Continental or Buffet Breakfast per night and per person
Entre Cielos Wine & Wellness Hotel 5*
A working vineyard producing Malbec just a short distance outside the city of Mendoza, Entre Cielos is about as far from rustic as it gets. On arrival, you’re greeted by a dramatic, low-slung modernist structure in raw concrete. The rooms and suites combine modern style and classic comfort, mixing raw concrete and plush textiles; many have private terraces with views of the countryside, especially good for viewing the expansive night sky. The stone and concrete spa and hammam create a wonderfully soothing ambiance.
Fora Perks include Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check-in; $25 USD hotel credit per room, per day; Welcome treat in room on arrival; 20% discount on Hammam Classic Circuit
Have some extra time to spend in the southern hemisphere? Hop on a plane to Brazil and explore the lively Rio de Janeiro and the majestic Iguassu Falls.
Ready to explore South America? Get in touch to craft your itinerary featuring the finest accommodations, private airport transfers, and experienced guides and drivers for your chosen activities. We’ll also arrange wine tastings, restaurant reservations, and much more!
