Best Things and Places to See in Buenos Aires, Argentina

You must visit Buenos Aires! It is the beautiful capital city of Argentina with rich history, lovely architecture, and so much to offer. We loved seeing the Casa Rosa, Catedral de Buenos Aires with tomb of beloved hero José de San Martín inside, colorful La Boca, live tango, Mercado de San Telmo indoor market with delicious empanads, Puente de la Mujer, Rosedal de Palermo rose garden, Floralis Generica massive flower sculpture, marveled at the incredible Gomero tree in Plaza Francia whose branches needed support because of their mammoth size, and more. Let me tell you the best things to see in Buenos Aires with your family.

things to see in buenos aires

Our best antarctica cruise left from the Buenos Aires Argentina port so we decided to visit the city at the end of our trip. I am so glad we did! Buenos Aires is a beautiful city with rich history, lovely architecture, and so much to offer. We loved seeing the main square from where Evita gave her powerful speach in the movie, the colorful neighborhood La Boca, watched live tango in the park, enjoyed delicious empanads, and saw an incredible tree whose branches needed support because of its mammoth size. Let me tell you the best thigns to see in Buenos Aires with your family. Plus don’t miss our next stop in Argentina – the Iguazu Falls!

buenos aires argentina vacation

This capital city is one of the major cities in South America with lots of internationl flights to choose from. When you arrive in Buenos Aires, make sure to exchange your currency for Argentine pesos at the airport. Because the Argeninian peso is not very stable, you will have trouble getting it exchanged until you get to Argentina. While Spanish is the official language, you’ll find that many locals speak English, especially in tourist areas. Getting around Buenos Aires is easy with its efficient public transportation system, including buses, subways, and taxis. Make sure to keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpocketing can be common in crowded areas. With so much to see and do in Buenos Aires, it’s recommended to spend at least a few days exploring the city. Don’t miss the iconic landmarks like the Obelisco, Casa Rosada, and the colorful neighborhood of La Boca. Take a stroll through the charming streets of San Telmo, visit the stunning Recoleta Cemetery, and enjoy tango shows in the streets of Palermo.

travel to buenos aires

With a large family of 8, I tend to prefer tours. It allows me to enjoy what we are seeing instead of focusing on being a tourist, tour guide, and super aware of my surroundings all at the same time. Let me share what we saw on our city tour of Buenos Aires and then you do it on your own or with a guide – whatever works best for your family.

la boca argentina

La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires is a vibrant and colorful area known for its rich history and significance. Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, La Boca was a bustling port area where many immigrants, primarily from Italy and Spain, settled. Argentina encouraged immigration by subsidizing lodging and transportation, and providing job placement support. This attracted a large number of immigrants from all over the world for many reasons They brought with them their cultural traditions, including their love for tango music and dance.

buenos aires tourist attractions

The city’s booming economy and growing industries drew people looking for a fresh start and the chance to build a prosperous future for themselves and their families. The port is right next to La Boca (translates to ‘the mouth’). They had to quickly make residences as people were pouring in so quickly there wasn’t room for everyone and people were literally sleeping sitting up.

They used sheet metal and wooden planks from the ships they arrived in and painted them with any leftover marine paint they could find. The homes were hot, crowded, and colorful. In fact, the population of Argentina grew from 90,000 to 1.5 million in 50 years, and most of the immigrants were poor and settled in La Boca.

visit buenos aires

The port was closed in favor of the port on La Plata and without the influx of people and governman support, La Boca feel in disrepair.

In 1959 the area was restored to it’s original charm by local artist Benito Quinquela Martín, who helped establish the street as an open-air museum. This cobblestone strip is now full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and tango and gaucho dancers.

However, amidst the beauty and charm of the colorful buildings, there are also dangers lurking in La Boca. The neighborhood has a reputation for being rough and crime-ridden, with tourist scams and pickpocketing being common occurrences. Visitors are advised to exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings when exploring this picturesque yet potentially hazardous area. You should NOT visit here outside of 9-5.

Tourists taking photos at the Mafalda monument, in San Telmo — The Mafalda monument

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Check out the Mafalda Monument, a sculpture dedicated to the beloved character created by cartoonist Quino. Located in the San Telmo neighborhood, just meters from where the artist lived, it features Mafalda sitting on a bench. Don’t miss the plaque that reads ‘Mafalda lived here’ in honor of the iconic cartoon character.

They also pointed out the Boca Juniors stadium in Buenos Aires, inaugurated in 1940 and known as “The temple of the Mouth,” is recognized internationally as one of the most emblematic soccer stadiums, with sports legends like Pelé and Andrés Iniesta praising the experience it offers to spectators.

Buenos Aires sign and Obelisco

best things to see in buenos aires

They drove us through Avenida de Mayo, one of the city’s largest and most important streets inspired by Madrid’s Gran Vía. In the middle is an oblisk that marks the exact center of Buenos Airest. The iconic monument stands 67 meters tall. There is a large BA that stands for Buenos Aires. If you are lucky, like we were, you can snap a picture from the car. If not you can always come over and take a picture with this iconic symbol of the city.

Interior of the city’s oldest market, Mercado de San Telmo — Buenos Airest oldest market – Mercado de San Telmo

places to see in buenos aires

Mercado de San Telmo is a bustling indoor market is a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Argentina. From handmade crafts and souvenirs to local delicacies and fresh produce, there’s something for everyone to discover at this historic market. You can wander through the eclectic stalls, sample delicious empanadas, and soak up the lively atmosphere of one of the oldest markets in the city.

We enjoyed some yummy empanadas to get us some energy for the rest of our sightseeing.

The Woman´s Bridge ( Puente de la Mujer ) designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The Frigate Presidente Sarmiento at the Puerto Madero waterfront. — Puente de la Mujer

top things to see in buenos aires

We drove past the interesting Puente de la Mujer. This beautiful bridge and monument all in one was designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is super unique. It represents a couple dancing the tango, a dance that is deeply ingrained in Argentine culture. The bridge is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to admire the views of the city and the Rio de la Plata.

Plaza de Mayo

Plaze de Mayo is a historic square that is not only known for its political demonstrations, but as a gathering place for locals. On the weekends you can see group exercise classes, tango demonstrations, and more. On the oppossite end as the Casa Rosada is a beautiful clock that strikes on the hour.

Casa Rosada

Casa Rosada, or the Pink House, is not just a building in Buenos Aires, Argentina – it’s a symbol of the country’s rich history and political significance. With its distinctive pink color and iconic balcony where political figures have addressed the nation, Casa Rosada is a must-visit landmark for anyone exploring the vibrant city of Buenos Aires.

The history of Casa Rosada dates back to the 19th century, when it was built to house the offices of the president of Argentina. Over the years, it has been the site of many important events, including political rallies, protests, and even military coups. Today, it continues to serve as the official seat of the president and is open to the public for guided tours. Notice the famous balcony where Eva Perón and other political figures have addressed the nation, making it a powerful symbol of Argentine democracy and resilience. (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you have to see the Evita movie!)

catedral de buenos aires

The Catedral de Buenos Aires, built in the Neoclassical style, is seen from the Casa Rodada. Inside, visitors can marvel at the ornate altar, exquisite stained glass windows, and impressive sculptures.

The is home to the tomb of General José de San Martín, a beloved Argentine hero. José de San Martínis regarded as a national hero of Argentina, Chile, and Peru, a great military commander, and one of the Liberators of Spanish South America The powerful at the time we’re afraid he would distribute wealth so they kicked him out. He lived and died in France. Bones were returned to Buenos Aires where he is guarded, but because he was a Freemason the church want happy about it so made him a nook…and his tomb slants down, supposedly because he was not going to heaven. A guard from the Casa Rosada marches over, opens the gates to the tomb, and guards the tomb until he is relieved by another guard. At the end of the day the gate is locked up again.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is where Pope Francis led mass as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Facing the Plaza de Mayo, the Metropolitan Cathedral is the Catholic Church’s main site in Argentina, and is where Pope Francis, as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio, used to perform mass before assuming office in the Vatican in 2013.

Rosedal De Palermo

One of our last stops was the Rosedal de Palermo, a beautiful rose garden frequented by locals and visitors alike. Don’t walk on the grass! But if you wander on the gravel path you will ejoy many winding paths lined with colorful roses. Locals like to take boat rides on the lake and watch the swans. Buenos Aires has worked hard to keep lots of green spaces in the modernizing city and it shows.

girl pictures in rose gardens buenos aires argentina — My daughter at the rose gardens in Buenos Aires

This was a beautiful, peaceful oasis adjacent to the modern buildings of Buenos Aires.

Floralis Generica

We topped briefly by the Floralis Generica massive metal sculpture of a 75 foot tall flower. The sculpture was designed by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano, and it use to open with the sun and close at night, they close to rest. Unfortunately a storm struck the buidings nearby and flooded much of the area. The flower is no longer operating and the park itself is considered unsafe and is locked up.

buenos aires places to visit

Come visit the majestic Gomero tree in Plaza Francia, located just across from the main entrance of Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. This enormous rubber tree was planted over 200 years ago in the late 18th century and has a spread of 50 meters and a height of 20 meters.

massive branch of rubber tree in Buenos Airest that needs support

Some of its branches even require support from poles, and a statue of Atlas was added to hold up one of them, adding to its already impressive presence.

Make sure to stop by on weekends to explore the flea market in the park and take in the beauty and history of this iconic tree.

Palacio de Aguas Corrientes (Palace of Running Water)

The Palace, a gorgeous architectural gem that stands as a reminder of a dark period in history. Built between 1887-94 to hide the unsightly water tanks that were put in place to combat devastating epidemics. The most infamous of these epidemics was the yellow fever outbreak of 1871, which tragically took the lives of around 14,000 people, about 8% of the population at the time. This catastrophe prompted significant changes, including the migration of many from the south to the north of the capital city. The toll of other diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever only added to the suffering of the population.

The solution was water tanks to bring fresh water to areas of the city. It worked. They built this beautiful building to hide the unsightly water tanks, that are still there to this day. You can visit inside as well if you have the time, we did not.

Argentina Tango

As we visited on the weekend when town squares and markets were bustling, we also happend upon live music and dancing. Specifically, tango dancing! This was so much fun to see and experience in the heart of the city. Apparently “pick up” tango dancing that starts to draw a crowd is very common.

View of the Buenos Aires city - Congreso square (Congress in english) at sunset - Argentina — Congreso Square in Buenos Airest at sunset

must see places in buenos aires

After this we headed to the airport for a flight to Iguazu Falls. If you decide to use Buenos Aires as a jumping off point into a trip to Argentina, I highly recommend the following excursions while you are still staying at a hotel in Buenos Aires.