What is Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Learn more
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Hotels
All Buenos Aires HotelsBuenos Aires Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Buenos AiresBy Hotel Type
By Hotel Class
By Hotel Brand
Popular Amenities
Popular Neighborhoods
Popular Buenos Aires Categories
More Buenos Aires Categories
Near Landmarks
Near Train Stations
Near Airports
Near Colleges
Popular Hotel Categories
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental CarsTripadvisor PlusMore

Plan Your Trip to Buenos Aires: Best of Buenos Aires Tourism

About Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has a red-hot energy you can’t ignore. The city will wine and dine you with Malbec and unbelievably good steak, and keep you up ‘til dawn at clubs and dance halls. But there’s a low-key side that’s worth getting to know, too. Stroll the cobblestone streets of the barrios in the morning to see the neoclassical architecture at your own speed. Sure, Palermo’s got trendy restaurants and boutiques, but there’s something to be said for grabbing a choripán and having an easy picnic in Bosques de Palermo. Head to San Telmo for Feria de San Telmo—a huge street fair every Sunday—and to tango (see a show or catch it outdoors at Plaza Dorrego). For something more laid-back, check out an art museum or gallery, then hit a food stall at Mercado de San Telmo. Go fast or take it slow—the choice is yours. We’ve got more ideas below.

Travel Advice

Essential Buenos Aires

How to spend 3 days in Buenos Aires

Steak, tango, Malbec, and so much more
Read on

Where to find the best tango in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango—in the 1800s, this sensual dance united working class immigrants, indigenous Argentines, and freed slaves. Today it still offers a window into the passionate culture of the country. When I moved to Argentina at age six, an experienced tanguero (dancer) borrowed my beloved stuffed dog to dance tango with him on the colorful streets of Caminito La Boca; I’ve been captivated ever since.
  • Rojo Tango
    902
    Hands down the most exclusive tango show in the city, Rojo Tango is housed within the opulent Faena Hotel in an intimate speakeasy-like room lit in sensual red. Opt for the decadent pre-show dinner where quality Argentine wines flow freely. I feel I never fully understood tango as pure art until experiencing this immersive and creative show where both dancers and live musicians perform within mere feet of you.
  • Cafe de los Angelitos
    1,042
    For a classic tango experience, check out this gorgeous space that holds more than a century of dance history. An elegant tango show comes to life here with 21 tangueros accompanied by a live orchestra, and it caters to tourists, so it’s a great spot to get introduced to the culture (they even offer hotel transfers). During the day you can grab a coffee at the onsite cafe decorated with hundreds of photos recounting the history of tango.
  • Tango Queer
    0 reviews
    Buenos Aires is proudly one of the most queer-friendly travel destinations in the world. As a bisexual woman, I respect that Tango Queer challenges the existing heteronormative roles often present in “traditional” tango (ironically, as tango originated as a ballet-like dance between two men). Tango Queer is a warm, friendly space welcoming dancers of any gender to participate in either leading or being led. There are tango classes followed by milonga, where everyone of all abilities is invited to dance.
  • El Viejo Almacen
    1,087
    Revered as one of the most classic tango houses in the world, historic El Viejo Almacén has been the home of tango since 1968, when famous local tango singer Edmundo Rivero acquired the century-old building. It’s still one of the top spots to watch tango and perfect for a romantic evening out on the town. Dinner is served starting at 8 p.m., and a 100 minute show begins at 10pm.
  • Caminito
    7,497
    Not all tango requires a backdrop of red curtains and fancy stages. While it can certainly add dramatic flair, the culture of tango can be found right on the streets of La Boca, an eclectic and colorful neighborhood. When I have visitors, I always take them on a walking tour to see the skilled street performers here and have lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants that offer casual tango shows such as Encuentro Nativo.

Explore Buenos Aires by interest

Time to tango

Live shows, classes, clubs, and more

Buenos Aires on a dime

Eats and activities that won’t break the bank

If you’re feeling fancy-ish

Go-all-out experiences worth every peso

Spend a day on the ranch

Places to experience gaucho life and culture

Saddle up

Polo matches, horse racing, and more 

For the history buff

Must-see museums, palaces, and landmarks

Buenos Aires, after dark

There’s lots to do when the sun goes down

Shop the city’s markets

All the best ferias for food and local crafts

Chill out in nature

Scenic places to unplug and recharge

Take a detour from the crowds

Off-the-beaten path places and hidden gems
Buenos Aires Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Buenos Aires

Lucía V
On buses: Without the SUBE, you will need coins to pay for the tickets (which you have to insert into a machine usually located behind the driver).
Natalia
Don't leave Buenos Aires without experiencing an Asado: the Argentinian national dish is a wide range of meats and sausages, traditionally grilled over an open fire. Mate is a bitter tea, and local custom is to drink it from small gourds and share it as a symbol of hospitality. If someone offers you some, take him up on it!
Stanner57
Plan your itinerary to include museums, restaurants, a side trip, and a tango show. Best museums include MALBA, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Issac Fernandez Blanco, and MAMBA. The Naval Museum is great also.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

Stanner57
You need to spend at least a week here. This is a very civilized city, with interesting architecture, great museums, restaurants (particularly steaks and Italian food), tango shows, and several interesting day trip options.
Natalia
There's a reason famed tango singer Carlos Gardel used to call this city "My beloved Buenos Aires." Like the romantic and emotional dance that originated here, the streets of Buenos Aires tell stories of immigrants, love, struggle, passion, sorrow, and magic. It's all this, along with magnificent architecture, delicious food, and lovely people, that makes local residents (porteños) and tourists alike fall madly in love with Buenos Aires.
Neneb
Buenos Aires is vibrant, funky, exciting, chock full of history and abounding with fabulous food!! Short trips or long...there is much to see and do in Buenos Aires and the surrounding areas. It will challenge your senses and emotions.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Though Buenos Aires is served by three airports, all international flights arrive into Ministro Pistarini International Airport, located 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the city in the town of Ezeiza.

Bus:

The main bus terminal into Buenos Aires is the Retiro Bus Station, which is serviced by numerous bus companies that run services to Brazil and Chile, and destinations within Argentina.

Ferry:

There’s a regular ferry service to Buenos Aires from Colonia and Montevideo in Uruguay. Most ferries are operated by Buquebus and Seacat.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting Buenos Aires from overseas, see if you need a visa using this website.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer: June-August is when the city is at its liveliest, and more cultural events are available than any other time of year. The weather is not a problem. It never reaches freezing, and it has snowed only once (very briefly) since 1918. The evenings are cool and crisp, the days are perfect for walking the city. For more information on Buenos Aires’ weather and when to go, check out some tips here.

Metro

Buenos Aires’ underground metro, known as the subte, has six lines (A, B, D, C, E, and H) that connect the city’s main attractions and major train stations. To travel by both bus and underground metro, you’ll need to purchase a rechargeable SUBE card, which is available at metro stations and kiosks. To plan your journey, use this website.

Bus

Known locally as colectivos, Buenos Aires buses are a cheap way to explore. Buses typically run 24 hours a day and cover the entire city. The Metrobus is a rapid transit system that uses dedicated lanes to avoid traffic.

Taxis and Rideshare

The most popular rideshare apps in Buenos Aires are Uber, Cabify, and Easy Taxi. You can also hail taxis from the street pretty easily; ensure you get a car with a meter and a license sticker in the window.

On the ground
What is the time zone?
Argentina Standard Time (GMT-3)
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in Buenos Aires is 220V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. There are two associated plug types; type C, which has two round pins, and type I, which has three flat pins in a triangular pattern.
What is the local currency?
Argentine peso (ARS)
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes.
Is tipping expected?
In Buenos Aires, a 10% tip is expected in restaurants.

Are there local customs I should know?

Lining up at bus stops
Be aware that lines usually form at bus stops and be sure to respect the order of the line when getting on the bus.
Mealtimes
In Buenos Aires, lunch and dinner times are much later than in other countries. Lunch is normally eaten around 2pm while dinner tends to get served closer to 11pm. Clubs usually open around 3am and tend to stay open until mid-morning.
Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buenos Aires


Some of the most popular restaurants in Buenos Aires include:

Buenos Aires is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:


If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Buenos Aires between March and May, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.