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
Near Landmarks
Near Train Stations
Near Airports
Near Colleges
Popular Hotel Categories
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental CarsTripadvisor PlusMore

Buenos Aires Tourism: Best of Buenos Aires

A cosmopolitan city that dazzles with architecture, dance, and up-all-night urban life
The birthplace of tango is, like the dance itself, captivating, seductive and bustling with electric energy. Atmospheric old neighborhoods are rife with romantic restaurants and thumping nightlife, and Buenos Aires' European heritage is evident in its architecture, boulevards and parks. Cafe Tortoni, the city's oldest bar, will transport you back to 1858, and the spectacular Teatro Colon impresses just as it did in 1908. Latin America's shopping capital offers the promise of premium retail therapy along its grand, wide boulevards.

Travel Advice

Essential Buenos Aires

Traveler Spotlight

Tackling Buenos Aires Like a Pro

Buenos Aires is a massive city with sights spread all around town, including natural reserves, parks, and plazas—not to mention historical points of interest, famed restaurants, and architectural masterpieces. Many visitors might find themselves racing all over town to get it all in. But trust me when I say, Buenos Aires is not a city to be rushed. As a Trip Designer for Reco, I have a tried-and-true approach to make the most of this city!
Michelle Grimaud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Narda Comedor
    381
    Here’s a tip: Hidden in the residential neighborhood of Belgrano is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Narda Comedor is for brunching, lunching, and all things lounging. Don’t limit yourself to one dish—the best way to enjoy is with an array of small plates to share.
  • Comarca Las Liebres Barrio Restaurante Hotel
    312
    Another excellent side trio, Colonia del Sacramento offers history with a view. Once you’ve explored its UNESCO center, prepare for the lunch of a lifetime in Los Liebres’ tranquil organic garden. Then do as the locals do and sit back with a yerba mate in hand.
  • Narbona Wine Lodge
    437
    One of the best things about Buenos Aires is how easily you can hop in and out of it. Narbona is the perfect weekend getaway accessible via ferry or motorboat. Roam the vineyards, taste the wines and cheeses, but most importantly, do some deep relaxing in the sleepy countryside of Uruguay.
  • La Catedral Club
    213
    Looking for that perfectly authentic tango experience? One word—milonga. La Catedral isn’t the fanciest but it is one-hundred percent real. With nightly activities, classes, and performances, this is the perfect place to socialize like a true Porteño. Bonus points if you catch a glimpse of some independent artist performers while you’re here!
  • Pasaje de la Defensa
    88
    Don’t make the mistake of just wandering past Pasaje de La Defensa. It’s worth dedicating an entire afternoon to exploration here. Past the entrance, the former mansion unfolds into a collection of pop-up shops and small galleries where you can lose hours just wandering.
  • Caseros
    296
    After you’ve done a bit of tasting around the San Telmo Market, come to Caseros to rest your feet and indulge in a proper lunch. Located on the elegant Calle Caseros deep within San Telmo, this is THE spot for homestyle lunches on the patio.
  • Mercado de San Telmo
    1,218
    A timeless classic, the Mercado de San Telmo is an essential part of the cityscape. Taste, smell, and feel your way through this long-standing open-air market. With antique shops dotted throughout, this is the place for everything from collectables to traditional foods. Bonus if you’re there on a Sunday when the entire neighborhood comes to life for a weekly fair.
  • Anafe
    229
    Even as an underground “closed-door restaurant,” Anafe was impressing Buenos Aires with its innovative fresh approach. Now that their doors are wide open, this has become the go-to place for well balanced, creative meals with the atmosphere to match.
  • Roux
    1,169
    Vacations are all about those leisurely lunches where you get lost in local flavors, and Roux is just the place to experience that. Whether you order an appetizer or a full-on three-course extravaganza, you’ll be met with an explosion of well-crafted flavors.
  • Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
    8,962
    The MALBA is an absolute must when in Buenos Aires. For art-lovers, this is the place to spend a mellow afternoon admiring their seasonal installations. If you’re on a longer stay in the city, set up a membership before your arrival and get special access to membership dinners and events. They’re the perfect way to mingle with locals and travelers alike.
  • La Alacena Trattoria
    273
    Come to La Alacena for homemade dishes and an afternoon of primo people-watching. The freshly made pasta and crisp, refreshing drinks are the perfect thing for fueling up before exploring the neighborhood.
  • Alvear Palace Hotel
    2,415
    If you’re the type that swoons for old-school traditional lusciousness, the Alvear Palace will be your type of hotel. It also has one of the best setups in the city, with a location in the bull’s-eye of Recoleta, views of Plaza Francia, and Recoleta Cemetery in walking distance!
  • Be Jardín Escondido by Coppola
    164
    Every savvy traveler needs a good home base. Smack in the middle of bohemian-chic Palermo, Jardin Escondido is the perfect option for those wanting to be close to everything. From tasting menus to more casual eats, this cozy boutique hotel is romantic by nature.

Rent a Home for Your Next Escape

Popular homes in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Is Great For

Tango fever

World-class steak

Markets to get lost in

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 June and August, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between March and May.