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Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires travel guide

Capital and most populous city of Argentina

Things to do84 experiences
Best time to visitSeptember to January and April
Nearest airportAEP · 3 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−3
Population3,121,707

About Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− global city, according to the GaWC 2024 ranking. The city proper has a population of 3.1 million and its urban area has a population of 16.7 million, making it the 21st most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Places to visit in Buenos Aires

  1. La Boca

    La Boca

    Neighborhood · 3 mi from centre

    A colorful riverside neighborhood known for the painted houses of Caminito and street tango dancers. Visit during the day and stay in the main tourist area, as the surrounding streets are less safe.

  2. Recoleta Cemetery

    Recoleta Cemetery

    Historic

    An elaborate cemetery of marble mausoleums and statues, including the family tomb where Eva Perón is buried. Pick up a map or join a free tour at the entrance to find the most notable graves.

  3. Plaza de Mayo

    Plaza de Mayo

    Landmark

    The city's political center, surrounded by the pink Casa Rosada and the cathedral. Visit on Thursday afternoons to see the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo march.

  4. Teatro Colón

    Teatro Colón

    Entertainment

    One of the world's great opera houses, renowned for its acoustics and lavish early 20th-century interior. Join a guided tour to see the auditorium and foyers, or book well ahead for a performance.

  5. San Telmo

    San Telmo

    Neighborhood · 2 mi from centre

    One of the city's oldest districts, with cobbled streets, antique shops and tango bars. Visit on Sunday for the large street fair along Defensa Street, and stop at the covered San Telmo Market.

  6. MALBA

    MALBA

    Museum · 2 mi from centre

    A museum of modern Latin American art, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Combine it with a walk through the nearby Palermo parks.

  7. Palermo Woods

    Palermo Woods

    Park · 3 mi from centre

    A large green area of lakes, rose gardens and paths in the Palermo district. Rent a bike or paddle boat, and visit on a weekend afternoon when locals gather to picnic and exercise.

  8. Puerto Madero

    Puerto Madero

    Neighborhood · 1 mi from centre

    A redeveloped dock area of converted brick warehouses, modern towers and restaurants along the water. Walk the waterfront at sunset and cross the Puente de la Mujer, a footbridge designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Things to do in Buenos Aires by type

84 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 9
  • Up to 1 hour 9
  • 3-6 hours 8
  • Over 6 hours 5
  • Flexible 3
Good for
  • Couples 28
  • Senior 25
  • Youth 23
  • Families 23
  • Families with kids 1
Ways to go
  • Private 4
  • Small group 3
  • Wheelchair accessible 2
Browse all things to do in Buenos Aires

Top experiences in Buenos Aires

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 84 available.

See all things to do in Buenos Aires

Where to stay in Buenos Aires

Popular hotels in Buenos Aires, out of 474 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Buenos Aires

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Buenos Aires is September to January and April, when average daytime highs are around 67–84°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 70° – 84° 7
Feb 71° – 85° 9
Mar 66° – 78° 12
Apr 57° – 70° 10
May 51° – 62° 7
Jun 47° – 59° 7
Jul 43° – 57° 3
Aug 48° – 60° 7
Sep 52° – 67° 5
Oct 59° – 74° 7
Nov 62° – 77° 10
Dec 67° – 83° 8

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Buenos Aires weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 67° 56° 18%
  • Thu 22 Oct 68° 58° 80%
  • Fri 23 Oct 70° 60° 45%
  • Sat 24 Oct 66° 57° 35%
  • Sun 25 Oct 62° 52° 57%
  • Mon 26 Oct 64° 50° 20%

Know before you go

Currency
Argentine peso (ARS)1 US dollar ≈ $1,523
Languages
Spanish, Guaraní
Calling code
+54
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/Argentina/Buenos_AiresUTC−3

Upcoming public holidays in Argentina

  • National Sovereignty DayDía de la Soberanía Nacional
  • Immaculate Conception DayDía de la Inmaculada Concepción de María
  • Christmas DayNavidad
  • New Year's DayAño Nuevo
  • CarnivalCarnaval
  • CarnivalCarnaval

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Buenos Aires

These are the airports closest to central Buenos Aires. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • AEP Jorge Newbery Airport3 mi (6 km) from the city centre
  • EZE Ministro Pistarini International Airport18 mi (29 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Buenos Aires

The public transport in Buenos Aires is very good by coverage, although public transport in Buenos Aires isn't world-class (compared to the counterparts in Europe and East Asia) and it can be crowded during rush hour and the bus network can be confusingly complex. The metro (or underground railway) here is called the "Subte", which is short for Subterraneo (underground).

On foot

Walking is a great way to get around Buenos Aires during the day. With the grid system it is relatively easy to get around and because of the traffic it may even be quicker than a taxi or bus. The larger avenidas are lined with shops so there is plenty to see. In the Micro centro calle Florida is a pedestrian shopping street where you can walk from Plaza San Martin to Avenida de Mayo near the Plaza de Mayo. It crosses Lavalle (also pedestrian only) which takes you to the Plaza de la Republica and the Obelisk.

By taxi

Taxis are not the quickest way to move around the more congested parts of the city, especially during rush hour, as traffic jams are common. Still, you will find that taxis are usually rather inexpensive, convenient, and exciting (in a white-knuckled, classic-wooden-roller-coaster kind of way). Make sure to take the "radio taxi", as some taxis do not turn on the meter and will ask for a very expensive fare.

By bus

The principal means of public transportation within the city are the buses (colectivos). Tickets must be bought on the bus through a machine using a prepaid RFID proximity card named SUBE or by contactless credit card.

Buenos Aires travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Buenos Aires is September to January and April, when average daytime highs are around 67–84°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

What is the weather like in Buenos Aires?

February is usually the warmest month in Buenos Aires, with average highs of 85°F (29°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 43°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 259 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Buenos Aires?

Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (6 km) from the centre of Buenos Aires. Other nearby airports include Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE, 18 mi).

What currency is used in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires uses the Argentine peso (ARS). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1,523.

What time zone is Buenos Aires in?

Buenos Aires uses the America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires time zone (currently UTC−3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Buenos Aires?

The public transport in Buenos Aires is very good by coverage, although public transport in Buenos Aires isn't world-class (compared to the counterparts in Europe and East Asia) and it can be crowded during rush hour and the bus network can be confusingly complex.

What are the best places to visit in Buenos Aires?

Top sights in Buenos Aires include La Boca, Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza de Mayo and Teatro Colón. A colorful riverside neighborhood known for the painted houses of Caminito and street tango dancers. Visit during the day and stay in the main tourist area, as the surrounding streets are less safe.

What are the top things to do in Buenos Aires?

Popular experiences you can book in Buenos Aires include Classic Buenos Aires - Half-Day City Tour, Viejo Almacen – Show with Optional Dinner and Señor Tango. Destina Holidays offers 84 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Buenos Aires?

The most popular types of experiences in Buenos Aires are city tours (25), gastronomy & nightlife (24), shows, sports and special events (16) and art & culture (12). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Buenos Aires?

Popular areas for hotels in Buenos Aires include Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Lennox Hotel Buenos Aires and NH Buenos Aires City.

How many hotels can I book in Buenos Aires?

Destina Holidays currently lists 474 properties in and around Buenos Aires, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.