Argentina

Buenos Aires

Grand cafés, tango and late nights in South America's most European capital.

Local time
UTC-3
Population
3.1M
Safety

Cost of a day

$$$$$
Moderate
  • Food$$$$$About $60 a day: light breakfast, cheap lunch, mid-range dinner
  • Stay$$$$$3-star hotel about $58 a night for two
  • Transport$$$$$About $2.9 a day: 4 public transit rides

Exchange rate

🇦🇷 ARS =
Rates from 2026-10-23, refreshed monthly.

Getting in

EZEMinistro Pistarini International AirportMain international gateway, about 28 km south of the centre.
HowCostTime
Airport busRetiro and city centreARS 3000-600060-90 min
Cheapest option; allow extra time in traffic.
Private coach / shuttleDowntown hotelsARS 8000-1500045-75 min
Book ahead; door-to-door service.
TaxiCity centreARS 25000-4000040-70 min
Use the official taxi desk inside arrivals.
Uber / CabifyCity centreARS 20000-3500040-70 min
Pickup point is outside the terminal; check the app.
AEPJorge Newbery AirparkDomestic and regional airport, only about 6 km from the centre.
HowCostTime
Bus 33 or 8Retiro, Plaza de Mayo, San Telmounder ARS 200030-50 min
Needs a SUBE card or contactless credit card.
TaxiCity centreARS 8000-1500015-30 min
Short ride; insist on the meter.
Uber / CabifyCity centreARS 7000-1300015-30 min
Often cheaper than street taxis here.
EPAEl Palomar AirportSmall airport about 18 km west; limited domestic flights.
HowCostTime
Bus + trainCity centreunder ARS 200060-90 min
Cheapest but slow; needs a SUBE card.
TaxiCity centreARS 15000-2500040-60 min
Check the fare before you get in.
Uber / CabifyCity centreARS 12000-2200040-60 min
Availability can be patchy at this airport.

Estimates, checked October 2026. Wikivoyage: Buenos Aires

Getting around

Subte for main sights; ride apps or taxis at night.

  • Metro ★The Subte is small but reaches most sights. Pay with a SUBE card or contactless credit card.
  • BusBuses are cheap and cover the whole city, but routes are confusing. Use a route app.
  • Taxi / ride apps ★Uber and Cabify work; taxis are plentiful and metered. Handy at night.
  • Rental carDriving is stressful and parking is hard. Use transit or taxis instead.
  • WalkingBest in Palermo, Recoleta and San Telmo. Ferries to Uruguay leave from Puerto Madero.
  • FerryFerries to Uruguay leave from Puerto Madero. Bring your passport and check times on the day.
Recommended stay★ 3 nights (4 days)

Three nights covers Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo and a steak dinner, with time left for a tango night.

Best for
  • CultureTango, cafés, bookshops and grand avenues.
  • FoodSteak, empanadas, wine and long late dinners.
  • NightlifeLate bars, milongas and clubs that start after 2am.

Weather by month

28°21°Jan🌧 9d
28°20°Feb🌧 7d
25°18°Mar🌧 8d
22°15°Apr🌧 8d
17°11°May🌧 6d
15°8°Jun🌧 7d
14°8°Jul🌧 8d
16°9°Aug🌧 6d
18°11°Sep🌧 6d
21°13°Oct🌧 9d
25°16°Nov🌧 8d
27°19°Dec🌧 8d

Average daily high / low (°C), sea temperature and rainy days. Typical figures, not a forecast.

Climate

Humid subtropical climate: hot summers, cool-to-cold winters, and rain spread through the year.

  • Best time: March to May and September to NovemberMild highs of 17–25°C. Good for walking, parks and outdoor sights.
  • Summer is hot and humid (December to February)Highs near 27–28°C with muggy nights. Sightsee early or late; rest at midday.
  • Winter is cool (June to August)Highs of 14–16°C and lows near 8°C. Pack a warm coat and layers.
  • Rain all yearAbout 6–9 rain days each month. Showers can be heavy but short; carry a small umbrella.
  • Windy daysBreezy spells, especially near the river in Puerto Madero. A light windproof layer helps.
  • What to packLayers, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket and sunscreen for summer.

Landmarks 39

Must-see · 10

  1. 1

    Teatro Colon

    One of the world's great opera houses, famous for its acoustics and gilded interior. Book a guided tour in advance, as slots sell out, and dress smartly for evening performances.

  2. 2

    Casa Rosada

    The pink presidential palace facing Plaza de Mayo, home to Argentina's executive branch. Visit on a weekday for the free guided tour, and see the balcony made famous by Eva Perón.

  3. 3

    Recoleta Cemetery

    An eerie, beautiful maze of mausoleums where Eva Perón rests. Go early morning to avoid crowds; entry is free and the gates are open daily.

  4. 4

    Plaza de Mayo

    The historic heart of the city, ringed by the Casa Rosada and the Cabildo. Come on a Thursday afternoon to see the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo march.

  5. 5

    Obelisco de Buenos Aires

    The city's iconic white obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio, best seen at night when it is lit. It is a quick photo stop near the Teatro Colon.

  6. 6

    Caminito

    The brightly painted street in La Boca, alive with tango dancers and street art. Go on a sunny weekday morning and stay on the main streets for safety.

  7. 7

    El Ateneo Grand Splendid

    A stunning bookstore set inside a former theater, often ranked among the world's most beautiful. Entry is free; visit on a weekday to browse in peace.

  8. 8

    Puente de la Mujer

    A sleek white pedestrian bridge by Santiago Calatrava in the modern Puerto Madero district. Walk across at sunset and continue along the waterfront for dinner.

  9. 9

    MALBA

    The leading museum of Latin American art, with strong holdings of modern and contemporary work. Closed on Tuesdays; check for discounted late-afternoon tickets.

  10. 10

    Palacio Barolo

    A striking 1920s tower inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. Book a guided tour to reach the lighthouse at the top for skyline views.

1Teatro Colon2Casa Rosada3Recoleta Cemetery4Plaza de Mayo5Obelisco de Buenos Aires6Caminito7El Ateneo Grand Splendid8Puente de la Mujer9MALBA10Palacio Barolo

Cultural

Tomb 1

Christian 1

Museum 4

Urban Hub 3

Palace 5

Statue 2

Skyscraper 1

Modern Architecture 1

Park 1

Old Town 1

Historical Square 1

Bridge 1

Harbor 1

Market 1

University 1

Natural

River 3

Activities

Food 1

Library 1

Bookstore 1

Football Stadium 4

Amusement Park 2

Theater 1

Cruise Tour 1

Overview

History & significance

Highlights

    Day trips from Buenos Aires

    Tigre · 1 h 07 by train

    ★★★★☆ · Half day · 32 km from Buenos Aires

    Best way: The Mitre commuter train from Retiro takes about 1h 7m and drops you a short walk from the riverfront Puerto de Frutos and the delta cruise docks.

    Take the Mitre commuter train from Retiro station to the Tigre terminus, about 1 hour; from the station it is a short walk to the riverfront Puerto de Frutos and the boat docks for delta cruises.

    • Train ★1 h 07 · from $1-$2
    • Bus1 h 33 · from $2-$5
    • Car27 min · taxi ≈ 39,900 ARS

    What to see

    • Puerto de Frutos craft and produce market
    • Tigre Delta boat trip through river channels
    • Museo de Arte Tigre on the riverfront
    • Paseo de los Galpones waterfront promenade

    4 landmark quests to check off here

    Good to know

    • The bus is slower at about 1h 33m, so the train is the better choice.
    • Check the Mitre timetable before you go, since daily frequency isn't listed here.
    • Delta boat cruises leave from the docks near the station.

    Times and prices are typical one-way estimates (train and bus: Omio / Rome2Rio route data; taxi: local tariff × road distance, tolls extra). Exact prices are on the booking page.

    Plans

    Buenos Aires rewards visitors with big-city culture, steakhouse dinners and all-night tango. Pick how long you have and what you enjoy most. Prices checked October 2026; ≈ marks estimates.

    How long?

    What do you enjoy most?

    3 nights · Culture ★ Recommended length

    First-timers who want the big sights, a tango night and time to walk the old barrios.

    Tickets & tours
    ≈ ARS 0
    per person
    Taxis
    ≈ ARS 33,479
    per taxi, up to 4 people
    Day 1

    Arrive, Centro and the river

    Tickets ≈ ARS 0 pp · taxis ≈ ARS 10,504
    12345
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      14:00–14:45 · Free

      Plaza de Mayo Landmark quest

      Start here to get your bearings. Thursday afternoons the Madres march.

      Open Always open

    2. Taxi · 276 m · ≈ 6 min · ≈ ARS 1,831
    3. 2

      15:00–15:45 · Free

      Cabildo of Buenos Aires Landmark quest

      On the plaza. Closed some weekdays, so check on the day.

      Open Closed some weekdays; usually 10:00–18:00; check on the day

    4. Taxi · 393 m · ≈ 6 min · ≈ ARS 1,972
    5. 3

      16:00–17:00 · Free; guided visits need online booking

      Casa Rosada Landmark quest

      Guided visits usually weekends only. Check on the day.

      Open Guided visits on set days, usually weekends; check on the day · Source

    6. Taxi · 791 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ ARS 2,450
    7. 4

      17:30–18:00 · Free

      Puente de la Mujer Landmark quest

      About 20 minutes on foot or a short taxi to Puerto Madero.

      Open Always open

    8. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 12 min · ≈ ARS 4,252
    9. 5

      18:15–19:00 · Free to view

      La Plata River Landmark quest

      Sunset over the water, then dinner nearby.

      Open Waterfront always open

    Day 2

    Recoleta in the morning

    Tickets ≈ ARS 0 pp · taxis ≈ ARS 11,457
    12345
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      09:00–10:15 · Free entry; small fee for some guided tours

      Recoleta Cemetery Landmark quest

      Go early, before the tour groups.

      Open Daily roughly 08:00–18:00; check on the day · Source

    2. Taxi · 497 m · ≈ 6 min · ≈ ARS 2,096
    3. 2

      10:45–12:45 · Free

      National Museum of Fine Arts Landmark quest

      Closed Monday. Usually 11:00–19:00.

      Open Closed Monday; usually 11:00–19:00; check on the day · Source

    4. Taxi · 577 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ ARS 2,193
    5. 3

      13:15–13:45 · Free

      Floralis Genérica Landmark quest

      Short walk. The flower opens and closes with daylight.

      Open Park always open; the flower opens and closes with daylight

    6. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 12 min · ≈ ARS 4,130
    7. 4

      14:15–14:45 · Free to enter

      El Ateneo Grand Splendid Landmark quest

      Bookshop in an old theatre. Good café stop for lunch.

      Open Daily roughly 09:00–21:00; check on the day · Source

    8. Taxi · 1282 m · ≈ 9 min · ≈ ARS 3,038
    9. 5

      15:30–17:30 · Free

      Recoleta and Plaza Francia walk

      Plaza Francia and the weekend craft fair.

      Open Daytime; weekend craft fair on the plaza

    Day 3

    La Boca, then tango

    Tickets ≈ ARS 0 pp · taxis ≈ ARS 11,517
    1234
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. 1

      09:30–10:30 · Free to walk; paid photos with tango dancers

      Caminito Landmark quest

      Weekday morning is calmer. Stay on the main streets.

      Open Street always open; shops and stalls daytime

    2. Taxi · 627 m · ≈ 7 min · ≈ ARS 2,252
    3. 2

      11:00–12:30 · Museum and stadium tour paid; match tickets vary widely

      La Bombonera Landmark quest

      Museum tours on non-match days. Check on the day.

      Open Museum tours on non-match days; check on the day · Source

    4. Taxi · 2 km · ≈ 12 min · ≈ ARS 4,387
    5. 3

      14:00–15:00 · Free to enter; food roughly ARS 8,000–20,000

      San Telmo Market

      Lunch stop. Sunday the street fair fills San Telmo.

      Open Daily roughly 09:00–20:00; Sunday fair fills the streets

    6. Taxi · 3 km · ≈ 13 min · ≈ ARS 4,878
    7. 4

      20:00–22:30 · Roughly ARS 40,000–120,000 with dinner; check on the day

      Tango dinner show

      Dinner and show. Book ahead.

      Open Evening shows, usually from about 20:00

    Swap in instead

    • Day trip to Tigre: train from Retiro, then a boat through the delta canals.
    • Ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, from Puerto Madero. Bring your passport; check times and prices on the day.
    • Spend a day in La Boca and Puerto Madero, or take a tango class and stay for a milonga.

    Getting around

    • Subte (metro) is small but reaches most sights; pay with a SUBE card or contactless credit card.
    • Buses are cheap and cover the whole city, but routes are confusing; use a route app.
    • Buy a SUBE card at kioscos or Subte stations; one card can be shared by a group.
    • Ride apps such as Uber and Cabify work; taxis are plentiful and metered.
    • Driving is stressful; parking is hard, so use transit or taxis instead.
    • Walking is best in Palermo, Recoleta and San Telmo; ferries to Uruguay leave from Puerto Madero.

    Where to stay

    • Recoleta · ≈ ARS 70,000–180,000 a night
      Quiet, leafy and safe at night. Walk to the cemetery, museums and cafés; good for first-timers.
    • Palermo · ≈ ARS 65,000–200,000 a night
      Best for food and nightlife. Soho and Hollywood have bars, restaurants and boutiques on your doorstep.
    • San Telmo · ≈ ARS 50,000–130,000 a night
      Old cobbled streets, tango and the Sunday market. Livelier and cheaper; some streets are quiet at night.
    • Centro / Retiro · ≈ ARS 55,000–160,000 a night
      Central for the Obelisk, Plaza de Mayo and the train and bus stations. Busy by day, quieter after dark.

    Food & drink

    • Order bife de chorizo (sirloin) or ojo de bife at a parrilla. Portions are big; one steak can feed two light eaters.
    • Try empanadas, milanesa and provoleta. Lunch is the big meal; many places sell cheap set lunches (menú del día).
    • Drink local: Malbec and Torrontés wines, plus mate. Ask for agua sin gas if you want still water.
    • Dinner starts late. Locals sit down around 9–10pm; many restaurants are quiet before 8pm.
    • Book popular Palermo and Recoleta restaurants a few days ahead. Prices change fast with inflation, so check menus on the day.

    Tips

    1. Get a SUBE card to use the Subte and Colectivos
    2. Dinner happens very late — restaurants often don't fill up until 10 PM or later
    3. The parallel exchange rate (Blue Dollar) can make the city highly affordable for tourists bringing foreign currency
    4. Attending a Boca Juniors or River Plate football match is a legendary, intense experience
    5. Don't rush; local culture moves at a relaxed pace, especially in cafes
    Sources for prices and hours

    Taxi costs are estimates from straight-line distance and the metered fare. Map positions are approximate.

    Tours & activities

    Take this tour to unlock 3 landmark quests

    Plaza de Mayo
    Casa Rosada
    Obelisco de Buenos Aires
    • See the main sights of the city center
    • Learn about Argentine history from a local guide
    • 2,363 reviews · 4.7 rating
    Hotel pickupGuided

    City Highlights Guided Tour with Transfer

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.7 (2,363)

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    Recoleta Cemetery
    • Discover the stories behind the mausoleums
    • Visit Eva Perón's grave
    • 1,696 reviews · 4.8 rating
    English tourSmall group

    La Recoleta Cemetery Guided Tour in English

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.8 (1,696)

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    La Bombonera
    • Explore the Boca Juniors stadium
    • See the club's history in the museum
    • 957 reviews · 4.5 rating
    Entry includedMuseum access

    Boca Juniors Stadium & Museum Tickets

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.5 (957)

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    Tigre Delta
    • Cruise the delta's waterways
    • Learn about the area's ecosystem
    • 896 reviews · 4.5 rating
    Small groupBoat ride

    Tigre Delta Small-Group Tour from Buenos Aires

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.5 (896)

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    Puerto Madero
    • Sail past the modern skyline
    • Enjoy drinks as the sun sets
    • 534 reviews · 4.2 rating
    Open barSunset cruise

    Puerto Madero Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.2 (534)

    Souvenirs

    Leather mate cup and bombilla set

    USD 20–451 set · estimate

    A mate cup is a hollowed gourd or leather-covered vessel used to drink yerba mate, Argentina's traditional herbal tea. Buenos Aires shares this ritual with the whole country, so the set is a classic local keepsake.

    Where: Craft shops at the San Telmo Sunday market
    Prices are quoted in US dollars because the local currency changes value quickly, so set your budget in USD.

    Alfajores

    USD 10–25box of 6 to 12 · estimate

    Alfajores are soft shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche, a caramel-like milk spread. They are one of the most popular sweets in Argentina and a common gift to bring home.

    Where: Havanna official shops
    Plan your budget in US dollars, since local prices can shift quickly.

    Flights

    Dates are departure dates at each airport, which may differ from your itinerary arrival date. Select your flight and complete payment on Trip.com.

    Search flights · Trip.com

    Hotels

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    Popular hotels

    eSIM

    Get an eSIM for Buenos AiresStay connected in Argentina from day one · Airalo
    Compare all 5 plans · choose data and duration

    Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Data-use estimates are a guide; verify coverage, activation rules and the final price on Airalo.

    Luggage storage

    Store your bags in Buenos AiresDrop luggage at nearby shops and hotels · Bounce