Buenos Aires Itinerary: 3-7 Days of Local Culture

Trying to plan a Buenos Aires itinerary but not sure where to start–especially if you’re traveling solo? With so much to do and limited time, it can feel overwhelming trying to plan your visit.

I’ve spent over a month in Buenos Aires solo and nearly three months in Argentina in total, including time living with host families and immersing myself in the language and culture.

This guide pulls from my personal experiences to help you plan a Buenos Aires itinerary that will allow you to experience the city in a meaningful, memorable way–whether you have three, five, or even seven days to explore. It’s designed with solo travelers in mind but still works for couples or groups.

This itinerary combines can’t-miss highlights with unique cultural experiences, including:

• Enjoying a traditional asado, Argentina’s beloved social barbecue
• Learning to prepare and trying mate, Argentina’s tea that just about every local drinks and shares with family and friends
• Watching a live tango show in the city where it all began

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or are planning a return visit and want a deeper connection to the local culture, this guide is designed to help you make the most of your trip.

Buenos Aires Itinerary Map

From its culture to its history, architecture, and more, Buenos Aires has so much all over the city that makes it worth visiting for several days. As you read through this guide, check out this map to get your bearings on the city.

Tip: Click the button in the top left corner to help you navigate the map.

How to Structure Your Itinerary Based on This Guide

Below you’ll find a full seven-day Buenos Aires itinerary. This itinerary starts on a Saturday since that’s typically the most popular day to arrive, but of course you can adjust this as needed to fit your own schedule.

While most of these activities take place daily, keep in mind that some of these activities—like the San Telmo outdoor market and La Bomba drum show—only take place on certain days of the week.

If you plan to spend less than seven days in Buenos Aires, that’s perfectly alright. Many people only have a few days before visiting other destinations in Argentina, and you can still hit many of the main highlights in just a handful of days.

To structure your itinerary for fewer days, I would stick to the earlier days in this itinerary as I tried to pack those with more of the can’t-miss activities.

Specifically, here are the days listed below that I would pick for you to base your itinerary off of:

• Three days: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday
• Four days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
• Five days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• Six days: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

As you keep thinking about your itinerary, you may also find it helpful to consult my article on all the top activities in the city.

Saturday: Fighting Jet Lag, Botanical Gardens, and Mate Tasting

For your first day in Buenos Aires, you’ll want to take it easy after your long trip there while doing just enough to keep yourself awake until a somewhat reasonable hour.

Morning

After landing at the airport, call a Bolt or an Uber to your hotel where you can freshen up and leave your bags until check in.

Your next priority should be getting cash. I personally used Cambio Baires Plaza Italia to exchange cash and had a good experience there. You can message them on WhatsApp first to get the exchange rate for the day: +54 11 2625-5252.

With cash in hand, you’ll be ready to get the caffeine you so need after a sleepless night on the plane. Visit my absolute favorite brunch spot in Buenos Aires, Moshu Treehouse.

Moshu Treehouse, a 12-minute walk from the currency exchange, is really cute and cozy inside with an earthy design fitting of its name. They have a ton of really yummy egg dishes, sandwiches, cakes, and more.

I can’t remember if I got it or one of my friends did, but many people rave about their “Parmentiegg,” a unique dish involving a potato stuffed with a poached egg, cheese, herbs, ham, bacon, and parmesan. Yum!

Moshu Treehouse can get busy at times, so if it’s packed, then you might try the nearby Casa Dingo or Hacienda Coffee Company.

Early Afternoon

Now that you’ve got some coffee in you, walk 10 minutes down the road to the nearby Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays. This 17-acre botanical garden is home to about 6,000 species of trees and plants.

It’s the perfect place to go for a casual walk without doing anything too strenuous while you’re trying to fight jet lag.

Unfortunately, I never made it here myself as I was typically working during the week when they were open and spent most weekends traveling. But my friends visited and said it was one of their favorite things they did in the city!

Entrance is typically free. Here are the garden hours:

• From September 22 to March 21
  • Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• From March 22 to September 21
  • Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Late Afternoon

For an afternoon pick-me-up, try the iconic tea beverage that just about everyone in Argentina drinks: mate (pronounced mah-te).

One of the highlights of my last visit to Buenos Aires was this mate tasting class. We got to learn all about mate in Argentina, including how it’s made, the culture around it, and how to prepare the beverage.

Mate has some caffeine too, so it’s perfect for keeping you going after your travels.

This is a group experience, so if you’re a solo traveler in the city, it can be a great way to make some friends at the start of your trip.

As I write this, it looks like classes are typically held at the following times, but double check this as you make your plans in case they change:

• Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m.

Evening

By the time evening rolls around, you’ll likely be feeling so exhausted you won’t want to do anything too taxing, and you likely won’t be prepared to stay up until 9 p.m. just to start dinner.

Yes, the local dinner time is typically around 9 p.m., and dinner can last several hours!

For something quick, easy, and available earlier in the evening, I recommend getting empanadas to go. Empanadas are SO good and one of my favorite foods from Argentina. You have to try them at least once!

Writing this now, I’m getting a little jealous because I miss empanadas that much. Every time I’ve tried them in the U.S., they just haven’t been the same.

For take away empanadas in the Palermo area where I recommend you stay, check out Las Rojas. They’re typically open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

They have classic flavors like carne suave (beef), pollo (chicken), and jamón y queso (ham and cheese). They also have vegetarian options like verdura (vegetable), caprese, and cebolla y queso (onion and cheese).

Sunday: San Telmo Market, La Boca, and Rooftop Asado Experience

Sundays in Buenos Aires are special days with so many open air markets all over the city. Spend Sunday exploring one of the most famous markets in Buenos Aires and hitting other top highlights.

Morning

Grab a quick breakfast in the morning at your hotel or a nearby cafe. For something small and easy, try a medialuna, an Argentine pastry that’s like a croissant but tends to be thicker and sweeter.

Afterwards, take an Uber or Bolt over to the San Telmo Market Street Fair. I recommend directing your ride share to Plaza de Mayo and from there you can walk south down Calle Defensa until you reach Plaza Dorrego.

On Sundays, you can find vendors all along this street typically between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They’ll be selling all kinds of things–Argentine food, antiques, vintage clothing, artistic hand lettering unique to Argentina called Fileteado Porteño, and so much more.

Note that this area can get crowded, especially later in the day, so it’s important to keep your belongings close in case of pickpockets. I didn’t have any issues and felt completely safe when I went but just want you to be aware. If you want to avoid the crowds, definitely go closer to 10 a.m.

Afternoon

Just a quick car ride or about a 30-minute walk from San Telmo, La Boca should be next on your list for the day. No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without exploring this iconic neighborhood.

Known for its brightly colored buildings, impromptu tango performances on the street, and one of Argentina’s most beloved fútbol teams, La Boca has much to offer visitors. Visiting this neighborhood was one of the highlights from my month in Buenos Aires.

Start your visit at El Caminito, the most well-known street in the area. Here you can stop for lunch at El Gran Paraiso, a highly rated restaurant serving authentic Argentine food.

The restaurant is in a historic tenement house typical of the homes of immigrants in this neighborhood a hundred years ago.

Keep in mind you’ll have a hefty dinner that you’ll want to save room for. You may want to get something smaller for lunch like empanadas.

After lunch, spend some time walking around to check out the art, shops, and hopefully some tango street performers. Before you go, don’t miss walking by the Boca Juniors stadium.

If you’re a big fútbol fan, you may even want to visit the inside of the stadium and its museum. Boca Juniors is one of the most famous teams in Argentina and, arguably, in the world. Superstar Diego Maradona played for them, after all.

Evening

After a busy day of exploring, take some time to rest back in your hotel before partaking in what I consider the #1 thing you can do in Buenos Aires: an asado.

What is an asado? Think of it like a cook out. The host will grill all kinds of meats while family and friends come together for a nice day together.

Asados are such a big part of Argentine culture, and this experience gives you the chance to have one yourself just like the locals.

This 2.5 hour rooftop asado experience lets you take part in this culinary tradition, learning about it from a local while also getting to know other travelers. During the experience, you’ll get to try the following:

• Tucumanas empanadas (the most famous style from Argentina)
• Morcilla blood sausage
• Chorizo, including the classic Argentine chorizo sandwich called choripán
• Pork belly
• Argentine steak
• Ribeye
• Salads
• Malbec wine
• Dulce de leche cake
• Fernet and Coke–arguably the most Argentine mixed drink you can get

If you’re a vegetarian, don’t worry. You can request a vegetarian menu in advance so you can still enjoy this.

I haven’t gotten to partake in this specific experience myself yet. I wanted to after hearing friends rave about it when I was in Buenos Aires, but at that point it was fully booked on the days I wanted to go. It’s top of my list for my next visit!

Monday: Walking Tour and Drum Show

Spend Monday exploring more of the city while learning more about its history and culture.

Morning

Take some time to explore Palermo in the morning. Personally, I love walking around the tree-lined streets, checking out the murals painted on some of the buildings, and popping into the cute little shops.

It’s worth exploring both Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood during your trip if you have the time.

For brunch, visit Selena Cocina, a quaint little cafe on a quiet street. They have a great brunch, and this was one of my favorite places I ate during my time in Buenos Aires.

Afternoon

From 11 to 1:30 p.m., join a free walking tour. I always find a walking tour like this is a great way to get a better understanding and appreciation of a city from a local’s point of view. Plus, you can meet other travelers and usually get some good recommendations for the rest of your trip too.

I did this walking tour myself and really appreciated not only the information our guide shared with us, but the personal experiences he shared as well. Argentina has unfortunately had quite a tumultuous past, especially economically, and we learned a lot from our guide’s accounts of his own experiences.

Starting in Plaza de Mayo, this walking tour covers the following iconic landmarks in Buenos Aires:

• Casa Rosada, the president’s office
• Pirámide de Mayo, the oldest national monument in the city erected to commemorate the May Revolution when Argentina won its independence from Spain
• Metropolitan Cathedral, the main Catholic site in Argentina and where Pope Francis led mass when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires
• Legislatura de la Ciudad, the city legislature
• Café Tortoni, the oldest cafe in the city (and a great place to see tango too)
• Avenida 9 de Julio, an iconic street in the city known as the “widest avenue in the world”
• Obelisk, perhaps the city’s most notable landmark with engravings to remember four significant events for the city: its founding, permanent settlement, first raising of the Argentine flag, and the establishment of the Federal District
• Palacio Barolo, one of the most unique buildings in the city that was designed based on Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy
• Congreso de la Nación Argentina, the legislative building for the country

While the tour is free, it’s one of those where you should give the guide a tip at the end for the amount you think they deserve for the tour. Make sure you have some cash on you for that tip.

The tour is offered in English at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. You need to book in advance here.

Following the tour, you’ll probably be feeling hungry, but your body might feel overloaded from all the meat you’ve been having. Head over to the nearby BOWL for a fresh salad, wrap, or sandwich before taking a car back to your hotel to rest.

Evening

For something special in the evening, check out La Bomba de Tiempo, a unique drum performance that takes place each Monday.

The doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. It’s best to purchase tickets in advance to save time. Note that it’s standing room only and that the show takes place outside rain or shine.

I wasn’t able to make this performance myself. Some friends I made while I was there went and said it was so cool!

There is food at the venue, but if you can wait until after the 2-3 hour show is over to eat, that may be easier.

If you want a break from the hefty meaty dinners, check out La Fábrica del Taco, an authentic Mexican taquería. They have a location in Palermo Soho and are open until 12 a.m. I loved their tacos and margaritas when I went!

Tuesday: Parks, Recoleta Cemetery, and Tango Show

Spend Tuesday hitting some more can’t miss highlights of Buenos Aires.

Morning

Take it easy this morning after your late night last night. Sleep in a little bit and have a slow morning.

When you feel up to it, head on over to the Ecoparque Buenos Aires. On the way over, pop into a cafe for a coffee and medialuna for take away that you can enjoy once you get to the park.

This was the very first place I visited in Buenos Aires. It’s a lovely park to walk around with its large pond and animals roaming about.

As you keep walking north, you’ll reach Buenos Aires’s most famous park, Tres de Febrero. There are so many lovely gardens and green spaces in this park. You can even take a paddle boat out on the pond here.

From Tres de Febrero, you’re not far from the Jardín Japonés (Japanese Garden). This garden requires paying a small fee, but I think it’s worth it.

In spite of the crowds when I visited (it was a Saturday, to be fair), I found this garden quite serene and relaxing.

Afternoon

For lunch, head over to Recoleta to Quotidiano Bar de Pastas. This is one of the best restaurants in the area for Italian food.

With around 62% of Argentines claiming to trace their ancestry back to Italy, you have to eat Italian food when in Argentina! It has a huge influence on the culture and you can find Italian food and drinks all over the city.

After lunch, walk to the nearby Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Yes, you read that right: a cemetery. It may sound odd, but it’s quite unique and is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.

I spent an afternoon walking around the cemetery, and while I enjoyed it, I really regret not visiting with a tour. The cemetery is quite large and there’s a lot to see there.

I found it a little hard to navigate on my own. And while I was trying to look up some information to learn more about it, I could only learn so much on my own without a guide.

That’s why I highly recommend you take a guided tour of the cemetery if you can. That way you can learn more about the history of the cemetery and some of the people who are buried there.

This low cost tour takes place Monday through Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Evening

Spend your evening experiencing another important aspect of Argentine culture: tango. This music and dance style even originated in Buenos Aires, so there’s no better place to see it!

There are so many unique tango performances throughout the city. I personally saw a show at El Viejo Almacén because it’s considered one of the most traditional and authentic shows.

You can choose to book dinner with your show, which I recommend. Some people say the food isn’t that great at these places, but I found my meal to be quite good at El Viejo Almacén. In my opinion, it’s nice not to have to worry about the logistics in timing your dinner with the show.

You can also book transport between your hotel and the venue, but it took quite a long time when I did this. I think you’re better off just calling a Bolt or Uber instead.

Wednesday: El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore, Teatro Colón, and Don Julio

Spend Wednesday hitting some other cool sights in the city and one of the world’s best restaurants.

Morning

Start your morning by visiting El Ateneo Grand Splendid, considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Grab a coffee and a pastry in the cafe and then meander around the bookstore that’s housed in a former theater built in 1919.

As a big reader myself, I’m so sad I missed this on my last trip to Buenos Aires, but I wasn’t a reader yet at that time and didn’t prioritize it during my visit. However, even if you’re not a bibliophile, you can appreciate visiting such a unique and stunning bookstore.

All of my friends who visited said they really enjoyed it. I’m sure it’s a lovely place to relax for breakfast. If you’re lucky, sometimes they have live piano music too!

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays and holidays from 12 to 9 p.m.

For another cultural gem in the city, walk 20 minutes or take a quick car ride to the nearby Teatro Colón, an over 100 year old opera house that’s considered one of the best in the world.

You can visit the theater on a one-hour guided tour to learn more about its history and cultural significance. Tours are typically available daily at the following times:

• 11 a.m.
• 12 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m.
• 3 p.m.

Afternoon

Take some time in the afternoon to hit up anything else on your list or to continue exploring Palermo.

In Palermo, grab a light lunch at Tomate Estación de Sabores. I mean it when I say light–you will want to save lots of room for dinner tonight!

If you want to do some shopping for souvenirs while walking around Palermo, here are some ideas:

• Argentine wine: JA! or Vinoteca Autre Monde–JA! has a lovely wine tasting as well, and they do a great job of packing up your wine so it’s protected for your journey home.
• Alfajores, Argentine cookies sandwiched around dulce de leche and sometimes covered in chocolate: Havanna–You absolutely have to try these!
• Leather goods: Catriel Cueros
• Fútbol jerseys: Area Futbol–This store is a little bit outside of Palermo Soho.
• Mate cups and accessories: Todo Mates
• Local art: Galería Mar Dulce
• Pingüino, a ceramic penguin pitcher historically used to serve wine in Argentina: Red Sur Design
• Alpargatas, traditional Argentine shoes (similar to Toms): Alpargatas Nipa Store

Evening

Hopefully you’re not tired of steak yet because tonight, you’re visiting Don Julio, rated the tenth best restaurant in the world.

This neighborhood steakhouse sources most of its ingredients from their own farm outside of the city. You can’t count on a high-quality meal and outstanding service.

Plus, this restaurant won’t cost you hundreds of dollars like some of the others on this list. I think I spent around $50 USD here a couple years ago, but please note that the currency in Argentina is highly volatile, so that pricing may vary depending on when you go.

Note that Don Julio can book up weeks, if not months, in advance, so it’s best to make a reservation well before your visit if you can.

Can’t get a reservation? Don’t worry. They do take some walk ins!

I couldn’t get a reservation when my dad and I visited. What we did instead was visit on a weeknight, arriving around 6 p.m., an hour before they opened. They even gave us champagne while we stood in line, so that helped make the wait a little better.

And you bet it was worth the wait! We had some amazing wine, empanadas, steak, and vegetables. We sat outside, but it was cool to pop inside and see them right there cooking the meat on their wood-fired grill.

Thursday: Tigre Delta Day Trip

If you have more time in Buenos Aires, it’s worth considering taking a day trip outside of the city. A visit to the nearby Tigre Delta is one of the top options.

Morning

Visiting the Tigre Delta offers a relaxing escape from the busy streets of Buenos Aires. It’s popular among both locals and tourists alike.

The Tigre Delta is one of the world’s largest deltas with waterways running alongside remote land that can only be reached by boat.

For your small group Tigre Delta tour, get picked from your hotel up around 9 a.m. to head out of the city and to the Tigre Delta. If you want to see more from the water, you can even choose to book a boat from Buenos Aires to take you to the delta instead of driving most of the way.

Once you reach Tigre Delta, you’ll have a one-hour boat ride where your guide will explain the plants and animals of the area and the locals who live in unique homes alongside the water.

Afternoon

After the boat ride, the tour will stop in Tigre, a nearby major city. Here you can get drinks and empanadas before the tour takes you back to Buenos Aires.

You should get back to the city around 2:30 p.m. where you can either spend the afternoon getting some rest or exploring any other highlights you’d like to see in the city.

Evening

With so many immigrants calling the city home, you have to try some cuisines from outside of Argentina while you’re visiting. Peru is one of the main countries where immigrants today come from, so tonight I recommend getting Peruvian food.

Make a reservation for Tigre Morado in Palermo Hollywood. It’s one of the best Peruvian restaurants in the city. I loved it so much that I dined there multiple times during my month-long stay.

I personally loved their classic lomo saltado and excellent cocktails. Some of the most popular dishes include the ceviche, sushi, and creamy rice. They have vegetarian options too–one of my friends loved the vegetarian ceviche.

If you have room for dessert afterwards, visit the nearby Finde Heladería or Rapanui (my favorite!) in Palermo Soho for ice cream.

Friday: Puerto Madero, Cooking Class, and World’s 50 Best Bar

To cap off your visit to this world capital, spend the afternoon learning to cook all your new favorite Argentine foods and sip cocktails in one of the world’s best bars.

Morning

For your last morning, head over to the Puerto Madero area. Grab some brunch at Dandy Madero and enjoy the views of the water.

Afterwards, take a nice little stroll along the river. You can see the iconic Puente de la Mujer bridge, and if you’re lucky, there may even be some tango performers in the area.

Nearby, you might also like checking out the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur. This ecological reserve allows you to escape into nature and enjoy views of the water and wildlife.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, join a small-group cooking class from around 12 to 3 p.m. During the class, a local will teach you how to make empanadas and alfajores. You can try mate during the class as well.

The class is offered daily at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

This class is highly rated with travelers saying it’s a lot of fun and that the hosts are warm and welcoming.

I wish I had known about this class while I was last in Buenos Aires. I absolutely love empanadas and alfajores, but I’ve found it hard to find them at times where I live in the U.S. Next time I’m in BA, I hope to do this class so I can learn how to make them on my own!

Evening

Spend your last night in Buenos Aires somewhere special. I recommend checking out one of the world’s 50 best bars–Buenos Aires has three!

• Tres Monos (#7): At this bar with graffiti-covered walls, they make some of their own spirits and wines and source all ingredients from Argentina. People rave about the atmosphere, drinks, and food. I wasn’t able to make a reservation here so didn’t get to visit, but I’ve heard they’ve since expanded so while a reservation is recommended, there’s a chance you could walk in.
• CoChinChina (#22): I loved this Asian and French-inspired bar so much that I visited three times. They have excellent cocktails and food. If your party is small enough, you may be able to get away with walking in without a reservation.
• Florería Atlántico (#46): This bar is a speakeasy hiding underneath what looks like a flower shop. I enjoyed their unique cocktails, some of which even use a mate gin, and I liked their food. Note that you will need a reservation and may need to book several weeks in advance.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires

As you plan your Buenos Aires itinerary, I’m sure you’re trying to figure out where to stay. Here are some top places to stay in Buenos Aires at various price points that would work well with this itinerary:

📍Budget Option: Casa Vaca is a relatively new and highly-rated hostel in Palermo Soho. It has both private rooms and small shared dorm rooms.

📍Mid-Range Option: Guests rave about Legado Mítico, a boutique hotel in Palermo Soho. They praise support from staff, cleanliness of the rooms, and the common spaces including a library and courtyard.

📍Luxury Option: While I generally recommend staying in Palermo, Palacio Duhau is an exception. This mansion in Recoleta will make you feel like royalty. If you’re looking to treat yourself with an extra special stay in Buenos Aires, this is the place to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions when it comes to building out your Buenos Aires itinerary.

Final Thoughts on Your Buenos Aires Itinerary

As you can see, there’s so much to do in this beautiful city, but I hope you found this guide helpful in narrowing down the top activities and organizing them by area of the city.

Don’t feel like you have to stick to this Buenos Aires itinerary exactly for your own trip, but think of it as a good starting point, and you can mix and match elements from there to fit your priorities.

Download Your Buenos Aires Itinerary PDF

I’ve prepared a high-level version of this itinerary so you have something short you can quickly reference and print out if you’d like:

Next: Get More Itinerary Inspiration

I have a full article on the top things you can do in Buenos Aires, so if you’re wondering what else you might add to your itinerary, check that out next!