We recently spent 2 days in Buenos Aires before our trip to Antarctica. Argentina’s vibrant capital is a fusion of elegance and flair, grand boulevards, tango, and culinary delights. Since we only had two days in the city, we knew we wanted to do a tour of the city and the main sights on the first day, and a visit to the Tigre Delta and an Asado experience on the second.
How to spend two days in Buenos Aires
We’ve broken it down into a 1 day itinerary and an optional second day – ensuring those who only have one day before their cruise can still get a taste of this beautiful city.
How to get around Buenos Aires
It’s time to orientate yourself. There are many different transport methods around the city:
- Subte (Subway): The city’s subway system, known as the Subte, offers an efficient way to navigate Buenos Aires with six lines covering different areas of the city.
- Colectivos (Buses): Buenos Aires has an extensive network of buses, known as colectivos, with numerous routes connecting all parts of the city. It’s a cost-effective way to travel, and bus stops are clearly marked with route information.
- Taxis: Taxis are readily available throughout Buenos Aires and offer a convenient door-to-door service. Look for radio taxis with meters, and always ensure they’re licensed and metered.
- Uber: Uber operates in Buenos Aires, providing another convenient option for getting around the city. It’s often more comfortable and safer than traditional taxis. We chose Uber twice during our stay and found it much less expensive than in the US. A 20-30 minute ride was $3-$4 USD.
- Ecobici (Bike Sharing): Buenos Aires offers a bike-sharing program called Ecobici, with stations located throughout the city. It’s a fun and eco-friendly way to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace.
- Walking: Many neighborhoods in Buenos Aires are pedestrian-friendly, making walking an enjoyable way to explore the city’s vibrant streets, historic landmarks, and charming neighborhoods.
Tour: A tour is the other option to explore the city. You can choose a private tour, tailored to your needs, or a group tour, which represents fantastic value. There is also a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires in a day
We chose to take a small group tour, which gave us some flexibility, but also was a great price. Buenos Aires is big, and we just didn’t feel like navigating it ourself while jet lagged.
The Pink House
Like the White House here in America, Argentina has a Pink House, or Casa Rosada. It is home to the President’s office, and government officials have worked there for centuries. There is an Argentine flag on top, and when the President is there, it is joined by a smaller flag. But if the President is absent, it is just one flag.
The palace was once symmetrical, but a portion of the right side had to be removed due to a road being installed. Nowadays, the sides are not identical, but this does not take away from the palatial house itself.
Plaza de Mayo
The Plaza de Mayo, or May Square, is an historical landmark next to the Pink House. It is named after the May Revolution of May 25, 1810, which started Argentina’s independence from Spain. This historical square, the oldest in Buenos Aires, is home to lots of political activity. Eva Peron, Argentina’s former First Lady, made speeches to the nation here.
Many interesting buildings surround the square. The Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis (an Argentinian) once conducted mass, the Correo Argentino—the national post office—and Argentina’s national bank.
Caminito
Caminito is an historic street in the La Boca neighbourhood that bursts with color. All of the buildings are painted in various bright colors. During its construction, the painters could only afford enough to pain small sections of the buildings, resulting in patches of different colors.
Nowadays, as to preserve the cultural significance, there is an ordinance declaring that all buildings in the area must be painted this way. There are lots of sculptures of people arranged around the community, as colorful as the buildings themselves.
Recoleta
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, nestled in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta neighborhood, stands as a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. Its grand white façade and ornate interiors will captivate you. The surrounding Recoleta gardens and sights can fill hours of wandering.
Gran Gomero
In 1791, a rubber tree was planted in the Recoleta District. Now referred to as the Gran Gomero, it is the oldest tree in Buenos Aires! It is 164 feet (50 meters wide) and 65 feet (20 meters) tall, and a sight to behold. Its roots are exposed from the ground, and its swirling branches almost touch the ground.
We ate lunch at the La Biela Cafe nearby, which is also antique at over one hundred years old.
Floralis Generica
Floralis Generica, a stunning aluminum flower, sits in a park in Recoleta. It was given as a gift to the city by Eduardo Catalano, an architect, in 2002. This structure even moves with the sun, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. It is not a specific flower, but instead represents all flower species in the world.
During a recent storm, one petal fell off while another bent out of place. But it does not make the shiny structure any less beautiful.
Other sights to see if you have time:
- Parque Centenario – offers lush green spaces, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions, providing a vibrant oasis in the city.
- Recoleta Cemetery – a maze of ornate mausoleums and burial sites, housing the graves of notable figures including Eva Perón.
- Teatro Colón – one of the world’s finest opera houses, renowned for its stunning architecture and world-class performances. Take in a show here in the evening if you have the time / energy.
- Palermo Soho – a trendy neighborhood known for its hip boutiques, street art, and vibrant nightlife.
- El Ateneo Grand Splendid – a breathtaking bookstore housed in a former theater, featuring ornate décor and a vast selection of books.
- Puerto Madero – a revitalized waterfront district with modern architecture, upscale restaurants, and scenic walking paths.
- Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Argentina’s premier art museum, showcasing an extensive collection of European and Argentine artwork.
- San Telmo Market – a bustling market in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo, offering antiques, crafts, and local food specialties.
Teatro Astor Piazzolla
Buenos Aires is well-known for the tango dance that originated there. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and dazzling tango show at Teatro Astor Piazzolla. The architecture was awe-inspiring, reminding us of a royal palace. We had our own private booth, fine dining to ourselves – the food was incredible.
A little while later, the show began. The dancers were extremely talented, and the singers were mesmerizing. We would highly recommend for both the food and the entertainment!
2 Days in Buenos Aires
On your second day in Buenos Aires, take a tour out to the Tigre Delta. An enchanting network of rivers and islands located just outside Buenos Aires, it is a magical place to visit on day 2 of your time in Buenos Aires. You’ll end your time in the city with a fantastic Asado dinner, where you will learn about the food traditions of Argentina, and dine like a king.
Once again, we chose to take a tour to get to the Tigre Delta, this allowed us to learn from the guide and be transported from our hotel.
Tigre Delta
This vibrant city was mistakenly named ‘Tigre’ when Spanish explorers were hunting a jaguar and mistakenly labeled it as a tiger. Today, it is packed with markets, playgrounds, and waterslides.
It’s also home to one of the world’s largest deltas, which includes a very unique community. Outside the city, houses lines interconnecting rivers. Residents raise flags on their docks, indicating when they need groceries. Supermarket boats will stop by at this signal. Also, they will put trash bags on their docks, and they will be picked up by the trash boats. This town on water was quite fascinating to learn about.
Foodie Experiences – Asado
Asado, a cornerstone of Argentine culture, transcends mere grilling; it’s a social event lasting two to eight hours, fostering bonds among family and friends. Echoing in various forms across South America, each region adds its unique flair: Chile roasts whole lambs, Brazil embraces skewers, while Uruguay eschews charcoal. The grill remains open in Argentina, a testament to the unhurried pace of this cherished tradition.
Asado isn’t just about the meat; it’s a way of life, embodying the warmth, camaraderie, and pride of a vibrant culture. Our time at The Asado Experience in Buenos Aires, run by women, was one of the best foodie experiences we have ever had while traveling.
It was a great way to end our 2 days in Buenos Aires, and would recommend it to anyone.
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