As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is considered by many across the globe as the “Paris of the South”. With stunning architecture and historical landmarks scattered left and right, it’s no wonder why the city remains one of the largest in all of South America.
To get a lay of the land, I recommend one of the free walking tours offered by many companies around the city. They usually have 3-hour tours that cover the north and south sides of Buenos Aires in the morning and afternoon. All of the tours are tip-based, so feel free to pay based upon how you feel the tour went. As my money goes a little further since I exchanged it on the black market, I tipped $150 AR Pesos (~$10 USD), but noticed others tipping between $20 – $100 ARS, so it’s really up to you what you feel is fair.
Teatro Colon
If you only have time for one, I recommend the morning tour at 10:30 AM provided by “Free Walks Buenos Aires”. The tour begins at Teatro Colon and covers landmarks such as the Plaza San Martin, Av. 9 de Julio, and Iglesia del Pilar, among many others. To me, this tour seemed way more enjoyable than a bus tour would have been, and is a great way to get a true feel for the history of the city.
Ending in Cementerio de la Recoleta, you’ll get to learn about and view the final resting place for the world-renowned Evita. Enthralled with some of the largest and most elaborate tombs I have ever seen, this historical site is a must-see landmark when staying in Buenos Aires.
Don Julio
When the tour ends around 1:30 PM, I recommend feasting at one of the finest steak restaurants that Buenos Aires has to offer – Don Julio. If there is anything that Buenos Aires prides itself on, it’s their steak.
Walk into the restaurant, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne while you wait for a table, and then sit down and enjoy some of the finest cuts of meat available. Once again, if you exchanged your money on the black market, you’re looking at prices between $138-200 ARS (~$9-15 USD). Tell me a top steakhouse anywhere in the world with prices like that. With a perfectly cooked cut of steak, a glass of wine, and some fine company, you’ll leave feeling full, relaxed, and ready for a nap.
Head back to your hotel or hostel and take a siesta – you’ve earned it. Then around 6 PM, get up and get ready for a show! Besides steak, the other thing that Argentina truly prides itself on is its love of the music, dancing, and spirit of Tango.
Milonga
Every night of the week across the city there are milongas – places or events where tango is danced. Prices vary from place to place, but my first night at a milonga was about $150 ARS (~$11 USD) and included a one hour tango lesson followed by a two hour show by a 12-piece orchestra. With bottles of wine starting at $80-120 ARS (~$5-9 USD), you can experience an amazing, cultural, and fun-filled night for less than $30 USD. The instructors usually speak both Spanish and English and get you started with steps that will keep you going throughout the night. My first experience with a night at a milonga was truly incredible, which is probably why I did it two other nights while in Buenos Aires.
So there you have it – a day full of historical sites, delicious food, and a dash of culture to top it off. If you’re wondering how to spend a day in Buenos Aires, I can’t think of a better way than the things listed above. Obviously you might want to mix things up and have steak for dinner instead of lunch, or try a night at the Teatro Colon instead of milonga. But if you only have one day in Buenos Aires and the stars align perfectly, go with what I described above and you won’t be disappointed.
