Buenos Aires is a huge, busy, and colorful city. It is called the 'Paris of the South' due to its architecture, so the best way to get to know the city is to wander as much as possible.
In this post, we are going to talk about everything you need to know to build your route through Buenos Aires in one day, how to get around the city, where to buy the passes you need, and what to do if you stay more days in the 'big capital' (all with maps and routes included).
With each city, we try to make a map to show the route, and a bucket list so you can mark the places where you have been, we also present the most essential city facts and the city's history. You can find that and more on our social networks.
How to move around Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires is the only city that has a metro in the whole country. It is a good means of transportation to move quickly around the city, although I recommend the train or the bus (colectivo according to the locals) more for safety reasons and because whenever I travel I prefer to move through the streets than the enclosed underground. But it is a matter of taste.
Everything works with the same card, the Sube. In this other entry, I explain how to get around Argentina (tip: the Sube works in other cities as well). But, if you are not from the country, can you buy the Sube? Yeah.
You must go near a station, I bought it outside the Pilar train station. But if you ask others, they will tell you where you can buy one (in the metro ones too). You must pay for the card (they ask for your identity document to buy it) and then you can load it with the trips you need. The price of the card is about 500 pesos and from there the trips you need, the price also depends on the area (it varies from 35 to 50 pesos).
What to see in Buenos Aires?
To be able to see the capital in one day, you must prepare and plan your entire tour very well so as not to miss anything. That is why we have divided our tour into three parts or zones. Depending on the time and your priorities, you can shorten one of these three routes (at the end you have my recommendations in case you have a bit of time to spare and all the links to purchase tickets).
First route
This first part begins in the Palermo neighborhood, a very nice place to take a walk while you visit the following points: the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Recoleta cemetery.
El Rosedal is a garden of more than 3 hectares and has around 18,000 rose bushes inside. We can also find the patio of the busts, a Greek bridge, and an Andalusian patio (this is usually not very crowded, which makes it ideal for relaxing). It is closed on Mondays and its hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
The 5-hectare Japanese Garden is the largest outside of Japan. It was inaugurated in 1967. We can highlight its peace and harmony. There are usually a lot of people, so we recommend going on time or early. It opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and its entrance costs 690 pesos.
The Recoleta Cemetery, inaugurated in 1822, is one of the busiest spaces in the city, we will tell you why. It is the cemetery of the wealthy families of the city, it has a Greek inspiration and inside you will find mausoleums and vaults that make you walk through the middle of an open-air museum. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Second route
Leaving Recoleta, we will head to the coastal part of the city. There we will see the Costanera Sur and the Puente de la Mujer.
The Costanera Sur is the old coastal promenade before the city's port was renovated. It used to be a spa. Today it is a perfect place to walk, and we find many food stalls for those with more appetites.
Walking through the old bridge, we can see the Puente de la Mujer. It was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2001. It represents the figure of a couple of dancing tango (the national dance). It is a mobile bridge about 170 meters long and 39 meters high.
Leaving behind the neighborhood of Puerto Madero, which if you have time is recommended to walk through it, we will enter the city again, this time through Plaza de Mayo.
The Plaza de Mayo is perhaps the most important square in Argentina since the revolutionary process for the country's independence began there. It was also used as a site for justice, religion, leisure, and administration. In conclusion, it is a square with a lot of relevance in the city. In its surroundings, we find the Cabildo, the Casa Rosada, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
The last point of this tour is the Obelisk, one of the most emblematic points of the city. Built-in 1936, it is 67.5 meters high. The monument has various inscriptions on its sides. It is also a concentration site for celebrations and demonstrations.
Curiosity: in that area, there used to be a church that had to be demolished to create Avenida 9 de Julio. In that church, the flag of Argentina was raised for the first time in the city of Buenos Aires.
Third route
The same street that crosses the Obelisk is Avenida 9 de Julio, our first stop on this third tour.
The Avenue is known for being the widest in the world, it is also the main artery of the city. Its name commemorates the declaration of independence, it was built in 1980.
From there, we will visit the Teatro de Colón and the Ateneo Grand Splendid.
The Teatro de Colón has the best acoustic room for opera in the world and is one of the most important on the planet. It was built in 1908.
The Ateneo Grand Splendid is the most important bookstore in the country. It opened in the year 2000 and is located inside a theater and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Other recommendations
If you have more time in the capital, here are my three recommendations:
- Caminito. The La Boca neighborhood is one of the most famous in the city. But it is a bit far from the center, that is why we put it in this section. But if you have plenty of time, even if it's an hour in this city, we recommend it. The neighborhood of colors, tango, and with the most popular alley: Caminito. The Bombonera stadium is also there.
- San Telmo Market. This market still preserves the old shops. You can find antique, meat or vegetable shops.
- Palace of Barolo. It is a 22-story building inaugurated in 1923. This place has various references to the Divine Comedy. Do you want us to make an entry explaining the history of the most famous buildings in Buenos Aires?
- Tigre. This town next to the city is famous for its proximity to the river, delta, and marshes. It is very curious to see and perfect to rest from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Links:
Japanese garden
Colón theater
This is our guide to Buenos Aires, it can be done in a day or two. Knowing everything there is to do in Argentina, we wouldn't spend much more time in the capital either, since, in my opinion, what is essential in this country are the great landscapes.
If you liked this entry, we remind you that we are traveling throughout Argentina, so there will be many more. Do you recommend any other sites? Where should we go now?
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