Whether you’re visiting Buenos Aires or hosting friends for a bit, it can be tricky to pack the best of this city into just ten days.
I took up the task in April when my mom and stepdad came to visit. I wanted to show them how much I love Buenos Aires and why they should love it, too. Mission accomplished — thanks to plenty of crowdsourcing and planning. Following is a compilation of all our favorite activities and day trips.
Check off the list of must-sees
There is a handful of places in Buenos Aires that can’t be missed. Check out the post on my first favorites in the city for all of the travel guide go-tos (plus one shuttered cafe that I just can’t seem to shake).
See a show at Teatro Colón
We went for a ballet performance, opting for the cheaper tickets that gave us a fuller view of the theater (even though the ballerinas’ faces were all a blur). Be sure to take the hour-long tour before booking the evening show. You’ll gain a much fuller understanding of the theater’s architectural features, so bonus: You can point to a light fixture and give the guy sitting next to you a 15-minute history lesson on its origin and importance. You’ll be the belle of the ballet.
Take a ferry to Colonia
Colonia del Sacramento is the cutest colonial town this side of the Atlantic. I wrote an overview for The Bubble of all the best places to eat, drink and be relaxed in this riverside city. My parents and I stayed in an Airbnb with a roomy terrace, perfect for reclining in the shade while sipping on wine.
Stop by Casa Rosada
Pay a visit to the Argentine executive office, where President Mauricio Macri carries out his daily tasks before heading home to a mansion north of the city center. (Can I just say the most noteworthy part of this sentence is that I spelled Macri’s name correctly before checking it on Google?) And while you’re in the neighborhood…
Climb up Palacio Barolo
This 22-story office building pays homage to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, with each floor representing a different step toward heaven (which turns out to have a sweeping view of Plaza de Congreso and the city surrounding it). Thanks to guided tours throughout the day, you’ll receive an overview of the century-old building’s history and architecture, including its bizarre cupola at the pinnacle.
Watch a professional tango show
When my parents asked to do this, I thought it sounds cheesy but agreed to check it out. In the end, we really enjoyed Complejo Tango, an unfussy show with the options of a pre-performance dance class and dinner. The dancers take you through each decade in tango, from its desirous origins to current complexity.
As a more active alternative, La Catedral is a milonga dance club with a grittier, more relaxed vibe. I went with friends and ended up on the floor with a very talented dancer. Tip (on what I’d unknowingly done that night): Make eye contact from across the room to indicate that you would like to dance.
Tour the delta in Tigre
I’ve been to Tigre a few times, and I still enjoy the slow-paced, breezy vibes of this little city just north of Buenos Aires. I wrote an article on what to do while visiting Tigre for The Bubble, but I’ll reiterate here that you must try the ice cream at Vía Toscana Heladeria Artesanal. The mom-and-pop shop is owned by a warm young couple who must be mixing magic into their cones; Vía Toscana is easily my favorite place to get ice cream in a city filled with delicious ice cream.
Walk everywhere
My parents are both in their 60s, yet just like these ducks in el Rosedal de Palermo, we three waddled all over the city. I’m a firm believer in random exploration, so during your stay (or your friends’ or family’s stay), pocket your Google Maps and wander a bit. Let me know what you find.
