Stretching south-to-north along the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires, meaning ‘fair winds’ in Spanish, is one of Latin America’s hottest destinations, which for centuries has been the getaway to Argentina. Elegant, beautiful and full of energy, Buenos Aires surprises its visitors with its contrasts. The stunning European architecture with glass-sheathed skyscrapers shadowing on 19th century Victorian houses on the one hand and the diverse cultural scene with many dance halls, open plazas and ballrooms on the other, all combine to present the elusive spirit of Buenos Aires and its inhabitants.
Tourist Attractions in Buenos Aires
Like every big city, Buenos Aires is loaded with attractions. It is divided into barriors or neighborhoods, each one of them with an important story identifying the spirit and characteristics of its citizens and with something special to offer in terms of attractions.
Some of the best places of interest in Buenos Aires are found in the area known as El Microcentro or the heart of the city. Bustling during the weekdays but quieter on the weekend, the main financial and cultural hub of the city surprises its visitors with its beautiful eclectic architecture, high density of hotels with options for every budget, historic sites, pedestrian areas and wonderful shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities, most within walking distance.
Calle Florida is one of the main pedestrian routes in Microcentro, lined with many cheap-and-expensive shops and cafes. One of the most iconic images of downtown is the Obelisco, looking much like the Washington Monument in D.C., which was erected to commemorate the founding of Buenos Aires. Other sites that are not to be missed in downtown are the beautiful Casa Rosada (Presidential palace), with the famous balcony from which Evita stood before crowds, and the legendary Café Tortoni, which is considered the oldest café in Argentina and is, no doubt, one of the most frequented places by tourists. Also do not miss out to stop by at the Teatro Colon, a huge opera house on the Avenida 9 de Julio, where greats like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo have performed.
Other popular tourist attractions in Buenos Aires include: the Catedral Metopolitana featuring incurable architecture and housing the tomb of General Jose de San Martin, a worshipped hero in Argentina; Cementerio de la Recoleta – the resting place of many Argentine national heroes, sporting greats and writers; Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires – a world-class museum, showcasing the 20th century Latin American art; and Parque Tres de Febrero (Los Bosques de palermo) – a 200-acre park, featuring wooded areas, lakes, a rose garden, a planetarium and a small art museum.
For those interested in the main sites of Buenos Aires, there are a number of tours available, most bus tours, though visitors will also find walking tours of the city with historians, as well as bike tours.
Buenos Aires Cuisine
Buenos Aires is a city that takes dining seriously and it’s no wonder that it’s packed with so many dining venues. Many visitors will agree that a large portion of the Argentine capital’s ability to entice comes down to its awe-inspiring cuisine. Excellent parrillas (Argentine steakhouses) are found everywhere throughout the city, while most of the city’s best restaurant are located in Palermo. Main course usually consist of an asado, a barbecue of high quality beef. The local wine is also good, especially the reds. As to national deserts, they include dulce de leche, a milk jelly, and all other sweets made from dulce de leche.
Shopping and Entertainment
Buenos Aires is a shopper’s and nightlife enthusiast’s dream come true. Shopping malls are a regular attraction and superb shopping venues for not only Portenos, but also for visitors from around the world. Tourists will find a wealth of local treasures in Buenos Aires from designer clothing to tango shoes found in many shops in the zona de calzados, to an assortment of artisan goods found in Florida and Lavalle Streets.
Buenos Aires is also famed for its noisy nightlife with many trendy clubs, fashionable music bars and top-notch dancing clubs, offering shows such as flamenco dances, live acoustic music and folkloric dance shows. In a nutshell, no matter you are looking for designer fashion, exquisite cuisine or thriving nightlife, Argentina’s vibrant capital leaves little room for disappointment.
