A guide to 24 hours in Buenos Aires

A guide to 24 hours in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires: big, brash and bulging with things to do.

You’ll pass through here on almost any trip to Argentina, and for those short on time, here are some ideas of how to make the most of your visit to the capital – 24 hours in Buenos Aires, for those that don’t sleep!

Based on being there on a Saturday, for the markets, and allow around USD 10 and 30 minutes travel time for most taxi journeys.

It’s impossible to fit everything in, but here are some suggestions for 24 hours in Buenos Aires.

08.00hr

Arrive Retiro bus station on overnight bus, leave your baggage in the luggage lockers.

Catch a Remis (private taxi, available to book and pay in a small office in the bus bays) to Avenida Corrientes.

09.00hr

Breakfast at La Giralda (breakfast), a very typical ‘porteño’ place to eat, on the bustling Avenida. Corrientes 1453.

10.30hr

Take a taxi to the Cemetery of Recoleta, the resting place of many of the country’s famous, including Eva Peron.

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires

It is very compact and very beautiful, based on French and Italian designs imported from 1850 onwards.

11.30hr

Step outside of the cemetery and visit the ‘Feria de Recoleta’ – the flea market (Sats, Suns and Bank Holidays).

Fantastic arts and crafts of the very highest quality, you’ll be sure to find something to take home or gift.

If markets aren’t your thing, try the nearby Fine Arts Museum instead.

13.30hr

Steak time! Ideally, make a reservation here, in advance, at La Cabrera, probably the best meat in town, washed down with Malbec.

Steak, Buenos Aires

15.30hr

Take a taxi La Boca – the iconic neighbourhood next to the river.

The famous Caminata street is full of colourful houses and adorned with art, celebrating everything from the local dock workers to Tango.

Houses here are made mainly of corrugated iron, and get their bright colours from residents who picked up any leftover paint from ships to cover their abodes.

You’ll often see lots of tango live in bars, and on the street, too, plus you can visit Boca Junior’s famous ‘Bombonera’ (chocolate box) stadium.

17.30hr

Taxi to the St Elmo district.

Browse the antiques shops, flea markets and bars. Saturday and Sundays there is a flea market in Plaza Dorrego.

This is the old town of Buenos Aires, and there are often tango shows and dancing aplenty, but you will also likely bump into street gigs or hide yourself away in a beautiful coffee shop or bar.

19.30hr

Taxi to Avenida Corrientes.

Stroll down the famous street, as the bookshops come alive at night. Many residents choose Saturday night to go looking for a new read, so join in this lovely cultural tradition and browse in one of the many on this street.

21.30hr

Tango dinner and show at Carlos Gardel, the most famous Tango singer in the city.

Tango in Buenos Aires

Here you’ll be well fed then entertained by some of the best tango singers and dancers around.

Midnight

The night is all yours! Check into a hotel or, for late nights, head to Lo Del Roberto.

Get there late, this is a place for late night music, which may start as late as 02.00. Packed with locals, this is a small intimate bar where the musicians survive from the money the crown places in their caps after their performance.

04.00hr

Still got some energy? Take a taxi to a ‘Telo’, a love hotel.

Locals head here and book rooms for 2 hours (or more!) as this cramped city often means that romantic encounters are impossible at home.

Palermo has many to choose from – look out for red lights and or book in advance.

08.00hr

Taxi back to Retiro, retrieve your bag.

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