Buenos Aires; tango, wine and more
Buenos Aires, Argentina; is known as the “Paris of South America”. Seductive and cultured, diverse but with a strong identity, it never bores, hardly sleeps and inevitably mesmerizes its visitors. If it's your first time visiting the city, don't fret! I've got you covered.
Buenos Aires
Image Source: aberdinangus.com
Tango
Street tango, which you will find walking through San Telmo, Palermo and Recoleta on any given day, gathers crowds of amateur and professional artists, who take to the streets to honour this cultural tradition. For the best Tango shows, book a "cena show" which basically means dinner and show at El Viejo Almacen, La Esquina Carlos Gardel, or La Ventana.
Museo Evita
Argentina is known as the home of Eva Perón or Evita, and this museum explores Evita’s life from childhood through her career as an actress, onto her role as the First Lady and ultimately, ending with her death. This museum will leave you with an appreciation and understanding as to why she is such a significant figure to the Argentine people.
Once you've explored the museum, be sure to have lunch in the museum's courtyard.
Caminito
In, La Boca neighbourhood, the Caminito is a street just 100 metres long, which ends at one of the city’s river basins. This open-air museum, close to the Bombonera football stadium, is lined with traditional houses of the fishermen who migrated to La Boca, painted in different, eye-catching colours. Locals say that fishermen would use the paint left over from their boats to paint their houses, which is why the Caminito is so remarkable. Careful with pick-pocketers here. My advice is to take an Uber here or ask your hotel for a driver.
Football
It wouldn't be a lie to say that Argentine's view football as a religion – saying no trip to the country is complete without attending a match, wouldn't be an exaggeration, especially at either River Plate or Boca Juniors stadium. For the best experience, try to catch a match between the city’s two rival teams, River Plate and Boca, but plan ahead because tickets can be hard to get your hands on. My advice is to do this is as a guided tour as some matches can get dangerous with die-hard fans of rival teams going head to head.
Asado
The local answer to the barbecue, and inseparable from Argentinidad (the national identity). Whether you’re dining on prime cuts in a swanky Buenos Aires parrilla or digging into a sizzling table top grill in a family-style bistro, you’re bound to get your fill of Argentina’s most famous food. Don't go without ordering: chorizo, morcilla and tira de asado. My top picks are Don Julio, Cabana Las Lilas, and Miranda.
San Telmo
Take a stroll down the cobbled streets of this bohemian neighbourhood full of tango bars and antique shops. My favourite Sunday afternoon pass time, through the warmer months you'll find the streets lined with markets stalls, selling everything from antiques, records, leather goods and beyond. The walls in San Telmo are painted with murals of Argentina's greats, think Maradona, Che Guevara etc. which makes for great photo ops.
La Recoleta cemetery
Kinda morbid for me to recommend a cemetery for a visit whilst you're on holidays but this cemetery is the prestigious resting place of Argentina’s great and good – where Evita rests– this cemetery is one of the most visited attractions in Buenos Aires. Located in a high-class, fashionable neighbourhood, lined with various boutiques, cafes, and galleries. There is also a street fair every weekend. As a central location in the city, it’s a great area to check out and explore while catching your breath.
Bars
Its no secret that I'm a huge fan of eating raw fish. So it should come as no surprise that I'm going to mention a "Cebicheria" (which is basically an appetizer of small pieces of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice). My go-to place in Buenos Aires is La Mar Cebicheria They serve the freshest sashimi platters, sushi, cebiche (of course) and typical Peruvian dishes all served tapas style and an endless list of reds and whites. Book in advance otherwise expect a long wait. Stay here til late and enjoy the atmosphere. I should also mention dinner in Argentina is usually served between 9 and 11pm. If you want to keep to your routine, not to worry, restaurants open early for the tourists.
Next door to La Mar in Palermo Hollywood, is Uptown. Head down the stairs and you’ll see signs for Uptown & The Bronx and the same familiar subway tiles and ads on the wall that you'd see in NYC. Enter through the turnstile and get on the train. At this point, you’ll probably want to stop and take some cool photos for your Instagram before you press the green button to get off the train and enter the impressive bar area with graffiti sprayed walls and a stylish lounge area done out like a pharmacy. Epic!
Cocktail drinkers and burger aficionados, Pony Line might just be your dream spot. Hop up to the elegant bar at this trendy lounge for some of the best mixed drinks in the city. Inspired by polo and its lifestyle, it combines the sophistication of the city with the elegance and the casual vibes of this sport.
Alvear Roof Bar is a luxurious rooftop bar in Buenos Aires with a fantastic view over the city. The roof bar is high up on the 11th floor of the Alvear Palace Hotel. Service is out of this world and the skyline views of Buenos Aires will blow your mind away. One of the best views you can get from a bar in BA. If you like fancy cocktails in a luxurious environment, this is a perfect rooftop bar in Buenos Aires to visit.
Casa Cruz is one of the hottest restaurants in Buenos Aires and a predictable feeding ground for visiting celebrities. Without a proper sign, dapper locals and their guests flock to shiny bronze doors opening to the supper-club style space. Order the Cruz 2.0 cocktail and indulge in the king crab ravioli with pink grapefruit, nori and coconut cream. Not short on sex appeal and glamour, this place definitely hits the mark! Bookings essential.
Hip and exclusive, Bar Isabel is a MUST. You'll need to dress the part to get past the rather strict door staff, but it'll be worth it. The bar serves some seriously good martinis, sip your drink in the white-walled, jasmine scented courtyard before heading inside for some bar snacks. I should point out drinks are paid for via special tokens, much like casino chips and the whole place exudes a seductive after hours glamour.
Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood offer countless nightlife options, but don’t be afraid to venture further. San Telmo has plenty to offer at night, as does the vibey Las Cañitas. For a bigger night, head to one of the superclubs on the Costanera Norte, such as Terrazas del Este or Pacha.
Tips
My biggest travel tip for visitors is to never pull out a map on the streets. If you are lost, either use a phone or a GuiaTe, which is a pocket guide of all the bus routes that you can buy at any newspaper kiosk in Buenos Aires. Thieves will sometimes watch for people who check maps or look lost and follow them until they can rob them. Also, always protect your belongings, especially if someone approaches you, even if it’s just for what seems like a friendly conversation.
The Argentine currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS) I recommend you exchange money at the airport or before you leave your country.
I don't recommend you renting a car, the city has chaotic traffic and parking is not very easy.
Enjoy my motherland x
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