48 hours in Buenos Aires – Weekend Edition
Buenos Aires In Less Than 48 Words
Buenos Aires, with its buzzing nightlife, grand cafes, wide halls, and modern buildings, is rightly called the “Paris of South America.” Indeed, it is perhaps the most European city in Latin America, with the majority of its population being of Spanish, Portuguese, and French descent.
Plaza de Mayo (Photo by Paula)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the multicultural city of Buenos Aires via the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, which is located 42 kilometers west of the city center. From there, you can catch a Manuel Tienda León bus that will take you to the Plaza San Martin in downtown Buenos Aires. The journey will cost you around ARS18. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a licensed taxi from the kiosks outside the terminal, although this will cost you between ARS30 to 40.
Howard Johnson Hotel Boutique Recoleta (Photo from Google images)
Buenos Aires is among the largest cities in Latin America, but it is surprisingly easy to navigate, especially with its well-planned grid system and efficient public transportation. However, it is still advisable to head to its main tourist office, Centro de Informacion Turistica (Avenida Diagonal Roque Saenz Pena cor. Calle Avenida Florida, 00 54 11 4311 0528, website) and collect necessary tourist information. It is open during Mondays to Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Buenos Aires’ hotels
You can arrange your stay for your 48 hour visit to Buenos Aires at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Howard Johnson Hotel Boutique Recoleta (Pena 2049, C1126ABA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, (0)11 4800 1992, website). It is an upscale hotel located at a convenient location near tourist attractions, and offers modern rooms, delicious breakfast, and excellent staff.
You can also try out the Hotel Boutique Raco de Buenos Aires (Yapeyu 271, Buenos Aires 1202, +54 1135306075, website), which is a boutique hotel with a welcoming staff, spacious rooms, and beautiful décor. A nice alternative is The Glu Hotel (Godoy Cruz 1733, Buenos Aires 1414, +54 1148314646, website). It is a boutique hotel with elegant décor, modern amenities, and outstanding service.
TORRE MONUMENTAL: Let’s take a view
Perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks in Buenos Aires is the Torre Monumental (Av. Libertador 49, 11/4311-0186, website), which is also known as the British Clock Tower. Locals call it the “Argentine Big Ben,” as it is an Elizabethan-style clock tower given as a gift by the city’s British community to commemorate the first centennial of the 1810 May Revolution. It stands at a height of 75.50 meters, and is topped by a copper-roofed cupola. However, the highlight of a visit there is riding the elevator to its top floor for sweeping views of the cityscape. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm, and admission is free.
Torre Monumental (Photo by Juan Pablo)
PLAZA DE MAYO: Have a cultural hike
One of Buenos Aires’ most historical places is the Plaza de Mayo, which is located in the city’s downtown area, flanked by the Yrigoyen, San Martín, Rivadavia, and Balcarce streets. It was established in 1580 by Juan de Garay, and today it serves as the city’s political heart, often becoming the site of protests and demonstrations. The plaza is also the site of numerous historical monuments and buildings, which provide a glimpse into the city’s architectural past.
Among these, the most prominent is the Cabildo (Rivadavia, Bolívar 65, 11/4334-178), which is also known as the Old City Hall. Built in 1751, it has served as the city’s administrative center during the era of Spanish occupation. It is a typical colonial-style building, and is the plaza’s oldest colonial structure.
You can watch the changing of the guard there, or go inside and explore a small museum that features colonial paintings, furniture, and artifacts. You can also climb up to its ledges, where you’ll have nice views of the plaza, or visit the crafts fair that is held at its back patio on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 6 pm. The site itself is open during Tuesdays to Fridays from 12:30 pm to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Metropolitan Cathedral (Photo by Ryan Thompson)
Another attraction in the plaza is the Metropolitan Cathedral (Rivadavia, San Martín, 11/4331-2845), a church dating back to 1745. It has a Greek-revival style of architecture, and has a distinctive dome and colonnade. Inside, you’ll find the mausoleum of General José de San Martín, who is considered as the “Father of the Nation.” You can also see the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” at the church, which has an Eternal Flame burning in front of it.
ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN: See wildlife
Animal lovers will definitely enjoy a visit to the Buenos Aires City Zoo (Av. Las Heras, Plaza Italia, Buenos Aires, 11/4806-7412), which is among the city’s foremost zoological gardens. Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of fauna, such as monkeys, birds, giant turtles, llamas, polar bears, and birds. Some of them are housed in specially-designed cages, for example, lions kept in a castle complex, kangaroos in aboriginal homes, and camels in Moroccan buildings. You’ll also see a lake filled with pink flamingoes, a jungle habitat with giant bugs and plants, and the “Elephant House,” which is a makeshift Indian temple overgrown with vines which is a sanctuary for elephants. The site is open during Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 8 pm, and admission will cost you ARS4.50.
DINNER TIME: Discover Buenos Aires’ restaurants
Dishes of La Cabrera Norte (Photo by schleppys)
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the La Cabrera Norte (Jose Antonio Cabrera 5127, | Palermo Viejo, Buenos Aires C14BGS, 4832-5754, website), which serves delicious local fare, steaks, and provides excellent service. A nice alternative is La Cabana (Rodriguez Pena 1967 – Recoleta, Buenos Aires C1021 ABO, +54 11 4814 0001), which is a steakhouse specializing in the Argentinean cuisine.
Have a taste of Italy in Buenos Aires at Amici Miei (Defensa 1072 1o piso Plaza Dorrego, Buenos Aires, 4362-5562), which offers an authentic Italian cuisine, and is known for its pizzas and pasta. You can also try out Oviedo (Beruti 2602 and Ecuador, El Centro, Buenos Aires, 11/4821-3741), a Spanish restaurant noted for its delicious seafood delicacies.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Buenos Aires’ other tourist attractions during the next 24 hours in the city. One of the must-sees there is the Museo Evita (Gutierrez, Calle Lafinur 2988, 11/4807-9433, website), a museum dedicated to one of the most famous Argentines, Eva Peron. It was opened in 2002, and features exhibits that chronicle her life from childhood to her death, as well as some of her earthly possessions, such as her voting card. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you ARS3.50.
Museo Evita (Photo by Víctor Santa María)
RECOLETA CEMETERY: Visit Argentina’s most famous people
You can pay your respects to Argentina’s wealthiest and most important figures by visiting the Recoleta Cemetery (Plaza Francesa, Calle Junín 1790, 11/4804-7040). It was established in 1822, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in the city. The complex covers an area of around four city blocks, and is home to 6,400 mausoleums of a variety of architectural styles.
Perhaps the most popular tomb for visitors is that of Eva Peron, where her body is interred 8.1 meters underground in a concrete vault. You can also see the mausoleum of the Paz family, a black stone tomb flanked by angels carved out of white marble and dressed in unique costumes. You’ll also see the lavish tomb of Rufina Cambaceres, who was accidentally buried alive during the 1900s. As if to make up for the mistake, her mausoleum was built in an impressive Art Nouveau style, with glass walls and a sculpture of the girl. The site is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, and entrance is free.
Recoleta Cemetery (Photo by Roland Ellison)
TEATRO COLON: Have a cultural experience
You can have a cultural experience by visiting the Teatro Colón (Calle Libertad 621, Buenos Aires, 11/4378-7132, website). It is a luxurious opera house regarded as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and features a unique architectural style fusing a variety of European styles. It dates back to 1908, and has a main theater with a seating capacity of 3,000. The site is renowned for its excellent acoustics, and regularly sees performances from opera, ballet, orchestra, and choir companies – both local and foreign. You can arrange a tour of the theater for ARS2.50, and you can buy tickets at its ticket office if you want to watch a show.
SAN TELMO MARKET: Go on a shopping trip
If you’re into shopping, or are in need of souvenirs, you can head on to the San Telmo Market (Carlos Calvo, 961 Defensa). It is one of the city’s most popular markets, and was established way back in 1897. The market has a very vibrant atmosphere, and is home to stalls of different kinds and sizes – butcher shops, vegetable vendors, fruit peddlers, household item shops, and many more. You’ll also find numerous antique and traditional craft/clothing shops there. The site is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.
San Telmo Market (Photo by Christian Haugen)
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Buenos Aires’ vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Buenos Aires’ bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is the Gran Bar Danzon (Libertad y Santa F Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, (00 54 11) 4811 1108, website). It is a bar/restaurant with a contemporary New York setting, with creative cocktails and delicious sushi.
You can also try out Mundo Bizarro (Serrano 1222 Palermo, Buenos Aires, 4773-1967, website), which is a bar/restaurant known for its classic cocktails, flirtatious atmosphere, and delicious American fare. A nice alternative is the Casa Bar (1150 Rodriguez Pena, Buenos Aires, 1020, +54 4816-2712, website). It is a stylish bar set in a French Second Empire-style house, with a wide variety of excellent cocktails and beers.
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