Buenos Aires Itinerary : 10 Unmissable Things To Do In 3 Days

(This article has affiliate links to products which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.)

Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina is known for it’s rich culture and European architectures. With tons of amazing things to do and see, Buenos Aires is a must visit for city lovers. Lets discover all the unmissable things to do in Buenos Aires through this 3 day itinerary.

Buenos Aires is an incredible cosmopolitan city that has something for all it’s travelers. This city is a beautiful fusion of European and South American culture. Boutique style restaurants and cafes, vibrant nightlife, rich cultural heritage, stunning parks, incredible food, beautiful architectures and of course the Tango makes Buenos Aires a city unlike anywhere else.

Scroll down to explore Buenos Aires through our perfect 3 day itinerary. We have included some more general information including best ways to get around, where to stay and some day trips ideas in case you are planning to spend more than 3 days in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires Itinerary : 3 Days in Buenos Aires

Day 1 : Explore the historical landmarks and San Telmo

Start your Buenos Aires trip with a visit to the well known historical and cultural landmarks located in Plaza de Mayo. Interestingly, Buenos Aires city is famously known as the Paris of South America due to it’s impressive European style architectures and buildings.

Morning – Afternoon

Plaza de Mayo

Located in the heart of Buenos Aires, Plaza de Mayo showcases incredible historical structures. It is home to the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada, Old City Hall (Cabildo), Pirámide de Mayo, the Obelisco and more. This central square founded in the 16th century has witnessed protests, celebrations, significant events and many political gatherings throughout the years.

Casa Rosada

Casa Rosada has been serving as the presidential palace since 1860. Guided tours are available to take you around the public accessible areas in Casa Rosada.

Pirámide de Mayo

Pirámide de Mayo is an obelisk structure located right at the center of Plaza de Mayo. This structure, built in 1811, signifies the city’s independence from Spain.

Teatro Colón

The prestigious Teatro Colón is the main opera house in Buenos Aires. This theater is one of the best architectural sites that you would see in the city. Teatro Colón has staged numerous theatrical shows including operas, ballets and classical musical concerts.

Obelisco

The Obelisco is a national historic monument built in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the city. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Buenos Aires and a must visit.

Evening – Night

San Telmo

San Telmo is one of the oldest and most lively neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. The cobbled-stone streets of San Telmo are filled with colonial architectures, graffiti arts, tango bars, boutique stores and old churches.

Take a stop at Plaza Dorrego, the central square of San Telmo and have a drink or snack at one of the cafes while watching an impromptu live tango show.

A tour of El Zanjon, the most important archaeological site in Buenos Aires would take you through a historical tunnel which was once home to countless immigrant families. This underground maze has many fascinating antiques and historical objects that were discovered years later when a new buyer had purchased this property.

San Telmo also holds a special Sunday flea market, when the streets gets lined up with beautiful artifacts, antiques, handicrafts and more. Many musicians and tango dancers too take over the streets. This market is a fiesta for treasure hunters, artists and antique lovers.

If you are interested in the Argentinian history, a visit to the National Historical Museum which is located near San Telmo would also be one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires.

Traveler Tip : A guided city tour would be a great way to explore the historical landmarks and San Telmo in Buenos Aires. You can check out this tour here.

Day 2 : Visit the La Recoleta Cemetery and La Boca neighborhood

Morning

La Recoleta Cemetery

In Buenos Aires, you simply cannot miss out visiting the La Recoleta Cemetery. This cemetery is ranked as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It has graves of many well known personalities of Argentina including presidents, football players, artists, politicians, national heroes, Nobel prize winners and celebrities. The graves are decorated with statues, in a variety of architectural styles such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic. The La Recoleta Cemetery is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

Opening Hours : 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Traveler Tip : Entrance to La Recoleta Cemetery is free. Taking a guided tour for the cemetery would be good if you want to know more about the mausoleums of the famous personalities.

Afternoon – Evening

Discover the La Boca neighborhood

Visiting the most vibrant and colorful area, Caminito Street in La Boca is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Buenos Aires. It’s a very picturesque area where you would find lots of street arts, radiant houses, museums, and some impromptu tango performances. It is also home to Argentina’s famous stadium named Boca Juniors football stadium.

Taking a guided tour for La Boca is highly recommended for saving your time as the guide would be taking you to the tourist spots only. It’s a safer option too.

Traveler’s Tip : It’s advisable to explore the La Boca area during the day for safety reasons. This place is like any crowded touristy area where you need to be extra careful of pickpockets. Also try not to show up any valuable items.

Night

Attend a Tango Show or go on an Argentinian Gastronomical tour

Your holiday in Buenos Aires won’t be complete without enjoying a Tango show at one of it’s classical theaters. Learning basics of Tango in a 30 minute class before the show would make it all the more fun. Check out the details for this show here, book it and get ready to put on your dancing shoes. Adding more to your evening, you can opt in for a 3-course dinner with unlimited drinks served after the show.

If you are a foodie and Argentinian food is something that intrigues you more apart from Tango, go for a gastronomical dinner tour. Through this tour you could savor on Argentina’s best steak, desserts and wine tastings. You may also choose to learn how to cook and get your hands on some of the famous Argentinian recipes.

Day 3 : Make a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts and wander around Palermo Soho

Morning

National Museum of Fine Arts

A visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts is a must on any Buenos Aires itinerary. This museum holds one of the best and biggest collections of art in South America. It showcases paintings of very well known local as well as international artists. Some of the art works also display culture, history, traditions and lifestyles of Argentinians. Not only historical or medieval, you will also find 20th century art collections on one of it’s floors. This museum is very well worthy of your time.

Opening Hours : Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM and on weekends from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Entrance Fee : Free

Afternoon – Evening

Palermo Soho

Palermo is a very trendy and beautiful neighborhood in Buenos Aires. There are many cool cafes, bars, boutique stores, colorful alleys, parks and galleries you can visit through it’s streets. Try out the best Parrilla (Argentine Barbecue) in Buenos Aires served at La Cabrera or munch on the best burgers served at the Burger Joint for lunch.

Further take a graffiti tour and admire the amazing art and murals at the streets of Palermo.

Also make a visit to Bosques de Palermo, one of the most beautiful and relaxing parks in Buenos Aires. This park has many picturesque lakes, flowerbeds and walkways.

Jardin Japones, a one of it’s kind largest Japanese garden outside Japan is also a very scenic park. It features a collection of bonsai trees, Japanese flora, central lake crossed by the Divine bridge, a Japanese restaurant, granite sculptures and a cultural center.

El Rosedal is another beautiful park in Palermo where you can spend a peaceful evening. This park having 20,000 rose bushes of over 1000 varieties has been declared as the Cultural Heritage of Buenos Aires.

General Information on Buenos Aires

Where To Stay In Buenos Aires?

The Palermo Soho neighborhood is the best area you could pick for your accommodation in Buenos Aires. An easy access to restaurants, cafes, cool nightlife and boutique stores is what makes it perfect. Affordability, sense of safety and comfort are other added perks of staying at Palermo Soho. Check out some of our highly recommended hotels in Buenos Aires;

Budget Stay (Under $50): Selina Palermo boasts beautiful rooms, a rooftop bar with great views of the city, children’s playground and stylish interiors. Continental and à la carte breakfast options are also available every morning at the accommodation. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

Mid Range Hotel ($50-$120): Vain Boutique Hotel is an upscale boutique hotel having spacious rooms, great vibes, boutique styled interiors and top class amenities. This will have you conveniently close to the best gardens, restaurants, bars and shopping outlets in Buenos Aires. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

Luxury ($120+) : BE Jardin Escondido By Coppola is a stylish and beautifully designed hotel boasting world class facilities. Staying at this hotel is all about luxury. Francis Ford Coppola is one of the property’s traditional guests. Click here to book this hotel or to check its availability.

How To Get Around In Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires has a well integrated metro system that makes transportation very convenient and reliable. You will have to purchase a SUBE card to access the public buses and metro trains. The SUBE cards are easily available at convenience stores and the metro stations. Taxis are another convenient option and are easily available on the streets. Alternatively you can also hire Uber cabs through it’s mobile application.

Hop On and Hop Off bus is another easy way to explore all the attractions in Buenos Aires. It allows 24 to 48 hours of unlimited travel on it’s bus tours making your journeys all the more convenient.

Some Cool Day Trip Ideas From and within Buenos Aires

There are many adventurous and exciting day trips that you can take while you are in Buenos Aires. If you happened to have another day in this beautiful city, here are some other amazing things to add to your Buenos Aires itinerary;

• Take a tour to one of the prettiest towns San Antonio de Areco, located 113 km northwest of Buenos Aires. The highly trained gauchos, cultural folklore, horse riding and a delicious traditional barbecue would be keeping you entertained for the day. Click here to check out this wonderful tour.
• Take a day trip to the breathtakingly beautiful Iguazu Falls. Click here to check out this tour.
• A cruise trip to the city Tigre, a water oasis with beautiful coastline and cool attractions would be worth including in your Buenos Aires itinerary. Check out this tour here.
• Enjoy a live Argentinian football match at one of the stadiums in Buenos Aires.

This rounds up our Buenos Aires itinerary for you. Plan your trip according to this Buenos Aires 3 Day itinerary and make the most out of your visit. Rest assured, the charm of this wonderful city will stay with you forever.

Click on any of the images below to save it on your Pinterest account for reference;