Buenos Aires, Argentina is a sophisticated and complex city that is not easily described. It is lively and fast-paced like surrounding Latin America, and celebrates color, movement, tango, food and hospitality. Yet, it appears very European with grand architecture and its love of arts and culture, and in fact the majority of Portenos (residents of Buenos Aires) are of Italian ethnicity. Despite Buenos Aires’ population of 12 million people, it is a surprisingly easy city to navigate with the help of well-developed public transportation and a plethora of taxis. The city is flat and is surrounded by the river Rio de la Plata, and offers numerous opportunities to those who enjoy sight-seeing by foot.
Along with all the standard attractions of any large city, you will quickly observe Buenos Aires’ unique opportunities. You will find a cafe at practically every corner filled with strong coffee and Portenos engaged in lively debate about politics or philosophy. There is also shopping of every type, from multiple flea markets and antique dealers to exclusive high-end shopping centers. The food of Buenos Aires is incomparable and it is exceedingly difficult to find any bad restaurants. Beef, pasta and red wine abound (in fact in most cases a glass of wine is the cheapest beverage on the menu).
Buenos Aires is divided into multiple distinct neighborhoods, each offering varied appearances and sight seeing opportunities:
Plaza de Mayo includes the beautiful city square, featuring Cabildo de Buenos Aires (the old town hall), the current town hall, and Argentina’s national bank. You will surely not miss seeing the Casa Rosada, as it is the grand pink-colored president’s house. Avenida 9 de Julio is rumored to be the world’s widest avenue with the Obelisco at the center, which is a large statue resembling the Washington Monument.
San Telmo offers a sampling of traditional Spanish colonial architecture and is the oldest residential neighborhood in the city. There are many antique stores and an antique fair every Sunday. The National History Museum is also worth viewing.
La Boca is a colorful Italian suburb with houses brilliantly painted in reds, blues, yellow and green. There is an open-air theater where you can catch impromptu performances, probably of the tango variety. You may also be interested to see La Bombonera soccer stadium, where Argentina’s beloved Boca Juniors play.
The highlight of Retiro is Plaza de San Martin, which is a large green space surrounded by monuments and historic buildings. You can also access Calle Florida, the renowned pedestrian shopping street, including the beautifully ornate and elite shopping mall (Galerias Pacifico). Lavalle street is also nearby, which is also a pedestrian street of restaurants, cafes, and movie theaters.
Recoleta is a wealthy neighborhood of embassies, designer boutiques, and Recoleta Cemetery. The cemetery was built in 1822 and is one of the world’s most impressive cemeteries where Argentina’s Generals, presidents and aristocrats are buried.
Palermo features Parque 3 de Febrero, a massive park with gardens, lakes and forest areas that stretches along the river and is perpetually filled with energy and families enjoying time together. Two smaller gardens are also worth visiting, the Jardin Japones and the Rosedal rose garden. The neighborhood of Palermo is also the site of the Buenos Aires Zoo, the Hipodromo Argentino (a racetrack where you could observe world-renowned jockeys and thoroughbreds), and the Campo Argentino de Polo (which trains some of the world’s best polo players).