Buenos Aires—nicknamed the “Paris of South America”—was built on waves of European immigration, the heartbeat of tango, and a civic spirit shaped in the grand squares of the 19th century. You’ll feel its layers in the neoclassical facades of Plaza de Mayo, the Italianate color of La Boca, and the Belle Époque splendor of Recoleta.

Come hungry. This is the home of the parrilla, where smoky ribeyes meet Malbec, and bakeries turn out honeyed medialunas by the thousands. Between bites, discover world-class museums, football lore, and leafy parks where porteños sip mate and debate politics with friendly fervor.

Practical notes: Ezeiza (EZE) is the main international airport; Aeroparque (AEP) handles many regional and domestic flights. Use a SUBE card for buses and the Subte (subway). Credit cards are widely accepted; carry a bit of cash for markets and taxis. Keep an eye on personal belongings in busy areas, and dress smart-casual at night—porteños do.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a mosaic of neighborhoods. San Telmo swings with antique markets and cobblestones; La Boca splashes you with Caminito color and street performers; Palermo mixes leafy plazas, design shops, and a dynamic dining scene; Recoleta offers grand avenues and a cemetery that reads like an opera of national history.

• Top sights: Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Metropolitan Cathedral, Recoleta Cemetery (Evita’s resting place), Teatro Colón, MALBA, La Boca’s Caminito, Palermo’s Bosques (parks), the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio.
• Signature experiences: a live tango show, a parrilla dinner, a Palermo food tour, and a Tigre Delta boat ride through island communities.
• Where to stay: Recoleta for elegance and centrality, Palermo for nightlife and dining, San Telmo for historic character and Sundays at the market.

Arriving/Getting Around: Most intercontinental flights land at EZE; travel time to central neighborhoods is ~45–75 minutes depending on traffic. From North America, nonstop overnight flights often take 9–13 hours; roundtrip fares commonly range around US$700–1,200 depending on season. Search competitive fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com. AEP (Aeroparque) is ~15–35 minutes from Palermo/Recoleta for many domestic hops.

Where to Book Stays: Browse apartments via VRBO Buenos Aires or hotels on Hotels.com Buenos Aires. Handpicked options:

• Alvear Palace Hotel (Recoleta): Belle Époque icon with white-glove service and a storied afternoon tea.
• Palo Santo Hotel (Palermo Hollywood): A boutique vertical garden hotel near top restaurants and bars.
• Circus Hostel & Hotel (San Telmo): Social vibe, pool, and easy access to the Sunday market.
• Milhouse Hostel Avenue (Monserrat): Budget-friendly and lively, close to the Obelisk and Subte lines.

Day 1: San Telmo Soul, Plaza de Mayo, and a Tango Night

Morning: In transit. Most travelers arrive midday or early afternoon. If you land at EZE, allow ~1–1.5 hours to reach Palermo, Recoleta, or San Telmo. Drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Start with merienda (Buenos Aires’ snack-time ritual). Classic cafés include Café Tortoni (historic stained glass and churros con chocolate), Las Violetas (grand pastries and towering cakes), or Coffee Town inside San Telmo Market for specialty brews. Then stroll Plaza de Mayo: see Casa Rosada’s pink façade, the Cabildo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral where Pope Francis once presided. Continue along Avenida de Mayo for handsome facades and the soaring Obelisk nearby.

Evening: Make your first night a tango immersion in historic San Telmo. Book the show (with or without dinner) at La Ventana—an intimate setting with live orchestra, gaucho folk numbers, and a glamorous stage.

La Ventana Tango Show & Dinner with Optional Classic Bus Ride

If you prefer a parrilla before the show, try Don Julio (book ahead; house-made chorizo and impeccably grilled bife de chorizo), El Preferido de Palermo (pink-corner classic for milanesa and picadas), or Parrilla Peña (old-school, great provoleta). For a nightcap, consider Florería Atlántico (speakeasy behind a florist) or Tres Monos (award-winning cocktails) back in Palermo.

Day 2: Icons of the City, Recoleta, and Palermo Flavors

Morning: Fuel up with a cortado and medialunas at Salvaje Bakery (excellent sourdough and laminated pastries), Lattente (third-wave coffee pioneer), or Café Registrado (creative toasts and single-origin brews). Then cover the essentials with a guided small-group city tour—efficient, insightful, and perfect for first-timers. You’ll hit La Boca’s Caminito, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Recoleta, and more, with context you won’t get on your own.

Buenos Aires Small-Group City Tour

Afternoon: Linger in Recoleta. Walk leafy plazas, then enter Recoleta Cemetery—granite angels, ornate mausoleums, and Eva Perón’s famously modest family tomb amid palatial neighbors. For culture, pop into MALBA for Latin American modernism or the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free). Midday bites: Pizzería Güerrin (order a fugazzetta slice heavy with sweet onions and cheese), El Cuartito (thick-crust porteño classic), or Chori (upgrade your choripán with chimichurri and criolla).

Evening: Let a local expert lead you through Palermo’s delicious backstreets—empanadas hot from the oven, bodegón comfort dishes, and a sweet finish. It’s a relaxed way to sample Argentina’s comfort-food canon and learn the stories behind it.

Local Foodie Adventure in Buenos Aires with Sherpa Food Tours

After the tour, if you have room, consider a glass of Malbec at Pain et Vin (wine bar with great artisanal bread) or a late dinner at Proper (wood-fired small plates in a converted garage), Niño Gordo (Asian-Argentine grill with serious sizzle), or Gran Dabbang (bold, spice-forward plates).

Day 3: Tigre Delta by Boat, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Head north to the Tigre Delta, a labyrinth of canals, stilted houses, and weekend villas. This small-group excursion typically includes transport to Tigre, a boat cruise through the islands, and time to see San Isidro’s cathedral or riverside markets. It’s a restorative counterpoint to the city’s energy.

Tigre Delta Small-Group Tour from Buenos Aires

Afternoon: Back in town, grab a quick farewell lunch. If it’s Sunday, the San Telmo Market spills across Defensa Street—try empanadas from El Hornero, a flat-white at Coffee Town, or sample choripán from a grill stand. Other days, consider El Preferido’s pastel de papa (shepherd’s pie, Argentine style) or a light lunch in Palermo’s Plaza Serrano area. Pick up souvenirs: leather from Arandú, designer pieces along Honduras and Armenia streets, or yerba mate kits from a neighborhood shop. Depart for the airport; from Palermo/Recoleta, plan 1–1.5 hours to EZE in daytime traffic.

Evening: If you have a late flight, squeeze in a Teatro Colón guided visit (one of the world’s great opera houses) or a leisurely helado at Cadore—dulce de leche flavors are a must. Otherwise, you’ll be toasting the city from the clouds.

Good to Know: Tap water is generally safe to drink in Buenos Aires. Dinner starts late (9 pm is normal), and tipping ~10% at restaurants is appreciated. For local transport, load a SUBE card at kiosks and Subte stations. For flights and add-on side trips (e.g., Mendoza, Bariloche, or Iguazú), compare options on Kiwi.com and Trip.com; domestic flights often run 1.5–2.5 hours between major hubs.

Alternative Experiences (if you extend): Swap Day 3 for a gaucho estancia day in San Antonio de Areco (asado lunch, horseback riding, folk music), or add a cooking class to master empanadas and chimichurri. Opera-lovers should book Teatro Colón performances in advance.

In three days, you’ll taste Argentina’s culinary heart, wander through history, and feel the city’s rhythm in tango’s embrace. Buenos Aires rewards curiosity—every block has a story, a mural, a café that becomes “your” spot. You’ll leave plotting a longer return.