Buenos Aires is a city of grand boulevards and intimate corners, where Belle Époque palaces meet street art and the heartbeat of tango rises from historic cobblestones. Founded by the Spanish in 1536 and refounded in 1580, the “Paris of South America” grew on waves of immigration—Italian, Spanish, Jewish, and more—shaping its cuisine, music, and spirited café culture.

Expect architectural drama around every turn—Plaza de Mayo’s historic landmarks, the neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, and the famously acoustic Teatro Colón. Wander La Boca’s Caminito for color, then slow down among marble mausoleums in Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Perón rests). Palermo’s leafy parks and murals offer a contemporary counterpoint, buzzing late into the night with wine bars and modern bodegones.

Practical notes: Many travelers don’t need a visa for short stays (verify your nationality). Buenos Aires runs late: dinner often starts 9 pm. Carry a SUBE card for buses and the Subte (metro); official taxi apps and BA Taxi are reliable. Tipping at restaurants is ~10%. Best seasons: September–November and March–May. Power is 220V (Type C/I plugs).

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires rewards curiosity. Start with Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, detour through San Telmo’s antique arcades, then follow the river breeze to Puerto Madero. In Recoleta, cafés hum with porteño conversation; in Palermo Soho, boutiques, murals, and cocktail bars set the tone for the night.

• Top sights: Recoleta Cemetery, MALBA, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Plaza de Mayo, La Boca’s Caminito, San Telmo Market, Floralis Genérica, Puerto Madero boardwalks, Bosques de Palermo, Teatro Colón tours.
• What to eat: Parrilla steak (bife de chorizo, ojo de bife), empanadas, choripán, fugazzeta pizza, helado (dulce de leche), medialunas, and Malbec from Mendoza.
• Coffee breaks: Café Tortoni (heritage café), LAB Tostadores & Lattente (third-wave), Las Violetas (ornate pastry palace), Salvaje Bakery (sourdough and laminated pastries).

Getting there: Fly into Ezeiza (EZE). Nonstops are ~9h from Miami, 10–11h from New York, 13h from Madrid, 3h from São Paulo. Typical roundtrip economy fares run about $600–$1,100 depending on season. Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. EZE to Recoleta/Palermo is 35–60 minutes by taxi; private transfers or the Tienda León coach to Centro are convenient.

Where to stay:

• Classic luxury: Alvear Palace Hotel (Recoleta) — white-glove service and Belle Époque glamour. Book via Hotels.com.
• Boutique eco-chic: Palo Santo Hotel (Palermo Hollywood) — vertical garden, serene rooms, walkable to bars. Book via Hotels.com.
• Good-value design: Circus Hostel & Hotel (San Telmo) — chill pool courtyard, near the market. Book via Hotels.com.
• Social stay: Milhouse Hostel Avenue (Microcentro) — lively, organized activities. Book via Hotels.com.
• More options: Browse apartments on VRBO or hotels via Hotels.com.

Day 1: Recoleta’s elegance and a night of tango

Morning: Fly in and get your bearings; if you’re arriving earlier, grab a flat white and medialunas at LAB Tostadores (Palermo) or settle into Café Tortoni’s old-world salon for churros con chocolate. Pick up a SUBE card at a Subte station or kiosk.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Recoleta. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery—ornate mausoleums and Eva Perón’s understated tomb tell stories of a nation. Walk to Floralis Genérica, the giant steel blossom that opens with daylight, and pause at La Biela for a merienda (try the tostados with jamón y queso).

Evening: Head to San Telmo’s cobbles for a classic tango night at La Ventana. Opt for the dinner+show to pair ribeye and Malbec with bandoneón melodies, or have a pre-show aperitif at Doppelgänger (classics-only cocktails) and keep dinner light with empanadas at El Hornero nearby. Then settle in for the performance—an intimate crash course in tango’s grit and grace.

Book it: La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires.

Day 2: Icons, neighborhoods, and a Palermo food crawl

Morning: Start at Plaza de Mayo: the Casa Rosada’s balconied façade, the Metropolitan Cathedral where Pope Francis ministered, and the Cabildo. Coffee at Lattente (specialty espresso) or medialunas at Las Violetas if you crave a Belle Époque setting.

Afternoon: See the city’s greatest hits efficiently on a small-group tour—La Boca’s Caminito (color-splashed alleyways and local artists), San Telmo’s colonial blocks, Recoleta’s mansions, and leafy Palermo parks. It’s ideal for first-timers and saves time between far-flung spots.

Book it: Buenos Aires Small-Group City Tour (3–5 hours). For lunch, grab a slice of fugazzeta at Pizzería Güerrín on Av. Corrientes or a choripán at Chori in Palermo.

Evening: Taste modern Buenos Aires on a guided Palermo food tour—think oven-hot empanadas, bodegón classics like milanesa and tortilla española, and a sip of Malbec to tie it together. After, continue to Bar Presidente (theatrical cocktails) or Florería Atlántico (enter through a flower shop to a nautical bar below).

Book it: Local Foodie Adventure in Buenos Aires with Sherpa Food Tours. Prefer a sit-down parrilla? Reserve at Don Julio (legendary cuts, provoleta starter) or try El Preferido de Palermo for sliced matambre and fries a caballo.

Day 3: Tigre Delta, markets, and a steakhouse farewell

Morning: Trade the city hum for wetlands on a small-group Tigre Delta tour. Cruise canals past weekend homes on stilts, see the Puerto de Frutos craft market, and learn how life on the islands flows with the tides. It’s a refreshing, nature-forward counterpoint to the urban core.

Book it: Tigre Delta Small-Group Tour (about 5 hours). If you lunch in Tigre, try waterfront parrilla classics; back in BA, Puerto Madero’s Happening offers steak and river views.

Afternoon: Browse San Telmo Market for antiques, vinyl, and local knives, or hunt leather deals on Murillo Street in Villa Crespo. Culture lovers can opt for MALBA (Latin American art, Frida and Berni) or the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (European masters and Argentine painters). Gelato break at Cadore or Rapanui (go dulce de leche granizado).

Evening: Farewell feast at a parrilla: Parrilla Peña (old-school, generous portions), La Cabrera (hearty sides, bustling vibe), or Aramburu for a tasting-menu finale if you want high-concept Argentine flavors. Nightcap at Vico Wine Bar (self-pour flights) or Pain et Vin (intimate wine shop-bar) to toast the city.

Local transport tips: Use the Subte (A, B, C, D, E, H) to skip traffic; buses are extensive—both require a SUBE card. Official taxis are plentiful; ride-hail apps work widely. Keep valuables secure in crowded areas like Caminito and on the Subte.

Flight search: Compare fares to EZE on Kiwi.com and Trip.com. For hotels and apartments, compare dates on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: Teatro Colón backstage tour, a rooftop asado class, or a glam tango at the Faena’s Rojo Tango. Art lovers can devote a half day to Palermo’s galleries and street murals.

Three days in Buenos Aires moves from marble mausoleums to neon-lit parrillas, from tango’s melancholy to the calm of the river delta. You’ll leave with a palate for Malbec, a pocketful of neighborhood stories, and a rhythm you’ll hear long after you’ve flown home.