22 Jul Exciting Things To Do in Buenos Aires for Solo Travelers
Hey there, fellow wanderers & solo travelers! If you’re seeking an urban adventure infused with vibrant culture, Buenos Aires should be at the top of your travel bucket list. It’s a city of contrasts and intensity where you can indulge your inner-foodie, admire world-class architecture, and imagine yourself as the main character in a romantic city.
As a solo traveler who fell in love with this alluring metropolis and stayed 2 whole months, I’ve compiled a list of the best things for you to do while in Buenos Aires.
So if you’re ready to experience the passion and chaos of this seductive city, read on!
*This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. By using my links you’re merely supporting what I love to do: write this blog! I only recommend products/companies that I use myself.
1 | Wander through the San Telmo Sunday Market
Immersing yourself in the colorful hustle and bustle of the San Telmo Sunday Market amidst fellow travelers and locals is a must. This lively street fair is the perfect place to browse through antiques, handmade crafts, and unique souvenirs. In the indoor portion of the market you can find a glorified food court and struggle to decide which delicious food to eat. Just outside in Plaza Dorrego you’ll see tango performers, tempting you to attend a real show.
Exploring San Telmo market might be one of my favorite things I did while in Buenos Aires, and I’d recommend it to every single traveler. You can feast your eyes as much as your stomach and experience a really amazing introduction to the artistic culture that is in Buenos Aires.
When: The San Telmo indoor market is open everyday 9 AM – 8 PM, but the fair is only Sunday’s 10 AM – 5 PM.
Where: Feria de San Telmo. Defensa 1086, C1065AAT CABA, Argentina
How to get there: You can walk depending on the difference, take a taxi, Uber, or catch public transport. The closest Subte station is San Juan and there are several bus stations around.
Tips for your visit: 1) Bring cash to pay 2) Be super aware of pickpockets because it’s common here since there’s so many tourists 3) During the summer it get’s really hot so bring some water and stop for some ice cream!
Solo travel tip: This is a really nice activity to do on your own if want to take it all in and browse at your own leisure. If you’re looking to meet people too, you can pretty easily strike up conversation with someone at a food stand or watching tango. Ask them something like what they ordered to eat, or if they’ve seen a tango show yet.
Even easier to meet people, you can actually join a group to explore San Telmo market and it’s super affordable when booking here.
→ See more Sunday markets in Buenos Aires
2 | Visit the Recoleta Cemetery
Visiting a cemetery during your trip might seem a little strange but Recoleta Cemetery is a world-renowned site where some highly notable people are buried including Eva Perón, Argentina presidents, and Nobel Prize winners.
If that doesn’t entice you, the dramatic mausoleums alone are worth the visit, if not just for a leisurely stroll to admire the striking architectural designs.
When: Recoleta Cemetery is open every day 9 AM – 5 PM.
Where: Cementerio de la Recoleta. Junín 1760, C1113 CABA, Argentina
How to get there: You can walk, take a taxi, Uber, or catch public transport. The closest Subte metro station is Las Heras and there are several bus stations around.
How to visit: You can wander through the cemetery on your own, but won’t get much information out of it. If you’d like to learn more about the history and who’s buried there, then I suggest a tour. This is a good one, I really liked this company in Buenos Aires and it’s very affordable.
Cost: When I visited the entrance fee was 2000 pesos, which has since changed because of Argentina’s inflation. But you can expect to pay about $5 USD. You can pay with card or cash.
Tips for your visit: Pair this activity with a visit to the Recoleta Cultural Center just around the corner.
Solo travel tip: Taking a tour like this one is a great way to get to know others traveling in the city.
3 | Take a Free Walking Tour of El Centro
In El Centro are some of Buenos Aires’ most iconic landmarks including the majestic Congreso building, the symbolic Casa de Rosada, and the historic Plaza de Mayo.
You can wander on your own, but I suggest taking the Free Walking Tour so that you can dive into the fascinating and fluctuating history of Argentina’s capital.
I know walking tours are not everyone’s cup of tea (or mate since we’re talking about Argentina 😉), but I really enjoyed this one since it was very interesting and covered many different topics. My guide Martín was great, I highly recommend the company he’s with Free Walks Buenos Aires. The experience was also an easy way for me to meet other people as a solo traveler.
When: The walking tour of El Centro is offered Monday – Saturday at 3 PM and lasts about 2-3 hours
Where: The tour usually begins at the Congreso building, but double check with the agency
How to book: You can sign up here
Tips for your tour: Can’t stress this enough because I did it in the summer: sunscreen, water, and a hat. You’re welcome!
Solo travel tip: As a solo traveler I almost always join walking tours on the first day of my trip. It helps you to get your bearings in the city and meet other people. During the tour, find someone to talk to and ask if they want to grab a drink or food later!
→ ALSO READ: Affordable Group Tours and Experiences in Buenos for Solo Travelers
4 | Take a Bike Tour
If walking tours aren’t really your thing or you want to see the city from a unique perspective, then I recommend taking a bike tour. This is a wonderful way to see more of the city by covering more ground. Pedaling through the streets while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells that make Buenos Aires so captivating is also really exhilarating.
I didn’t do this in Buenos Aires, but I have in other cities and thoroughly enjoy this kind of experience.
Bike tours I recommend: I found two great bike tours, both very highly reviewed and the exact same price.
The first linked here by GetYourGuide gives you two choices between exploring the North or South of Buenos Aires. Listed in their description are the landmarks included in each circuit.
The second linked here by Viator has slightly more reviews, but only gives you the options of the ‘South’ of Buenos Aires.
5 | Enjoy a coffee at Café Tortoni
At least once in Buenos Aires, you must step back in time and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine in a vintage establishment. There are many within the San Telmo and Retiro neighborhoods, but the most popular is Café Tortoni, the oldest café in the city. Here you can enjoy pastries and feel transported to a bygone era. There are even tango shows hosted in an intimate auditorium within the café, although you must reserve a ticket beforehand.
Where: Café Tortoni. Av. de Mayo 825, C1084 CABA, Argentina
How to get there: Walk, Uber, taxi or public transport. The closest Subte station is Piedras right in front of the café.
6 | Admire the Magnificent Teatro Colón
Prepare to be mesmerized by the grandeur of Teatro Colón, one of the world’s most renowned opera houses and named one of the most beautiful by National Geographic. You can either catch a show or take a behind-the-scenes tour to witness the lavish interiors and the meticulous attention to detail that defines this architectural masterpiece.
Where: Teatro Colón. Cerrito 628, C1010AAN CABA, Argentina
Hot to get there: Walk, Uber, taxi or public transport. The closest Subte station is Tribunales and there are a many bus stations nearby.
Booking a show: To see a show, check the theatre’s calendar here.
Booking a tour: You can book a guided tour of Teatro Colón here. I recommend purchasing online beforehand. When I visited, the ticket was about $15 USD.
When: Tours are Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 4.45 PM and Saturday & Sunday from 11 AM to 4.45 PM.
In English only at 11 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 3 PM and 4 PM
7 | Attend a Tango Show
As a former dancer enthralled by the passion of tango, I feel a visit to Buenos Aires wouldn’t be complete without attending a tango show in the city from which it was born. During the performance you will be swept away and mesmerized by the footwork of the elite dancers and the sheer energy they emit in every move. I suggest a night out in the cutest outfit you packed and to enjoy a dinner and drink to complete the experience.
Where to see a tango show?
I saw a show Café Tortoni (which I mentioned before) as recommended by my walking tour guide. It was an intimate show and the dancers were very talented. For those on a budget, it is the most affordable tango show in the city, I will say it lacked in a bit in pizazz and glamour though, at least compared to other shows I’ve heard of.
If I were to go again, I would go to more well-known ones like El Querandi which is said to have a story element to their show, El Viejo Almacen which is an all around impressive show, or Piazzolla Tango Show in Galería Güemes which is also known for it’s glamorous venue.
8 | Take a Tango Class and Go to a Milonga
If you’re feeling inspired from the tango show or looking for a more authentic alternative, I suggest visiting a milonga (a traditional dance hall/tango club) and learning the basics of tango yourself!
There are a few milongas that offer beginner and intermediate classes before opening their doors for a night of dancing that you can freely attend. The Culture Trip has a good list of recommendations and you can also ask your hotel.
An alternative if you’re like me and a bit nervous to show up on your own, is to sign up for a tango class experience. With this option you’ll join a group of fellow travelers and be instructed privately before your guide takes your group to a milonga where you can join in or observe. The Airbnb experience I joined is linked here, and I also found this great option on GetYourGuide here.
9 | Explore Colorful La Boca
This historic neighborhood tells the story of immigration and the working class. In 1960, an artist named Benito Quinquela Martín began to paint an abandoned street and neighbors’ followed suit producing what is now a colorful touristic landmark rich in tango culture.
Most famous is Caminito Street, where you can admire local artwork and take instagram worthy pictures. Nearby is also the legendary stadium called La Bombanera for the local team Boca Juniors.
This neighborhood is a must visit to see on your own or with a walking tour. However, it is advised to avoid this area at night and expect crowds on weekends.
Where: Caminito, C1161 CABA, Argentina
When: You can go anytime during the day. The walking tour is Mondays – Saturdays at 11 AM.
How to get there: Walking from San Telmo is an option although not advisable at night. Otherwise you can take a taxi, Uber, or public transport. The closest Subte station is Constitución and there are several bus stops.
What to do there: Walk down El Caminito, take photos, visit the contemporary art museum Fundación Proa, go to Benito Quinquela Martín Museum if you’re interested in the artist who began El Caminito, or on Sunday’s see the Artisanal Market.
Solo travel tip: There’s lot of ways to get a photo of yourself as a solo traveler including by using a tripod. But because this area can be touristic and busy and where you should watch your belongings, I would advise being careful using a tripod on your own. That’s one plus to taking the tour, you can ask someone in your group to take your photo and the tour is only $8-10 USD.
10 | Enjoy a drink on a patio in Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is the most modern district of Buenos Aires and drastically different from the rest of the city. You won’t find such defining culture here, but it’s a cool visit to see the skyline, enjoy upscale dining, or a drink on the waterfront.
How to get there: You can walk, Uber, taxi or take public transport. The closest Subte station is Correo Central, Peru, Bolivar, or Catedral. There are several bus stations near to Plaza Mayo.
Some places I recommend: El Mirasol de Puerto Madero, Lucciano’s for ice cream, Negroni Sushi Bar, Pizzeria Popular, Peñón del Águila, and Johnny B Good
11 | Visit World-Class Museums
A city known for its creativity and introspection, Buenos Aires is home to some spectacular museums. If you’re interested in the high-class architecture of the city, I suggest visiting Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo within a palace located in Recoleta. For art connoisseurs, you have a myriad of options including Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the most well known museum in Argentina, and MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), a contemporary art museum showcasing works from Latin American artists.
12 | Be Enchanted by El Ateneo Grand Splendid & Other Bookstores
Previously a classical theater, El Ateneo Grand Splendid may be one of the most breathtaking bookstores you’ll ever see. They house plenty of literary treasures through which you can browse on three floors. And what used to be the stage is now a small café where you can enjoy a coffee whilst reading.
But while named one of the most beautiful, El Ateneo is far from the only bookstore in Buenos Aires. In fact, the city has been pronounced the bookstore capital of the world because there are more bookstores per person than anywhere else on the globe. So if you’re looking to expand your collection or cozy places to recharge, you have an array of choices.
Some notable ones I recommend are Libros del Pasaje, Eterna Cadencia, and La Librería de Ávila.
13 | Café Hop
Speaking of cozy places to recharge, Buenos Aires has a very impressive café scene from cozy corners to trendy coffee shops. In other words, it’s a paradise in my eyes. In this city the coffee is rich, the pastries are delicious, and each caféterias have a welcoming ambiance. Make sure to plan in some time to slow down alone or meet a friend at one of many local gems.
→ See my recommended cafés in Buenos Aires
14 | Enjoy the vibrant nightlife
Buenos Aires after dark has one of the best nightlife scenes where club-goers dance until the early hours of the morning. If that’s not your vibe though, you still have an array of wine bars, speak-easy’s and pubs to enjoy on your own time.
Solo travel tip: If you want to enjoy nightlife but don’t want to do so on your own, then I suggest joining a nightlife experience / pub crawl like this one on Airbnb.
→ See my recommended bars in Buenos Aires
15 | Eat!
Buenos Aires is a gastronomic heaven, and no visit is complete without savoring its rich dishes. The staples are Argentine steaks, flavorful empanadas, and traditional dishes like locro or milanesa. With so much Italian influence, Buenos Aires is also renowned for its pasta, pizza, and ice cream – literally the best I’ve ever tried!
You can also find a number of other cuisines, almost anything you can think of is here in Buenos Aires.
→ See my food recommendations in Buenos Aires here
My Most Recommended place to eat and drink in Buenos aires:
16 | See Panoramic Views of the City at Mirador Güemes
Head to Mirador Guemes for breathtaking panoramic views of Buenos Aires. You’ll take the elevator to the top of this iconic art deco building and be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the city’s sprawling skyline. From here you can capture stunning photos and marvel at the immensity of this metropolis.
Where? Galería Güemes. Florida 165, San Martín 170, 1005 Buenos Aires, Argentina
How to get there: You can walk, take a Uber, taxi or public transport. The closest Subte station is Catedral and there are many bus stops around.
Inside the building you just take the elevator to the top floor and you’ll see the stairs to the mirador.
Cost: It’s about $1-2 USD, you’ll need to pay cash in pesos.
17 | Take a day trip to Tigre
If you’d like to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, take a day trip to Tigre, a picturesque town located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. On Sunday’s they have a popular market and you can cruise along the waterways of the Paraná Delta, surrounded by lush greenery and charming wooden houses.
Where: Tigre is about 33 km from Buenos Aires, about a 1 hour drive.
How to get there: You can either take a tour, hire a private taxi or take the metro.
Tour information: A tour is a good option if you’d like to join a group and have everything taken care of for you including transport, a water cruise, and a local guide. This tour on GetYourGuide is highly recommended.
18 | Take a Cooking Class
There’s nothing like enjoying a travel experience that you can walk away from with newfound knowledge to bring home. That’s why I love cooking classes, and Buenos Aires is the perfect place to try one. In an Argentine cooking class you’ll discover the flavors, techniques, and cultural significance behind gastronomic treasures like empanadas. This is one activity I wish I had done!
This is one activity I didn’t do but wish I had because I loved the empanadas in Argentina so much, I’d love to try making them myself. Next time!
Cooking Class Options: For those on a budget, this class linked here is a good option. However, if you’d like to cook more than just empanadas and also enjoy steak, wine, and mate then this experience on Viator is very highly rated.
19 | See a Football match
In Argentina, football/soccer isn’t a sport, it’s a religion. Being around fans is an electrifying experience and in Buenos Aires you have the opportunity to witness this firsthand in some truly legendary stadiums. Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, this will ignite your passion for the game, I guarantee it!
How to see a game: There are 5 big clubs in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors and River Plate (the two biggest), and also San Lorenzo, Independiente, and Racing Club. For foreigners it’s really difficult to get tickets yourself, my understanding is there’s a lot of issues with availability and foreign ID’s. So honestly the easiest thing to do would be to book from a third party, either and agency or person. My go to for something like this is usually Airbnb experience, I found two good ones with high ratings. Check them out below.
Airbnb Experience: Football Match 1. This one is more affordable but does exclude Boca and River home games.
Airbnb Experience: Football Match 2. This one is a bit more pricey but has higher ratings and as far as I understood doesn’t exclude any teams, the host makes sure he get you the best.
→ Read about my experience during the World Cup
20 | Take a Tour of Palacio Barolo
An architectural masterpiece, Palacio Baralo is even more unique than it seems from the outside. The interior design was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy and the 22 floors are divided into sections to represent heaven, purgatory, and hell.
During a tour of this famous building, you’ll climb to the lighthouse at the top, and be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the city – arguably one of the best in Buenos Aires.
Where to book a tour: You should book a tour and learn about going to the rooftop directly from the Palacio Baralo website here.
21 | Learn about the Gaucho Culture
During this full-day tour from Buenos Aires, you’ll discover the essence of gauchos, Argentina’s cowboys. At a traditional estancia (ranch), you’ll try horseback riding, enjoy a folklore show and devour a barbecue lunch.
This is a really great option if your trip to Argentina is limited to Buenos Aires. However, if you’re visiting Patagonia you’ll have more opportunities to visit estancias later on – and I actually recommend waiting.
22 | Explore the Different Neighborhoods
Buenos Aires is a city of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality and charm. Half of my love for Buenos Aires was cultivated through just walking through its streets.
Here are some of the main ones tourists love: Recoleta, Palermo Hollywood & Soho, Villa Crespo, San Telmo, Retiro, Puerto Madero and Belgrano.
For an abundance of boutique shops, hip bars, and street art, explore the trendy streets of Palermo. Wander through the cobblestone alleys of San Telmo, where colonial architecture and tango performances take center stage. Experience the elegance of Recoleta with its upscale boutiques and beautiful parks. And admire Retiro , where grand boulevards and iconic landmarks are on every corner.
→ Read which neighborhoods I recommend staying in
23 | wander in the many Parks & Gardens
Within this urban jungle is a thriving park culture. At a number of beautiful plazas you can escape the hustle of the city and find locals reading, drinking mate, and practicing music.
There are several notable parks and gardens tourists especially love. First is Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, where you can marvel at the iconic Floralis Genérica, a giant metal flower sculpture that opens and closes with the sun’s movement. Also worth a visit are Jardin Botanico, Jardin Japones, and Parque Tres de Febrero.
24 | Take a Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Buenos Aires is so close to Uruguay that you can actually take a short ferry across to Colonia del Sacramento, a charming little Uruguayan town. Here you can wander through the cobbled streets of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage sight. You’ll enjoy quaint shops, a leisurely meal overlooking the river, plenty of photo ops, and a relaxed ambiance.
How to take a day trip to Uruguay from Buenos Aires: You can either plan a trip of your own or take a tour. Going on your own is pretty straightforward, just purchase a ferry round trip ticket from Colonia Express. Or if you prefer, there are tours available such as this one linked here on Viator.
25 | Enjoy an Asado with Friends
Lastly, you cannot leave Argentina without experiencing a wholesome, authentic asado (cook out) with friends. Yes, you can try incredible steak in restaurants, but it’s the culture of gathering and sharing that makes an asada so special. One of my favorite memories of Buenos Aires was enjoying a cookout with friends from around the world on Christmas, and I think it’s something everyone should experience no matter the day of the year.
And there you have it! My complete list of things to do in Buenos Aires.
From exploring historic sites to indulging in mouthwatering cuisine and immersing yourself in the passionate world of tango, Buenos Aires will captivate your senses and leave you longing for more. I know it has for me.
So, pack your bags, check out some of my other recommendations in Argentina, and have the time of your life in Buenos Aires ¡Buen viaje!
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