What to do

Culture: Buenos Aires

With 400 years of history and influence, the capital is the perfect place to soak up some of the past.

Buenos Aires - La Casa Rosada
Buenos Aires - La Casa Rosada

If you are talking culture then where better to start but the capital, Buenos Aires. At the heart of Argentina for more than 450 years, Buenos Aires is a cultural and economic melting pot where influences from all over the world can be seen. For those that are interested there is an absolute wealth of activities and areas to take in and we would recommend in the region of a week to see them properly.

For a more in depth view of all of the famous districts of this large city, please take a look at our city guide for Buenos Aires. To start things off, however, we have selected a few of our highlights of their culture…with the tango having its own section altogether!

Teatro Colon

Until the building of the Sydney Opera house in the late 70s, the Teatro Colon was the largest and most impressive opera house and theatre on the Southern Hemisphere. Today, it is just as impressive and certainly worth a look. It has just been totally renovated in time for the bi-centennial celebrations in March ’10 and so is very much back to its best. We can arrange to purchase tickets for any of the performances, or, alternatively, take one of the superb tours.

La Boca

La Boca can mean two things in Argentina….it may mean the district, which is famous for its brightly painted buildings and street tango, or it can mean football. For more information on the district please head to our Buenos Aires city guide, but for football, read on….Argentina is a nation in the grip of football in a big way and there is no football team with more supporters than the infamous Boca Juniors. Home of this famous stadium, a trip to the Boca district can be a real treat for some and there is absolutely nothing like being in the crowd at a game when they are playing there arch rivals, Plate, who are based on the outskirts of the city.

Casa Rosada and the Plaza de Mayo

This large square is probably the most important political and historical spot in Argentina. The Casa Rosada is the pink home of the president in sitting and it overlooks this historic square and original centre of Buenos Aires, marked by the Piramide de Mayo, a small obelisk marking the first year of Argentine independence from Spain. On its north side, it is also worth noting the impressive Banco de la Nacion, which was built in 1939 and is the work of the Argentine architect, Alejandro Bustillo.

Recoletta cemetery

This is a must see in Buenos Aires, if only to see the final resting place of Eva Peron (aka Evita). Set in the Recoletta area, this famous cemetery holds the remains for many of Argentina’s most famous and most powerful people.

Palermo

Again, more on this fantastic district can be found in the Buenos Aires guide, but, none the less, it is worth another mention as, if you are looking to get a taste of what the city is about, head to one of the small bars of cafes towards the end of the day and you will see the place come alive.

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    Buenos Aires

    At a glance...Buenos Aires

  • Population: 3 million
  • Location: Eastern Argentina
  • Recommended time: 3 to 5 nights
  • Time to visit: Year round - humid in December and January
  • Go here for: Culture, food & wine, tango. polo
  • Further reading...

  • › Wine & Food
  • › Buenos Aires
  • › Tango
  • › What to do in Buenos Aires
  • Our Top Five Culture Hotels in Buenos Aires:

    1. Alvear Palace Hotel - outside

      Alvear Palace Hotel

      The Alvear Palace Hotel is one of the truly old world hotels in the capital, and is a Buenos Aires institution, and rightly so. With its high levels of service and marble covered foyer it is still one of the best places in the capital to spend a few nights if you are looking for this lavish feel.... More...

      Our rating:
      5
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      5
    2. Hotel Clasico - External View

      Hotel Clasico

      In the buzzy Palermo Hollywood district of Buenos Aires, Hotel Clasico is a great option for those wanting a comfortable and well-located base for exploring Buenos Aires. Its modern design and close proximity to a number of good restaurants make it an easy hotel to recommend for anyone looking for... More...

      Our rating:
      4
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      3
    3. Algodon Mansion - Bedroom

      Algodon Mansion

      Located just 3 blocks from Recoleta Cemetery, the Relais & Chateaux Algodon Mansion oozes class without too much exuberance and so retaining a welcoming and relaxed ambience. There are plenty of in-house facilities to enjoy once all the city sightseeing activities are over. It is hard to fault... More...

      Our rating:
      5
      User rating:
      5
      Price:
      4
    4. Mio Hotel - Entrance

      Mio Hotel

      The Mio is owned by the Catena wine producing family and has something to offer a design sensitive boutique hotel orientated clientele. We think this hotel perhaps lacks substance in places so we are not so sure it is worth the price tag. However, this is purely an aesthetic consideration which we... More...

      Our rating:
      4
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      4
    5. The Four Seasons

      The Four Seasons

      Located just down the road from the excellent Park Hyatt, the Four Seasons Hotel, Buenos Aires is a slightly poorer version in our view. Similar in concept to the Hyatt, the hotel made the decision to use the old town house as a venue, rather than for clients, thus negating it as a reason to stay.... More...

      Our rating:
      4
      User rating:
      4
      Price:
      4