2 Days in Buenos Aires: The Perfect Itinerary

Two days in Buenos Aires is not a lot of time but it is enough to fall completely in love with one of the most incredible cities in South America.

Buenos Aires is now one of my favourite cities in the world. It broke my heart to leave. And I’m not usually a fan of big cities, but Buenos Aires is definitely the exception.

The original plan of 4 days extended into 10 and even then, I wanted to cry as I reluctantly piled my bags into the taxi for the airport. It has a special charm that you won’t find anywhere else.

With 2 days in Buenos Aires, you’re going to be on the go if you want to see as much as possible. The city is bursting with history, culture and electric energy. It has an array of eclectic neighbourhoods to explore, incredible food to taste and immersive museums to learn from. This isn’t a place you’ll find yourself bored.

If you’ve travelled through some of the other South American countries, Buenos Aires will be a unique change to what you’ve seen previously. It effortlessly meshes European influences with the much-loved Latin charm of this incredible continent. Buenos Aires is an extraordinary place.

This 2 days in Buenos Aires itinerary is designed to get you through the highlights without wasting a single hour. Day 1 takes you through El Centro, San Telmo, La Boca and Puerto Madero. Day 2 covers Recoleta, Palermo and ends with a tango show.

It’s packed but entirely manageable, and every recommendation is this guide comes from time I actually spent walking these streets.

48 hours in buenos aires: what to do?

Day 1: El Centro, San Telmo, La Boca and Puerto Madero

So you’ve just arrived in Buenos Aires and you’re wondering what to do. Well, this guide is going to begin in El Centro.

Explore El Centro

Start with some breakfast at the famous Café Tortoni before heading onto Avenida 9 de Julio.

We’ll begin this tour at…

Plaza de Mayo – the Plaza de Mayo is historically and politically significant in Argentina as it’s the site of some of the most important events in Argentine history. The Plaza itself is beautiful and you’ll often find buskers singing or people dancing throughout the day.

Casa Rosada – the stunning pink presidential palace can’t be missed in Plaza de Mayo. As the executive mansion and office of the current president, don’t be surprised to see huge groups of people standing at the palace gates hoping to spot the President if he’s in. When we walked past, he’d just arrived and people were going crazy, shouting and waving.

The Cathedral – is the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires and serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires standing directly on the Plaza de Mayo, so it’s essentially right next to the plaza. You can walk from one side of the plaza to the cathedral in just a few minutes.

Obelisco de Buenos Aires – about a 20-minute walk from Plaza de Mayo will bring you out at the Obelisco de Buenos Aires. This is where you’ll see some of the biggest and craziest crowds when Argentina play a football game. I remember wishing I’d been there when they won the World Cup and the huge crowds were celebrating.

Teatro Colon – a 15-minute walk North along Avenida 9 de Julio will bring you to Teatro Colon. This is one of the most important opera houses in the world. The building is incredible and it’s most well known for hosting some of the most prestigious performances across the globe. You can even take a tour of the theatre and learn about the history of the singers here.

Head to San Telmo

San Telmo is about a 20-minute walk from El Centro. This was one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires. It’s one of the oldest in the city and famous for its beautiful cobblestone streets and colonial buildings.

The elegance oozes from every corner and it’s the perfect place to spend a couple of hours exploring the shops and streets.

So first…

Explore Calle Defensa – the main street in San Telmo. You can find all the antique shops, cafes, galleries and bars here. If you can, visit on a Sunday, there’s a huge street market called the Feria de San Telmo. It’s great if you want to browse handmade jewellery, crafts and antiques. I managed to get the most beautiful ring from the sweetest man at the market.

Go Cartoon Hunting on Calle las Historietas  – one of the unique things in San Telmo is the statues of some of Argentina’s most loved cartoon characters. You can hunt for the statues along the street and spot the famous Mafalda.

San Telmo Market (Mercado de San Telmo) – is hidden away on Defensa 963, it has some amazing food places, antiques and vintage clothing. I loved wandering around the stalls and even found bargain deals on some much-needed jumpers.

Museo Histórico Nacional: for a look into the history of Argentina. It’s free to enter and is a great way to learn more about Argentina’s War of Independence.

Take a lunch break

If you’re in San Telmo Market you should try some incredible choripan at La Choripaneria. It’s a great atmosphere, sat at the bar as they cook the food and some of the best choripan I’ve ever tried. If you fancy something else consider:

• La Brigada – for some of the finest Argentine beef. I had bife de chorizo and I still think about it to this day.
• Lo de Carlitos – I had the best dulce de leche crepe of my life here. It was enough sugar consumed in one sitting for the month but just wow. Their menu is extensive and you can choose from sweet and savoury… or both.

Visit La Boca

From San Telmo, you can walk to La Boca in about 30 minutes.

And here, we reach one of Argentina’s most famous neighbourhoods.

Colourful and historic, La Boca is best known for its multi-coloured streets, tango culture and beloved football team. It would be a lie to say this isn’t a huge tourist trap, but if you’re in Buenos Aires it’s worth a visit once.

The prices here are high for mediocre food, so hopefully you ate back in San Telmo.

Let’s start by heading to the number one spot…

El Caminito – for a walk down the multi-coloured street you’ll have seen in all of the Instagram photos. The street is known for its brightly painted houses and buildings, which were originally built from scrap metal and wood and painted with leftover paint from the shipyards.

La Bombonera – to visit the iconic football stadium, home to one of Argentina’s most famous football clubs, the Boca Juniors. Football is a way of life in Argentina and you won’t walk too far without seeing a football mural or shirt. You can take a stadium tour and visit the Boca Juniors Museum to learn about the club’s history.

Fundación PROA – is a contemporary art centre located near the famous Caminito Street. It also has a rooftop cafe with stunning views of La Boca and the river if you want to take a drink break.

Transporter Bridge: is one of the few transporter bridges left in the world. Although it’s no longer in use, it’s now become a tourist attraction because of its history and design of the bridge itself.

Visit Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is one of the most upscale areas of Buenos Aires with fancy restaurants and cocktail bars lining the waterfront.

For a fun atmosphere and an amazing view of the bridge and skyscrapers sparkling in the darkness, head here on an evening.

Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur: for another respite from the bustling city, head to the large nature reserve located on the edge of the district. It’s perfect if you want to have a quiet walk, bike or do some bird watching.

Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge): you can’t miss this striking bridge in Puerto Madero. It symbolises a couple dancing tango, which of course is very fitting for this city. I actually asked a local who was showing me around the meaning of this bridge and his response? I think it’s a woman opening her legs. Very insightful and very incorrect.

Head for dinner

Buenos Aires isn’t short on dinner options, from local asado restaurants, and pizza joints to fine dining establishments the city has it all. Consider:

• Pizzeria Guerrin – If you’re in the mood for some authentic Argentinian pizza, you have to head to the world-famous pizzeria in El Centro. The place never turns off its oven and is open 24 hours. Just a word of warning, this place gets busy quickly and there’s usually a long queue outside.

• Don Julio – one of the most famous restaurants in Buenos Aires has to be included on the list. It’s considered one of the best steakhouses in the world. But make a reservation if you’re planning on visiting.

• Nuestro Secret – this was one of the best steak restaurants I’d been to and is well worth the price. Book ahead as it gets busy.

Day 2: Recoleta, Palermo and Tango

Today, we’ll explore two of the most famous neighbourhoods in the city, Recoleta and Palermo. Often considered the more upscale neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.

Head to Recoleta

You can get to Recoleta by using the D line on the metro and getting off at Pueyrredón Station or Aguero Station. There isn’t an actual station in Recoleta, but this will get you about 10/15 minutes walk from the cemetery.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid – is one of the most famous and beautiful bookstores in the world. Naturally, most of the books are in Spanish with very few English options, but the beauty of the bookstore itself is the real reason to visit.

Recoleta Cemetery – is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world and for good reason. The tombs are intricately designed and are the resting place of some of the most influential people in Argentina. One of the most visited sites is the tomb of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina. Take your time to look around here. It costs ARS 14,000 for tourists to enter and you can only pay by Visa card.

The cultural centre of Recoleta – is a vibrant arts and cultural space dedicated to promoting contemporary art and supporting emerging artists across various disciplines, making it a key space for creative expression and innovation in Argentina.

National Museum of Fine Arts – is one of the most important art museums in Argentina, showcasing works from European masters like Van Gogh and Degas, as well as Argentine artists. It’s free to enter.

Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo – another museum that features an extensive collection of decorative arts from different points in history.

Floralis Genérica – is a massive steel flower sculpture in the nearby Plaza de las Naciones Unidas. It opens and closes its petals daily, symbolizing renewal. It’s an impressive landmark to see and on a sunny day, you can expect to find many people sitting around in the plaza drinking mate.

Plaza Francia – is the beautiful public square in Recoleta named in honour of France. There are often performances, fairs and cultural events that take place so you can expect a lively atmosphere.

Facultad de derecho – the building is the law school of the University of Buenos Aires. But it’s the architecture of the building that makes this worth visiting. The large columns and sweeping staircase are incredible to see.

Grab an ice cream at Heladeria Cadore – if you appreciate good ice cream, this is the one. I obviously opted for the dulce de leche, just amazing.

Take a Lunch Break

Pizzeria el cuartito – if you’re in the mood for some pizza, head to another of the city’s respected pizzerias.

El Sanjuanino – a great local restaurant with affordable prices, but the best thing on their menu – the empanadas.

La Aguada – perfect for traditional Argentinian food, especially the tamales.

Head to Palermo

The Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires is actually split into multiple Palermo’s. We have Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Chico, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Botánico, Palermo Nuevo.

This is one of the biggest and liveliest neighbourhoods in the city and where you’ll want to head if you fancy trying the nightlife in Buenos Aires.

The most popular areas of Palermo are typically Soho or Hollywood.

But first, let’s head to…

Jardín Japonés – remember I said Buenos Aires is like 20 cities in one. Well, they also have their very own Japanese gardens and they’re beautiful. The best time to visit them is during Spring (September – November) when the gardens are in full bloom. There is a fee to enter but it’s cheap to visit costing ARS 1500 and worth paying to see.

Jardín Francés – a respite of greenery in the city. The park and the surrounding area are free to enter. It’s a great place to sit and relax for a little before heading back out touring. Take a minute to slow down.

Museum of Latin American Arts – MALBA houses an extensive collection of Latin American art from the 20th century to the present and is one of the most famous museums in Buenos Aires. It costs ARS 8000 to enter.

Planetario Galileo Galilei – for something a little different. Check out the planetarium and astronomy museum where you can watch immersive presentations about space, stars, and the universe on a domed screen. The building itself is out of this world.

Eco-Park (Ecoparque) – another place highlighting the diversity of Buenos Aires. For a completely unique experience in a city, take a look at the transformation in the Eco-Park. What was once a traditional zoo is now an eco-friendly space focused on conservation, environmental education, and animal welfare.

Grab a snack at Churros del Topo – a stop to try the best dulce de leche churros you’ll ever have.

Watch a Tango show

If you’re in Buenos Aires and short on time, you probably want to see a Tango show before you leave.

It’s one of the most impressive and beautiful dances I’ve seen and the lyrics highlight this. Often they tell stories of love, loss, and the experience of the working class. It’s a powerful reflection of the diversity within Buenos Aires.

Consider:

• La Ventana Tango Show (personal favourite).
• El Querandi Tango Show great for dinner and a show.
• Piazzolla Tango Show one of the most popular shows to visit.

Is Buenos Aires worth visiting?

Buenos Aires should be on every South America travel itinerary. The city feels like 20 cities in one, with each neighbourhood taking you into a different world.

They all offer something new and it almost feels as though you’re taking a trip through Paris, Rome, Barcelona and London at the same time.

Mix that with the abundance of green parks, forests and reserves, Buenos Aires is a city that doesn’t stop giving.

How safe is Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is generally a safe place to visit as long as you’re cautious and use common sense. Avoid walking around in sketchy areas at night and always keep an eye on your belongings.

Petty crime can happen and there’s always dodgy characters in every city in the world.

I’ll be honest, I never felt unsafe in Buenos Aires, but if I want out at night I was always with someone and I don’t think I would have felt very comfortable walking on the streets alone.

One day when I was walking back to my hostel with a friend who was from Buenos Aires, on one particular street around the corner from where I was staying and even he advised me not to walk along there once it got dark.

There are certain areas that you feel have the potential to be dodgy, so best just to remove the risk and stick to a group or take an Uber.

If you’re concerned about safety in Buenos Aires, you can read more on safety in Argentina here.

how to get around buenos aires?

The public transport in Buenos Aires is efficient and affordable. If you get a SUBE card you can use the metro and public buses in the city. It’s also very walkable, you can easily get from one neighbourhood to the other on foot.

If you prefer to use taxis to get around in the city, UBER is available and an easy way to get around.

Or you can opt for a street taxi. Radio Taxis are the most trusted and widely used taxis in Buenos Aires. They’re black and yellow, with a “Radio Taxi” sign on the roof and official licenses displayed.

You can hail one on the street or call a reputable radio taxi company. Popular companies include:

• Radio Taxi Premium: +54 11 5238-0000
• Radio Taxi Pidalo: +54 11 4956-1200

If you want to get around as quickly as possible and see all of the highlights, you can also consider using the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus.

Which neighbourhood to stay in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires isn’t short on neighbourhoods. Just within the city, there are 48 barrios all offering something special. If you’re visiting for 2 days, staying in a safe neighbourhood with good connections is best.

I’d recommend El Centro, Recoleta, San Telmo or Palermo.

I stayed in El Centro at Millhouse Hostel which I would recommend. The hostel is located on the busy Avenida de Mayo and is a 2-minute walk from the metro and within walking distance of the popular surrounding neighbourhoods.

The best time to visit Buenos Aires

The best time to visit Buenos Aires is spring (September to November) and fall (March to May).

Spring (September to November): The city’s parks and gardens, like the Bosques de Palermo, are in full bloom with many cultural events and festivals.

Fall (March to May): The temperatures are comfortable, and there are fewer tourists, which means fewer queues and lower prices.

Is 2 days enough in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires is a huge city with so much to offer, you easily spend months here. But it’s definitely possible to catch the highlights in 2 days if you don’t mind being on the go.

You’ll have just enough time to explore a few of some of the most famous neighbourhoods in the city and get a taste of what makes them so beautiful.

2 Days in Buenos Aires: A Summary

So it goes to show, 2 days in Buenos Aires gives you ample time to get a great feel of this incredible city. It has an abundance of things to do and see and I’m sure will also leave you wanting to visit again and again.

And if you’re thinking of heading elsewhere in Argentina, consider going up to the Northern Towns. You will find some of the most beautiful landscapes and hiking trails in this area.

2 Days in Buenos Aires FAQs