Buenos Aires holidays

1. Visit La Boca, the birthplace of tango, during the day. In this barrio (neighbourhood), dancing couples sweep the floor with their feet as they pivot and promenade. On Caminito street – named after a famous tango record – you’ll catch guitar rhythms floating from brightly coloured buildings. Step into a milonga and take a seat to watch regulars dance al suelo (to the floor) or try the steps out for yourself. Many milongas offer beginner lessons.
2. Go to the theatre. There are dozens to choose from but perhaps the grandest is Teatro Colon: a huge opera house where scarlet seats and curtains set the scene for sophisticated evenings. Take a tour of the opulent building or attend a show to experience its renowned acoustics. Nearby, Ateneo Grand Splendid is a bookshop based in an old Belle Epoque theatre. Join Portenos (locals) leafing through paperbacks on a curtain-draped stage.
3. Experience the city’s love for football. The field is a theatrical stage in Buenos Aires. Match days are a big deal, celebrated with choripan and chants, and the Superclasico in particular sends spirits soaring as local teams River Plate and Boca Juniors go head to head. Even if there’s no derby during your trip, visit one of the city’s stadiums. La Bombonera is a good choice because it’s located in La Boca near many of the best Buenos Aires things to see.
4. Taste Argentinian coffee and shop for antiques in San Telmo. In the city’s oldest barrio, colonial architecture backs cobblestone streets where Portenos sip flat whites and scour antique shops for treasures. Head to San Telmo Market to see stacks of vintage wares – from stamps to chandeliers – and pick up an old-fashioned glass siphon as a souvenir. Go on a Sunday to see market stalls take over Defensa Street for the weekly Feria de San Telmo.
5. Visit historic buildings and museums. Start in Plaza de Mayo and look up at the dusky pink balconies of Casa Rosada where Juan and Eva Peron stood to address the masses. To learn more about Argentina’s former first lady, explore the Evita Peron Museum and lunch in its garden. The city also boasts impressive art museums such as Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

• Recoleta is the city's swishest neighbourhood, dappled with Belle Epoque mansions and Parisian-looking buildings. You’ll find more than a few five-star Buenos Aires hotels here. You'll also find the fresco-splashed Ateneo Grand Splendid (considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world) and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in this leafy barrio. Another must-see is Recoleta Cemetery: a citadel of mausoleums topped with domes, spires and emotive statues. Many of the tombs are listed as national historic monuments.
• The city’s downtown area, known as Microcentro, is an ideal base for sightseeing in Buenos Aires. The presidential palace Casa Rosada glows pink, the Metropolitan Cathedral resembles a Greek temple and the obelisk stands tall over Plaza de la Republica. Wander down Avenida Corrientes to see throngs of theatregoers dashing into pizzerias before shows. Nearby is the iconic Cafe Tortoni, where sunlight filters through stained glass windows onto dark oak panelling and cups of coffee – if you only visit one Buenos Aires cafe, make it this one.
• Retiro is home to Buenos Aires’ central train station, Retiro Station, and some of the city’s most popular shopping destinations. Walk along the pedestrianised street Calle Florida to see if any brands catch your eye and step into the shopping-mall-meets-exhibit Galerias Pacifico. See the murals stretching across the ceiling dome in this giant shopping centre before seeing if you can choose a new bag or pair of shoes to take home. Galerias Pacifico is the size of a city block, so you’ll have plenty of options.
• Trendy Palermo is the city's largest barrio, covering areas like Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. Stay here to be close to boutiques, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs that stay open into the small hours. If you’re looking to try Argentina’s asado, sit down to sizzling steak and jewel-toned Malbec in Michelin-starred Don Julio – it’s considered one of the world’s best parrillas (steakhouses). Palermo also boasts lovely green spaces like Parque 3 de Febrero, where you can seek shade in lakeside gazebos and stop to smell more than 8,000 roses.

Indulge in one of our luxury hotels in Buenos Aires. Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires in Recoleta promises exquisite service and European-style elegance. A 20th Century mansion at the heart of this five-star hotel makes for an extravagant backdrop to the outdoor pool and ‘secret’ garden. Speaking of five-star hotels in Buenos Aires, Alvear Art Hotel offers a modern take on luxury with its spa and fitness centre featuring panoramic city views.

Central hotels are ideal for Buenos Aires city breaks. InterContinental Hotels Buenos Aires is a stylish choice, sitting near Avenida 9 de Julio where you’ll find landmarks such as the obelisk and Teatro Colon. There are also good hotels in Buenos Aires’ central riverside neighbourhood Puerto Madero. You’ll find Hilton Buenos Aires here, surrounded by chic warehouses-turned-restaurants and waterside bars.

There’s no shortage of cool hotels in Buenos Aires, but Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires might just be the coolest. This five-star palace of luxury in Recoleta sparkles with chandeliers, marble floors, spotlit gardens and framed artworks. It’s set inside a mansion and is inspired by 1930s opulence. The atmosphere is very ‘Gatsby’ glamourous.

If you’re hoping to see the city on a budget, Hotel 725 Continental is ideal for cheap Buenos Aires holidays. It’s right in the city centre, making sightseeing a breeze, and its rooftop pool with downtown views is downright fabulous.

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