It’s hard to narrow down all the wonderful things there are to do in Argentina into just 10, but here they are… in no particular order, the Argentina Gringo’s “Top Ten Things to do in Argentina”:
1. Recoleta Cemetery. If you’ve never been there it might be strange to think you would want to spend your vacation wandering around a cemetery, but trust me, you’ve got to see Recoleta; it is one of the greatest cemeteries in the world.
2. El Ateneo. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer at heart… this bookstore is a must-do for me every time I get a chance to be in Buenos Aires. You can find it at Av Santa Fe, in a restored theatre.
3. Cafe Tortoni. Okay… so it’s on the touristy side, but as one of the oldest and most exquisite cafes in the city it is still worth a visit.
4. Teatro Colon. Although now closed for renovation, put this one on your list of things to do for future trips. This beautiful opera house offers a taste of culture at a relatively inexpensive ticket price. Tours are available as well.
5. Tango. There are plenty of places to dance or watch, the Ideal being an old-style, no frills place to enjoy either a lesson in the morning, or open dancing in the afternoon. You can also grab a bite to eat or some coffee here.
6. Plaza de Mayo and Avenida de Mayo. The Plaza is the center for Argentina’s civic buildings, as well as the Casa Rosada and the Cathedral. From the Plaza walk down the Avenida towards Congresso. You will have the chance to enjoy some of the most beautiful architecture in Latin America.
7. Mataderos. This gaucho fair held on Sunday is a little ways out of town, so it gets missed by many, but it is a high point for me. I love the gaucho culture and the fair is a great place to enjoy typical food, horses and live music.
8. Asado y Parrilla. You can’t come all the way to Argentina and not try the beef! A word to the wise: ask a local where they get their asado; the small parrillas (grills) in the barrios (neighborhoods) often serve up a better meal than the fancy restaurants, and at a fraction of the price. Better yet, make friends with the guy, and try to score an invitation for dinner at his house.
9. Shop. While I’m not too big on the shopping, Buenos Aires is a great place to find leather, fur, wine, jewelry and antiques at reasonable prices.
10. San Telmo. Sundays in San Telmo there is an antique fair that, despite being pretty touristy, is one of my favorite things to do. The area comes alive and there is just something special about San Telmo on Sundays.
What are your favorite things to do in Buenos Aires?
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