What to do in Buenos Aires - Things to see and places to go in Buenos Aires while on a short trip

Here are, according to us and our local team, the things to do and see in Buenos Aires in order to get the real vibe, real essence of the city.

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1. Of course you could do all of the following or just register to our cultural scavenger hunt!

2. Take a look at this map of the city to have a real idea on how it is built and organized.

3. You absolutely must go for a walk through the entire neighborhood of Recoleta.

There, you'llo enjoy splendors of neoclassical and colonial architecture. Recoleta’s name originates from a Franciscan Order that established itself in this neighborhood in the 18th century. Later, Buenos Aires‘ rich and powerful began to flood into Recoleta, defining the barrio as we know it today. Recoleta is one of Buenos Aires’ most pleasant neighborhoods. Here are some places you absolutely don't wanna miss in Recoleta :

Recoleta Cemetery

In this well-known Buenos Aires landmark, you’ll find beautifully designed and grand tombs for the city’s famous dead, including that of Eva Peron, whose tomb is frequently visited and always full of fresh flowers. The greatest characters from the history of Argentina are buried in Recoleta Cemetery, and the site was declared a National Historic Monument in 1942. You can take a tour of the more famous residents, but perhaps it is better to just explore the maze of alleys that wind between the various mausoleums, many of which feature wonderful architecture, and are anything but morbid. The quality and diversity of art nouveau sculptures make this cemetery an open-air museum that invites walks and serene meditation.
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La Isla

In a small industrial area is the chic and affluent hill of La Isla. When the area was urbanized in 1906 by French architect Joseph-Antoine Bouvard, the municipality’s goal was to create a garden city. So up until 1930 La Isla was only covered by mansions, and only after the 1940s were they replaced by taller buildings. The area’s parks are tranquil and beautiful, and there is good shopping on the Avenida General Las Heras. Don’t miss the beautiful Plaza Mitre overlooking the Avenida Libertador.
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Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid

 The library was originally a theatre that could accommodate up 1050 spectators, before it was turned into a cinema and then a bookstore. The Grand Splendid Theatre was built under the orders of Max Glucksmann and was inaugurated in May 1919. The theatre is now considered to be one of the best and most beautiful bookstores in the world. But this is more than a visit to a bookstore, it’s also a way to discover a different time.
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Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

There are Argentinian artists to discover here, certainly, but also a vast array of talented artists from across the world . The MNBA, with its carefully amassed collection, is a great place to visit for art lovers. There are Italian paintings from the 19th century, an impressive collection of bronze statues (the Degas are particularly fine), several Rodin and also a Rembrandt from 1635.
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Plaza Francia

The trees in Plaza Francia are exceptional and beautiful: ombus, araucarias, palm trees and many others with unfamiliar names, typical representations of the local flora. The plaza is close to the monumental Recoleta Cemetery. On weekends there’s a artisan market, where you can buy leather goods, hand-crafted jewelry (sometimes decorated with local precious stones), woven items and ingenious wooden toys. This is a tourist spot, of course, but it is also where the local porteños often go to shop for gifts.
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the Biblioteca Nacional

 For those who like modern architecture and a calm place to read, this is a good spot to pause. The building embodies the brutalist architectural movement in a most overwhelming way; you either like it or hate it, no middle ground is possible. Try the free guided tour, led by one of the volunteers everyday at around 3pm.
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Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar (‘Our Lady of the Pillar’) is located close to the Recoleta cemetery, and its beauty and intimacy mean that many young couples choose to marry there. Regardless of belief, the church plunges the visitor into a beautiful atmosphere of silence and serenity. Thanks to its architecture and the wonderful colors (its chapels on the side walls contrast with the immaculate white walls of the nave) the aesthetic experience is also remarkable and lingers in the mind.
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Parque Thalys

 This park was designed by French landscape architect Carlos (Charles) Thays, who eventually became an Argentine citizen. Carlos Thays did perhaps more than anyone to embellish Buenos Aires with trees, and he also left his green footprint in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital. Thays promoted the planting of trees along the boulevards of Buenos Aires, and demanded more were put on sidewalks and public squares. Visit Parque Thays and detox yourself from the buzz of urban life. A picnic on the grass is a welcome pause in your day.
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The Floralis Genérica

The Floralis Genérica is a metal flower-shaped sculpture that follows the sun in the same way as a sunflower. The sculpture was designed and paid for by the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano, who then dedicated it to the city.It is set above a reflecting pool in a garden next to the University of Buenos Aires’ Facultad de Derecho, and near the National Museum of Fine Arts, and is made from aluminum and steel. This massive structure became an instant attraction, with its six giant metallic petals reaching height of 23 meters and weighing 18 tons. The sculpture has a clock that controls the opening and closing of the flower. The Floralis Genérica opens at 8am and closes at sunset.
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Centro Cultural Recoleta

Formerly a refuge for the retired, this building was reborn as a cultural center and it puts on various exhibitions, spectacles and cultural events of a high quality. Buenos Aires is renowned for its rich cultural life, and this place definitely ratifies the city’s reputation; check out the program for the latest performance details. We recommend following a visit here with a walk to La Biela, an historical café, for a coffee and some traditional Buenos Aires pastries.
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4. Walk through and stop for a drink or dining in Palermo. 

 Buenos Aires’ largest barrio, Palermo, (by size) beckons expats, vacationers and an ever-growing number of porteños like moths to a flame. Regardless of where you choose to live/stay, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that most of the people you know and meet in the city will live in Palermo. And, if they don’t, you’ll still wind up here to take advantage of the boundless café and restaurants, bars and nightclubs, parks, museums and galleries, shops and artisanal markets.

That’s Palermo in a nutshell. Now let’s concentrate on Palermo Soho. This vibrant area of the bohemian sub-barrio Palermo Viejo sits between the streets Santa Fé, Coronel Diaz, Córdoba and Juan B. Justo. This is one of the trendier parts of Palermo (along with Palermo Hollywood) and a favorite haunt of backpackers, hipsters and designers. It is home to lazy, tree-lined cobblestone streets where new businesses continue to spring up in the old Spanish-style houses and converted warehouses.

If you wish to delve into Buenos Aires’ colonial past then you are in the wrong place because Palermo Soho is all but devoid of history. Instead, the area oozes innovation and is young, fresh and international. It’s the place to sip a cortado while sat on the terrace of a chic café; browse market stalls and independent boutiques for the latest fashions; seek out the newest low-key bar; catch up on some work or emails at a co-working space; or simply wander the streets and blend in with the cool crowd.

The area’s name is actually unofficial and stems from a supposed likeness to New York’s Soho neighborhood. If you’ve been to both you can decide for yourself on the similarities!

If you aren’t visiting Palermo Soho to eat and drink then you’ll be here because you’ve been told that it’s a shopper’s paradise. Buenos Aires’ finest boutiques are here, from clothing stores and specialists in leather goods to bookstores and wine shops. What makes it all the more appealing is that the shops are expertly set in recycled houses, former warehouses and elegant old homes. Stroll along Jorge Luis Borges, Gurruchaga or Malabia streets and you’ll see what we mean.

Weekends are especially busy in the area when it seems that tourists and Porteños alike don their coolest attire and head to the open-air markets on Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia. Plaza Serrano is particularly notable because the bars surrounding the square open their doors for independent vendors to showcase their goods. It’s a great spot to look for funky t-shirts, dress shirts and dresses in addition to accessories and handicrafts.
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 Isabel is our Buenos Aires local representative, we asked her what an ideal day of leisure in Buenos Aires could look like, what would she suggest doing from early morning to late at night.
Here is what she suggests.Don't hesitate to contact Isabel on Twitter @bigcitychase #BuenosAIres #questionforIsabel if you have questions for her, we may publish your conversation in this blog if she thinks it might be useful to other Buenos Aires visitors.

 Isabel from Buenos Aires for Big City Chase Buenos Aires : 

"Hi guys, I was born in Cordoba and moved to Buenos Aires with my family when I was fifteen. So I won't tell you how many years ago that was, but that's a long time! Let's say all of my memories are almost from here. Anyhow, here is the leisure day I suggest so that you can enjoy the most your trip in Buenos Aires :