A city with a million inhabitants like Buenos Aires has a rich cultural life and many museums and attractions. It’s no problem to fill your days with more than just tango.
You can read about tango, practical tips, and general information about the city here: Buenos Aires
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo is the city’s most important square. It is named after the May Revolution of 1810, which marked the beginning of Argentina’s independence from Spain. The square was built in 1884 and is a significant part of Argentina’s history.
There have been countless demonstrations here. Thousands of people demonstrated, spurred on by Eva Perón, Evita, when President Juan Perón was arrested by military coup leaders in 1945. She spoke from Casa Rosada, the presidential palace located at one end of the square.
The demonstrators succeeded, and Perón was released.
However, during another military coup against Juan Perón in 1955, bombs were dropped on the square, killing 300 people.
In 1977, the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo began their protest, demanding to know the whereabouts of the 30,000 people who disappeared under the dictatorship of Jorge Rafael Videla. Their protest continued until democracy was restored in 1983. Since then, Argentina has held free elections.
Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires is also located by Plaza de Mayo. It is the main seat of the Catholic Church in Argentina. The mausoleum of General José San Martín, known as the liberator of Argentina and Chile, is right inside the entrance.
Plaza de la República
If you follow the diagonal street north from the square, you’ll come to Plaza de la República with its iconic obelisk. The 67.5-meter-high obelisk was erected in 1936 to mark the 400th anniversary of Argentina.
Teatro Colón is also nearby.
Teatro Colón
If you appreciate grand buildings and/or opera, you should visit Teatro Colón. It is located just north of the Republica. The opera house is considered one of the finest in the world and has the best acoustics globally. Construction began in the late 1800s. Inside, it features exquisite marble work, grand chandeliers, and red velvet. The main hall has six levels of balconies.
The season lasts from March to December, but if you are here in January or February, you can still take a tour. A few tours are in English, so check the schedule here: teatrocolon.org.ar
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
If you continue north for 20 minutes, you’ll reach “the world’s most beautiful bookstore,” as named by National Geographic. It’s worth stopping by if you’re interested in such things. The bookstore is housed in an old theater, with bookshelves on the balconies and reading nooks in small alcoves. There’s also a small café where you can enjoy the usual sweet cakes.
La Recoleta Cemetery
The cemetery is actually a tourist attraction where you must pay 5 USD to enter. Like cemeteries in Latin America, it’s full of grand tombs packed tightly together with narrow paths in between. Among the graves, you will find the Duarte family’s tomb, which includes the famous Eva Perón, Evita.
Palacio Barolo
If you are interested in architecture, or just want a good viewpoint, you should stop by Palacio Barolo, a short walk from the obelisk along Avenida de Mayo. The office building was constructed in the early 1920s and was the tallest building in South America for a long time. It has a particularly interesting architecture, dedicated to Dante’s *The Divine Comedy*.
Like in Dante’s work, the building is divided into three parts: Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. You enter the foyer, representing Hell. From here, nine elevators take you to Paradise, which is a lighthouse at the top, 100 meters above the ground. However, the elevator doesn’t go all the way up. You must climb the last few floors via a spiral staircase that gets narrower as you ascend, eventually ending in a round glass house at the top. You have glass above, on the sides, and partly beneath you. The view is fantastic, but not recommended if you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights.
There are also viewing balconies a few floors down if you don’t want to climb the last few meters.
Throughout the protected building, you’ll find references to *The Divine Comedy*, in statues and even in the number of elevators.
The building is located one block from Congress and Plaza del Congreso. A large demonstration was taking place here when we visited. Students were protesting cuts to university funding. In a country with economic challenges, demonstrations are not uncommon, but they are peaceful.
Guided tours can be booked online or directly at the building See palaciobarolo.com.ar
Museo del Agua y de la Historia Sanitaria
A small museum, free of charge, and perhaps for those with a special interest. The museum is located in the Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes and contains old toilets, pipes, and taps. But the most impressive thing is the palace itself. A massive, extravagantly decorated classical building. But no, it wasn’t home to royalty; it housed water tanks containing 72,300,000 liters of water!
Imagine if we could place more emphasis on aesthetics in public buildings today.
MALBA Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
The museum contains works from the 1900s to today. Many are from recent times, but there are also some classics, like a painting of plump figures signed by Botero, and works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Museo Moderno
Modern Argentine art. Not everything is equally interesting. (I should mention that I have a somewhat strained relationship with much modern art).
But in the top floor, there was a large room with textiles and small sculptures you could walk around in, which was very nice.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
A large, traditional art museum featuring works from the 1500s to today. There’s a lot of Latin American art, particularly from more recent times, and some European pieces like the Impressionists. Several Goya paintings and drawings. Free admission
Basílica María Auxiliadora y San Carlos
In the Almagro district, you’ll find the church Basílica María Auxiliadora y San Carlos, which is extremely colorfully decorated inside. It’s usually open from 8 AM to noon and a few hours in the evening. Check the hours before you go. A visit can be combined with a stroll in Parque Rivadavia in nearby Caballito. See here: Buenos Aires
Check opening hours here: https://www.facebook.com/basilicademariaauxiliadora
Museo de la Càrcova
If you are visiting Puerto Madero, you can stop by this small museum which has a nice collection of statue replicas. The collection covers everything from the Mesoamerican, Egyptian, Greek and European Middle Ages. The copies are well done. And then you can relax in the shady garden.
Museo Histórico Nacional
A museum dedicated to the revolution and the nation’s formation. Mostly paintings and uniforms. Little information in English. You should have a keen interest in history to get much out of this.
MARQ. Museum of Architecture and Design
A small and free museum. It contains drawings and models built by students. Not very interesting for other than students.
All about Argentina here: category/argentina
