Travel Tuesdays With Quilt: A 36-Hour Virtual Visit to Buenos Aires
Tourists from around the world might be heading to Peru to do the Inca trail this August, but we suggest giving it a miss for Argentina instead! Trust us and head to Buenos Aires, where cowboy culture meets fast-paced city life and tango competitions go hand-in-hand with rock concerts. A trip in August promises off-season prices and sunny winter days, making it a perfect time to explore the vibrant city.
When we asked our Culture AI what it thought of Buenos Aires based on travelers’ Instagram posts, we found that it detected Solitude, Creativity, and Fear as the top emotions, followed by Happiness and Affiliation. This is an interesting mix of emotions, unlike most other travel destinations. We see photos of empty streets, heritage buildings, natural landscapes, public art, and photographs capturing everyday moments. The posts are thoughtful and reflective, instead of the usual tourist selfies.
Drawing from blogs, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts, we curated a 36-hour itinerary for Buenos Aires inspired by the New York Times.
36 Hours in Buenos Aires
DAY 1
10 AM: Recoleta Cemetery
A resting place of the rich and famous, Recoleta Cemetery makes for a fascinating visit in Buenos Aires. Don’t miss the tomb of first lady Eva Perón and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The cemetery also contains the graves of Nobel Prize winners, the founder of the Argentine Navy, and military commanders like Julio Argentino Roca.
12 PM: Street Art Tour
One of the best ways to explore a new place is by walking through its neighborhoods. Even better if the neighborhoods feature spectacular street art and murals. Take a street art tour to experience the creative side of Buenos Aires and explore parts of the city you otherwise may not visit. The 2.5-hour tour starts in Colegiales and ends in Palermo.
2 PM: Steak and Malbec
When in Argentina, you can’t miss the legendary steak paired with red wine. Head to Don Julio or La Cabrera, the best steak restaurants in town. Get the tenderloin or ribeye with a glass of local wine.
4 PM: Teatro Colón
Watch a show or take a 15-minute guided tour of this Buenos Aires landmark that dates back to 1857! Seven stories high and as big as an entire city block, it’s an experience quite unlike any other, and quite rightly one of the ten best opera houses in the world (according to National Geographic).
6 PM: Tango Time
Buenos Aires is considered the birthplace of Tango so why not experience it at a ‘milonga’? Milonga is a place where people go dancing and these are located in different parts of the city. San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego has dances on Sunday night, while Salón Canning is where you should head to see the traditional milongas. Shake a leg or watch others dance — if you wish, you can also opt for a dinner-and-tango show specially curated for tourists. Some places also offer formal classes.
9 PM: Cocktails at a Speakeasy
End the day with cocktails at Verne in Palermo, named after the author Jules Verne. With decor that seems inspired by Mad Men, this is a great place to unwind and call it a day.
DAY 2
9 AM: Colorful La Boca
Starting the day with a walk through the colorful neighborhood of La Boca is likely to brighten up your trip in more ways than one. The streets are infused with painted buildings, tango dancing, and the most photogenic alleys. The famous Caminito street is filled with artwork, while La Bombonera, the stadium of the world-renowned Boca Juniors fútbol club, is a paradise for football lovers!
11 AM: Take a cooking class
Argentinians love their empanadas, so what better way to taste these delicious baked or fried pockets of goodness stuffed with minced meat or veggies than make them yourself? Spice things up with a cooking class and learn about Argentinian food and culture!
1 PM: Cafe Tortoni
If you’re still hungry, grab a quick bite at Cafe Tortoni, a quaint cafe that was established back in 1858! Get a con leche and medialuna (local croissant) or a submarino (warm milk and chocolate for dipping), and you’re set!
3 PM: A Splendid Bookstore
A 1919 performing arts theatre that is now one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, El Ateneo Grand Splendid features ornate carvings, crimson stage curtains, and frescoed ceilings. The rounded balconies are now reading rooms, offering a truly one-of-a-kind bookshop experience.
4 PM: San Telmo Market
There’s nothing quite like picking up souvenirs from street markets to remember your explorations around the world once you get back home. The San Telmo market attracts over 12,000 visitors each week and is a one-stop destination to pick up knick-knacks, antiques, and artwork. With over 270 stalls and street performances spread across 13 cobblestone blocks, you won’t get bored!
6 PM: Feria de Mataderos
Another folk market but more focused on food and only open on Sundays, Feria de Mataderos is where you can taste authentic loca foods like locro (a meat and corn stew), empanadas, and humita (a cheese and corn mixture wrapped inside husks). You can also pick up leather goods and silver jewelry, among other things.
Finally, end the day with a scrumptious dinner at one of these 38 best restaurants in Buenos Aires. Buen provecho!
If you have more time on your hands, experience Gaucho life by heading to a ranch outside the city. Ride horses, watch gaucho performances, and enjoy farm-fresh Argentinian food with red wine! Here’s a list of more such day trips from Buenos Aires. You can also explore the many museums in the city, watch a polo match, or experience Argentinian football fever at La Bombonera stadium.
LOGISTICS
How to get there
Buenos Aires is well-connected with most major cities in the USA, with direct flights offered by American Airlines, United, and Aerolíneas Argentinas. The Ezeiza International Airport is the primary international airport in Buenos Aires, while Jorge Newbery Airfield is popular for domestic flights and international flights from Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Places to stay
First-timers can stay at 1828 Smart Hotel Boutique located in Palermo as it is centrally located with lots of restaurants around. Luxury travelers can check in to Four Seasons Hotel while budget travelers can opt for Milhouse Hostel.
When to go
Buenos Aires is a year-round destination. December to February is summertime, while March-May and September-November have pleasant weather. July-August is the best time to visit for off-season prices and chilly days.
Follow our page for more such travel itineraries. Write to anurag.banerjee@quilt.ai to learn about AI-powered market research and the latest consumer trends.
