The Pampas attractions

Barrelling through the center of Buenos Aires, the grandiose Avenida 9 de Julio boasts some of the Argentinian capital’s most recognizable landmarks. The giant Obelisk reigns supreme over the thoroughfare, which is bordered by other big hitters such as Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón) and Avenida Corrientes, and was modeled on Paris’ grand Champs-Élysées.

El Puente de la Mujer (“Woman’s Bridge”), the first Latin American work by the renowned Catalan architect Santiago Calatrava, is one of the most distinctive symbols of the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Puerto Madero. Appropriately for its Argentine setting, the gleaming white structure was designed to represent a couple dancing tango.

The Buenos Aires Obelisk (Obelisco de Buenos Aires), among the city’s most iconic landmarks, towers over the intersection of two main thoroughfares. Erected in 1936 to commemorate the quadricentennial of the city’s founding, the pencil-like column stands a striking 220 feet (67 meters) tall and marks the spot where the nation’s flag was first flown.

One of the biggest tango shows in town, Senor Tango is a much glitzier affair than the more traditionalmilongas (dance halls) of Buenos Aires. It’s a sizzling show featuring dance routines and visual effects combining light, color, and sound. With dinner served beforehand, it also makes for a complete night out.

With its intimate shows (only 100 seats, gourmet cuisine, and lavish surroundings, Rojo Tango is arguably the most luxurious venue to experience Argentina’s sultry dance—the tango—while in Buenos Aires. The venue, inside the Hotel Faena, enlists some of the nation’s best dancers, singers, and musicians for its tango performances.

El Cabildo, a modest, two-story colonial building along the edge of Plaza de Mayo, once served as Buenos Aires’s original city hall. Today, it’s one of the few colonial structures still standing in Buenos Aires. The facade now houses a small museum showcasing paintings, furniture, antiques, and costumes from the colonial period.

Get acquainted with the vibrant café culture in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires at one of the city’s most iconic cafés: Café Tortoni. Opened in 1858 by a French immigrant, the café became a popular haunt of tango singers and literati, and even today you can catch a live tango show in the evenings.

Red wine and red-hot tango are two of Argentina’s top exports, and few places do both as well as El Querandi, one of the most famous tango venues in Buenos Aires. The historic restaurant and wine bar is popular with tourists, who frequent the legendary dinner tango shows, and serves up an acclaimed menu of Argentine cuisine and local wines.

Retiro is a study in contrasts. The barrio got its start as one of the capital’s wealthiest neighborhoods, evidenced by the belle époque embassies, 5-star hotels, and high-end retailers scattered throughout. It’s also one of Argentina’s busiest transportation hubs and home to the overcrowded and under-serviced Villa 31.

With a legacy dating back to the 1890s, Café de los Angelitos is one of the most historic and atmospheric tango venues in Buenos Aires. Once a favorite hangout of tango legends Carlos Gardel and José Razzano, the café was immortalized in their 1944 song “Café de los Angelitos.”

Visitors to the Palermo Woods can’t miss the Galileo Galilei Planetarium (Planetario Galileo Galilei), with its futuristic silver dome towering over the surrounding park and lake. Inaugurated in 1966, the planetarium remains a popular family attraction, hosting a space-themed museum and daily shows.

With a history dating back to 1969, El Viejo Almacen de Buenos Aires is one of the city’s oldest tango shows. An atmospheric 18th-century building, the intimate venue hosts nightly performances featuring a cast of 20 tango dancers, live musicians, and a variety of tango styles.

Presiding over the grand Plaza de Mayo, the Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Argentina. This 19th-century neoclassical cathedral is the church where Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio—now Pope Francis—performed mass before he was elevated to the Vatican in 2013.

The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (Museo de Arte Lationoamericano de Buenos Aires, MALBA) is Buenos Aires’ leading modern art institution. Since opening in 2001, the museum has amassed a varied collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and installation works by artists from all corners of Latin America.

The largest of Buenos Aires’ two main stadiums—the other is La Bombonera (home to the Boca Juniors)—Monumental Stadium (Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti) is the home stadium of the River Plate football (soccer) team. This venue also hosts home matches of Argentina’s national team.

The cultural heart of the historic San Telmo barrio, Plaza Dorrego is the second-oldest square in Buenos Aires. Today the colonial square remains a lively hub of bars and cafés, with many historic venues holding tango shows and live music. On Sundays, the plaza hosts the vibrant San Telmo antiques market.

With a variety of midrange and upscale international brands, Galerias Pacifico is one of Buenos Aires’ most atmospheric shopping centers. Inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, the beaux arts building was constructed during the 1890s as the Argentinean headquarters of Le Bon Marché.

Dazzling shoppers on Buenos Aires’ central Florida Street, Guemes Gallery (Galería Güemes) is one of the city’s finest gallerias, recognized for its elegant art nouveau–style architecture. The shopping arcade’s domed atrium towers 285 feet (87 meters) over downtown BA and offers panoramic city views from its 14th-floor observation deck.

With its tree-lined walkways, pretty gazebos, and weekend handicrafts market, Lezama Park (Parque Lezama) offers a welcome respite from the busy streets of downtown Buenos Aires. Marking the border between San Telmo and La Boca, it’s a scenic spot for outdoor activities and picnicking on a sunny afternoon.

One of Buenos Aires’ oldest public squares, Plaza San Martin is a pocket of greenery, shaded by ancient jacaranda and magnolia trees. This area bridges the gap between the central Retiro train and bus station and the lively shopping hub of Florida Avenue.

The rivalry between the River Plate and Boca Juniors soccer teams is one of the fiercest in football. By showcasing photos, jerseys, and silverware from the club’s long history, River Plate Museum (Museo River Plate offers insight into one half of the epic rivalry.

Once the tallest building in South America, the towering architecture of the Barolo Palace (Palacio Barolo) in Buenos Aires has stood the test of time. Built by Italian architect Mario Palanti in 1923, the building’s fanciful style was inspired by Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, a poem in three parts that in turn represent Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.

With almost 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of forested trails, lakes, and flower-filled gardens, the Palermo Woods (Bosques de Palermo)—also known as February 3 Park (Parque Tres de Febrero)—is one of Buenos Aires’ largest and most picturesque green spaces, dominating the northern district of Palermo.

Nestled in the heart of Buenos Aires, the Paz Palace is a testament to the city's architectural splendor. This magnificent neoclassical palace offers visitors a captivating journey through time and culture. With 140 illustrious rooms across 129,000 square feet (12,000 square meters), the former residence provides much to explore.

Art lovers will find plenty to appreciate at the Buenos Aires National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes), Argentina’s top fine arts collection. With 24 galleries devoted to pre-20th-century European art, the museum is a trove of works by famous names such as Renoir and Picasso, as well as the world’s largest collection of Argentinean art.

The Evita Museum (Museo Evita) is devoted to Eva Perón, the subject of the stage and film musical of the same name and one of Argentina’s most polarizing historical figures. A series of exhibits, including personal effects and memorabilia, chronicle Evita’s life, from her childhood through her political career.

Presiding over the historic town of San Isidro in the northeast region of Buenos Aires Province, the San Isidro Cathedral is the crown jewel of suburban Buenos Aires. It is a popular pilgrimage site for those taking the famous Train of the Coast (Tren de la Costa) along the Rio de la Plata.

Located in the moder Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Madero Tango is a dance hall with many extras. The building offers panoramic views of the old port, and its nightly show guides guests through the evolution of tango, from its golden age to today, with a live orchestra, electronic music, and the fusion of genres.

Less than one hour from Buenos Aires, Parque de la Costa is one of Argentina’s leading amusement parks. With more than 50 attractions—which range from gravity-defying rollercoasters to classic carousels—there’s something to appeal to both thrill seekers and toddlers.

Housed in an ornate building on the banks of the Luján River in Tigre, the Tigre Art Museum (Museo de Arte Tigre) is known for its stunning architecture and impressive collection of Argentine paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum was declared a National Historic Monument in 1979.