Buenos Aires Travel Guide

The capital and largest city in Argentina, Buenos Aires blends the laid-back ambience of a European capital with the fiery passion of a Latin-American barrio, a combination that makes it an irresistible travel destination. Home to roughly 40 percent of the country's population, this bustling metropolis is as cosmopolitan as it gets, with a diverse population energetic in its enthusiasm for enjoying city life.

Buenos Aires is consistently rated among the top holiday destinations in the world, and it's easy to see why. Visitors looking for a party will find countless pumping bars and nightclubs, with tango dancing spilling out into the streets; night owls can drink mate or dance into the early hours of the morning.

Buenos Aires is also the shopping capital of Argentina, with plenty of shopping malls and markets for buying souvenirs.

The local restaurants scene offers the best in Argentinean cuisine, which means succulent steaks are the specialty of most houses. Restaurants range from al paso (walk through) to fine dining, with plenty of small restaurants offering a range of cuisines representing the local immigrant communities. As Argentina is known for its excellent wine, visitors can take the time to sample the local varietals.

This coastal city offers no end of entertainment for all visitors, young and old. Passion combined with a sophisticated outlook makes Buenos Aires a travel destination that will not soon be forgotten.

Best time to visit Buenos Aires

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are good times to visit Buenos Aires, as the weather is ideal. Summer (December to February) tends to be crowded with tourists, though locals flee the city heat for the beaches and restaurants and museums have reduced hours. October and November is the best time to visit, as the purple jacaranda trees are in full bloom.

What to see in Buenos Aires

-Watch the street performers of La Boca and the Plaza Dorrego. -See the ostentatious Casa Rosada, former home of Juan and Eva Peron. -Wander around the elaborate monuments of La Recoleta Cemetery.

What to do in Buenos Aires

-Navigate Nueve de Julio Avenue, the widest street in the world. -Learn to tango in one of Buenos Aires' trendy nightclubs. -Take the kids to the Botanical Gardens. -Catch a polo match or take a lesson.

Beyond Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the gateway to Argentina, as most international flights land here. From Buenos Aires, travellers can spend the weekend at the fashionable beach resorts of Mar del Plata, 230 miles (400km) to the south. Many travellers head north to Cordoba and the rolling plains of the Pampas where the gauchos (cowboys) roam, and further north to the spectacular Iguazu Falls. Montevideo, across the border in Uruguay, is also accessible from Buenos Aires by ferry.

Getting there

Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport is located 14 miles (22km) southwest of Buenos Aires, and is connected to the city via shuttles, taxis, and buses. Direct flights to Buenos Aires are available from a number of cities worldwide, including London, Miami, Santiago de Chile, Istanbul and Moscow.

Did you know?

-The Spanish spoken in Buenos Aires is coloured with local slang called Lunfardo, and differs from that spoken in other parts of the country.

-The standard greeting in Buenos Aires is a kiss on the cheek, whether male or female.

-Buenos Aires has the second largest Jewish population (over 300,000) in the Americas, second only to New York City.