24 Hours in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a pulsating, cosmopolitan and passionate city. The combination of rich architectural and cultural heritage, modern creative energy, electric nightlife, unique traditions, a vibrant arts scene, extensive parks, and warm, friendly hosts makes it one of the world’s most exciting capitals. If you Only have one day in the city, here is a suggested itinerary that takes advantage of the City tourist bus.

9:00am

Start your exploration of the city's hidden secrets: the obelisk. It is one of the city's most recognised landmarks, It marks the crossroads of Avenida Corrientes, famous for its many theatres, pizza joints, and bookstores, and Avenida 9 de Julio – often considered the world's widest avenue.

Continuing north along 9 de Julio, you'll find the impressive Colón Theatre, one of the most important opera houses in the world. South of this grand building is the Ministry of Social Development, which can be recognised by the distinctive mural of Evita on its side wall.

Walking along Avenida Roque Sáenz Peña, popularly known as Diagonal Norte, you'll reach the Plaza de Mayo. This street connects two of the three state powers: the judiciary, based at the Palace of Justice and the executive branch of the government, based at the Casa Rosada.

At Diagonal Norte, Av. Pres. Roque Saenz Peña 728 you can buy the ticket for tourist bus while watching the most famous historical architectures.

The obelisk : CORRIENTES AV. y 9 DE JULIO AV.

Casa Rosada: BALCARCE 50

The Metropolitan Cathedral: RIVADAVIA AV. y SAN MARTIN

The Cabildo: BOLIVAR 65

11:00am

From the Plaza de Mayo walk south down calle Bolivar or any of its parallel streets into the old San Telmo neighbourhood, the former heart of the city. You’ll pass some of the city’s oldest buildings, like the Manzana de las Luces and the Iglesia San Ignacio. When you hit calle Humberto I°, take a left and you’ve arrived at Plaza Dorrego and the San Telmo market, a hive of activity on most days, but especially on Sundays when the market spills out onto the adjacent streets.

When you tire of rummaging through San Telmo's designer racks and museums, head over to El Zanjón de Granados for insight into Buenos Aires' far-stretching, 500-year history. From the outside, the building looks like an immense, lavish mansion. But beneath this glamorous structure, you'll catch a glimpse of Buenos Aires' past as you traverse a maze of ancient Spanish settlements.

From San Telmo, hop on the City Tourist Bus (stop 5, on Av. Paseo Colón between Pasaje Giuffra and Av. Independencia) and head to the colourful port-side neighbourhood of La Boca and to the famous outside museum.

El Zanjón de Granados : DEFENSA 755

San Telmo market : DEFENSA y CALVO, CARLOS

14:00pm

Jump back onto the tourist bus towards Puerto Madero (stop 11): you’ll pass in front of the Ecological Reserve (see Sports & Parks) and be dropped off on the docks, where you’ll find tranquil and elegant riverside bars and eateries for a lunchtime break, and can marvel at the dramatic Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge).

Art and history lovers should check out the eclectic Colección de Arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat (Olga Cossettini 141) or board the Fragata ARA Sarmiento, a naval museum inside a nineteenth century ship .

16:00pm

From Puerto Madero, the tourist bus will take you to Recoleta (stop 15) where you can drop into the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Av. del Libertador 1473), the Palais de Glace, (Av. del Libertador 1248) or the Recoleta Cultural Centre (Junín 1930). Or you can simply meander along Recoleta’s tree-lined avenues and plazas past the Plaza Francia and the splendid Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Junín 1904) towards the labyrinthine Recoleta Cemetery (Junín 1760).

Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar: JUNIN 1904

Recoleta Cemetery: Junín 1760

18:00pm

Further up heading into Palermo is the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo (Av. del Libertador 1902) and the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415 - stop 16 on the city bus), as well as the Museo Evita (Lafinur 2988). If it’s sunny and you fancy a stroll in the park, head to the tranquil oasis of the Japanese Gardens (Av Casares 2966).

If you find yourself in Palermo in the late afternoon, walk south-westwards towards Palermo Soho for a bit of window-shopping (go to Shopping) and a relaxed drink in the sunshine.