Argentina — Attractions
Cabildo
Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms they have donned for nearly 200 years. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolor paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Bolívar 65
- Phone Number
- (011) 4334 1782
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo, Cathedral or Bolívar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Friday 12:30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm
- Admission
- $1
Casa Rosada
One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink color scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artifacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4344 3802
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo
- Hours
- Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- Free
Cathedral Metropolitana
Situated in the Plaza de Mayo, the Neoclassical Cathedral Metropolitana houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4331 2845
- Transport
- Metro to Bolívar, Catedral, or Plaza de Mayo
- Admission
- Free
La Recoleta Cemetery
An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa
- Website
- www.info-recoleta.com
- Hours
- Open daily. Guided tours are available.
- Admission
- Free
Plaza Dorrego
Plaza Dorrego lies in San Telmo, the bohemian artists' quarter and the birthplace of tango. The tiny square is surrounded by elegant houses, now mostly converted into antique shops and bars whose tables overflow onto the street. On Sundays the plaza is the setting for the ancient flea market, the Feria de San Pedro Telmo. Though you are unlikely to discover any bargains you may find an interesting souvenir or two. The stallholders pack up their wares at 5pm and the square becomes the setting for informal tango dances. This is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists and even the inexperienced may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the Plaza Dorrego worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and the Museo de Arte Moderno.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is one of the largest performing arts theaters in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It was designed by Italian architect Francisco Tamburri and is an Italian Renaissance-style building with a seating capacity of 2,500 (although more people have been squeezed in at a time). It has hosted many international performers including Nijinsky, Pavlov, Pavarotti and Domingo. Guided tours take visitors to the theater's workshops, rehearsal rooms, auditorium and stage.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Cerrito 618
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4378 7100
- Website
- www.teatrocolon.org.ar
- Transport
- Metro to Carlos Pellegrini station
La Boca
La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colorful neighborhood or barrioin Buenos Aires, original home of both football legend Diego Maradona and the tango. An assortment of brightly-painted low houses made of wood and metal line the streets, including the famed main street Caminito, in this poor but happy area full of artisans, painters, street performers, cantinas and open-air tango shows. The neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to work in the docks. Today it is frequented by crowds of tourists who come to soak up the lively atmosphere.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Iguazú National Park
The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including colorful parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the 1986 film The Missionand, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby. Iguazú is home to the Guarani people, who offer their handmade crafts for sale inside the park.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
- Website
- www.iguazuargentina.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 7pm (October to February), 9am to 6pm (March to September)
- Admission
- ARS$100 (adults); ARS$70 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available.
Córdoba
Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest city and although there has been massive development in recent years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina, dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well-prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Mendoza
The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterized by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
The Pampas
The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the birthplace of the gaucho(cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on asado.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Patagonia
Adventurous travelers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the river Colorado, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people go between July and April to visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdés, where right whales, sea elephants and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13°F (-25°C). In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut you can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers and nearby at Punta Tombo you can see the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, you will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, with the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
Tierra del Fuego
This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south the region does not reach the extreme temperatures of neighboring Patagonia, but it is still not for the faint-hearted. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, in the south, the base for visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego (with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped mountains and beechwood forests). There is less reason to visit the north of the island unless you are a keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Website
- www.tierradelfuego.org.ar
Perito Moreno Glacier
Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Visitors can marvel at the site of the glacier 'calving': enormous chunks of ice breaking off into the water with a deafening crash, creating icebergs and causing large waves. The glacier is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process; at certain periods the glacier's front reaches the coastal border of the lake, blocking off the flow of water from the Andes and causing its waters to rise by about 66 feet (20m). When the pressure is too much, the dam of ice cracks and shatters, sending icebergs downstream. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Address
- Los Glaciares National Park
- Phone Number
- Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Center: (0)2902 491 005
- Email Address
- parquenacional@losglaciares.com
- Website
- www.losglaciares.com
Floralis Genérica
Floralis Generica is a working metal sculpture located on the United Nations square in Recoleta. It was offered to the city by Argentine architect Eduardo Fernando Catalano, who described it as an 'environmental structure'. Its metallic petals open and close based on the incidence of solar rays and visitors to the site will find the giant metal sculpture 'in full bloom' in the heat of the day and closed at night. The sheer genius and technical artistry of the giant flower makes it a Buenos Aires sight worth seeing.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- United Nations Park, Recoleta
Nueve de Julio Avenue
At 416 feet (127m) wide, Avenida 9 de Julio is claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, honoring Argentina's Independence Day which falls on 9th July. The avenue runs from the Retiro district in the north to Constitucion station in the south, roughly one kilometer to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront and consists of 18 lanes of traffic, nine on each side. In the middle of the street stands a 67-meter-tall obelisk marking the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk is a popular photo spot, and visitors can climb to the top where they can look out over the Avenida 9 de Julio through its four observation windows.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Zoo
Home to over 350 animal species and known for some of its exotic breeding, the Buenos Aires zoo is the perfect place for families, a romantic date or tourists. With nine species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, the zoo's goals are to conserve species, produce research and educate the public. Disposable cameras are on sale and professional photographers are on standby to capture all the memories. Animal food can be bought at the entrance and other stations located around the zoo to encourage visitors' interaction with the animals. The best time to visit the zoo is on a sunny weekday afternoon, when time can be spent lounging in front of the white tiger enclosure, for which the zoo is well-known, or elephant house with only a few other people to contend with for the best view.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4011 9900
- Website
- www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10am. Open daily during school holidays
- Admission
- General admission (Entrada general) is $15 or the more advanced pass (pasaporte) is $22.
Museo de Los Ninos
Located inside the Abasto Shopping Center, the Museo de Los Ninos is a great way for children to explore a multitude of future careers by means of interactive exhibits. The exhibits include a miniature TV station with working cameras, a doctor's office, radio station and even a newspaper office. Children will love experiencing a 'day in the life' of one of these professions.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247
- Phone Number
- 054 11 4861 2325
- Email Address
- cumples@museoabasto.org.ar
- Website
- www.museoabasto.org.ar
- Admission
- ARS$15 (adults); ARS$30 (children). Concessions available.
La Calle de los Títeres
A real-life version of Punch and Judy takes place at the Centero Cultural del Sur and regular puppet shows and puppet making classes are guaranteed to keep children occupied for hours. Children will love the chance to interact with other kids as well as creating their own puppets and imaginary worlds.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Centro Cultural del Sur
- Phone Number
- 4305 6653
- Hours
- Puppet shows run from March to December Saturdays from 3pm and Sunday from 4pm. Closed in January and February.
Bosques de Palermo
The inner-city park of Bosques de Palermo is a great place for families to relax and unwind on a warm summers afternoon. The park offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play and other family-oriented activities to be enjoyed include rental paddleboats, bikes and carts. The park is also home to two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum and the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
The Galileo Galilei Plantarium is located inside the Bosques de Palermo and its massive dome rises out of the horizon, making it almost impossible to miss. On any given day, this planetarium is abuzz with the chatter of children and inquisitive young minds coming for a spot of stargazing. This is a must for children of all ages and anyone with a love of stars, space and planets.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4771 9393
- Email Address
- contacto@planetariogalilei.com.ar
- Website
- www.planetario.gov.ar
- Hours
- Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays to Sunday 1pm-7:30pm
Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens
Lined with trees, flowers and other indigenous plants, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens are a great place to take the kids for a day out. With plenty of open space to run around, the gardens make an ideal location to relax with a picnic or just take a leisurely walk with the family. The central greenhouse is also great to explore fo rthe more inquisitive-minded children.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia
Cabildo
Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms they have donned for nearly 200 years. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolor paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Bolívar 65
- Phone Number
- (011) 4334 1782
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo, Cathedral or Bolívar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Friday 12:30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm
- Admission
- $1
Casa Rosada
One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink color scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artifacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4344 3802
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo
- Hours
- Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- Free
Cathedral Metropolitana
Situated in the Plaza de Mayo, the Neoclassical Cathedral Metropolitana houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4331 2845
- Transport
- Metro to Bolívar, Catedral, or Plaza de Mayo
- Admission
- Free
La Recoleta Cemetery
An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa
- Website
- www.info-recoleta.com
- Hours
- Open daily. Guided tours are available.
- Admission
- Free
Plaza Dorrego
Plaza Dorrego lies in San Telmo, the bohemian artists' quarter and the birthplace of tango. The tiny square is surrounded by elegant houses, now mostly converted into antique shops and bars whose tables overflow onto the street. On Sundays the plaza is the setting for the ancient flea market, the Feria de San Pedro Telmo. Though you are unlikely to discover any bargains you may find an interesting souvenir or two. The stallholders pack up their wares at 5pm and the square becomes the setting for informal tango dances. This is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists and even the inexperienced may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the Plaza Dorrego worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and the Museo de Arte Moderno.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is one of the largest performing arts theaters in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It was designed by Italian architect Francisco Tamburri and is an Italian Renaissance-style building with a seating capacity of 2,500 (although more people have been squeezed in at a time). It has hosted many international performers including Nijinsky, Pavlov, Pavarotti and Domingo. Guided tours take visitors to the theater's workshops, rehearsal rooms, auditorium and stage.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Cerrito 618
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4378 7100
- Website
- www.teatrocolon.org.ar
- Transport
- Metro to Carlos Pellegrini station
La Boca
La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colorful neighborhood or barrioin Buenos Aires, original home of both football legend Diego Maradona and the tango. An assortment of brightly-painted low houses made of wood and metal line the streets, including the famed main street Caminito, in this poor but happy area full of artisans, painters, street performers, cantinas and open-air tango shows. The neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to work in the docks. Today it is frequented by crowds of tourists who come to soak up the lively atmosphere.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Iguazú National Park
The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including colorful parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the 1986 film The Missionand, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby. Iguazú is home to the Guarani people, who offer their handmade crafts for sale inside the park.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
- Website
- www.iguazuargentina.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 7pm (October to February), 9am to 6pm (March to September)
- Admission
- ARS$100 (adults); ARS$70 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available.
Córdoba
Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest city and although there has been massive development in recent years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina, dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well-prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Mendoza
The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterized by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
The Pampas
The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the birthplace of the gaucho(cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on asado.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Patagonia
Adventurous travelers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the river Colorado, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people go between July and April to visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdés, where right whales, sea elephants and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13°F (-25°C). In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut you can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers and nearby at Punta Tombo you can see the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, you will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, with the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
Tierra del Fuego
This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south the region does not reach the extreme temperatures of neighboring Patagonia, but it is still not for the faint-hearted. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, in the south, the base for visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego (with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped mountains and beechwood forests). There is less reason to visit the north of the island unless you are a keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Website
- www.tierradelfuego.org.ar
Perito Moreno Glacier
Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Visitors can marvel at the site of the glacier 'calving': enormous chunks of ice breaking off into the water with a deafening crash, creating icebergs and causing large waves. The glacier is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process; at certain periods the glacier's front reaches the coastal border of the lake, blocking off the flow of water from the Andes and causing its waters to rise by about 66 feet (20m). When the pressure is too much, the dam of ice cracks and shatters, sending icebergs downstream. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Address
- Los Glaciares National Park
- Phone Number
- Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Center: (0)2902 491 005
- Email Address
- parquenacional@losglaciares.com
- Website
- www.losglaciares.com
Floralis Genérica
Floralis Generica is a working metal sculpture located on the United Nations square in Recoleta. It was offered to the city by Argentine architect Eduardo Fernando Catalano, who described it as an 'environmental structure'. Its metallic petals open and close based on the incidence of solar rays and visitors to the site will find the giant metal sculpture 'in full bloom' in the heat of the day and closed at night. The sheer genius and technical artistry of the giant flower makes it a Buenos Aires sight worth seeing.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- United Nations Park, Recoleta
Nueve de Julio Avenue
At 416 feet (127m) wide, Avenida 9 de Julio is claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, honoring Argentina's Independence Day which falls on 9th July. The avenue runs from the Retiro district in the north to Constitucion station in the south, roughly one kilometer to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront and consists of 18 lanes of traffic, nine on each side. In the middle of the street stands a 67-meter-tall obelisk marking the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk is a popular photo spot, and visitors can climb to the top where they can look out over the Avenida 9 de Julio through its four observation windows.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Zoo
Home to over 350 animal species and known for some of its exotic breeding, the Buenos Aires zoo is the perfect place for families, a romantic date or tourists. With nine species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, the zoo's goals are to conserve species, produce research and educate the public. Disposable cameras are on sale and professional photographers are on standby to capture all the memories. Animal food can be bought at the entrance and other stations located around the zoo to encourage visitors' interaction with the animals. The best time to visit the zoo is on a sunny weekday afternoon, when time can be spent lounging in front of the white tiger enclosure, for which the zoo is well-known, or elephant house with only a few other people to contend with for the best view.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4011 9900
- Website
- www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10am. Open daily during school holidays
- Admission
- General admission (Entrada general) is $15 or the more advanced pass (pasaporte) is $22.
Museo de Los Ninos
Located inside the Abasto Shopping Center, the Museo de Los Ninos is a great way for children to explore a multitude of future careers by means of interactive exhibits. The exhibits include a miniature TV station with working cameras, a doctor's office, radio station and even a newspaper office. Children will love experiencing a 'day in the life' of one of these professions.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247
- Phone Number
- 054 11 4861 2325
- Email Address
- cumples@museoabasto.org.ar
- Website
- www.museoabasto.org.ar
- Admission
- ARS$15 (adults); ARS$30 (children). Concessions available.
La Calle de los Títeres
A real-life version of Punch and Judy takes place at the Centero Cultural del Sur and regular puppet shows and puppet making classes are guaranteed to keep children occupied for hours. Children will love the chance to interact with other kids as well as creating their own puppets and imaginary worlds.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Centro Cultural del Sur
- Phone Number
- 4305 6653
- Hours
- Puppet shows run from March to December Saturdays from 3pm and Sunday from 4pm. Closed in January and February.
Bosques de Palermo
The inner-city park of Bosques de Palermo is a great place for families to relax and unwind on a warm summers afternoon. The park offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play and other family-oriented activities to be enjoyed include rental paddleboats, bikes and carts. The park is also home to two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum and the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
The Galileo Galilei Plantarium is located inside the Bosques de Palermo and its massive dome rises out of the horizon, making it almost impossible to miss. On any given day, this planetarium is abuzz with the chatter of children and inquisitive young minds coming for a spot of stargazing. This is a must for children of all ages and anyone with a love of stars, space and planets.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4771 9393
- Email Address
- contacto@planetariogalilei.com.ar
- Website
- www.planetario.gov.ar
- Hours
- Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays to Sunday 1pm-7:30pm
Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens
Lined with trees, flowers and other indigenous plants, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens are a great place to take the kids for a day out. With plenty of open space to run around, the gardens make an ideal location to relax with a picnic or just take a leisurely walk with the family. The central greenhouse is also great to explore fo rthe more inquisitive-minded children.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia
Cabildo
Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms they have donned for nearly 200 years. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolor paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Bolívar 65
- Phone Number
- (011) 4334 1782
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo, Cathedral or Bolívar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Friday 12:30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm
- Admission
- $1
Casa Rosada
One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink color scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artifacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4344 3802
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo
- Hours
- Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- Free
Cathedral Metropolitana
Situated in the Plaza de Mayo, the Neoclassical Cathedral Metropolitana houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4331 2845
- Transport
- Metro to Bolívar, Catedral, or Plaza de Mayo
- Admission
- Free
La Recoleta Cemetery
An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa
- Website
- www.info-recoleta.com
- Hours
- Open daily. Guided tours are available.
- Admission
- Free
Plaza Dorrego
Plaza Dorrego lies in San Telmo, the bohemian artists' quarter and the birthplace of tango. The tiny square is surrounded by elegant houses, now mostly converted into antique shops and bars whose tables overflow onto the street. On Sundays the plaza is the setting for the ancient flea market, the Feria de San Pedro Telmo. Though you are unlikely to discover any bargains you may find an interesting souvenir or two. The stallholders pack up their wares at 5pm and the square becomes the setting for informal tango dances. This is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists and even the inexperienced may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the Plaza Dorrego worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and the Museo de Arte Moderno.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is one of the largest performing arts theaters in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It was designed by Italian architect Francisco Tamburri and is an Italian Renaissance-style building with a seating capacity of 2,500 (although more people have been squeezed in at a time). It has hosted many international performers including Nijinsky, Pavlov, Pavarotti and Domingo. Guided tours take visitors to the theater's workshops, rehearsal rooms, auditorium and stage.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Cerrito 618
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4378 7100
- Website
- www.teatrocolon.org.ar
- Transport
- Metro to Carlos Pellegrini station
La Boca
La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colorful neighborhood or barrioin Buenos Aires, original home of both football legend Diego Maradona and the tango. An assortment of brightly-painted low houses made of wood and metal line the streets, including the famed main street Caminito, in this poor but happy area full of artisans, painters, street performers, cantinas and open-air tango shows. The neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to work in the docks. Today it is frequented by crowds of tourists who come to soak up the lively atmosphere.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Iguazú National Park
The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including colorful parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the 1986 film The Missionand, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby. Iguazú is home to the Guarani people, who offer their handmade crafts for sale inside the park.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
- Website
- www.iguazuargentina.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 7pm (October to February), 9am to 6pm (March to September)
- Admission
- ARS$100 (adults); ARS$70 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available.
Córdoba
Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest city and although there has been massive development in recent years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina, dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well-prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Mendoza
The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterized by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
The Pampas
The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the birthplace of the gaucho(cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on asado.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Patagonia
Adventurous travelers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the river Colorado, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people go between July and April to visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdés, where right whales, sea elephants and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13°F (-25°C). In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut you can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers and nearby at Punta Tombo you can see the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, you will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, with the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
Tierra del Fuego
This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south the region does not reach the extreme temperatures of neighboring Patagonia, but it is still not for the faint-hearted. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, in the south, the base for visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego (with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped mountains and beechwood forests). There is less reason to visit the north of the island unless you are a keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Website
- www.tierradelfuego.org.ar
Perito Moreno Glacier
Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Visitors can marvel at the site of the glacier 'calving': enormous chunks of ice breaking off into the water with a deafening crash, creating icebergs and causing large waves. The glacier is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process; at certain periods the glacier's front reaches the coastal border of the lake, blocking off the flow of water from the Andes and causing its waters to rise by about 66 feet (20m). When the pressure is too much, the dam of ice cracks and shatters, sending icebergs downstream. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Address
- Los Glaciares National Park
- Phone Number
- Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Center: (0)2902 491 005
- Email Address
- parquenacional@losglaciares.com
- Website
- www.losglaciares.com
Floralis Genérica
Floralis Generica is a working metal sculpture located on the United Nations square in Recoleta. It was offered to the city by Argentine architect Eduardo Fernando Catalano, who described it as an 'environmental structure'. Its metallic petals open and close based on the incidence of solar rays and visitors to the site will find the giant metal sculpture 'in full bloom' in the heat of the day and closed at night. The sheer genius and technical artistry of the giant flower makes it a Buenos Aires sight worth seeing.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- United Nations Park, Recoleta
Nueve de Julio Avenue
At 416 feet (127m) wide, Avenida 9 de Julio is claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, honoring Argentina's Independence Day which falls on 9th July. The avenue runs from the Retiro district in the north to Constitucion station in the south, roughly one kilometer to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront and consists of 18 lanes of traffic, nine on each side. In the middle of the street stands a 67-meter-tall obelisk marking the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk is a popular photo spot, and visitors can climb to the top where they can look out over the Avenida 9 de Julio through its four observation windows.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Zoo
Home to over 350 animal species and known for some of its exotic breeding, the Buenos Aires zoo is the perfect place for families, a romantic date or tourists. With nine species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, the zoo's goals are to conserve species, produce research and educate the public. Disposable cameras are on sale and professional photographers are on standby to capture all the memories. Animal food can be bought at the entrance and other stations located around the zoo to encourage visitors' interaction with the animals. The best time to visit the zoo is on a sunny weekday afternoon, when time can be spent lounging in front of the white tiger enclosure, for which the zoo is well-known, or elephant house with only a few other people to contend with for the best view.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4011 9900
- Website
- www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10am. Open daily during school holidays
- Admission
- General admission (Entrada general) is $15 or the more advanced pass (pasaporte) is $22.
Museo de Los Ninos
Located inside the Abasto Shopping Center, the Museo de Los Ninos is a great way for children to explore a multitude of future careers by means of interactive exhibits. The exhibits include a miniature TV station with working cameras, a doctor's office, radio station and even a newspaper office. Children will love experiencing a 'day in the life' of one of these professions.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247
- Phone Number
- 054 11 4861 2325
- Email Address
- cumples@museoabasto.org.ar
- Website
- www.museoabasto.org.ar
- Admission
- ARS$15 (adults); ARS$30 (children). Concessions available.
La Calle de los Títeres
A real-life version of Punch and Judy takes place at the Centero Cultural del Sur and regular puppet shows and puppet making classes are guaranteed to keep children occupied for hours. Children will love the chance to interact with other kids as well as creating their own puppets and imaginary worlds.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Centro Cultural del Sur
- Phone Number
- 4305 6653
- Hours
- Puppet shows run from March to December Saturdays from 3pm and Sunday from 4pm. Closed in January and February.
Bosques de Palermo
The inner-city park of Bosques de Palermo is a great place for families to relax and unwind on a warm summers afternoon. The park offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play and other family-oriented activities to be enjoyed include rental paddleboats, bikes and carts. The park is also home to two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum and the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
The Galileo Galilei Plantarium is located inside the Bosques de Palermo and its massive dome rises out of the horizon, making it almost impossible to miss. On any given day, this planetarium is abuzz with the chatter of children and inquisitive young minds coming for a spot of stargazing. This is a must for children of all ages and anyone with a love of stars, space and planets.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4771 9393
- Email Address
- contacto@planetariogalilei.com.ar
- Website
- www.planetario.gov.ar
- Hours
- Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays to Sunday 1pm-7:30pm
Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens
Lined with trees, flowers and other indigenous plants, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens are a great place to take the kids for a day out. With plenty of open space to run around, the gardens make an ideal location to relax with a picnic or just take a leisurely walk with the family. The central greenhouse is also great to explore fo rthe more inquisitive-minded children.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia
Cabildo
Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms they have donned for nearly 200 years. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolor paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Bolívar 65
- Phone Number
- (011) 4334 1782
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo, Cathedral or Bolívar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Friday 12:30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm
- Admission
- $1
Casa Rosada
One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink color scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artifacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4344 3802
- Transport
- Metro to Plaza de Mayo
- Hours
- Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available
- Admission
- Free
Cathedral Metropolitana
Situated in the Plaza de Mayo, the Neoclassical Cathedral Metropolitana houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4331 2845
- Transport
- Metro to Bolívar, Catedral, or Plaza de Mayo
- Admission
- Free
La Recoleta Cemetery
An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa
- Website
- www.info-recoleta.com
- Hours
- Open daily. Guided tours are available.
- Admission
- Free
Plaza Dorrego
Plaza Dorrego lies in San Telmo, the bohemian artists' quarter and the birthplace of tango. The tiny square is surrounded by elegant houses, now mostly converted into antique shops and bars whose tables overflow onto the street. On Sundays the plaza is the setting for the ancient flea market, the Feria de San Pedro Telmo. Though you are unlikely to discover any bargains you may find an interesting souvenir or two. The stallholders pack up their wares at 5pm and the square becomes the setting for informal tango dances. This is as popular with the locals as it is with tourists and even the inexperienced may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the Plaza Dorrego worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and the Museo de Arte Moderno.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Teatro Colón
The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is one of the largest performing arts theaters in the southern hemisphere, second only to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It was designed by Italian architect Francisco Tamburri and is an Italian Renaissance-style building with a seating capacity of 2,500 (although more people have been squeezed in at a time). It has hosted many international performers including Nijinsky, Pavlov, Pavarotti and Domingo. Guided tours take visitors to the theater's workshops, rehearsal rooms, auditorium and stage.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Cerrito 618
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4378 7100
- Website
- www.teatrocolon.org.ar
- Transport
- Metro to Carlos Pellegrini station
La Boca
La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colorful neighborhood or barrioin Buenos Aires, original home of both football legend Diego Maradona and the tango. An assortment of brightly-painted low houses made of wood and metal line the streets, including the famed main street Caminito, in this poor but happy area full of artisans, painters, street performers, cantinas and open-air tango shows. The neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants, most of whom came to work in the docks. Today it is frequented by crowds of tourists who come to soak up the lively atmosphere.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Iguazú National Park
The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including colorful parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the 1986 film The Missionand, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby. Iguazú is home to the Guarani people, who offer their handmade crafts for sale inside the park.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
- Website
- www.iguazuargentina.com
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 7pm (October to February), 9am to 6pm (March to September)
- Admission
- ARS$100 (adults); ARS$70 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available.
Córdoba
Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest city and although there has been massive development in recent years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina, dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well-prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Mendoza
The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterized by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
The Pampas
The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the birthplace of the gaucho(cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on asado.
- Region/City Name
- Northern Argentina
Patagonia
Adventurous travelers are drawn to the savage beauty and rich wildlife of Patagonia. This region of contrasts and extremes, stretching across Argentina and Chile, runs from the river Colorado, south of Buenos Aires, across to the southern tip of South America. Many people go between July and April to visit the famous wildlife reserve of Peninsula Valdés, where right whales, sea elephants and other rare marine mammals come to breed in their thousands. However those going further south should visit only in the summer months if they wish to avoid temperatures that plummet to -13°F (-25°C). In villages along the valley of the Río Chubut you can explore the cultural legacy of the Welsh pioneers and nearby at Punta Tombo you can see the continent's largest penguin colony. Keen fly-fishermen come from around the world to test their skills in the region's rivers, the best known of which is the Río Gallegos. On the western fringe, along the Andes, you will find the most impressive of Patagonia's great lakes and national parks. The Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, with the aquamarine gem of Lago Belgrano, has excellent trekking possibilities as does the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Here visitors will find one of the world's natural wonders, the vast Perito Moreno glacier, a great river of ice that breaks off into Lake Argentino.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
Tierra del Fuego
This island territory at the tip of South America is shared by Chile and Argentina and is a place of staggering scenery. Though further south the region does not reach the extreme temperatures of neighboring Patagonia, but it is still not for the faint-hearted. The principal tourist destination is Ushuaia, in the south, the base for visiting the dramatic Canal Beagle, trekking in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the mountain ranges of southern Tierra del Fuego (with its magnificent scenery of lakes, snow-capped mountains and beechwood forests). There is less reason to visit the north of the island unless you are a keen fly-fishermen heading to the Río Grande, the world's best brown-trout river.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Website
- www.tierradelfuego.org.ar
Perito Moreno Glacier
Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier is nearly 19 miles (30km) in length and spreads over an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The spectacular, blue-white ice formation is one of the only glaciers in the world that is advancing, at a rate of seven feet (2m) per day. Visitors can marvel at the site of the glacier 'calving': enormous chunks of ice breaking off into the water with a deafening crash, creating icebergs and causing large waves. The glacier is also world renowned for its unique rupturing process; at certain periods the glacier's front reaches the coastal border of the lake, blocking off the flow of water from the Andes and causing its waters to rise by about 66 feet (20m). When the pressure is too much, the dam of ice cracks and shatters, sending icebergs downstream. The closest town to this natural wonder is El Calafate in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province.
- Region/City Name
- Southern Argentina
- Address
- Los Glaciares National Park
- Phone Number
- Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Center: (0)2902 491 005
- Email Address
- parquenacional@losglaciares.com
- Website
- www.losglaciares.com
Floralis Genérica
Floralis Generica is a working metal sculpture located on the United Nations square in Recoleta. It was offered to the city by Argentine architect Eduardo Fernando Catalano, who described it as an 'environmental structure'. Its metallic petals open and close based on the incidence of solar rays and visitors to the site will find the giant metal sculpture 'in full bloom' in the heat of the day and closed at night. The sheer genius and technical artistry of the giant flower makes it a Buenos Aires sight worth seeing.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- United Nations Park, Recoleta
Nueve de Julio Avenue
At 416 feet (127m) wide, Avenida 9 de Julio is claimed to be the widest avenue in the world, honoring Argentina's Independence Day which falls on 9th July. The avenue runs from the Retiro district in the north to Constitucion station in the south, roughly one kilometer to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront and consists of 18 lanes of traffic, nine on each side. In the middle of the street stands a 67-meter-tall obelisk marking the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk is a popular photo spot, and visitors can climb to the top where they can look out over the Avenida 9 de Julio through its four observation windows.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Zoo
Home to over 350 animal species and known for some of its exotic breeding, the Buenos Aires zoo is the perfect place for families, a romantic date or tourists. With nine species of mammals, 49 species of reptiles and 175 species of birds, the zoo's goals are to conserve species, produce research and educate the public. Disposable cameras are on sale and professional photographers are on standby to capture all the memories. Animal food can be bought at the entrance and other stations located around the zoo to encourage visitors' interaction with the animals. The best time to visit the zoo is on a sunny weekday afternoon, when time can be spent lounging in front of the white tiger enclosure, for which the zoo is well-known, or elephant house with only a few other people to contend with for the best view.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4011 9900
- Website
- www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10am. Open daily during school holidays
- Admission
- General admission (Entrada general) is $15 or the more advanced pass (pasaporte) is $22.
Museo de Los Ninos
Located inside the Abasto Shopping Center, the Museo de Los Ninos is a great way for children to explore a multitude of future careers by means of interactive exhibits. The exhibits include a miniature TV station with working cameras, a doctor's office, radio station and even a newspaper office. Children will love experiencing a 'day in the life' of one of these professions.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247
- Phone Number
- 054 11 4861 2325
- Email Address
- cumples@museoabasto.org.ar
- Website
- www.museoabasto.org.ar
- Admission
- ARS$15 (adults); ARS$30 (children). Concessions available.
La Calle de los Títeres
A real-life version of Punch and Judy takes place at the Centero Cultural del Sur and regular puppet shows and puppet making classes are guaranteed to keep children occupied for hours. Children will love the chance to interact with other kids as well as creating their own puppets and imaginary worlds.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Centro Cultural del Sur
- Phone Number
- 4305 6653
- Hours
- Puppet shows run from March to December Saturdays from 3pm and Sunday from 4pm. Closed in January and February.
Bosques de Palermo
The inner-city park of Bosques de Palermo is a great place for families to relax and unwind on a warm summers afternoon. The park offers plenty of space for kids to run around and play and other family-oriented activities to be enjoyed include rental paddleboats, bikes and carts. The park is also home to two manmade lakes, sculptures, rose gardens, the Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum and the Galilieo Galilei Planetarium.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
The Galileo Galilei Plantarium is located inside the Bosques de Palermo and its massive dome rises out of the horizon, making it almost impossible to miss. On any given day, this planetarium is abuzz with the chatter of children and inquisitive young minds coming for a spot of stargazing. This is a must for children of all ages and anyone with a love of stars, space and planets.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo
- Phone Number
- (0)11 4771 9393
- Email Address
- contacto@planetariogalilei.com.ar
- Website
- www.planetario.gov.ar
- Hours
- Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays to Sunday 1pm-7:30pm
Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens
Lined with trees, flowers and other indigenous plants, the Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens are a great place to take the kids for a day out. With plenty of open space to run around, the gardens make an ideal location to relax with a picnic or just take a leisurely walk with the family. The central greenhouse is also great to explore fo rthe more inquisitive-minded children.
- Region/City Name
- Buenos Aires
- Address
- Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia
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- Argentina: Argentina | Argentina Hotels | Argentina Attractions
- Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires Hotels | Buenos Aires Attractions
