If you’re planning a trip to Argentina, chances are, you’re wondering how many days in Buenos Aires are enough to factor into your itinerary around exploring more of the country. So, alongside arming yourself will information from our guide to how to plan a trip to Argentina, keep reading to find out how many days in Buenos Aires will be enough for you. Spoiler alert: the capital of Argentina is loaded with unforgettable things to see and do, so planning is key.
Known as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires offers travelers a fabulous range of things to do.
Picture yourself exploring colonial buildings, Belle Époque mansions and grand avenues by day before taking in a tango show and enjoying incredible food and wine at night. Argentinian steaks, empanadas and Malbec are something else.
But the reality is, if you’re traveling to Buenos Aires, you’re most likely here as part of a bigger Argentina itinerary, so here we share ways to enjoy 2, 3 and 4 days in this infectiously energetic city. With planning, any of these durations can give you a decent flavor of the place.
On the subject of planning, you might also want to take inspiration from our suggested itinerary for 14 days in Argentina, and how to enjoy 10 days in Argentina and Uruguay.
If you’re more pressed for time, find out how to spend 7 days in Argentina, or contact our local travel experts to have them curate your ideal itinerary for any duration.
Wondering how many days in Buenos Aires is enough? You can cover plenty in 2-4 days © Diego Grandi/Shutterstock
With just two days in Buenos Aires you can still soak up plenty of top attractions. You just need to do your research and make decisions about your priorities.
It’s also worth taking the time to figure out the best time to visit Argentina and Buenos Aires in terms of aligning with your budget and must-do activities.
Covering key historic sights, and unmissable cultural and culinary experiences, this suggested 2-day Buenos Aires itinerary deliveries a bunch of memory-making goodness in super-speedy style.
We suggest devoting day one to exploring the city’s history and most iconic neighborhoods, starting out with eating breakfast at the historic Café Tortoni where you'll find some of the best food in Buenos Aires.
Next, pay a visit to Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada (the grand presidential palace), and the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral.
Come the afternoon, take a stroll through San Telmo, with its cobblestone streets, antique market and tango haunts, and the bright, quirky La Boca barrio.
That evening, go wine-and-cheese-tasting at Pain et Vin, or watch a passionate tango performance at El Querandí or Café de los Angelitos.
Begin day two with a visit to the elegant Recoleta Cemetery, location of Eva Perón’s tomb and stacks of magnificent mausoleums.
If you’re into art, be sure to visit Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes — an extraordinary free art museum that houses works by European and Latin American masters.
Next, you could spend part of your afternoon soaking up the glorious green spaces of Bosques de Palermo — think pretty parks, rose gardens and lakes — coupled with shopping in trendy Palermo Soho and stopping for empanadas and choripán at a local market.
That evening, enjoy another world-class meal, or else seize the chance to experience a milonga (tango dance hall), like Confiteria Ideal — an iconic tea house founded in 1912 that runs daily classes from midday through to the early hours.
Argentinian tango dancer © Shutterstock
With three days in Buenos Aires you can do a deeper dive into local culture, whether you’re into wine, football, food or literature, for just a few examples.
Follow the suggested 2-day itinerary 2 shared above before spending day three soaking up more local vibes, and some special alternative sights.
Start your day in elegant style by enjoying breakfast at Las Violetas, a very beautiful Belle Époque café, before heading to the incomparable El Ateneo Grand Splendid.
This former theater is one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, and a personal favourite, as is Buenos Aires’ Barracas district.
Something of a hidden gem for tourists, Barracas boasts beautiful architecture, bold murals and a bounty of cafés.
Into the beautiful game? Take a tour of La Bombonera (Boca Juniors Stadium) or Club Atlético’s River Plate Stadium before watching a live theater show or jazz performance in the evening.
La Boca, Buenos Aires © Shutterstock
Your options really open up if you decide to spend 4 days in Buenos Aires, thanks to a clutch of incredible day trips.
Follow the above itinerary for days 1-3, before taking your pick from day trips that invite adventures in nature, a ferry trip to Uruguay, or unleashing your inner gaucho at an estancia (ranch).
Into nature and culture? Take a trip to Tigre and Paraná Delta. In around an hour from Buenos Aires, you could be enjoying a boat ride through lush rivers and islands followed by relaxing at a riverside restaurant.
Largely thanks to its Tigre Club, Tigre was formerly one of the most glamorous destinations in South America, and home to Argentina’s first casino — an opulent mansion of French chandeliers, Venetian mirrors, and marble staircases. Today The Tigre Club houses a wonderful art gallery.
Another do-able day trip is to take a one-hour ferry across the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay to explore its UNESCO-designated treasures.
To max out the experience, take the 8.15am fast ferry and return on the 4.30pm crossing, remembering that Uruguay is one hour ahead of Buenos Aires.
Third up in our suggested way to spend a fourth day in Buenos Aires is to book a gaucho experience in San Antonio de Areco, which is reached in 1.5–2 hours from the capital.
Here, traditional estancias (ranches) offer the chance to go horseback riding and eat authentic asados (BBQ feasts).
Tigre, Argentina © Shutterstock
Covering a few different kinds of travelers, here’s a run-down of places to stay in Buenos Aires.
Vibrant and trendy, with colorful murals and open-air cafes, pretty Palermo Soho is known for its day-to-night atmosphere, and convenient for short stays.
With its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and weekly Sunday fair, San Telmo is packed with historic cafes, tango clubs and intimate bars.
Known for its French-style architecture, Recoleta is home to Buenos Aires's most luxurious hotels, historic mansions and high-end boutiques.
San Telmo, Buenos Aires © Shuteterstock
To further help you decide how many how many days in Buenos Aires might be long enough, here’s some detail on a couple of practical matters, including what kind of daily budget you’re looking at, and how to get around.
On balance, Buenos Aires is an affordable destination compared with many US and Eurepean cities.
Here are estimated daily costs for three different travel types — budget, mid-range and all-out luxury.
Visiting Buenos Aires as part of a bigger budget backpacking trip? Read our tips for backpacking South America, and invest in The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget.
San Antonio de Areco, Argentina © Shutterstock
Though big, Buenos Aires is well-connected city, with a reliable, affordable transport network.
While walking is the best way to explore historic areas like San Telmo, Recoleta and Palermo, if you’re planning to see more, it’s probably worth getting a SUBE Card, These cover getting around by subway, bus and train. Simply buy one at a kiosk.
The Subway (Subte) is by far the fastest way to get around central Buenos Aires, with 6 lines (A, B, C, D, E, H) covering major districts from 5:30 am-11:30 pm (Mon-Sat) and 8 am-10 pm on Sundays.
Buses (Colectivos) are extensive, very cheap, and run 24-7.
For more context, read up on getting around Argentina.
Colonia del Sacramento, southwestern Uruguay, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina © Shutterstock
Buenos Aires is served by Ezeiza International Airport, which is located about 45 minutes from downtown.
Traveling from the US? You can take direct flights from the likes of New York (10.5 hrs), Miami (9 hrs), Dallas (10 hrs) and Atlanta (10 hrs).
Round-trip fares range from $600–$1,200 depending on the season.
From the UK, you can book direct British Airways flights from London Heathrow, with a flight time of 13.5 hours. Note that it’s often cheaper to fly via Madrid, Lisbon or Amsterdam.
For more context, read up on getting to Argentina.
Ahead of your trip to Argentina, get The Rough Guide to Argentina to help you plan every last detail, and wise up with our Argentina travel advice.
Or, if you’re not keen on planning take a look at our itinerary for 14 days in Argentina, and how to enjoy 10 days in Argentina and Uruguay.
Pressed for time? Read up on how to spend 7 days in Argentina, or contact our local travel experts to have them curate your ideal itinerary for any duration.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 26.05.2025
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