Travel advice for Argentina
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Argentina
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Sorrel Moseley-Williams
updated 27.01.2020
One of South America’s most cosmopolitan and culturally rich cities, Buenos Aires sits on the western bank of the River Plate, a 78-square-mile block divided into 48 barrios or neighbourhoods.
Argentina’s capital has been nipped and tucked over the past decade. The introduction of Metrobus bus and cycle lanes (including free bike hire) has helped to ease congestion, while love has been showered over the city's green spaces. And, yes, the architecture that resembles Paris still exists, wrought-iron balconies living harmoniously alongside modern apartment blocks, red-brick warehouses and a mix of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Brutalist styles.
BA is a big city, and deciding which barrio to base yourself is an important consideration. To help you decide, we’ve put together this area-by-area guide on where to stay in Buenos Aires.
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10 days / from2650 USD
The Great Lakes and Glaciers of Argentina
Experience the great outdoors, Argentina-style! Marvel at jaw-droppingly beautiful Patagonian landscapes, walk the shores of deep-blue lakes guarded by snow-capped mountains at Bariloche, explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier – experience all of this, and much more, with this unique trip!
view tour ⤍13 days / from3180 USD
From Chile to Argentina, across the Andean Lakes
Travel from Chile to Argentina across the stunning Andean Lakes, also known as the Lakes District. Beginning in Santiago, you will travel to Puerto Varas, in Chile, and then across the lakes to Bariloche, Argentina, taking in the stunning mountain scenery, before ending your trip in Buenos Aires.
view tour ⤍14 days / from1933 USD
An adventure across three countries: Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay
A trip filled with history, culture and nature spread out over three beautiful and unique countries, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Visit some of the most stunning sites, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Iguazu Falls and UNESCO World Heritage site Colonia del Sacramento, during this 14-day trip.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2581 USD
Argentinean Patagonia: from the Coast to the Andes
Explore the region's most fascinating corners: sea life in Puerto Madryn awaits before you head to the most southern city in the world: Ushuaia. Discover Tierra del Fuego before heading out to El Calafate and Bariloche, really soaking in the Argentinean vibes.
view tour ⤍16 days / from3585 USD
Unforgettable Argentina
Argentina has a lot to offer travellers, in this itinerary you will explore the highlights in just two weeks. From busy Buenos Aires you will fly to Iguazu to marvel at the majestic waterfalls before heading south to Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia and El Calafate. Unforgettable Argentina awaits!
view tour ⤍10 days / from2650 USD
Magical Patagonia and Cultural Buenos Aires
Combine exploring the contemporary city of Buenos Aires, with all its luxuries and grand, historical buildings, together with the wild, rugged land of Patagonia. Take in the culture and observe the landscape and wildlife to gain a complete picture of the true Argentina.
view tour ⤍16 days / from5050 USD
Andean Triangle - Chile, Bolivia and Argentina
Start your South American adventure in Santiago de Chile before exploring the wonders of the Atacama desert. A short hop across the border and you'll find yourself in the middle of the Bolivian salt flat. Afterwards, you'll continue to Argentina with Salta and Buenos Aires.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2500 USD
Argentina: Tango and Glaciers
Visit the grand, edgy and famously seductive Argentine capital of Buenos Aires for tango and culture; then head northeast to see the thundering Iguazú Falls. Finally, it’s off to the end of the Americas to deepest Patagonia for adventure, glaciers and limitless horizons.
view tour ⤍13 days / from6800 USD
Wild Patagonia
Argentina has lots to offer its visitors: a glacier the size of a city, sizzling tango, fashionable barrios, artisan towns, ranches with horses and gauchos and wild untamed natural beauty. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, you’ll get to see it all in this adventure-laden vacation.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1400 USD
Tango & Wines in Argentina
Argentina is known for its dances and gastronomy scene, both to be discovered on this trip. Explore Buenos Aires on your own and with a guide, including its famous nightlife before heading to the vineyards of Mendoza, one of the most developed wine regions in the country.
view tour ⤍14 days / from2271 USD
Multi-country adventures from salt flats to the Andes
South America is full of wonders and this trip packs Argentina, Chile and Bolivia into 2 weeks. Bustling Buenos Aires, beautiful valleys around Salta, the surreal looking surroundings of San Pedro de Atacama, the salt flat of Uyuni as well as Lake Titicaca are all part of this itinerary.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2120 USD
South American Wines Trail
All wine lovers unite! Start your tour in Buenos Aires before heading to the wine region of Mendoza. Sample some of Argentina's finest wines and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Afterwards, continue to Santiago de Chile with a day trip to Valparaiso.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2756 USD
Argentina and Chile: Dazzling Cities and Magical Landscapes
Santiago is an emerging city, whilst Buenos Aires has long been a busy metropolis. Both offer historical buildings to admire, a local gastronomy scene to savour and sensuous dances to learn. Not to mention the mountainous terrain and desert landscapes outside the cities waiting to be explored.
view tour ⤍14 days / from7857 USD
Southern Argentina & Antarctica
Explore the Antarctica on an intimate cruise from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Start in Buenos Aires before spending a few nights in El Calafate and Ushuaia to then board your cruise. 4 nights in the Antarctic are the highlight of your trip before heading to Chile's capital Santiago.
view tour ⤍4 days / from420 USD
A city escape to Buenos Aires
Soak in the unique atmosphere of Buenos Aires on this 4-day tour premium tour. Stay at one of the most exclusive hotels and discover Argentina's capital on bike during the day and in style at a Tango show at night.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2756 USD
Argentina and Chile - Wine Country Explored
Get a taste of the wines of Argentina and Chile on this tour of the country's best bodegas. Sway to the rhythm of tango in Buenos Aires before you head to high altitude towns and absorb stunning mountain scenery. Then it's across the border into Chile to sample Santiago's historic delights.
view tour ⤍14 days / from3075 USD
Self Drive on the Atlantic Patagonia Blue Route
Travel across wild Patagonia in your own rental car. Full autonomy and freedom means being able to truly go off the beaten track. You'll come across plenty of wildlife like whales and penguins, as well as following Darwin's footsteps across the steppe.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2600 USD
Argentina's Northern Highlights
Your journey begins in Bueno’s Aires, the Argentine capital and the home of tango, colonial buildings and cobbled streets. Explore museums, churches, and stunning mountain valleys; be awestruck by the roar of the Iguazú Falls; then explore the wineries of the Central Valley.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1400 USD
From the city to the jungle
Visit two of the most fascinating parts of Argentina: First, the electrifying capital of Buenos Aires in all of its glory before heading out to Puerto Iguazu to discover the majestic Iguazu waterfalls.
view tour ⤍14 days / from7500 USD
Luxury Holidays in South America
Experience the best of Argentina and Brazil in luxury. From vibrant Buenos Aires to breathtaking Argentinian Falls, stunning Bariloche, and untamed Patagonia. Conclude in Rio de Janeiro's iconic beaches before immersing in cosmopolitan Sao Paulo.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3300 USD
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Wine Country
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Argentina's diverse landscapes and vibrant cities. Explore the cosmopolitan charm of Buenos Aires, marvel at the awe-inspiring natural wonder of Puerto Iguazú's majestic waterfalls, and indulge in the renowned wines of Mendoza's picturesque vineyards.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2600 USD
South Argentina and the Ends of the Earth
This trip goes to the southernmost point of Argentina and to the ends of the earth. Begin in Buenos Aires, then travel south to El Calafate and explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, before continuing to the southernmost city on earth, Ushuaia, and the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
view tour ⤍11 days / from15375 USD
Classic Antarctica from Chile
Start and end your trip in Chile and discover the Antarctica on an intimate, Boutique-style expedition boat. Cruise the Drake Passage, visit Cape Horn and fly back to Punta Arenas before returning to the capital Santiago.
view tour ⤍11 days / from3600 USD
Bariloche & Buenos Aires
Explore the stunning landscapes of Bariloche and immerse yourself in nature's wonders. Then, soak up the vibrant energy of Buenos Aires, with its captivating culture, history, and lively streets. A journey of breathtaking beauty and cultural immersion awaits.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2500 USD
Islands & Waterfalls: Ihla Grande and Iguazu
A mesmerizing journey through Brazil and Argentina, starting with the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro. Explore the pristine paradise of Ilha Grande, then step back in time in the colonial gem of Paraty. Finally, marvel at the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls.
view tour ⤍The political and historical heart of Buenos Aires, Microcentro comes alive during the week thanks to thousands of office workers on the nine-to-five beat; come evenings and weekends, the buzz dies down. Plaza de Mayo square is the ideal starting point, its four streets lined with key sights such as Casa Rosada (home to Argentina's president), the Metropolitan Cathedral – Pope Francis's former parish and the Cabildo (Town Hall).
It’s also home to cheesy Calle Florida, packed with hawkers and informal money exchange touts. There are still a couple of gems to be found here – the time warp bar notable Florida Garden, the Galerías Pacifico shopping mall with its ceiling frescoes and the Centro Cultural Borges are all worth a look.
For luxury living: NH Collection Buenos Aires Centro Histórico
A stone’s throw from Plaza de Mayo, rooms are well-appointed; splash out on a presidential suite for ceiling-to-floor Microcentro views or make a splash in the rooftop swimming pool.
For budget stays:Milhouse
This three-storey townhouse with a homely vibe ticks all the boxes for backpackers. Friendly staff keep guests entertained with an array of activities, from tango classes to football matches.
The barrio of choice for Argentina’s wealthy upper class (both living and resting in peace), Recoleta is best known for its architecturally magnificent cemetery crammed with lavish mausoleums (including Eva Perón’s relatively modest final quarters), posh Avenida Alvear lined with swanky boutiques and the city’s most expensive properties and the colonial-style Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar church.
It’s not all about splashing the cash, however. Stop by the recently renovated Centro Cultural de Recoleta for a culture fix or the Bellas Artes Museum for Argentina's best fine arts collection.
For luxury living:Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Big budgets should book a suite in the stunning early 20th-century palace but you can still enjoy VIP treatment staying at the extremely comfortable new-build block on the the other side of the lush garden.
For budget stays: Voyage
Enjoy old-world vibes at this small hostel that houses five private rooms and eight dorms across an century-old mansion.
Leading from Plaza de Mayo is Avenida de Mayo a tree-lined boulevard packed with architectural gems that leads you to Argentina’s political heart, Congreso. As you wander north, landmarks include the Casa de la Cultura, which offers free tours, Café Tortoni (prepare to queue for coffee and churros) as well as the Museo Mundial de Tango and the marvellous, eclectic, Palacio Barolo (book a private tour to see inside). The avenue ends at Plaza del Congreso, dominated by the Greco-Roman style Congreso Nacional (and possibly get caught up in a demonstration, a feature of life in BA).
For faded grandeur:Castelar
Spanish poet Federico García Lorca stayed at this pleasant, old-fashioned hotel located on a prime piece of Avenida de Mayo real estate. Rooms sport large and comfy beds, and there’s also a sauna and spa.
For budget stays: Bauen
This time-warp hotel was the bee’s knees in its heyday, until management closed it down in 2002. Employees, however, were having none of it and took it back over as a worker-led co-operative. Rooms are a misfitting array of styles, but the location and the price are top-notch.
Buenos Aires’ bohemian heart is firmly ensconced in San Telmo where faded grandeur and crumbling façades meet cobbled lanes and street art; it’s a joy for art lovers and architecture fans hunting down Instagrammable images such as Casa Mínima, the narrowest house in the city, former tobacco factory turned modern art museum (MAMBA) and spontaneous tango dancers hot footing it around Plaza Dorrego.
Stop by indoor market Mercado de San Telmo for a weird and wonderful mix of hip dining spots, butchers and antiques sellers during the week; on Sundays, Plaza Dorrego makes way for dozens of antiques stands, Calle Defensa fanning out from this focal point to be taken over by artisans in both directions. If you're wondering where to stay in Buenos Aires and you have a creative bent, San Telmo is your place.
For a swim above the city:Mansion Vitraux Boutique Hotel
Featuring a rooftop pool with panoramic city views, and situated in the historical San Telmo district of Buenos Aires, next to Dorrego square.
For hotel-meets-hostel:Circus Hostel
With the friendliness and ambience of the former but the comforts of the latter (including en-suite bathrooms and a decked swimming-pool), Circus is in the thick of the barrio.
Buenos Aires’ dining and nightlife hub, Palermo is also its largest barrio, divided up into unofficial areas such as Hollywood, Soho and Botánico. It’s also the greenest, home to Parque Tres de Febrero, Japanese Gardens, Carlos Thays Botanical Gardens and Plaza Alemania.
Shopaholics adores Soho’s cute boutiques and weekend street markets at Plazoleta Cortazar and Plaza Armenia, while those after a bite to eat – followed up by bar or pub crawling then sweating it all off in a nightclub – go out in Hollywood.
For a stylish stay:Home
This masterpiece of modern architecture and hotel design is so carefully thought out, from the outdoor pool area to the breakfast room, there really is no place like it.
For a hotel close to nightlife: Hotel Clasico
This modern hotel is situated 650 yards from Plaza Serrano Square and not far from the bustle of Soho.
Abandoned for decades, Buenos Aires’s docklands – where converted red-brick warehouses and high rise apartment blocks converge – were regenerated in the 1990s, offering up an unexpectedly shiny side to the city. Traverse the trails and grasslands at the Reserva Ecológica nature reserve, step aboard the two museum ships ARA Presidente Sarmiento and ARA Uruguay, or check out exhibits at the Faena Arts Center and Colección de Arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat.
For contemporary luxury: Faena
Top designer Philippe Starck overhauled this former grain warehouse to create a hospitality wonderland favoured by rocks stars: it features a hammam, a restaurant decorated with unicorn heads and, of course, extremely plush rooms.
For better-than-budget:Hotel Madero
Cool design and light spacious rooms, some with outdoor hot tubs, make this a fantastic – and well-priced – option in the barrio.
Top image: City of Buenos Aires © Shutterstock
written by Sorrel Moseley-Williams
updated 27.01.2020
Sorrel is a British freelance journalist and sommelier based in Argentina since 2006 and contributes to Decanter, Monocle, Condé Nast Traveller, American Way, N by Norwegian, Wine Enthusiast, Atlas of the Future and The Guardian among others. She is the author of ‘Mil’ (Catapulta, 2021), Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez’s next book about his Andean restaurant. She covers travel, food and wine in Latin America during Argentina's seven-month lockdown, she created Dill & Tonic, an RTD G&T.
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Argentina