Buenos Aires Bliss: Exploring Argentina’s Capital in Four Days

In this travel itinerary, I’m bringing you along my trip through the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina. From the moment we touched down at Ezeiza International Airport, we were entranced by the rich culture, historic landmarks, and mouthwatering cuisine that this South American gem had to offer. Over the course of four unforgettable days, we explored the charming districts of Palermo and Recoleta, indulged in traditional Argentine delicacies, and immersed ourselves in the city’s lively nightlife. Our adventure in Buenos Aires was a perfect blend of cultural exploration, culinary delights, and the warm embrace of this dynamic city. This is definitely somewhere I could see myself living. Let’s embark on this journey and discover the magic of Buenos Aires together.

Day 0: Departure to Buenos Aires

My Flight: Depart YYZ 10:26 AM | Arrive JFK 12:14 PM | Depart JFK 9 PM

Fun fact: I got this flight for $87.21. How? Check out my credit cards post.

Our Buenos Aires adventure began with a morning departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and a smooth arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. We spent the layover exploring Flushings and eating delicious Asian food. If you have a layover in NYC, check out my NYC trip itinerary!

Day 1: Exploring Palermo and Recoleta

Arrival at EZE 9 AM (Yes the flight was 12 hours)

Upon our arrival at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), also known as Ezeiza, we were greeted by the warm embrace of Buenos Aires. From the airport, we headed to Palermo. Palermo is one of the most vibrant and trendy neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s a sprawling district known for its diverse atmosphere, artistic flair, and a variety of attractions that cater to locals and tourists alike. We booked an Airbnb right inside Palermo Soho!

Breakfast: Duca – Located in Palermo and walking distance from us, this was a great spot to start off with coffee and pastries. Duca offers a cozy ambiance and an array of delectable breakfast options, including freshly baked pastries and strong Argentine coffee.

Activity: Exchange money – Right after breakfast, we did the most important thing first and that is exchanging money. Check out my guide to Argentina to understand what you should be doing to maximize the amount of Argentinian Pesos you have.

Lunch: Las Cabras – After grabbing our cash money, we started with a true Argentine experience at Las Cabras, known for its mouthwatering asado, a traditional Argentine barbecue. The ambiance is vibrant, and the portions are generous.

Activity: Explore Recoleta, See El Ateneo – When the evening came, we started to explore Recoleta, a historic and upscale neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Don’t miss a visit to El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a breathtaking bookstore located in a former theater.

Dinner: Parrilla Pena – For dinner, we indulged in Argentine parillada, a selection of grilled meats, at Parrilla Pena, a traditional Argentine grill restaurant, where you see the chefs poudning the meats as you get in and the smell of steak everywhere in this packed restaurant.

Dessert: Cadore – Cadore is a renowned ice cream parlor where you can savor creamy and flavorful Argentine ice cream. Be sure to try unique flavors like dulce de leche and yerba mate.

Activity: Walk along Avenida Corrientes to see Obelisco – Avenida Corrientes is a bustling avenue in Buenos Aires known for its theaters, bookshops, and the iconic Obelisco. The this avenue gave was very New York City, Times Square with the bright lights and crowds. Unfortunately it also had rat inhabitants like NYC, so your walk might not be as leisurely as you think.

Night out: Parque Bar Botanico – We headed back to Palermo after seeing the Obelisco and headed to Parque Bar Botanico, a trendy and vibrant spot themed like Jurassic park. Enjoy monkey and dinosaur cocktails, music, and the lively atmosphere of Buenos Aires’ nightlife.

Day 2: Puerto Madero, San Telmo and Plaza de Mayo

Activity: Go to Puente de la Mujer and explore Puerto Madero – Start your day with a visit to the futuristic Puente de la Mujer, a footbridge in the Puerto Madero waterfront district. The bridge is an architectural marvel and a symbol of Buenos Aires’ modernity.

Lunch: Try Choripan – While exploring Puerto Madero, savor a traditional Argentine sausage sandwich known as Choripan. You’ll find the food truck offering this delicious treat across the Puente de la Mujer.

Coffee: Havanna – Havanna is an Argentine coffee shop chain known for its alfajores, a popular sweet treat made of flour, honey, and nuts. Enjoy a coffee here to recharge.

Activity: Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur, San Telmo, Get empanada snack at El Hornero, explore Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Florida Street – In the afternoon, we spend our day with lots of exploring. Starting with the ecological reserve (honestly you can skip this unless you have a lot of time), then San Telmo’s historic streets and the San Telmo market, where we got delicious empanadas at El Hornero. Note: San Telmo on Sundays is a huge street market worth visiting if you’re in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

After we got our snacks, we visited the iconic landmarks like Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada (the presidential palace), and the bustling shopping district of Florida Street.

Dinner: Pizzeria Guerrin – For dinner, we wanted to try Argentine style pizza. We went to one of the most famous spots, Pizzeria Guerrin literally consisting of at least 3 floors and a constant line outside. As a self appointed pizza snob, I highly recommend that you DO NOT have this pizza, unless you love loads of cheese, onions and ham only on your pizza. This was honestly one of the heaviest things I’ve ever eaten and did not understand why everyone loved it so much. The grape wine was pretty good though. All in all, go get another steak, you can pass on the pizza.

Nightout: Palermo – After dinner, we went back to Palermo to explore what the nightlife scene had to offer. You can honestly walk along this neighbourhood and find tons of cool bars. We went to Rheo and it was a great option to experience local bars, live music, and the vibrant atmosphere of Palermo’s nightlife.

Day 3: La Boca and Night Out

Activity: La Boca, La Bombonera – On our third day, after having our coffee, we started our adventures with a visit to La Boca, a colorful and artistic neighborhood famous for its vibrant houses and the La Bombonera stadium, home to the Boca Juniors football club. This is an area packed with tourists during the day and then clears out as soon as it gets dark and the reason is that it is known to become unsafe once it gets dark. This area is definitely worth visiting to see art, music and culture, but take your precautions and go in the daytime.

Dinner: Hierro – For dinner, we headed to Hierro, a delicious restaurant in Palermo, where we almost ordered the whole menu. This was a local recommendation and honestly one of the best meals of the trip. This service was phenomenal and friendly and everything from the cocktails, appetizers, mains to dessert was delicious. Get a reservation in advance because it fills up quick!

Activity: Pub crawl or self-guided exploration – In the evening, we originally signed up for a local pub crawl to experience the Buenos Aires nightlife. Somehow it was the worst pub crawl ever on a Saturday, bringing us to the emptiest bars. I would recommend you just do you own exploration of the city’s bars and clubs. Buenos Aires offers a diverse and lively nightlife scene with many cool spots to go to.

Day 4: Cementerio de la Recoleta and Farewell

Lunch: El Preferido – We saw El Preferido on our first day in Buenos Aires and had to check what this pink building was! It turns out it is a historic restaurant in Buenos Aires, known for its classic Argentine dishes. We enjoyed yet another delicious lunch here on their patio before exploring more of the city.

Activity: Cementerio de la Recoleta, market area, Recoleta Mall – After lunch, we spent the afternoon visiting the famous Cementerio de la Recoleta, a stunning cemetery with ornate mausoleums. It’s literally architecture genius. Make sure to also explore the surrounding market area and Recoleta Mall for shopping and culture. We got some pretty cool rings from the stands outside. You can find tons of local crafts and art as well!

As we finished our Buenos Aires tourism, we headed towards Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) to depart for Salta, where a new adventure awaits.

My Flight: Depart AEP 6:18 PM | Arrive SLA 8:30 PM (Note: SLA is Salta, Argentina)

As our four-day adventure in Buenos Aires comes to an end, we reflect on the enchanting experiences and unforgettable moments that we’ve had in this incredible city. From savoring authentic Argentine cuisine to exploring historic neighborhoods, each day brought new discoveries and cherished memories. We hope this travel itinerary has inspired you to embark on your own journey to Buenos Aires (despite the long flight) and create your own stories in this captivating metropolis. As we board our flight to our next destination, we carry with us the vibrant spirit of Buenos Aires and a promise to return to this remarkable city, which truly lived up to its reputation as a diverse and exciting travel destination. Thank you for joining us on this adventure, and may your future travels be filled with the same joy and wonder that we’ve experienced in Buenos Aires. Hasta luego, Buenos Aires!

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