A lively populace, beautiful architecture and rich cultural heritage that unites the best of Europe and Latin America combine to make Buenos Aires a delightful city. The capital of Argentina welcomes scores of visitors every year with idyllic visions of tango, good beef and wine, football and more. But this is all a pretext of course. As a destination city and pulse point from which to explore wonderful Argentina as a whole, Buenos Aires is ground zero for memorable travel adventure.
What marks the city of 13 million people as special is the promise of a total experience. No matter what your fixation, Buenos Aires can cater to every whim. The sheer size and sophistication of the citizenry is cause for spectacular diversity. The result is a swish, bohemian and sexy city, all in one funky package.
Consider these attractions and landmarks a good start.
The ethos of Buenos Aires is rank with drama. You can sense it in the fashionable streets, the tango halls and even the football stadiums. The opera plays a vital role in the cultural fabric of the city. As a result, a visit to the iconic Teatro Colón is in order. One of the premier opera houses in the world, the history of Colón over the past century is indeed, the history of modern opera.
As a major bastion of Roman Catholicism, Argentina and the city of Buenos Aires house a number of important landmarks to the faith. The Catedral Metropolitana is the crown jewel and a central location adjacent to the famous Plaza de Mayo ensures it remains close to the hearts and minds of the people. With several renovations since construction in the 16th century, the structure now evokes a Neoclassical air, with a touch of the Baroque. The grand interior has several important monuments and works of art.
The fervent passion for football on the continent of South America is legendary. Perhaps the best manifestation of this excessive zeal is a match between Boca Juniors and River Plate. The two Buenos Aires clubs form a rivalry unlike any in the world. If you can secure tickets to the epic confrontation, do not hesitate. Otherwise, try to attend a Boca match at the famous Estadio Alberto J. Armando, known as La Bombonera, or Chocolate Bowl.
A testament to thorough urban premeditation, Buenos Aires is a collection of 48 barrios. Within the Puerto Madero district is Corrientes Avenue, a main artery in the city that ranks as one of the best in the world. The “Street That Never Sleeps” offers a plethora of welcome distractions, over a span of 69 blocks. From the landmark Obelisk of Buenos Aires to elegant cafés, bookstores, theatres and shops, Corrientes is a prime area of the city.
With almost 300,000 inhabitants, the barrio of Palermo is a virtual city within Buenos Aires. As a bohemian hub for students and artists, the district is popular with young tourists. Divisions such as Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood provide a good feel for what the area has to proffer. Palermo Chico is the upmarket, tony ‘hood of record in Buenos Aires, flush with palatial estates. For tourist purposes however, the Parque Tres de Febrero, a massive sweep of green space, and colonial architecture of Palermo Viejo, represent reliable destinations.
The barrio of La Boca was the traditional haunt for immigrants from Genoa, Italy, hearty contributors to the development of Buenos Aires over the years. The area preserves a cogent European air even today and offers some of the most remarkable architecture in the city. The pedestrian street of Caminito is a popular spot, with myriad tango performances and pastel traces from famous Argentine painter and Boca boy Benito Quinquela Martín.
Rife with a Neoclassic and Art Nouveau ethos, the Avenida de Mayo is a veritable tribute to the Gran Via of Madrid. With sites in abundance, this is the quintessential tourist walk of Buenos Aires. From the colonial era Cabildo government house to the Palacio Barolo, Chile Hotel and Rodin’s Thinker at Congress Plaza, Avenida de Mayo has a number of superb photo ops and enough adorable caffé bars to keep you busy for one entire afternoon.
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Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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I have never been to South America, and I have traveled all over the world. I know I have missed a lot.