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Buenos Aires Maps & Attractions Guide
Buenos Aires maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Buenos Aires
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Buenos Aires
Attractions - Things to do
1. Cabildo
Calle Bolívar 65
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What is it? 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. They still wear their
traditional uniforms, designed nearly 200 years ago. The interior
houses a small museum, which displays some interesting
architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolour
paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday 12.30am to 7pm, Sunday 3pm to
7pm
Phone:(011) 4334 1782 |
2. Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada is situated at the eastern end of the Plaza de
Mayo
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What is it? 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 colour scheme for the palace. Today the
building houses a small basement museum displaying some
presidential artefacts. 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.
Hours of Operation: Museum: 10am to 6pm (weekdays), 2pm to 6pm (Sundays).
Tours are at 11am and 4pm. It is recommended that one call in
advance to arrange an English-language tour
Phone:(0)11 4344 3802 |
3. Catedral Metropolitana
Plaza de Mayo
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What is it? Other important buildings around the Plaza de
Mayo include the Neoclassical Catedral Metropolitana, which 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.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to
7.30pm
Phone:(0)11 4331 2845 |
4. La Recoleta Cemetery
Calle Junín 1760
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What is it? 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 loather her, her spirit
lives on in La Recoleta.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am to 5.45pm. Guided tours at 2.30pm on last
Sunday of month (March to December)
Phone:(0)11 4803 1594 |
5. Plaza Dorrego
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What is it? 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
antique 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 tourists and even the inexperienced
may be tempted to try it out. There are numerous museums nearby the
plaza worth visiting, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and
the Museo de Arte Moderno.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Teatro Colón
Libertad 621 (Theatre entrance and box office); Pasaje
Toscanini 1168 (Tours entrance)
www.teatrocolon.org.ar |
What is it? The Teatro Colón opened in 1908 is the second
largest performing arts theatre 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 theatre's
workshops, rehearsal rooms and auditorium and
stage.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday 11am to 3pm
(daily guided tours in English (11am, 1pm, 3pm) or
Spanish)
Phone:(0)11 4378 7132/3 |
7. La Boca
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What is it? La Boca ('the mouth') is the most colourful
neighbourhood or barrio in Buenos Aires,
original home of football legend Diego Maradonna 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 neighbourhood 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 atmosphere.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
8. Mar del Plata
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What is it? Two hundred and thirty miles (400km) south of
Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata is by far Argentina's most popular
beach resort. Around three million local tourists holiday here
every summer, drawn to its busy beaches and lively entertainment.
Visitors can alternate between spending idle days people-watching
on the beach or enjoying a spot of culture at one of the city's
small galleries. There is also the bustling port to visit with its
numerous and colourful traditional fishing boats and noisy colony
of sea lions. For a taste of the good life, the Mar del Plata has
some excellent bars and restaurants and, at the height of the
summer, a non-stop nightlife. Some visitors prefer to travel
outside the peak Christmas season when there are shorter queues for
restaurants and the like. Even in winter the city doesn't close
down, as there are half a million permanent
residents.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Buenos Aires Holidays guide
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Transport -The street structure, organised in a grid
pattern, makes Buenos Aires easy to navigate and the best way to
explore the city and take in its character is on foot.
More information at the |
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