How many days do you need in Buenos Aires?

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.

How many days do you need to see Buenos Aires?

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.

2 days in Buenos Aires

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. 

Suggested itinerary

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.

Day 1

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.

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.

Day 2

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.

3 days in Buenos Aires

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.

Suggested itinerary

Follow the suggested 2-day itinerary 2 shared above before spending day three soaking up more local vibes, and some special alternative sights. 

Day 3

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.

4 days in Buenos Aires

Your options really open up if you decide to spend 4 days in Buenos Aires, thanks to a clutch of incredible day trips.

Suggested itinerary

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).

Day 4

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).

Best area to stay in Buenos Aires

Covering a few different kinds of travelers, here’s a run-down of places to stay in Buenos Aires.

Palermo Soho: best for first-timers

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.

San Telmo: best for authentic stays

With its cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and weekly Sunday fair, San Telmo is packed with historic cafes, tango clubs and intimate bars.

Recoleta: best for upscale stays

Known for its French-style architecture, Recoleta is home to Buenos Aires's most luxurious hotels, historic mansions and high-end boutiques.

Things to know before going to Buenos Aires

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.

Daily budget 

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.

Budget travel: $30–$60 a day

• Accommodation: $10–$25 for hostel dorms and budget hotels.
• Food: $10–$20 a day to dine in casual eateries and eat tasty street food.
• Transport: $2–$5 to take the odd bus and subway along with walking.
• Attractions: allow $5–$10 for museums, and to tip tango street performers.
• Extras: $5–$10 for coffee, souvenirs and cheap drinks

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.

Mid-range travel: $80–$150 a day

• Accommodation: expect a daily rate of $50–$90 for 3–4-star hotels, boutique guesthouses and apartments.
• Food: budget $25–$50 to eat in local parrillas, cafés and decent restaurants.
• Transport: factor in $5–$15 for Ubers, taxis and public transport.
• Attractions: budget $10–$20 for museum entries, tango show tickets and a guided tour.
• Extras: $10–$20 for wine tastings and cocktails.

Luxury travel: $200+ a day

• Accommodation: budget $150–$400 a night for 5-star hotels and luxury apartments.
• Food: work to a daily budget of $70–$150 for Michelin-starred restaurants and gourmet.
• Transport: budget $15–$40 for private transfers and taxis.
• Attractions: keep in mind $30–$70 for VIP tango shows and private tours.
• Extras: think $50+ to cover shopping and drinks.

How to get around Buenos Aires

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.

How to get to Buenos Aires

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.

Plan your trip with Rough Guides

Ahead of your trip, 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.