5 Days in Buenos Aires

Erin Mushaway - (solsalute)
Itinerary created by
Erin Mushaway
What you’ll do

With this 5 day itinerary you will see all of Buenos Aires' highlights. I've taken care to plan each day geographically, diving into a new barrio each day, seeing as much as possible without jamming too much into a day.

What to know about this itinerary:

  • You can move these days around, play with the order of things. San Telmo is best on Sundays for the market. Recoleta's market takes place both on Saturday and Sunday. Downtown/Microcentro is livelier during the week and dead on the weekend.

  • If you don't have 5 days and need to cut a day, then cut Day 4.

  • If you have more time in the city, check out my other itinerary dedicated to off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods or add in one of these Buenos Aires day trips.

Day Total

8.4 km (5.2 mi)

37 min

Arrival day:

Day 1 of this itinerary is arrival day. Likely you're flying in from a long haul overnight flight. Or maybe you're coming from another adventure in South America or Patagonia. Wherever you're coming from, you'll definitely be tired.

I always suggest taking it easy on day 1.

Start with a slow lunch, like the locals. I've suggested four great recommendations in Palermo - powerhouse Don Julio (reserve 3 months in advance), two excellent parrillas for a steak on a patio, and a plant-based option with a killer sidewalk for sunny days.

The Botanical Garden: After lunch go for a walk in the botanical gardens. Then choose to continue on through the parks listed as options below or head back into Palermo for street art, cafes, and shopping.

1

Choose the option that fits you the best

Minga Parrilla
Minga Parrilla
Classic parrilla on Plaza Armenia
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
steak
Direction
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Las Petunias
Las Petunias
Palermo parrilla with open air dining
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
steak
Direction
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Don Julio Parrilla
Don Julio Parrilla
Steakhouse with online reservations
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$$
Restaurant Type
steak
Direction
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Artemisia
Artemisia
Plant-based paradise in Palermo Hollywood
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
Any
Direction
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1.8 km (1.1 mi)

8 min

Walk off your lunch - as the Argentines say 'bajar la comida' - with a stroll through Palermo's parks. You can choose to see only the Botanical Garden and then go back into Palermo Soho or spend the rest of you afternoon taking it easy in the parks. All of these options are included below.

2

Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays
Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays
Botanical garden in Palermo, Buenos Aires
Category
Park
Direction
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1 km (0.6 mi)

3 min

3

This one is optional

Buenos Aires Ecoparque
Buenos Aires Ecoparque
Ecological park with diverse wildlife
Category
Park
Direction
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Tres de Febrero Park
Tres de Febrero Park
Large park with running path, skate rentals, and more
Category
Park
Est. Price
$
Direction
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Paseo El Rosedal Garden
Paseo El Rosedal Garden
Rose-filled oasis in Buenos Aires
Category
Park
Direction
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1.8 km (1.1 mi)

8 min

If you're not in the mood for the parks, head back into Palermo Soho for the below suggestions.

You'll wander the alleyways bedecked with street art, step into the boutique shops, and stop for a coffee at the many sidewalk cafes.

Cafe suggestions:

4

Plaza Inmigrantes de Armenia
Plaza Inmigrantes de Armenia
Charming green space in Palermo Soho
Category
Park
Direction
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924 m (0.6 mi)

4 min

5

This one is optional

NIMES - Cuero Natural y Curtido Vegetal
NIMES - Cuero Natural y Curtido Vegetal
Handmade leather accessories and clothing
Category
Shop
Est. Price
$$
Direction
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401 m (0.2 mi)

2 min

6

Plaza Serrano
Plaza Serrano
Vibrant plaza in Palermo Soho
Category
Park
Direction
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171 m (0.1 mi)

7

Pasaje Russel Arts
Pasaje Russel Arts
Colorful street art alleyway in Buenos Aires
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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512 m (0.3 mi)

3 min

8

Pasaje Santa Rosa
Pasaje Santa Rosa
Colorful Alleyway in Palermo Soho
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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897 m (0.6 mi)

4 min

9

Libros del Pasaje
Libros del Pasaje
Cozy bookstore with a coffee shop
Category
Shop
Est. Price
$$
Direction
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827 m (0.5 mi)

3 min

Dinner: Dinners in Argentine are late, but an early dinner is not impossible. If you'd like an earlier night for your first day, here are some excellent options:

  • A food tour like Sherpa Tours starts at 5:30. If you book this food tour, make sure you eat light for lunch as you'll eat a lot on the tour!

  • Opted for the big steak for lunch? Go for merienda instead of dinner. Merienda is Argentine tea time. Go to any cafe to grab pastries and sandwiches for an early, light meal.

  • If you want a hearty dinner, you can have an early steak at Parrilla La Cabrera. They offer a happy hour special - dine from 6:30-8 pm (being out by 8 is key) and get a 30% discount.

10

This one is optional

Sherpa Food Tours
Sherpa Food Tours
Curated small group food tours
Category
Tours
Est. Price
$$
Est. Duration
3-4h
Direction
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La Cabrera
La Cabrera
Popular steakhouse in Palermo Soho
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
steak
Direction
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