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Buenos Aires

Self-organised trips

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. Much of the city’s architecture is characterized by its eclectic nature, with elements resembling Barcelona, Paris and Madrid, even Italian and French influences. Tango music was born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires but now consists of a variety of styles that developed in different regions and other locations around the world.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BUENOS AIRES

  • El Obelisco was erected in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of the city. It is located in the center of the Plaza de la República (Republic Square) where the Argentine flag was flown for the first time in Buenos Aires. It is one of the main icons of the city, and a venue for various cultural activities and other events. It is the traditional gathering spot for sports fans to celebrate when their favourite team wins, especially the national football team, often resulting in colorful events that attract media coverage. It has also been used by several acrobatic troupes to perform high-wire acts.
  • Torre Monumental (or Torre de los Ingleses) is a clock tower located in Retiro. It was a gift from the local British community to the city in commemoration of the first centennial of the May Revolution of 1810. After the Falklands War, the tower was renamed Torre Monumental, though some still call it Torre de los Ingleses.

For more travel information on what to do in see in Buenos Aires, we invite you to visit our partner GetYourGuide.

EATING OUT & NIGHTLIFE IN BUENOS AIRES

This is a city that doesn’t sleep and isn’t for the faint-hearted! Everything is pushed back a little later; the Argentineans won’t start eating until about 9 or 11pm and bars don’t get going till 12 or 1am. Some clubs don’t even open their doors till 2am. Options for eating out are endless and meals can easily last a few hours. Main courses usually consist of an ‘asado’, a barbecue of quality beef. Beef is the dominant dish and also comes in forms of bife de chorizo (sirloin steak) or empanadas (meat pie). Local wine is also good, especially the reds.

GETTING AROUND IN BUENOS AIRES

The Buenos Aires international airport, Ministro Pistarini International Airport, is located in the suburb of Ezeiza. The Buenos Aires Subway (locally known as subte) provides access to various parts of the city. The main terminal for long-distance buses is Retiro bus station, near Retiro railway station, from where buses depart for all parts of Argentina and for neighbouring countries

TOP TIP FOR BUENOS AIRES

Black-and-yellow taxis ply the streets at all hours but license controls are not enforced rigorously. There have been numerous reports of organized crime controlling the access of taxis to the city airports and other major destinations. Taxi drivers are known for trying to take advantage from tourists. Radio-link companies provide reliable and safe service; many such companies provide incentives for frequent users. Low-fare limo services, known as remises, have become popular in recent years.

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