The Ultimate Buenos Aires Bucket List

The Ultimate Buenos Aires Bucket List

(Main image: Juanedc/Flickr)

Bucket lists.

Ironically, they can be difficult to get a handle on…

Especially if they haven’t been put together by your personal crack team dedicated to filtering out the overrated parts, and including only the most authentic, unusual and idiosyncratic things to do in the city. Which, in a place like Buenos Aires, includes browsing markets for fresh produce and quirky antiques; stumbling across tango performers on street corners; tucking into top-shelf street food and unearthing secret restaurants behind closed doors…

Luckily, however, this one has been.

CLOCK THE VIEWS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE PALACIO BAROLO | $$

The whole building was inspired by Dante’s Inferno, and you can still ride the 1920s lift. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Regular tours | Ave. de Mayo 1370, Montserrat
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EAT A MOLECULAR MEAL AT ARAMBURU | $$$

18 bitesize courses bringing a flavour party to your mouth.
Details: Open Tues-Sat 7.30-10.30pm | Salta 1050, Montserrat
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SPEND A SUNDAY AT SAN TELMO MARKET | $($$$)

Peruse vintage clothes and fully-functioning antique telephones before watching open-air tango in Plaza Dorrego. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Sundays 10-4pm | Calle Defensa 963, San Telmo
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WATCH STREET TANGO IN LA BOCA | $

And attempt a little tango yourself, obviously.
Details: Throughout La Boca
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THEN SOAK UP SOME CULTURE AT USINA DEL ARTE | $

It’s a restored electricity station that now plays host to art, dance, theatre, and men with big arms on wires. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open Tues-Thurs 2-7pm, Fri-Sun 10am-9pm | Agustín Caffarena 1, La Boca
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BROWSE FOR BOOKS AT EL ATENEO | $

It’s a bookstore. Inside a 1920s theatre. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open Mon-Thurs 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sun 12-10pm | Av. Santa Fe 1860, Barrio Norte
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TRY ONE OF THE 3,500 WINES AT THE PALACIO DUHAU’S VINOTECA | $$$$

Then have a nightcap in the Oak Bar, panelled with oak from a 17th century Normandy castle. Which partly explains the carving of the goose playing a violin. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open 12.30pm-1am daily | Avenida Alvear 1661, Recoleta
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SCOFF DULCE DE LECHE CAKES AT LAS VIOLETAS | $$

It’s essentially a Belle Epoque-era cathedral to cake. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open daily 6am-1am | Ave. Rivadavia 3899, Almagro
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SIT PEOPLE WATCHING IN PALERMO/SOHO | $$

Order a submarino (a sort of DIY hot chocolate) at Oui Oui, then check out the boutiques. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open daily 8am-9pm | Nicaragua 6068, Palermo Hollywood
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FIND EVA PERÓN’S GRAVE IN LA RECOLETA CEMETERY | $

Remember, she wouldn’t want you to cry over it. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open daily 7am-5.30pm | Junin 1760, Recoleta
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THEN SEE WHERE SHE SPOKE FROM IN LA PLAZA DE MAYO | Free

There are guided tours of the Casa Rosada every weekend. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 1087, San Nicolás
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PRETEND TO BROWSE THE BOUQUETS AT FLORERIA ATLANTICO | $$

…when you’re really working out how to get to the secret bar (currently ranked #3 in the world) underneath. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Mon-Wed 7pm-2am, Thurs 7pm-2.30am, Fri 7pm-4am, Sat 8pm-4am, Sun 8pm-2am | Arroyo 872, Retiro
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HAVE BRUNCH IN THE GARDEN OF A FRENCH MANSION | $$$

And get cocktails, because they’re one of the World’s Best Bars and it would be rude not to. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Mon-Wed 12pm-2am, Thurs 12pm-3am, Fri-Sat 12pm-4am, Sun 8pm-2am | Milión, Paraná 1048, Recoleta

GO WINDOW SHOPPING AT GALERIAS PACIFICO | $

LOOK AT THIS CEILING. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12-9pm | Ave. Córdoba 550, San Nicolás
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DRINK COCKTAILS IN A STEAMPUNK SPEAKEASY | $$$

A little like being in NYC, a little like being inside a giant clock. With candles. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open Tues-Sat 11am-7pm, 8pm-4am, Sun 11am-7pm | Victoria Brown Bar, Costa Rica 4827, Palermo
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GET GREAT-VALUE STANDING TICKETS FOR TEATRO COLON | $

The acoustics are actually better there, anyway. VIEW MORE INFO

Details: Regular performances | Cerrito 628, San Nicolás
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PLAY DOMINOES IN CAFE TORTONI | $$

Then head downstairs for some live jazz. 
Details: Open daily 8am-1am | Ave. de Mayo 825, San Nicolás
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SPEND A DAY AT THE MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO | $ | Free on Tuesdays

They have over 6,000 works. Wear good shoes. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, weekends 11am-8pm | Ave. San Juan 350, San Telmo
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HEAD TO A CLOSED DOOR RESTAURANT | $$$

Bread + Butter pop up every Monday evening in a different spot. Message them on instagram for a reservation. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Mondays | Secret Location
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DRINK YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD AT VERNE | $$

It’s like Mr. Fogg’s, but in Buenos Aires. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Tues-Wed 8pm-2am, Thurs 8pm-3am, Fri-Sat 9pm-4am, Sun-Mon 9pm-2am | Medrano 1475, Palermo
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SOAK UP THE CULTURE AT FUNDACIÓN PROA | $

Then drink a Fernet and coke on their rooftop terrace, and enjoy the views. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open 11am-7pm Tues-Sun | Ave. Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929, La Boca
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CHILL OUT IN THE PARQUE 3 DE FEBRERO | $

Then head to the planetarium when the sun sets. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Always open | Ave. Infanta Isabel 410, Palermo
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TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE MUSEO NACIONAL DE BELLAS ARTES | Free

Time to bone up on Argentinian masters. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open Tues-Fri 11am-8pm, weekends 10-8pm | Ave. Del Libertador 1473, Recoleta

GET AN OFFAL MEAL AT LA BRIGADA | $$

Try the bull balls, they’re delicious. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open 12-3pm, 8pm-12am daily | Estados Unidos 465, San Telmo
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SNACK ON EMPANADAS FROM LA COCINA | $

You’ll queue, but it’ll be totally worth it.
Details: Open weekdays 11.30am-3.30pm, 7-11.30pm, Saturdays 11.30am-10.30pm | Avenida Pueyrredon 1508, Recoleta
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NAIL SOUVENIR-BUYING WITH LOCAL DESIGNERS AT AUTORIA | $$+

This art deco divers statue has got your Aunt Edna written all over it.
Details: Mon-Fri 9.30am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm | Suipacha 1025, Retiro
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DRINK IN A NEW YORK PHARMACY AT UPTOWN | $$

Head through the actual subway train to find the upstairs bar. VIEW MORE INFO
Details: Open from 8.30-late Tues-Sat | Arévalo 2030, Palermo

PS Like bucket lists? Check out our guide to 100 Things To Do In New York