Buenos Aires

(Insight Guides) One of South America’s most culturally diverse cities, Buenos Aires offers broad plazas, tango and succulent steak. But Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital is also the ideal base for visiting Iguazú Falls, Mendoza wine region and Patagonia. Here’s our guide to what to see in Buenos Aires and beyond.

Argentina’s buzzing capital Buenos Aires and its attractions provide a wonderful introduction to Argentina. Sprawled out along the River Plate estuary shoreline, the city’s warm spring weather, scorching summers and mild winters make it a year-round destination. Residents, known as porteños, are hospitable people who relish their leisure time and are justifiably proud of their culturally rich city.

Neighbourhoods, or barrios, have distinctive characters: upscale Recoleta is home to stylish Parisian architecture and Evita’s mausoleum in Recoleta Cemetery, hip Palermo continues to be a magnet for those keen to enjoy wonderful dining and bar hopping, while bohemian San Telmo’s cobbled streets and small plazas are undeniably alluring. Alternative barrios with their own charms include the regenerated docklands of Puerto Madero; vibrant, leafy Chacarita; and La Boca with its lively, colourful streets that are home to Boca Juniors’ football stadium, ‘La Bombonera’.

Splash out in Iguazú

This northeastern corner of Argentina is best known for the mighty Iguazú Falls, the awe-inspiring highlight of a vast subtropical national park and Unesco World Heritage Site that is shared with Brazil. On the Argentine side of the park, you can explore and marvel at between 150 and 300 powerful cascades, depending on water levels. Keep an eye out for reclusive wildlife such as toucans and the South American tapir – racoon-like coati, however, can sometimes be overly sociable! 

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