Buenos Aires Sights

  1. Barrancas de Belgrano

    Out in Belgrano, this handsomely landscaped park covers one of the city's few hills and was once the limit of the Río de La Plata. Old-timers pass the afternoons playing chess beneath the giant ombú tree, while dog owners unleash their pets downhill in the gated dog run.

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  2. Basílica de Santo Domingo

    The 18th-century Basílica de Santo Domingo prominently marks the approach into San Telmo. This Dominican church (also known as the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario) has a long and colorful history. On its left tower, you'll see the replicated scars of shrapnel launched against British troops who holed up here during the invasion of 1806.

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  3. Biblioteca Nacional

    A massive mushroom of a building, the national library looks like it could launch into space if not for the weight of five million books and documents inside. Built on the site where Eva and Juan Perón lived (the home was razed by the post-Perón government), the national library is a sight to behold.

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  4. Bioparque Temaikén

    Buenos Aires' premier zoo lies outside the city limits and makes for a delightfully laid-back afternoon stroll. Over 200 species of animals, including tigers, pumas, various reptiles and a pygmy hippo, roam the natural and handsomely landscaped enclosures - it makes for a fairly guilt-free zoo experience.

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  5. Cabildo de Buenos Aires

    Built in 1725, this was the original seat of government and the birthplace of the struggle towards independence from Spain. Its current arcade, built in 1940, is a restoration of the original 11 arches that stretched across the width of Plaza de Mayo until they were demolished to make room for Av de Mayo and Av Julio Roca. Inside, a small museum offers a fine view over Plaza de Mayo.

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  7. Casa Rosada

    Taking up the whole east side of the Plaza de Mayo is the pink facade of Casa Rosada (Pink House), the presidential palace where Evita famously energized adoring crowds from the balcony during the 1940s. Around the southern side of the building is Museo de la Casa Rosada, which houses the catacombs of the Fuerte Viejo, an 18th-century colonial ruin.

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  8. Catedral Metropolitana

    Completed in the 1820s, the austere neoclassical facade of BA's most important cathedral makes for an odd entrance into the splendid Baroque interior. The church has a beautiful rococo main altar and contains the mausoleum of General San Martín, Argentina's greatest independence hero. Outside, an eternal flame burns in his honor.

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  9. Cementerio de la Recoleta

    One of Buenos Aires' prime tourist attractions, the Cementerio de la Recoleta sits in the plushest of neighborhoods, ritzy Recoleta. High walls surround this necropolis where, in death as in life, generations of Argentina's elite rest in ornate splendor.

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  10. Centro Cultural Recoleta

    Adjacent to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, this is one of BA's best cultural centers, with great art exhibitions, musical performances, poetry readings, and workshops. The center's bookstore is also very good.

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  11. Edificio Kavanagh

    One of the capital's most prized buildings, this art-deco landmark (120m/394ft) was the tallest concrete structure in the world when it was built in 1935. It scrapes the sky across from Plaza San Martín.

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  13. El Caminito

    La Boca's most famous street is lined with brightly painted houses and local artists selling their work. In the surrounding streets are crafts stalls and tango dancers, and everywhere there are groups of tourists taking photos.

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  14. Faena Hotel + Universe

    This breathtaking Philippe Starck-designed hotel combines the kind of drama and whimsicality expected from Starck with the style and flamboyance of its owner, BA fashion entrepreneur Faena. Even if you don't stay here, a visit is a must. There's a fabulous restaurant, a swanky bar, a French-inspired 'cabaret' and theater, a stunning rooftop pool, spa and hammam, and a gourmet market. Don't leave BA without taking a trip to the Faena-Starck world.

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  15. Floralis Genérica

    Designed and funded by architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002, this is one of BA's most stunning landmarks. The fabulous Floralis Genérica opens its six enormous metallic petals every morning and closes them again at dusk.

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  16. Fundación Proa

    This modern and contemporary art museum and foundation hosts six temporary shows a year of adventurous work from Argentina and abroad. They also hold art workshops, courses, conferences and concerts. They sometimes close in between exhibitions so call ahead.

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  17. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

    In between the Cementerio de la Recoleta and the Centro Cultural Recoleta, this lovely white colonial church with a beautiful baroque interior is worth a quick look. You can get a splendid view of the church from across the park.

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  19. Iglesia Santa Catalina

    Just behind Galerías Pacífico and across from the Centro Cultural Borges is this pretty, out-of-place church. Santa Catalina was founded in 1745, when it became Buenos Aires' first convent. Today it is a church, and a peek inside reveals beautiful gilded works and a Baroque altarpiece created by Isidro Lorea, a Spanish carver.

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  20. Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays

    Designed by French-Argentine architect Carlos Thays and inaugurated in 1898, this botanical garden boasts over 3000 tree and plant species, sculptures, lovely iron-and-glass greenhouses (housing cacti, succulents, orchids, palms and other plants) and Thay's former mansion.

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  21. Jardín Japonés

    These tranquil Japanese gardens with Koi ponds, sculpted shrubbery, tiny bridges, and tinkling waterfalls, offer a peaceful respite from the chaotic city streets. The restaurant (closed Tuesday) serves up delicious sushi and there's a tea ceremony included in the garden entrance fee (check out the monthly program for times when you buy the ticket to the garden).

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  22. Jardín Zoológico

    Built on the site of provincial governor Juan Manuel de Rosas' former estancia (traditional grazing estate), the city zoo makes for an excellent wander with the kids. Over 350 species are represented at this zoo, including an elephant house, aquarium, monkey island, petting zoo and large aviary; white tigers have been bred here.

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  23. La Bombonera

    Watching a football game at this atmospheric venue is an experience. The stadium is so rickety the whole thing rocks when the fans jump up and down as they sing songs of abuse to the other side. As much as you want to be out of there, if you don't join them, you're chicken! If you can score tickets to a game between Boca Juniors and their arch-rivals River Plate, the experience is one you won't forget quickly.

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  25. Malba (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires)

    Opened in 2001, this splendid museum houses the Costantini collection of modern Latin American art, along with adventurous temporary exhibits. It also fosters an active film preservation program with a regular schedule of art-house cinema. In addition, there's an excellent bookstore and gift shop, and its hip cafe is popular with Palermo's art-lovers.

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  26. Manzana de las Luces

    The Manzana de las Luces (Block of Enlightenment) was once Buenos Aires' main center of learning. Jesuit missionaries built a university here in the early 1700s, educating many of the country's leading thinkers. Underneath the Iglesia de San Ignacio (BA's oldest church) there are some tunnels, discovered in 1912, which you can tour.

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  27. Monumental Torre

    The quaint 76m tower you see across Av del Libertador from Plaza San Martín was once known as 'Torre de los Ingleses'. A donation by the city's British community in 1916, it was the target of bombings during the 1982 Falklands War and, during the 2007 Falklands anniversary, the target of graffiti.

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  28. Monumento a los Españoles

    Inaugurated in 1927, this magnificent white monument on broad Av del Libertador is one of the city's most beautiful, particularly at night when it's spectacularly lit. At its grand base, elegant figures represent four regions of Argentina: the Pampas, the Andes, the Chaco, and Río de La Plata.

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  29. Monumento a Sarmiento

    This small statue of former Argentine President Domingo F Sarmiento (1811-1888), across from the giant Monumento a los Españoles, is beautiful for a reason - it's by Rodin. President from 1868-74, he was just as famous for being a legendary educator and is credited with the development of the country's education system.

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