5-Day Buenos Aires Itinerary: Top Attractions and Map

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city with historic buildings, museums, parks, and offers excellent cuisine.

If you are planning your trip, below you will find our suggested 5-day itinerary with the main attractions and must-do things during your stay in the city.

The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary in Buenos Aires

Day 1 in Buenos Aires

Photo Credit: Gustavo Sánchez

On your first day in Buenos Aires visit the Microcentro area and Puerto Madero.

Start at Avenida 9 de Julio, where the Obelisk, one of the city’s most emblematic monuments, is located. Head to the commercial street in Calle Florida.

Casa Rosada, Plaza de Mayo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral are within walking distance from Calle Florida. Take the opportunity to visit the Museo del Bicentenario (open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

Head to the Puerto Madero and walk along the Puente de La Mujer. Have lunch in one of the restaurants in the area (Sorrento and Cabaña Las Lilas). Visit the Buque Museo Fragata A.R.A and continue to Plaza General San Martín to the Monumental Tower.

Have coffee and cake at Café Tortoni, and end the day watching a tango show at Madero Tango.

Day 1 – What to Visit in Buenos Aires – Summary

Obelisk
Calle Florida
Plaza de Mayo
Metropolitan Cathedral
Casa Rosada (Bicentennial Museum)
Puente de la Mujer
Fragata Museum Buque
Plaza General San Martín
Monumental Tower
Café Tortoni
Tango Madero

Day 2 in Buenos Aires

Photo Credit: Matías Ramos

On your second day in Buenos Aires, take time to visit Recoleta, the most elegant neighborhood in the city.

Start the day by visiting the square where the Recoleta Cemetery and the Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar are located. Head towards the Facultad de Derecho building and right next to it, you will find the Floralis Genérica.

If you are an art lover, visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo (located in a beautiful palace and home to the charming Croque Madame restaurant).

Walk along Avenida Alvear (known to be home to luxury stores, is home to the Alvear Palace and Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires hotels that serve afternoon tea). Head to Calle Arroyo, the most Parisian street in Buenos Aires.

End the day by visiting one of its numerous bars or rooftops that offer spectacular views of Buenos Aires.

Day 2 – What to Visit in Buenos Aires – Summary

Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Recoleta Cemetery
Facultad de Derecho (UBA)
Floralis Genérica
National Museum of Fine Arts
National Museum of Decorative Art
Alvear Avenue
Arroyo, Buenos Aires

Day 3 in Buenos Aires

Photo Credit: Javier Saint Jean

On the third day in Buenos Aires, visit Palermo and Las Cañitas neighborhoods. Start the day at the MALBA museum. A short distance from the museum is the Japanese Garden.

Head through the Bosques de Palermo to El Rosedal. Enjoy relaxing and taking beautiful pictures of the park.

The Palermo Hippodrome is also worth a visit. The area is home to excellent restaurant options such as Kansas, Tucson, and Casa Cavia.

Day 3 – What to Visit in Buenos Aires – Summary

MALBA
Japanese Garden
Palermo Woods
El Rosedal
Palermo Race Track

Day 4 in Buenos Aires

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Eisen

On the fourth day in Buenos Aires take the opportunity to make a short trip to Colonia del Sacramento or Tigre.

Another option (if you love shopping) is to reserve the day to visit some of Buenos Aires’ malls and outlets.

Day 4 – What to Visit – Summary

Day trip to Tigre or Colonia del Sacramento

Day 5 in Buenos Aires

Photo Credit: Gustavo Sánchez

On the fifth day in Buenos Aires visit the colorful area of Caminito and the “La Bombonera” stadium and museum.

Continue to the San Telmo neighborhood, where the Mafalda statue and Plaza Dorrego are located. In the late afternoon head to the Plaza del Congreso and visit the Barolo Palace.

To end the day, attend a classical music, opera, or ballet performance at the spectacular Teatro Colón (visit the official website to see the current performance).

Day 5 – Things to See in Buenos Aires – Summary

Caminito
La Bombonera
San Telmo
Barolo Palace and Plaza del Congreso
Colon Theater

Free Tours and Excursions in Buenos Aires:

Paid Tours and Excursions in Buenos Aires:

Tango Show at the Café de los Angelitos
Gastronomic Tour of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Photo Tour
Buenos Aires Beer and Street Food Tour
Tango Show at the Astor Piazzolla Theater
Private Tango lessons
Tango Show at La Ventana
Soccer Tour, Boca Juniors and River Plate
Excursion to Tigre by Boat
Excursion to Colonia del Sacramento
Boat Ride on the Rio da Prata
Pub Crawl. Buenos Aires Party Tour

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Buenos Aires:

Recoleta, Palermo, Las Cañitas, and Puerto Madero – the best neighborhoods to stay in with a wide variety of 4 and 5-star hotels, and which also offer some options for more economical and cost-effective hotels.
Microcentro and San Telmo – commercial and historic neighborhoods with a choice of budget hotels that offer easy access to the city’s main attractions.

Getting Around Buenos Aires:

With our suggested itinerary above, many of the attractions can be visited on foot. It is also very easy to get around the city by taxi or public transport.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires – 5-Star Category

Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires – a hotel divided into a contemporary mansion and tower, it features an outdoor pool and gardens in the Recoleta neighborhood. The rooms have a TV, coffee machine, and minibar. Posadas 1086, C1011 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires – hotel located in a palace in the heart of Recoleta. The rooms are equipped with a TV, work desk, coffee machine, and minibar. The hotel features an indoor pool and a spa. Alvear 1661, C1014AAD CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Alvear Icon Hotel – a hotel with modern facilities located in Puerto Madero. The hotel has a rooftop bar and a pool with panoramic views. The rooms are cozy and have a TV and minibar. Aimé Painé 1130 piso 32, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Book here.
Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta – a hotel located in front of the Patio Bullrich shopping center in Recoleta. The rooms have a TV and minibar. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool. Posadas 1232, C1011 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires – Mgallery – a hotel located near the El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore. The rooms are modernly decorated and have a TV, coffee machine, and minibar. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool. Callao 924, C1023AAP CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Hilton Buenos Aires – hotel located in Puerto Madero near the Costanera Sur Park. The rooms have a TV and minibar. The hotel features an outdoor pool. Macacha Güemes 351, C1106BKG CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Melia Recoleta Plaza Hotel – a hotel located on Calle Posadas in Recoleta. All rooms have a TV, work desk, and minibar. The hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool. Posadas 1557, C1112ADA CABA, Argentina. Book here.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires – 4-Star Category

Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo

SuMa Recoleta Hotel – a hotel located within walking distance of the luxurious Avenida Alvear and Calle Posadas in the Recoleta neighborhood. The rooms have a TV and a work desk. Parera 183, C1014 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires Palermo – located in the Palermo neighborhood, the hotel features an outdoor pool and offers modern, cozy accommodations. The rooms have a TV and minibar. Humboldt 1650, C1414 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Mine Hotel – charming hotel located in Palermo Soho. The rooms are equipped with a TV, electric kettle, and minibar. The hotel features a swimming pool in the garden. Gorriti 4770, C1414 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Blank Hotel Recoleta – a modern hotel located near the main attractions of the Recoleta neighborhood. All rooms have a TV, work desk, electric kettle, and minibar. The hotel features a spa and jacuzzi. Peña 2049, C1126 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Sileo Apart – cost-effective hotel in Recoleta. The rooms have a TV, electric kettle, and kitchenette. Some rooms have a balcony. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool. Azcuénaga 1968, C1119 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Madero Urbano Studios – hotel with modern accommodations and compact kitchen facilities near the Puerto Madero area. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool. ADL, Azopardo 770, C1107ADL CABA, Argentina. Book here.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires – 3-Star Category

Ribera Sur Hotel

Up América Plaza – hotel located near the Barolo Palace and the Plaza del Congreso. The rooms have a flat-screen TV and a work desk. Bartolomé Mitre 1744, C1037 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Hotel Costa Rica – located in Palermo Viejo, the hotel offers comfortable and well-equipped accommodations. The hotel features a terrace. Costa Rica 4139, C1176ADE CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Up Recoleta Hotel – a hotel located near several attractions in the Recoleta neighborhood. It offers excellent rates depending on the date of your trip. The rooms have a TV and minibar. José León Pagano 2684, C1425 CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Feel Buenos Aires – hotel located in Palermo near the Distrito Arcos outlet and Plaza Serrano. The rooms have a TV and a kitchenette. Fray Justo Sta. María de Oro 2047, C1425FOA CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Ribera Sur Hotel – located in San Telmo, it is a cost-effective hotel with an outdoor swimming pool. The rooms have a TV and minibar. Paseo Colón 1145, C1063ACL CABA, Argentina. Book here.
Hotel Chemin – a hotel with excellent reviews by many travelers near Plaza del Congreso. The rooms are comfortable and have a TV. Sarmiento 1775 3º, C1042 CABA, Argentina. Book here.

See + cheap hotel options in Buenos Aires.

Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport to the Hotel:

Buenos Aires is served by 2 airports.

The Aeropuerto Internacional Ezeiza is located approximately 30 km from downtown Buenos Aires and the Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery is right in the city.

Whatever the airport of arrival or departure, it is worth booking the transfer in advance to not have any surprises with the prices.

The transfer costs $20 (depending on the airport of arrival).

Click to Book a Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel

Map of Buenos Aires

Featured Photo (Modified) by Benjamin Rascoe

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