Are you planning to spend 3 days in Buenos Aires? Good, because Buenos Aires has it all: delicious steak and wine, gorgeous tango dancers, beautiful buildings, well-maintained parks, and all the nightlife you could want. You could fill a week with all kinds of activities, and if you have a week to work with and looking for cheap things to do in Buenos Aires, definitely check out these free ones. But you can also get a good sense of the city in just a few days, which might be all the time you have if you’re building a multi-day layover into a trip to Mendoza or Bariloche.

This 3 days in Buenos Aires guide is written imaging that you are coming for a weekend layover (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), but it’ll work for most days of the week. Just remember that in Buenos Aires, like much of Latin America, Sundays are pretty slow days for commerce, with lots of stores closed, and many restaurants will be closed on Monday to give their staff a break from busy weekends. Many museums in Buenos Aires are closed on Tuesdays, so switch around days as needed if you’re visiting the city on a Tuesday.

For additional Buenos Aires and Argentina planning, check out this post on Argentina airports or my Buenos Aires travel guide! I collaborated with a friend of mine living in BA for this post. All of this information on the things to do in Buenos Aires is up-to-date as of March 2019, but keep in mind that prices may change as the exchange rate moves around!

Now on to what to do in Buenos Aires in 3 days…!

3 Days in Buenos Aires: Day 1

Bienvenido a Buenos Aires! This Buenos Aires itinerary is going to start off with a full plate of travel options: you’re going to have art, history, food, and culture one after the other, and it’s going to be amazing.

You’ll explore Recoleta today, one of the oldest and fanciest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. (If you followed my advice on where to stay in Buenos Aires, chances are you’re staying nearby, and even if not, it’s easy to get to on the subway or in a cab or Uber.)

Start your day at any one of the hundreds of cafes around the city. They should have a morning special of a café con leche and two or three medialunas (sweet pastries that are shaped like croissants—their name means “half moon”) for about $2-3.

Floralis Genérica

This outdoor steel sculpture is open all day and all night, and it’ll look different depending on when you visit it, since it moves with the sun, opening its petals around 8 a.m. and closing them with at sunset. You’ll go in the morning, so you should see it while open and soaking up the sun. Visiting is free.

From the flower, you’ll walk down the street two blocks to the museum.

Museo de Bellas Artes

This museum of fine arts is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Monday and is home to a nice, if small, collection of Argentinian and Latin American art. Its gorgeous pink façade is worth a photo, as are the well-curated exhibits inside. Spend about an hour walking around and checking out some art, then head out. Entry costs 100 pesos (about $2.30) and is waived on Tuesdays.

From the museum, you’ll walk across the street and down a few blocks to the cemetery.

La Recoleta Cemetery

This popular visitor spot is home to the eternal resting places of some of Argentina’s most famous, including Eva Perón, several presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and military heroes. The space has been used as a cemetery from the early 19^th century, and the gravesites are ornate and well-maintained. Take a stroll and pay your respects. Entry is free and the gates usually open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

You’ll probably be hungry by now! Head across the street to Buller Pub, which I wrote about in my BA Guide, for yummy burgers or sandwiches, or visit any of the other nice restaurants on Vincente López, just south of the cemetery. Enjoy your meal and definitely order some water to stay hydrated! In BA, you can ask for “un vaso de agua” if you want tap water, which is potable; otherwise you’ll have a choice of “agua con gas o agua sin gas,” or sparkling / still.

Centro Cultural Recoleta

This free, recently-remodeled public arts space sprawls over several blocks—you probably saw it from the museum as you were walking to the cemetery. It opens at 1:30 p.m. and is a perfect place to spend an hour or two exploring. The main mansion is full of exhibits and a really high-quality gift shop, if you’re in the market for some funky, creative souvenirs. The outdoor lounge areas hidden around the grounds are great for a quick siesta, people watching, or enjoying some sunshine.  Brightly-colored walls make for a good photo op, so say cheese and enjoy!

Almost time for a rest, I promise! Walk a few blocks down to Santa Fe and then a few blocks towards the city center towards El Ateneo.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

In 2019, National Geographic named this bookstore the most beautiful in the world, and it deserves the title! It’s open most days from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sundays noon-10 p.m.). It was a former theater, and some of the theater box seats were renovated and now hold special book sections. Its high ceilings, gorgeous entryway, and rows and rows of books make it the perfect place to snag a photo and flip through some literature. They also have a café in the back if you’re in need of a caffeine pick-me-up.

If you’re feeling a bit beat, head back to your hotel or Airbnb for a nap, then head back out later for a quick bite. If you’re still got some energy in you, you’ll walk about ten blocks to a Buenos Aires institution for a very classic, very casual dinner before ending day one!

Pizzería Güerrin

Pizza is a big deal in Buenos Aires. Lots of Italian immigrants came over in the early 20^th century and set up shop, and over the years, their pizza has taken on its own, distinctly Argentine style. A classic BA slice will feature very thick dough, a tiny bit of sauce, and a heaping pile of melted, delicious cheese. A full mozzarella pie at Güerrin will run you about $10 and is enough to feed at least three; pair it with some empanadas (about $1.50 each) and a pitcher of beer, and you’re in business for Buenos Aires cheap eats.

After dinner, you can either head to your hotel to sleep, or walk a few blocks down to the Buenos Aires Obelisk, located in the middle of the longest avenue in the Americas, 9 de Julio. Big shrubs cut into the shape of the letters “BA” right in front of it make for a great photo op, particularly at night, when the Obelisk is lit up against the city skyline.

3 Days in Buenos Aires: Day 2

Day 1 of this 3 days in Buenos Aires itinerary was jam-packed yesterday, so sleep in and enjoy. When you get up, find a fruit stand (there’s probably one within two blocks of your hotel) and buy a few dollars of whatever fruit you like best. Don’t fill up on breakfast today, because you’re going to have a classically huge Argentinian lunch in a little bit!

You’ll explore Microcentro (the historic downtown) and hip Palermo today. You’ll need a subway card, which you can buy in any station for about $3 and refill with rides at about $0.50/each, or otherwise you can use taxis/Ubers.

Plaza de Mayo

Head downtown to the Casa Rosada, or the Pink House, where the Argentinian president lives. Enjoy the impressive architecture of the National Cathedral, National Bank, and the cluster of museums around this historic downtown plaza. Walk around the cobblestone streets and pop into any number of bookstores, cafes, bakeries, or gardens to enjoy a little feel of old-time Buenos Aires.

When you’re ready, head to the Plaza de Mayo subway and jump on the green line towards Palermo. If you’d prefer to take an Uber, it shouldn’t be more than $5. Once you arrive in the very hip neighborhood full of street art, cute shops, leafy plazas, and fun restaurants, feel free to visit any of the next places in whatever order you feel like! Everything is within a few blocks from each other, so once you arrive in Palermo Soho, you can walk around.

FACON casa + vino

This shop’s hours aren’t always consistent, but if its proprietor isn’t driving around greater Argentina picking up one-of-a-kind maps, knives, cups, bottles of wine, or tapestries, he’ll probably open around 10 a.m. and close around 6 p.m. The eclectic collection feels like you’re walking through a private museum, but everything’s for sale, and it’s a great place to pick up truly beautiful artisan products made in Argentina to bring back as gifts or souvenirs. Definitely check out the patio in the back, where you can arrange a private wine tasting if you’re interested.

Honduras and Soria

This intersection is home to half a dozen fun little shops in all directions. Whether you’re in the mood to check out the latest Argentinian fashion trends or pick up something to add to your wardrobe from the cute jewelry, accessory, clothing, and shoe shops, you’ll find beautiful, unique options and attentive shopkeepers (who more than likely probably speak a little English).

La Malbequería

This wine shop has a beautiful backyard of flowering ivy and a wine cellar full of the best red wine Argentina makes, all at very reasonable prices for such a beautiful place. Their most affordable bottles begin at around $13; while that’s more than you might pay for a bottle of Malbec in a Buenos Aires supermarket, the tasting experience at La Malbequería is top-notch and the price is still a steal compared to US wines!

They are connected to a parrilla (steakhouse) next door called Lo de Jesús, which has a delicious and impressive menu of cuts of beef. Order a bife de ojo (ribeye) or bife de chorizo (sirloin) that’ll be big enough for two, and add a salad, grilled veggies, or sausages to round out a big, delicious meal.

You’ll be full after a heavy, very Argentine lunch of steak and red wine, so either head to a plaza (like Plaza Armenia) in Palermo to people-watch and rest a bit, or go back to your hotel to rest up. Then pick your nighttime activities from the two options below!

Beer & burgers

Stay with today’s theme of red meat and yummy drinks and head out to Temple Bar, a Palermo hot spot with delicious craft beer and great burgers and fries. If you arrive around 8 p.m. or later, it’ll be crowded with Argentines; go then to enjoy a more local experience, or earlier if you want faster service. Enjoy the refreshing local beer and the atmosphere and then go home and rest up for your last day.

Drinks & dancing

If you want to experience Buenos Aires nightlife, you’ve got to have stamina. Locals usually eat at home around 9 or 10 p.m., then head out to bars for a few drinks around midnight, and then arrive at dance clubs around 2 a.m. and stay until at least 4 a.m., if not 6 a.m.! If you’d like to try your hand at dancing reggaetón and cumbia with the best of them, go back to your hotel and take a siesta, then grab something small to eat for dinner. Most neighborhoods will have a plethora of empanada options. Go to a bar for a first drink—maybe Trova, a wine bar, or Benaim, a beer hall, both in Palermo—and then head to Caracas Bar in Palermo Soho for dancing. But don’t feel bad if this isn’t for you! You’ll have a ton of fun with a more chill night, too.

3 Days in Buenos Aires: Day 3

For your last day of this 3 days in Buenos Aires guide, you’ll be exploring two important but completely opposite Buenos Aires neighborhoods: the historical and quaint San Telmo and the shiny, brand-new Puerto Madero.

Sleep in from your night out and head out around late morning.

Artisans’ Market

Arriving to San Telmo late Sunday morning, you’ll find the streets crowded with local artisans selling their wares. Pick up souvenirs or artwork if you’ve got room in your bags, or otherwise just enjoy the hustle and bustle. (If you’re not visiting San Telmo on a Sunday, head over to Plaza Dorrego in the morning, which has artisan vendors all week long.)

Walk a few blocks over to a beautiful old-fashioned building for a snack.

Mercado San Telmo

This food market has a huge range of options to please every kind of eater. You’ll find great little coffee spots, an innovative Spanish tapas bar, a taco station, and some of the best empanadas served with an impressive range of hot sauces. Grab some yummy and relatively cheap eats from whatever strikes your fancy and walk around the market to really appreciate the impressive architecture.

Walk a few blocks to the edge of San Telmo to visit the MAMBA.

Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires

This modern art museum houses impressive works by important Argentine and Latin American artists, as well as some other famous modern artists like Dalí and Picasso. It’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and until 7 p.m. during the week, though it’s closed on Tuesdays. Entry is 50 pesos, or about $1.15, and free for children and students.

Walk across the Puente de la Mujer, or Woman’s Bridge, to get from San Telmo / Microcentro to Puerto Madero. The walk will take about 10-15 minutes, and you’ll see the beautiful white footbridge from afar. It’s said to represent a couple dancing tango: the white raised mast symbols the man, and the curve of the bridge, the woman.

Siga la Vaca

Time for more meat! At this classic Argentinian restaurant located right on the water, diners buy an all-you-can-eat buffet pass to really fill up on steak, salads, and sides. One bottle of wine per person is included! Or, if you prefer, you can have beer or soda. An adult pass costs about $20 and a children’s pass, $9. It’s a great option to get to try lots of different cuts of meat and enjoy some fine dining in a very fancy neighborhood at a fairly reasonable price.

Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

After you’ve once again eaten your weight in meat and bread (welcome to Argentina!), you’ll need to walk it off. Head down Puerto Madero to this beautiful nature reserve and head down one of the many well-marked trails for a nice afternoon / evening walk. The longer trails can take about two hours, and you’ll have lovely views of Puerto Madero skyscrapers and the Río Plata.

After you’ve had your fill of nature, walk back to the entrance of the reserve, right across from La Laguna de los Coipos.

Dance! Or at least watch dancing

Did you think I was going to let you leave Buenos Aires without trying some tango? Every Sunday night starting at 3 p.m., a huge, free, casual dance party breaks out along the walkway in front of the Reserva and lasts until 10 p.m. You’ll find groups dancing tango, swing, salsa, and modern pop music stationed along the water. Feel free to gather around them and watch or to jump in and dance yourself! The event is called El Malecón and while it’s only in Puerto Madero on Sundays, they sometimes organize other street dance parties, so if you’re not going to have a Sunday free, Google them and see if they’ve got anything planned for when you’re there.

Congratulations — you made it through our plan and enjoyed the best of Buenos Aires!  Rest up, pack up, and enjoy your next adventure. Feel free to leave any itinerary questions in the comments!