On a recent international holiday, we set out to explore my husband’s Argentine heritage and to inspire our teenage son with a deep immersion in the Spanish language. Our trip to Buenos Aires was just the ticket to experience a captivating blend of city life, cultural charm, and outdoor adventure. We couldn’t have asked for a more well-rounded deep dive into all the fun-filled highlights the capital of Argentina has to offer.
Situated on South America’s eastern coast on the shore of the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires is the second most visited city in Latin America after Mexico City. Offering a charming mixture of European and Latin American character, it has a distinctly cosmopolitan flair that has earned it the nickname “the Paris of South America.”
Our family was supremely grateful to experience the rich cultural heritage and historical legacy of this city. Buenos Aires evolved from an indigenous settlement to a pivotal Spanish colonial port. It played a crucial role in Argentina’s fight for independence during the 19th century. The vibrant, culturally diverse hub that it has become today was ultimately shaped by its indigenous heritage, colonial legacy, waves of immigration, and urban development.
On our first day we purchased tickets for a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city. It was a great way to check out neighborhoods around town that included La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Palermo, and Belgrano. After our tour we stopped and satisfied our sweet-tooth cravings with some spectacular and creative ice cream at Antiche Tentazione. Every bite of the pistachio gelato, Belgian chocolate gelato, and lemon sorbet we tasted was heavenly.
The next day we headed straight to the Recoleta region for some more exploration. At an outdoor marketplace situated near the Recoleta cemetery, we found all sorts of booths that showcased a lovely variety of handcrafted goods ranging from jewelry to leather pieces to woven crafts. Later that evening we took in a tango dinner show that highlighted the history of tango while we enjoyed a traditional Argentine dinner.
After our breakfast in the Be Jardin Escondido the next morning, we visited the San Telmo Market in the San Telmo neighborhood. This historic indoor market is one of the city’s most iconic destinations for both tourists and locals. It is housed in a beautiful iron-and-glass structure that dates to the 19th century.
It was so interesting and colorful that I could have spent the entire day there exploring the arts and crafts stalls and the collection of antique shops. Best of all, it had a spectacular food mall that had me wanting to sample the flavors at every turn. Visitors who come on Sunday can also head to La Defensa Avenue for the popular San Telmo outdoor flea market.
Next, we strolled around the La Boca neighborhood. Known for its colorful houses, tango performances and strong ties to the city’s immigrant history, La Boca delivered touristy cultural charm in spades—everything from empanada tastings to tango dancing street photos. Our lunch at El Gran Paraiso was culinary perfection. They are famous for their courtyard from the 1890s and their selection of Argentine meats that are grilled with charcoal and wood for a typical “asado Argentino” flavor.
To get our Zen fix we visited Jardin Japones. Situated near Tres de Febrero Park, this was one of our most relaxing stops in the city. We capped off our Buenos Aires adventure with an exploration of all the leather shops around Florida Street and then headed to Florida Garden, a casual diner with a quintessential corner-market vibe and ample selection. We had found Buenos Aires to be a vibrant destination that tantalized our tastebuds and captured our hearts.
When You Go
For part of our visit we stayed at Be Jardin Escondido, a seven-room boutique hotel in the Palermo Soho neighborhood. Francis Ford Coppola owns this property, so film fans flock here for a chance to stay in the house where the filmmaker resided while shooting his film “Tetro.” They serve daily breakfast in the lounge any time, and the hotel is centered around a lush garden: www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/jardin-escondido.We spent the rest of our time there at the Buenos Aires Sheraton Hotel. The afternoon snacks they served in the Sheraton Club Lounge were a welcome surprise for a family traveling with a hungry teen: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/buesc-sheraton-buenos-aires-hotel-and-convention-center.
Buenos Aires: www.turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en
Antiche Tenrazioni Ice Cream: www.antiche-tentazioni.com
El Querandi Tango Show www.querandi.com.ar/en
El Gran Paraiso: www.granparaiso.com.ar
