Complete Itinerary of What To Do in Buenos Aires in 3 Days

Spending just three days in the vast city of Buenos Aires, Argentina might not sound like enough time. Buenos Aires is a city that has it all, from delicious food, to art, culture and a rich history. We have created a three day itinerary to Buenos Aires to squeeze in a range of cultural attractions across the diverse city as possible.

With just three days to explore, you will get a good overview of everything the city has to offer. We start off with one important tip: be prepared and ready to be an on-the-go traveler for your whole time in Buenos Aires to take full advantage of your vacation.

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When planning your time in Buenos Aires it is also important to consider how much cash you will need as many restaurants, smaller stores and street vendors do not take cards. Most ATMs in Buenos Aires have relatively low limits on withdrawals and can be scarce in certain neighborhoods.

We highly recommend getting the NB Debit Card, especially when visiting Argentina, as not only do they not charge international fees, but they also automatically reimburse ATM fees, which can be over $5 in Buenos Aires. Just make sure to let Needham Bank know you are traveling outside of the United States with a quick call or message.

If you are short in time but you want to visit Buenos Aires and Iguazu in 4 days make sure to check this complete guide with all the information you need to know to plan your next adventure to Argentina.

3-Day Itinerary Travel Vlog of Buenos Aires

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Complete Itinerary of things to see in Buenos Aires in 3 days:

Day 1: Explore Monserrat and Puerto Madero

Wake up early and lace up a pair of comfortable shoes. The first stop of the day is our favorite building in all of Buenos Aires, Teatro Colón. It is one of the most beautiful theaters in the world and considered amongst the five best concert venues in the world because of its acoustics. If you have the time go and watch a show, if not at least take the hour long tour through the theater. You will instantly fall in love.

While walking to the second stop, the route passes the most iconic monument of Buenos Aires, the Obelisk. The Obelisk is famous as the gather spot for locals either to celebrate or to complain about politics, sports or any large event.

The second stop is the Plaza de Mayo, where the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Buenos Aires City Hall and the Pink House are located. Plaza de Mayo is one of the main tourist attraction anyone should visit in Buenos Aires, full of history and contemporary commotion. If your trip is during the weekend, make sure to take the free tour of the Pink House, which requires advance reservations.

After visiting the Pink House, the Cathedral, and taking countless photos throughout the Plaza de Mayo head to Puerto Madero. Visit the two nautical museums or just walk around, take a selfie on the women’s bridge, Puente de la Mujer, and grab a bite to eat.

Puerto Madero, the old port, has become one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. It is the place to go for a delicious meal and to enjoy a nightly tango show.

If you are visiting Buenos Aires during the week instead of doing the tour of the Pink House, take a free tour of the Congress and Senate house. The National Congress gives daily tours at 12:20 PM and 5:00 PM.

In the evening head back to your hotel or a cafe for a short break before finding one of the many Tango shows dotting the city each night.

Day 2: Explore La Boca and Recoleta

Start of day two early in our favorite neighborhood in Buenos Aires, La Boca. It is super picturesque and colorful area. It is recommended to visit La Boca it during the day and avoid going beyond the tourist area of caminito and the Boca Juniors Stadium.

You can easily spend the whole morning wondering La Boca, taking photos, visiting the conventillos. We took a walking tour and which helped us better understand the history of this immigrant neighborhood and the importance of it on today’s society. In fact Tango was born in this neighborhood with the mixture of cultures arriving from the port. If it is Sunday make sure to visit the San Telmo Fair, close to La Boca neighborhood.

In the afternoon either take a free tour of the Recoleta Cemetery or go by yourself. It might sound odd, to visit a cemetery but this one is full of history and beautifully designed crypts. It is the final resting place of many important characters of Argentina’s history including Evita Peron and Sarmiento, a former President of Argentina.

If you do chose to take either of these free walking tours in the morning, it is customary to leave the tour guide with a cash tip if you enjoyed your time on the tour, so make sure to have a few bills set aside.

Next to the cemetery is Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar, which is super beautiful and ornate making it worth a quick stop on your way out.

Close to the Recoleta Cemetery are the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Floralis Genérica. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is free for the public and works in conjunction with El Prado in Spain often rotating collections.

The Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo is another hidden gem in Buenos Aires. This museum is housed in a Neoclassical mansion which remind us of a mini-Palace of Versailles and it is free to the public.

Before going to grab dinner we recommend visiting El Ateneo, ranked as the second most beautiful library in the world. It used to be a Opera House and designed to keep same atmosphere even as it holds books.

For dinner go to the Palermo neighborhood to a restaurant named Kansas. Locals and foreigners alike love it for the ribs and juicy meat.

Day 3: Explore Palermo

In two quick days you have already visited the neighborhoods of Recoleta, La Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and Monserrat. The last neighborhood of Buenos Aires to explore on day three is Palermo. This neighborhood is so big, taking up 20 percent of the city, that it is divided in smaller areas such as Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Soho, Bosques de Palermo, etc.

First thing in the morning take a quick trip to the other side of the world at the Jardín Japonés. This Japanese garden with its pristine lake, numerous sculptures and a picturesque red bridge is are one of the largest of its kind outside of Japan.

As one of the biggest global icons in Argentine history, you cannot visit Buenos Aires without a stop at the Evita Museum. Learn about the life and mission of Eva Perón in changing the country through charitable and feminist activities. The museum itself is located in a former transition home for women created by Evita’s social assistance foundation.

The Jardín Botánico, botanical garden, is close to the Italia Square. This urban garden has 5 hectares with more than 5,500 species of trees and plants. It also has many interesting sculptures spread throughout the natural landscape.

El Rosedal de Palermo, is a massive park with hundreds of rose bushes and paddle boats to rent. It is of course best to visit the park during late Spring and Summer. We have visited the park in early Spring and Winter and it is still beautiful, just you will miss out on the blooming flowers. Our favorite spot in the park is the Patio Andaluz with its beautifully tiled fountains.

The Planetarium is across the street from the Rosedal de Palermo. It located on a beautiful park and is well worth the detour for a quick photo.

After visiting the Planetarium your three days in Buenos Aires are coming to a close. Depending on your time of departure and airport, it might already be time to pack up and head on home. If you have any extra time on your last day in Buenos Aires remember to pick up some delicious alfajores to take home with you.

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