Buenos Aires. Alive, Passionate and Sultry.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina gets under your skin quickly! It’s alive, passionate and sultry. It’s all that you imagine and more. It’s a European mecca with an edgy Latin American twist. Whilst choosing a favourite city within South America feels somewhat like choosing your favourite child (I imagine), I’d have to say, just quietly, it’s my favourite!
If you’re heading to Buenos Aires, be warned, you’ll find it hard to leave; if not just for the steak and red wine. But there’s more to this bustling urban paradise than just food and drink. Here are five things not to miss when you’re living the dream, exploring Buenos Aires:
1. Visit San Telmo
Take a walking or bike tour of the San Telmo district’s street art. It’s a great way to experience the oldest neighbourhood of Buenos Aires which is characterised by its quirky street art, colonial buildings, tango parlours and antique shops. Visit on a Sunday and also check out the San Telmo markets (on Calle Defensa and Humberto) from 10am to 5pm. They are a hive of activity with market stalls, artists and dancers filling the cobblestone streets! Bustling with tourists and locals alike, you can pick up cheap leather goods, local crafts and antiques.
For more information, visit: www.feriasantelmo.com.
2. Check out the Recoleta Cemetery
You can’t visit Buenos Aires without checking off the beautiful and fascinating Recoleta Cemetery. Arguably one of Buenos Aires most infamous attractions and hailed as one of the world’s best cemeteries, it hosts the graves of Eva Peron, past Argentine presidents and the granddaughter of Napoleon. In summer, head there on a Saturday or Sunday to meander this city of the dead and afterwards enjoy the colourful markets and live bands or street performers of the Recoleta Fair just outside the gates from 10am until sunset.
For more information, visit: www.recoletacemetery.com
3. Wander Caminito, La Boca
If you can handle the odd tourist and tacky souvenir, visit the colourful Caminito (‘little walkway/path’) in the heart of the La Boca neighbourhood. Famous for its colourful buildings and for inspiring the music for the famous tango ‘Caminito’ in 1926, this artists’ hub is filled with artisans selling paintings, photographs and handicrafts. Snap a few pictures, buy yourself some art or sit down for lunch and enjoy the couples dancing tango. Don’t be fooled by the overpriced souvenirs and be careful not to venture out of the tourist zone or stay after dark.
4. Learn the Tango
You haven’t experienced the real Buenos Aires until you’ve learnt to Tango at a Milonga. Grab a glass of Malbec and a dance partner and you’re 2/3 of the way there! After your lesson, stick around for the social dancing and get swept off your feet by a local. Here are some milonga suggestions, but remember Tango is a late night sport.. If you’ve got two left feet, don’t miss out, try a Tango show and dinner instead.
5. Be mesmerised by La Bomba de Tiempo (The time bomb)
La Bomba de Tiempo blew me away! You can literally feel the pulse of Buenos Aires as these 16 talented percussionists take the stage at Konex every Monday night from 7pm to 10pm. This dream team improvises on stage, so every drum show is unique! Don’t miss this phenomenon under the stars; it will saturate your senses!
For more information visit www.labombadetiempo.com
