3-Day Weekend Itinerary in Buenos Aires, Argentina

A long weekend in Buenos Aires is just enough time to fall in love with Argentina’s vibrant capital. From its grandiose architecture and thriving cafe culture to the sultry rhythm of tango music and sizzling barbecue grills, the city is bursting with a heady mix of old-world charm and modern energy. 

With only three days to explore, you need to make sure every moment counts. This itinerary covers the best things to see and do in Buenos Aires, as well as some hidden gems and local favorites to help you get the most out of your trip. 

Whether your ideal getaway involves sipping rich red wine in a streetside bar, shopping for antique trinkets in a bustling market, snapping photos of iconic landmarks, or simply soaking up a whole new culture, this guide has got you covered.

Getting Around Buenos Aires

If you’re flying into Buenos Aires from outside Argentina, you’ll likely land at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). The quickest and easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel is via an official taxi or ridesharing app, like Uber or Cabify.

If you opt for a taxi, you go to a dedicated desk inside the airport, pay your fare, and receive a voucher that you hand over to the taxi driver — it’s really simple. If you’d rather use a ridesharing app, your driver will most likely pull up close to where the taxis stop, so look out for them there. 

Buenos Aires is enormous, but getting around is surprisingly easy, thanks to its efficient public transport system, budget-friendly taxis, and high number of rideshare drivers. 

For long journeys, the Subte (subway) is your best bet. The six-line network covers most neighborhoods in the city, including San Telmo, Recoleta, and Palermo. To ride on the Subte, you need to pick up a SUBE card, which you can get from subway stations and kiosks on the street. You can also ride the local buses with a SUBE card, but as the schedules can be a little inconsistent, it can be tricky to get to grips with.

Taxis and rideshare apps are your go-to for shorter distances. You can hail official black and yellow taxis on the street and use ridesharing apps. If you’re planning on using apps to get around, it’s a good idea to get an eSIM or local SIM card because free WiFi is rare in Buenos Aires. 

If you’re feeling energetic, walking is an excellent way to get around individual neighborhoods in the city. There are so many fascinating streets to explore, hidden cafes to visit, and gorgeous street art to admire that you’d completely miss if you weren’t on foot.

Most of Buenos Aires is perfectly safe to walk around during the day. But after dark, it’s best to stick to taxis and rideshare apps, especially in quieter areas. 

Buenos Aires Weekend Itinerary – Day 1

Get to grips with the city on day one by riding on the hop-on hop-off bus. This bus takes you to all the major landmarks in the city and lets you enjoy the views without having to deal with crowds. Have your camera ready because you’ll pass by the Floralis Genérica, Planetario Galileo Galilei, Parque de la Memoria de Buenos Aires, and loads of other cool sites. You also get free WiFi on the bus, which is an added bonus.

24-, 48-, and 72-hour tickets are available, but I recommend sticking to the 24-hour option. The route is incredibly comprehensive and takes 2-3 hours to complete. It’s a great way to get to know the city, but it’s not the most efficient way to get around.

One stop you should definitely get off at is El Caminito. Located in La Boca, this pedestrian street is one of the liveliest, most vibrant parts of the city. Brightly colored buildings, live tango performances, incredible street food, and bustling markets surround you everywhere you look.

The street is only small, but the atmosphere is so incredible that it’s worth stopping by. This is one of the best places in Buenos Aires to grab souvenirs and try local food, like empanadas. 

One of the best places for the classic Argentinian pastry is a place simply known as “Empanadas”. This street food spot is literally a hole in the wall — it’s a tiny window just back from Dr. del Valle Iberlucea street, behind Club Zárate. Look for a chalkboard advertising “Autentica Empanada Norteña” and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Here you can grab some of the best freshly-prepared, authentic Argentinian empanadas in all of Buenos Aires. The selection is small — they only have beef, chicken, and cheese and onion empanadas. But they all taste incredible. If no one is at the window when you get there, pull the string to ring the bell for attention.

Another stop you should check out is Chinatown. This part of the city is made up of two long streets, each of which is jam packed with all kinds of tempting Asian restaurants, street food kiosks, gorgeous bars, and cool shops. There are loads of incredible photo ops and, just like El Caminito, the atmosphere is phenomenal. 

Whatever type of Asian food you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find it in Chinatown. For amazing Korean hot dogs, visit Puppo KDog. Choose the filling, crunchy outer layer, and extra toppings, then wait for your one-of-a-kind hot dog to be prepared.

They look sensational, but try not to let yours go cold while snapping photos! There are loads of Korean-inspired extras and drinks to choose from, if you want to make your snack more of a meal. 

If you just want a drink, swing by Sangría – Bar de Vereda. This laid-back bar has a fantastic terrace where you can hide away from Buenos Aires’ intense sunshine. Sangria is what the bar is known for and it’s wonderfully sweet, chilled, and refreshing. The rest of the drinks menu is filled with local wines (available by the glass and bottle), vermouth, and wine-based drinks. 

Buenos Aires Weekend Itinerary – Day 2

Begin the second day of your weekend in Buenos Aires with a walk around Recoleta Cemetery. This sprawling cemetery dates back to 1822 and is home to more than 6,400 above-ground mausoleums. It sounds like a morbid place, but it’s fascinating to walk among the tombs and admire all the hard work that went into designing them.

There are some famous names laid to rest at Recoleta Cemetery. If you want to seek out their tombs, make sure you pick up a map at the entrance. The cemetery is more like a confusing labyrinth than a graveyard and it’s practically impossible to find specific graves without the map. 

Stop for brunch at La Panera Rosa. Here you’ll find an incredible menu bursting with dishes inspired by cuisines from Argentina, Spain, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The open-faced wholewheat toast topped with hummus, arugula, chicken, guacamole, and poached eggs is amazing. If that’s not your thing, try the sharing platter instead, loaded with local snacks and rich dipping sauces.

Next it’s onto one of Buenos Aires’ iconic attractions — the Floralis Generica. This giant metal flower is located in the center of Plaza de las Naciones Unidas and is a massive 65 feet high. There’s a dedicated photo spot in the park from which you can snap the best photos, so be sure to seek it out.

The 18-ton marvel opens up at sunrise and closes up at sunset — just like a real flower! If you’re up for a super-early start or really late finish, you can tweak the itinerary so you can watch the flower in action.

Take a gentle stroll to the Jardín Japonés to soak up even more beauty. Despite its small size, the charming park is brimming with peaceful walking paths, koi-filled ponds, stunning trees, and gorgeous pagodas. If you visit in the spring, you may be lucky enough to walk in between magical cherry blossom trees with their delicate pink flowers.

Within the Jardin Japonés you’ll find Espacio de Arte Culinario. This upmarket restaurant serves a wide range of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and other traditional Japanese dishes. The presentation of the sushi is stunning and definitely worth trying. If that’s not your thing, the Wagyu Niku (wagyu beef gently seared and served with pickled vegetables and potatoes) is also excellent.

For something a little more laid-back, try Avant Garten. Self-described as a beer garden, this casual venue has wonderful outdoor seating with plenty of shade, as well as an air-conditioned interior if the heat is too much. Here you’ll find a drinks menu bursting with craft beers, as well as classic cocktails, mocktails, and wines by the glass.

If you’re feeling hungry, you’re in for a treat. The food menu is huge and features everything from creative breakfast plates, hearty salads, and toasted sandwiches to German sausages, pub classics, and Argentinian snacks.

Buenos Aires Weekend Itinerary – Day 3

Start your final day of your Buenos Aires itinerary by taking in the street art in Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho. There are so many fantastic pieces created by local artists decorating the façades of buildings.

The Frida Kahlo, Alice in Wonderland, and Queen Victoria murals are some of my favorites. You can find street art by simply wandering throughout Palermo. Or if you prefer a more structured approach, you can search for it on Google Maps. 

While exploring the neighborhood’s streets, stop by Kaldi Cafe for some breakfast. This small coffee shop does extraordinary coffee and spectacular pastries. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, I recommend their croissant stuffed with dulce de leche. If you’re more of a savory person, opt for their cheese scone filled with pork and more cheese instead.

Next up is a walk through the Buenos Aires Ecoparque. Once a zoo, this popular local attraction is now an eco park with free roaming and enclosed animals. It’s free to visit, so it’s often busy — especially on a weekend. 

Take a look around and you’ll spot everything from peacocks, flamingoes, and capybaras to giraffes, hippos, and elephants. If you visit during the spring, you’ll even have the chance to spot all kinds of baby animals. 

There are a few cafes, food stalls, and a gift shop dotted throughout the park, but they’re small and often pretty busy. Consider bringing your own food and snacks and having a picnic in the park instead.

For something a little more substantial, pop into Museo Evita Restaurante. This unique restaurant is set in a building that dates back to 1900 and was originally a museum. Today it’s a wonderful place to try a seasonal menu based around fresh, local ingredients.

If you can get a table on the outdoor terrace, snap it up — it’s the best place to sit! The menu changes according to which ingredients are at their finest. But the food is mostly Italian, with a range of canelones, risottos, pastas, and milanesas usually available.

Spend your final few hours in Buenos Aires in one of the city’s most bizarre attractions — Tierra Santa/Holy Land. The first religious theme park in Latin America, Holy Land walks you through the most important stories of the Bible in family-friendly Disneyland-like exhibits. There are shows performed by animatronic characters, recreational scenes of Bible passages, and even an 18-foot-tall Christ that rises out of one of the buildings and towers above the park.

As well as the exhibitions, you’ll find some market stalls selling cute souvenirs and cafes and restaurants selling local food and drinks. The park is surprisingly large and you’ll need to spend a few hours there if you want to see everything. 

If Holy Land has left you exhausted, cross the road and grab something simple to eat from Parrilla El Cocacolero. This small food truck serves great local sandwiches stuffed with pork, beef, or sausage with all the extras. It’s not classy, but it’s cheap, fast, and delicious.

For something a little more upmarket, make plans to visit Gardiner Restaurant. Also just a short walk from Holy Land, this elegant dining spot has been serving sophisticated international cuisine for more than 30 years.

The arancini is the star of the appetizer section — crunchy and golden on the outside, soft and delicate on the inside. The winning entrée has got to be the sirloin steak, served with crispy truffle fries and bernaise sauce.

We hope you enjoy your long weekend trip to Buenos Aires! Is there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments.