Things to do in Buenos Aires: The museums, galleries & street art you need to see on your next trip

A trip to South America is often full of natural wonders, like the lush beauty of the Amazon rainforest, the rushing waters of Iguazú Falls, and the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains. But did you know that Buenos Aires is home to some of the region’s best galleries and street art? Argentina’s capital city is a vibrant urban destination full of exciting cultural attractions. Some of the top things to see in Buenos Aires include famous opera houses and world-class museums, and our Argentina tours give you the chance to experience them alongside historic monuments and fabulous restaurants.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Buenos Aires if you love art and culture.

What’s Buenos Aires like?

Argentina’s capital has long been nicknamed the Paris of South America. The cities share a similar urban layout, with spacious, tree-lined boulevards and relaxing, leafy parks—and, like Paris, Buenos Aires is a hotbed for creativity and the arts. A thrilling city that’s home to 3 million residents, Buenos Aires has it all: rich history, stunning architecture, a thriving food scene, lively nightlife, and plenty of cultural attractions. Of course, let’s not forget dance; it’s not unusual to spot couples strutting the tango in public. It’s this combination of cultural touchpoints that makes the city one of our favorite places in South America, and our Buenos Aires tours will let you sample all of it.

What are the best art museums in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires holds art in high regard—so much so, in fact, that the city was named a partner of Art Basel in 2016. Our trips to Argentina—like the exciting Chile to Argentina: Santiago, Patagonia & Buenos Aires tour—usually include a free day in Buenos Aires for travelers to indulge their personal interests.

If you want to focus on art, you won’t want to miss the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA). Surrounded by towering trees in the heart of the Palermo neighborhood, MALBA has become one of South America’s most important art institutions thanks to its jaw-dropping collection of works by Latin American artists (think: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Fernando Botero). If you’re more interested in the European masters, head to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes to marvel at pieces by Goya and Van Gogh.

Looking for a smaller exhibition dedicated to modern art? Visit Gachi Prieto Contemporary Latin American Art. This renowned gallery is celebrated for its impressively curated selection of works from some of the most exciting Latin American artists today. Who knows? You may just find a new favorite there on your next trip to South America.

Where can you find the best street art in Buenos Aires?

If you want to take your art tour outdoors, you’ll be spoiled for choice: A trip to Buenos Aires wouldn’t be complete without viewing some street art. Amazing pieces can be found all over the city, and some of our favorite places in Argentina are districts like San Telmo, Villa Crespo, Palermo, and La Boca, where graffiti contributes to a lively atmosphere. (If you add the street art excursion on our Food & Wine: Flavors of Chile & Argentina tour, you won’t just see some of the most important murals in the city—you’ll get to meet the artists behind them, too.)

Our Rio, Iguazú Falls & Buenos Aires tour and Grand Tour of South America: Brazil, Argentina & Peru may not have a dedicated Buenos Aires street art tour, but your Tour Director will still guide you through some neighborhoods where you can see the importance of the style to the city. For something immense, head to Barracas, next to La Boca, to see the longest mural in the world painted by a single artist: El Regreso de Quinquela by Alfredo “El Pelado” Segatori.

And pay extra attention when strolling through Buenos Aires’ pasajes, or alleyways; you never know what world-famous artist might have a mural there.

What are the best cultural attractions in Buenos Aires?

The best things to do in Buenos Aires aren’t restricted to museums and street art, and our itineraries are designed with variety in mind. For instance, take our Food & Wine: Flavors of Chile & Argentina tour: Even though this trip focuses on culinary experiences, you’ll also get to visit the Colón Theater. Built in 1889, this historic opera house is considered one of the world’s best, famous for its acoustics and architectural details. If you have a free evening during your trip to Buenos Aires, try to snag tickets to a show there.

Want another example? Our Chile to Argentina: Santiago, Patagonia & Buenos Aires tour will take you to Recoleta. Besides its stunning mansions and designer shopping, this neighborhood is known for the eponymous Recoleta Cemetery, filled with the grand mausoleums and gravestones of famous Argentines—luminaries like Nobel Peace Prize-winning politician Carlos Saavedra Lamas and former First Lady of Argentina Eva Perón.

If you’re exploring the city in your free time—maybe on a trip like our Grand Tour of South America: Brazil, Argentina & Peru—make your way to the Retiro neighborhood and unwind in the Jardin Japones. At five acres, it’s one of the largest Japanese gardens you’ll find outside of Japan; its grounds also house a koi pond, cultural center, art shop, and botanical nursery.

Where can you see the tango in Buenos Aires?

You can’t go on a Buenos Aires tour and not see tango. Born in the city’s poorer districts in the 1880s, this passionate dance has since evolved into one of Argentina’s most distinguished artistic expressions. Today, you’ll find tango everywhere in Buenos Aires—you might even catch couples dancing in the street!

However, if you want a dedicated tango experience, our South America tours with stops in Buenos Aires typically offer an excursion to a live performance. On our Rio, Iguazú Falls & Buenos Aires tour, for instance, you can sign up for a tango show and dinner, where you can marvel at this beautiful dance while sampling Argentine dishes and sipping local wines.