Best things to do in Buenos Aires on your days off
Buenos Aires has more culture packed into every square block than almost any city I have been to. The problem is not finding something to do on your days off — it is choosing between the twenty options competing for your attention on any given afternoon. This is a city where you can watch eighty-year-olds dance tango at midnight, eat the best steak of your life for the price of a Chipotle burrito back home, take a boat through a jungle delta an hour from your apartment, and accidentally end up at a percussion show that turns into a block party — all in the same weekend.
As part of your time as a digital nomad in Buenos Aires, you are going to need to be deliberate about how you spend your free time. Here is everything worth doing, organized by the kind of day you are looking for, based on what actually delivers according to the people who have done it.
Tango: the real deal
You cannot come to Buenos Aires and skip tango. But you need to understand the difference between what is real and what is a tourist production.
Milongas vs. tango shows
A tango show is a Broadway-style production where professional dancers perform acrobatic, theatrical tango while you sit and watch. A milonga is a social dance hall where actual Portenos go to dance tango with each other — some of them have been doing it together for fifty years. Both are worth experiencing, but they are completely different things.
If you want the spectacle, book a show at Rojo Tango or Cafe de los Angelitos. One critical tip that comes up in every conversation: skip the dinner package. The food at these dinner-and-show combos is universally described as overpriced and mediocre. Buy the show-only ticket and eat somewhere great beforehand.
If you want to see the soul of tango, go to a milonga late at night, after 11 PM. You can just sit, drink wine, and watch. La Catedral is the most recommended milonga for first-timers. It has a grungy, bohemian atmosphere, offers beginner lessons, and is genuinely welcoming to people who have never danced before. La Viruta peaks around 2 AM and draws a younger, more energetic crowd. Salon Canning is where the serious traditional dancers go — sit on the side and watch the precision.
Skip the street tango in La Boca/Caminito. Most experienced visitors call it a tourist-trap photo-op.
Taking lessons
Tango classes run $5-$10 per group session and are one of the best social activities in the city. You do not need a partner — people rotate. Beyond the dance itself, the class becomes a community. Many nomads report that their tango group became their core friend circle in BA.
The food scene
Buenos Aires has one of the most underrated food scenes on the continent. The Italian immigrant heritage means the pasta and pizza rival what you will find in Italy. The beef speaks for itself. And the wine-to-quality ratio is absurd. This section could be its own article, so I will keep it to the highlights. For the full budget breakdown, check our Buenos Aires cost of living guide.
Steakhouses (parrillas)
The big debate: is Don Julio worth it? The food and service are genuinely excellent, but a growing number of locals and frequent visitors call it “Disneyland for tourists.” The practical advice: go for lunch or try to grab a seat at the bar as a walk-in to skip the months-long reservation list. Or skip it entirely and eat at places where the experience is more authentic.
La Cabrera is the most popular direct alternative, with huge portions and unlimited side dishes served in small ramekins. Parrilla Pena delivers a no-frills, authentic neighborhood experience with excellent bife de chorizo at reasonable prices. Don Niceto is the wallet-friendly choice that punches above its price. El Pobre Luis is famous for its pamplonas (stuffed meat rolls). The reality is that you cannot get a truly bad steak at any reputable BA parrilla — the baseline quality is that high.
Beyond steak
Buenos Aires has its own pizza tradition and locals will argue passionately about which pizzeria is best. Guerrin on Avenida Corrientes is the essential experience — standing at the counter eating a thick, cheesy slice surrounded by the chaos of a city that takes its pizza seriously. The rivalry between Buenos Aires pizza joints is real and entertaining.
Closed-door restaurants (Puertas Cerradas) are private dining experiences in someone’s home — you book in advance, show up at their apartment, and eat a multi-course meal with strangers. It is one of the most unique food experiences for meeting locals you will find anywhere.
The gelato here is non-negotiable. The Italian heritage shows. Rapa Nui is the most-recommended chain, and specifically try the Franui (chocolate-covered raspberries). Multiple people have described this as a life-changing snack, which sounds like hyperbole until you try one.
And then there is choripan, the ultimate street food — a chorizo sausage in crusty bread with chimichurri. Grab one at La Choripaneria in the San Telmo market or from any cart near the parks.
Day trips
When you need to escape the city for a day, Buenos Aires has three easy options that each offer something completely different.
Tigre Delta
An hour north of the city by train, the Tigre Delta is a Venice-like network of river channels, islands, and lush vegetation that feels like a different country. Take the Mitre Line from Retiro station to the end of the line — it costs under a dollar. The key advice: do not linger in the town of Tigre itself. Get out on the water immediately.
Instead of paying for expensive tourist catamarans, use the Interislena public boats — they are the water taxis that locals use and they are far cheaper while giving you a more authentic experience of delta life. Get off at Tres Bocas, an island area with walking trails (no cars exist there) and small restaurants. Try the pacu (river fish) if it is on the menu. For a more upscale experience, Gato Blanco is a legendary island restaurant accessible only by boat — the ride itself is part of the fun.
On weekends, hit the Puerto de Frutos market for crafts and food before or after your boat trip.
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata and you are in Uruguay. Colonia del Sacramento is a UNESCO World Heritage colonial town that is the perfect antidote to Buenos Aires’ intensity — quiet cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and a pace that makes you wonder why everyone is in such a hurry back in BA.
The logistics: Colonia Express is cheaper; Buquebus is more comfortable and departs from a more central terminal in Puerto Madero. Arrive at the terminal an hour before departure (1.5 hours in peak season) since you clear both Argentine exit and Uruguayan entry immigration before boarding. You do not need Uruguayan pesos — USD and credit cards work fine for a day trip.
Once there, rent a golf cart or bike to cover the whole town efficiently. Walk the Barrio Historico, climb the lighthouse for the river view, and time your return ferry to catch the sunset over the water. You do not need a guide — the town is small enough to explore on foot in a few hours.
San Antonio de Areco
For a more traditional Argentine experience, this gaucho town about two hours northwest of BA offers horseback riding, asado (barbecue), and a window into rural Argentine culture. Book a dia de campo (country day) at a local estancia (ranch) for the full experience.
Cultural highlights
Buenos Aires punches above its weight culturally. Here are the experiences that consistently get recommended.
Recoleta Cemetery
This is not just a cemetery — it is an open-air museum of ornate mausoleums and statuary that rivals any architecture tour in the city. Find Evita’s grave, wander the labyrinthine paths, and marvel at the fact that Buenos Aires treats its dead better than most cities treat their living. Free entry, and you could easily spend an hour or two here.
Teatro Colon
One of the finest opera houses in the world. Take a guided tour to see the architecture, or better yet, buy a ticket to an actual performance. The acoustics are considered among the best on the planet and tickets are remarkably affordable compared to similar venues in Europe.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
A bookstore inside a converted theater — it is as spectacular as it sounds. The boxes have been turned into reading nooks and the stage is a cafe. Go for the photo and the atmosphere. Skip the coffee there (long lines, average quality) and grab yours at a nearby cafe instead.
MALBA and other museums
The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) houses an impressive collection of Latin American art. Palacio Barolo deserves a special mention — this building was inspired by Dante’s Inferno and the guided tour, including the view from the lighthouse at the top, is one of those experiences that adventurous travelers consistently rank as a highlight.
Street art
Buenos Aires has a well-known street art scene, particularly in Palermo and Colegiales. Graffitimundo runs tours that are repeatedly name-dropped as the best way to understand the context behind the murals. Or just wander — the art finds you.
Nightlife and social scene
The nightlife in Buenos Aires operates on a completely different clock than most cities. Dinner starts at 9 or 10 PM. Pre-drinks (previa) go until 2 AM. Clubs do not fill up until 3 AM. If you show up anywhere before midnight, you will be drinking alone.
Bars and wine
The wine bar scene is outstanding. Pain et Vin is the most recommended spot — sourdough bread, casual flight tastings, knowledgeable owners. Vico has a self-pour wine dispenser system where you use a card to sample from dozens of bottles. Anuva Wines runs organized English-friendly tastings with food pairings.
For cocktails, Buenos Aires has an excellent speakeasy scene. Floreria Atlantico, hidden beneath a flower shop, is the most famous. Verne Club is a jazz and literary-themed bar for a quieter, more sophisticated night. La Fuerza is a vermuteria (vermouth bar) that offers a distinctly Argentine, relaxed drinking experience.
Try a Torrontes (crisp white wine from Salta) and a Bonarda (another Argentine red) to expand beyond the standard Malbec. Argentine wine is absurdly cheap for the quality.
Clubs
Under Club is the techno mecca — dark, intense, serious about the music. Crobar is larger and hosts international DJs. Niceto Club in Palermo is versatile, hosting everything from indie bands to the theatrical Club 69 party on Thursday nights.
The Monday night ritual
La Bomba del Tiempo at Konex is described as “unmissable” in almost every thread about Buenos Aires. It is a percussion improvisation show every Monday night — drums, dancing, and an energy that is hard to describe until you experience it. This is one of those shared experiences that makes travel unforgettable.
Meeting people
Mundo Lingo is the go-to event. It is a language exchange held multiple times a week at different bars where you get flag stickers for the languages you speak. It attracts a mix of locals practicing English and foreigners practicing Spanish. Also look into Mate Club (a more intimate conversation exchange centered around drinking mate) and urban running groups for alcohol-free socializing.
Markets and shopping
San Telmo Sunday market (Feria de San Telmo)
If your stay includes a Sunday, this is non-negotiable. The market takes over the entire neighborhood — antiques, crafts, street food, tango dancers, and live music stretching for blocks. Arrive early (by 10 AM) to avoid crushing crowds, or embrace the chaos later in the afternoon. Combine it with exploring the San Telmo neighborhood itself, which is extremely walkable.
Other markets
Plaza Serrano in Palermo has weekend markets with local crafts and a relaxed vibe. The Feria de Mataderos, on the city’s outskirts, offers a more authentic gaucho experience with folk music and traditional food — fewer tourists, more locals. Worth the trip if you want to see a side of Buenos Aires that most visitors miss.
Outdoor activities
Instead of paid tours, spend weekend afternoons the way Portenos do. Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods) and the Rosedal (Rose Garden) are where locals gather to drink mate, run, cycle, and decompress. The Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur in Puerto Madero is a massive nature reserve right next to the city center — perfect for a long walk or bike ride when you need a break from the urban intensity. For travelers who love adventure travel, the parks and waterways around BA offer surprising depth.
Weekend getaways
Beyond the day trips, Buenos Aires is a launchpad for bigger adventures. Mendoza is Argentina’s wine country and a short flight away — you could do a long weekend of vineyard tours and Andes views. Iguazu Falls is doable as a weekend trip by flying (do not try the 17-hour bus unless you have more time). For the full South America itinerary, check our guide on how BA fits into the bigger picture. If you are comparing activities across South America’s best food cities, Buenos Aires holds its own against anywhere on the continent.
If you are bouncing between South American hubs, compare this list with the things to do in Medellin to see how the two cities stack up for digital nomad lifestyles.
Continue your journey
Buenos Aires is one of those cities that tricks you into staying longer than you planned. The depth of culture, food, and nightlife means you will still be discovering new neighborhoods and experiences months after you arrive. Build your Buenos Aires time into a longer South American circuit using our South America digital nomad guide, and make sure your coworking setup is dialed in so your work days are productive enough to justify all those long weekends exploring.
Find your people
The best experiences in Buenos Aires are the ones you share. Join a milonga, sign up for a HitchHive community event, or just sit at the communal table at a coworking space and say hello. This city has a way of turning strangers into friends over a shared bottle of Malbec and a plate of empanadas, and those connections are what you will remember long after the steak dinners blur together.
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