Your city tour of Buenos Aires starts at the famous 9 de Julio Avenue, known as the widest avenue of the world. Visit the beautiful Teatro Colón, the cultural pride of Buenos Aires. Arrive at the main square Plaza de Mayo and go inside the Metropolitan Cathedral. Continue to San Telmo, before heading to La Boca, the most colourful area of Buenos Aires. Drive to the green area of Palermo in the north of the city. Then, visit the area of Recoleta and the famous Recoleta Cemetery. There will also be time on the tour to visit the famous El Ateneo bookstore and Café Tortoni, where you will be served a cup of coffee and a snack. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Overnight in Hotel Bel Air, Buenos Aires , Superior Room
Meal plan: Breakfast
The Teatro Colón is one of the most renowned opera houses in the world. Its exceptional architectural features, magnificent acoustics and rich history mean that it ranks amongst prestigious venues including the Vienna State Opera and London's Royal Opera House. Performers such as Enrico Caruso and Maria Callas have appeared on stage in the Teatro Colón, as well as conductors such as Arturo Toscanini.
Dating back to the 17th century, San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. Once a poor area, it was first home to dockworkers and brickmakers. The establishment of the Parish of San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo in 1806 boosted the economy, with many mansions and imposing houses consequently built. Today, the area's history is evident in its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, while the bohemian vibe and tango dancing in the plazas attract many tourists. In particular, visitors flock to Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo on Sundays for its vast, bustling antiques and flea market.
La Boca is a neighbourhood in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires. Many of the early settlers in La Boca originate from the Italian city of Genoa. The pedestrian street Caminito is famed for its tango performances, whilst colourful houses and Italian taverns provide an insight into the cultural history of La Boca.
Palermo is Buenos Aires' largest neighbourhood, and one of its most trendy. With development in the area booming over the last 15 years, it is a prime location for new businesses; barely a week goes by without a new restaurant opening. Palermo Soho is the fashionable heart of Palermo, boasting streets lined with cafés and designer boutiques, while Palermo Hollywood is so called because of its high concentration of TV and film production studios.
Recoleta Cemetery was formed in 1732 around the convent and church, Our Lady of Pilar. Visitors can see elaborate marble mausoleums designed in a variety of architectural styles including Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic. One of the most impressive tombs belongs to the former actress-turned-First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón (also known as Evita) and the final resting places of several of Argentina's most prominent figures can be found amongst the 'streets' of tombs.
Situated on Bueno Aires' Santa Fe Avenue, El Ateneo bookstore is one of the biggest bookstores in South America and is often considered the most beautiful in the world. Housed in a former theatre built in 1919, it was converted into a bookstore in 2000, yet remains lavishly decorated with ceiling frescoes and features of the original theatre. The seating was removed and replaced with bookshelves, while the crimson curtain-framed stage now houses a café.
Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni has been the meeting place for high-profile artists and scholars throughout history, with visitors including Albert Einstein and the King of Spain. Inspired by the Fin-de-siècle coffee houses of France, it is majestically decorated with marble-topped tables and a $1.4 million Tiffany glass ceiling.
