5 Days in Buenos Aires: A Complete Itinerary

Five days covers downtown, La Boca, Recoleta, Palermo, and Puerto Madero without rushing, plus a proper tango evening.

Day 1: Downtown and the Obelisco

Start at the Obelisco and walk 9 de Julio Avenue, then explore the surrounding downtown streets and Plaza de Mayo, home to the Casa Rosada presidential palace.

Day 2: La Boca and San Telmo

Spend the morning in La Boca, photographing Caminito's colorful houses and watching street tango. In the afternoon, walk to San Telmo for its cobblestone streets and antiques shops — visit on a Sunday if your dates allow for the neighborhood's famous street market.

Day 3: Recoleta and Palermo

Spend the morning at Recoleta Cemetery, then continue to Palermo for its parks, boutique shopping, and dense restaurant scene in Palermo Soho.

Day 4: Puerto Madero and a tango show

Walk Puerto Madero's waterfront and the Puente de la Mujer during the day, then book a tango show for the evening — reserve ahead for the better-regarded venues.

Day 5: Flexible day or Tigre Delta

Use a final day for a day trip to the Tigre Delta, a short train ride away, or a more relaxed day revisiting a favorite neighborhood for shopping or a final asado.

Getting around

The Subte covers longer distances efficiently; taxis or rideshare apps make sense for crosstown trips between neighborhoods like Palermo and La Boca.

What to pack

Comfortable walking shoes and a plan for late dinners matter in any season — see our Buenos Aires travel guide for the fuller packing breakdown.