The considered guideBuenos Aires

Buenos Aires, with room to wander

A bookshop, a pizza stop and a stretch of green. Three starting points for a day with a little space around its plans.

A colourful street scene in La Boca, Buenos Aires, photographed in October 2018

DerHexer / Wikimedia Commons. Captured: 2018-10-19. Resized and compressed; display crops vary. · CC BY-SA 4.0: License; source: Source

Begin with the kind of afternoon you want, not the number of places you can fit into it. Pick one of these ideas and leave the next decision open.

These stops are in different parts of the city. They are alternatives you can combine if you have time, not a promise of one short walking route. Our cover shows La Boca, another neighbourhood to explore on its own day.

Each recommendation below links to a shared place record for hours, admission and official sources. A free browse or walk still leaves meals and transport to budget for. The most useful plan is one you can change when something catches your eye.

01.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Start with a browse, not a shopping list. Give the room a moment, then let a shelf decide where your attention goes.

Av. Santa Fe 1860 · Recoleta
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02.

El Cuartito

Make pizza a reason to stop. Check the service day before setting out; a late closing time does not mean every day is open.

Talcahuano 937 · Retiro
$$ · Pizza, Argentinian
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun · See full hours at the restaurant
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03.

Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Choose the reserve when you want space and a slower pace. Check the seasonal closing time and weather notices before making the journey.

Av. Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550 · Puerto Madero
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