What to Do in Buenos Aires in 2 Days
When it comes to Buenos Aires travel, it’s good to remember that Buenos Aires is sometimes called the “Paris of South America.” The reason is because of its image of sophistication and glamour.
Luxury travelers will find a great many things to do in Buenos Aires in 2 days. This includes seeing some of the best restaurants, museums, and taking in the local cocktail culture.
What to Do in Buenos Aires in 2 Days
Though Buenos Aires is a large city, there is a lot one can see and do in two days.
Argentina achieved the height of its fame in the 19th century and is best known for the tango – so be sure to see a tango show while you are there.
The city was was founded by Spain in 1580. Spanish liked sailing into Buenos Aires because of the excellent winds that accelerated their journey from Spain. The name “Buenos Aires” can be translated into “fair winds.”
It is a large city, built up over the last several centuries. Its Belle Époque architecture offers testament to the city’s European influence. Waves of immigrants from Europe (mostly Italy and Spain) sailed here in the last century in search of a better life.
Museums here are also world class. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is one of my favorites as it offers over 12,000 pieces of art from the 16th century to the present. If you like International artists, check out the collection of Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, and Marc Chagall.
Buenos Aires in 2 Days: Restaurants
Buenos Aires offers some of the best steakhouses in the world. Most steakhouses also offer vegetarian dishes (salads and pasta) as well as fresh grilled fish.
It took me quite a bit of work to find this excellent, classic Buenos Aires restaurant located in the affluent Recoleta area of Buenos Aires. And I only discovered it because my first choice, an upscale Michelin hotel restaurant was booked!
So I asked the concierge to recommend another, and Fervor was his first choice.
Wow, how lucky could I get.
As it was so highly recommended by the best hotel in town, I did have high expectations.
When the taxi pulled up in front of a building on a rather unassuming tree-lined street, I did not know what to think.
Yet as soon as the doorman opened the door, I knew I was in the right place.
I took in the old-fashioned, immaculate bar, the black and white checkerboard floors, the waiters in tuxedos (yes, even at lunch) and felt that I stumbled upon the fabled Buenos Aires of its prime in the 1920s.
Arriving at one o’clock sharp for lunch, I was seated in a beautiful red leather banquette. The restaurant was not busy, but again, it was 1pm on a Sunday. I knew it would only be a half hour or so until the crowd arrived.
While I waited, I asked for a wine list, ordered a fine Argentinian red wine, and observed the people and décor of the restaurant.
Fervor has two floors. The first floor – my floor – has tables in banquettes arranged against the walls, and other tables for two and four in the center of the room.
A balcony above features more tables overlooking the seated diners below.
My wine arrived with a basket filled with different types of bread (breadsticks, French baguette, whole wheat) and a dipping sauce that looked delicious. Rather mysteriously, the waiter also brought a plate containing five different types of dried pepper powder to my table – without even knowing what I was going to order.
Turning my attention to the menu, I paid special attention to the different selections of grilled fish. Meat lovers will find a variety of different types and cuts of grilled meat. Vegetarians will find several different choices of main course pasta – this is an Italian themed restaurant, after all.
I was a bit surprised when the waiter came to the table to explain that I had a choice between hake and sea bass for the “market fish” items. What happened to the other selections on the menu?
The answer is that the fresh fish offerings change every day, depending on the fisherman’s catch.
Though I love hake and seabass, I’ve had it nearly every day in Argentina so I wanted to order something a bit off the beaten track. That is the reason I selected the mixed grilled fish and seafood platter, offering squid, scallops, and shrimp in addition to salmon, hake, and sea bass. Half portions of this dish are available as well.
The service was extremely elegant in the “Old World” style, This means that waiters take themselves seriously as waiters and take pride in their profession.
As I imagined, closer to two o’clock more and more guests arrived. The vast majority of them were long time clients, to gauge by the way the host and waiters greeted what seemed to be the “weekly regulars.” As it was a Sunday afternoon, you could imagine that the room was filled with family parties and groups of friends.
Because they were large tables, many of the guests near me ordered several different items to share. After all, why just try one particular type of freshly grilled meat when you can take a bite of many?
Though I wanted to stay the entire afternoon, and watch the lively gossip in this Buenos Aires scene, it soon became time to leave and rest up for my cocktail adventure planned for the evening ahead.
Note on the wine: As is the case all over Argentina, the prices of wine – especially the wine from the best Argentine producers – is quite reasonable. Unlike the USA, the prices are not raised to match the (high prices) of the food on the menu.
On this list, you will find white wines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for the many seafood offerings, as well as Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
While Fervor is one of the more exclusive restaurants in Buenos Aires, at night I like to eat light and also enjoy dining with a fun, lively crowd.
So I asked the front desk person for a fun, lively restaurant specializing in seafood.
Their response was immediate.
This charming restaurant in the hip, “Palermo Hollywood” area is the ideal place for people seeking a fun, quality-oriented, but casual restaurant. Though I admit this is pretty much the opposite of Fervor in terms of an old-school, professional wait staff, I did enjoy the lively ambiance.
And I did feel safe as the taxi dropped me off, and I could see that this was a fashionable shopping street filled with lots of restaurants and upscale boutiques. Outside the restaurant, a statue of a handsome, smiling “merman” (yes, the male version of a mermaid) greeted me.
My hotel made a reservation for me and even though they said “it was not necessary” it definitely was. The restaurant was totally packed. I gave my name to the hostess, and this is what saved me from waiting just ten minutes for a table, to not being able to have a table at all.
Buenos Aires is divided into different neighborhoods, and the “Palermo Hollywood” neighborhood is actually named for the film and media companies located within it. Most of the guests in the restaurant were groups of friends or families. Every table seemed to be ordering many different plates and sharing food.
The fish is fresh and the servers are friendly, but the best thing this restaurant has going for it is its energetic vibe.
Also, the weather was a bit chilly for sitting outside, yet had it been warmer I definitely would ask for an exterior table.. This would be even more fun in the afternoon, when you could watch the fashionistas go by. In some ways, this shopping street is trying to be the Argentinian version of the Rue Saint Honoré in Paris. Or one of the streets in Soho in downtown, New York.
Buenos Aires Sexy Cocktails
Until my visit, I never really equated Buenos Aires with cocktails. Yet as I was wondering what to do in Buenos Aires in two days, I thought maybe I should check out the cocktail scene.
I decided to do a search on the Internet, and ended up buying a ticket for a cocktail tour.
Specialized tours, such as walking tours, bike tours, history tours, “from a local” have become quite popular.
As I conducted my search, I saw that several locals offer these tours, which are endorsed by highly credentialed third party service providers. Diligently, I read through the reviews and selected the highest priced among them ($74.00) mainly because the woman giving the tour had reputable credentials in the spirits industry and that everything would be included. For example, our cocktail tour would include three very diverse upscale bars, and transportation between the bars (via taxi) would be provided, along with the price of the cocktails.
It turned out to be a fun evening. The other three people on the tour were Americans (the guide said her biggest clients are Americans and Australians). The three bars (read below) were a lot of fun and we had VIP access that saved a lot of time that would otherwise be spent standing in line.
Doppelganger Buenos Aires
The arrangement was to meet our host and the other guests at the first bar, which happened to be named “Doppelganger.” I didn’t realize how long the taxi took to go from my hotel in Palermo to the bar, located in the San Telmo neighborhood. This neighborhood is famed for its bohemian vibe. So first point – Buenos Aires is a large city, so allow as long as a half hour travel time.
The taxi dropped me off a block away from the bar, so it took some time to find it with the help of my iPhone and directions from some local pedestrians.
Doppelganger is what is described as a classic bar. The waiters wear a starched white shirt, vest, suspenders and a white or black apron.
The bartenders here really enjoy putting on a show – or at least, they did so to please our guide. The drinks were good. The experience was nice.
Trade Sky Bar Buenos Aires
Living in Manhattan and having seen much of the world, it takes a lot to surprise me. Yet the Trade Sky Bar is really fantastic!
It is located on the outdoor terrace above the Comega building. This building is famous, as it is the first reinforced skyscraper built in Argentina dating from the 1930s.
The cocktails are excellent, as expected. Yet what is exceptional is the 360 degree view. Looking down from the bar it is possible to see the Rio de la Plata river, Madero Docks, and the illuminated Corrientes Avenue, one of the principal thoroughfares of the city.
As our guide was a VIP, we all received the VIP treatment which included one of the best tables in the house. Without special access it could be hard to get a table. So reservations are strongly suggested – and try to time your visit so you can see the sunset fade into twilight.
Our host ordered sushi for us, and I was a bit surprised at how fresh it was.
Bar Gran Danzon Buenos Aire
During the course of our evening together, our hostess – very pretty and in her 30s – said that she chooses the evening’s cocktail bars to correspond with the ages and personalities of her guests.
So she must have characterized our group as a posh set, because she took us to the Bar Gran Danzon. This bar radiates comfort and luxury. You will find very plush furniture and great food, in addition to the perfect cocktail.
This bar is found in the El Centro (downtown) area of Buenos Aires, surrounded by historical buildings such as the Catedral Primada. with its Neoclassical architecture.
A word of caution. Gran Danzon can not be seen from the street. It is almost like an old-fashioned speakeasty in that you need to know the exact address to find it. Guests enter by walking up a dark, candle lit staircase.
Of all the bars during the cocktail tour, this seemed the most upscale. One could easily sink into one of the plush sofas and just enjoy a cocktail and conversation. At midnight, it was also easy to call an Uber and have the driver pick you up within a few minutes.
Buenos Aires Hotels
Dazzler Polo
My objective in finding a hotel was that it must be new, must be centrally located, and that it also received great reviews.
The Dazzler Polo (a Wyndham hotel) checked all the boxes. The front desk was fantastic, and the room much better than expected.
While this is not a luxury hotel, I loved my large room, my patio, and the extra room containing a closet, and a bench for changing. This tiny luggage room was actually almost large enough to be a room of its own.
The hotel has a small pool (again, very small) on the top floor, along with an exercise room.
So there you have it – what to do in Buenos Aires in 2 days!
Frequently Asked Questions About Buenos Aires
Q: Should I give up on 2 nights in Buenos Aires and spend them in the Salta region.
A: Even though this article is about what to do in Buenos Aires in 2 Days, you can easily expand your trip. Salta has an interesting history museum, but you might be bored. Plus, it is a bit difficult to get to.
Q: What are romantic activities to do in Buenos Aires?
A: So many things! Everything is romantic here. I would have a picnic in one of the many parks. Take in a Tango show. Go for cocktails.
Please feel free to ask me more in the FAQ section on the menu bar.
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Author Marisa D’Vari is a luxury travel expert
