Day 1: The Essential Buenos Aires in 24 Hours
San Telmo & Sunday Market
Start in San Telmo — Buenos Aires' oldest neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, crumbling colonial buildings, and antique shops on every corner. If it is Sunday, the Feria de San Telmo street market stretches 10 blocks along Defensa Street with antiques, leather goods, and tango dancers. Grab a medialunas (Argentine croissant) and cortado at Café Dorrego (ARS 3,000–5,000) on the main plaza.
La Boca & Recoleta
Walk to La Boca's Caminito — a colourful open-air museum with painted corrugated-metal houses, tango statues, and street performers. Quick visit only — the area is touristy and not safe beyond the main strip. Metro to Recoleta for the Cementerio de la Recoleta (free) — find Evita's tomb among the elaborate mausoleums. Walk the elegant streets to the MALBA modern art museum (ARS 6,000).
Palermo Soho — Steak & Nightlife
Palermo Soho is where young Buenos Aires eats and drinks. Dinner at a parrilla (steakhouse) — a bife de chorizo (sirloin) for ARS 12,000–18,000 at Don Julio (book ahead) or La Carnicería. Argentina's steak is no myth — the grass-fed beef at even a budget parrilla is extraordinary. After dinner, walk the bars along Plaza Serrano — Nicky Harrison, Uptown, and Frank's Bar for cocktails (ARS 5,000–8,000).
