Karl WP Beyer At first glance, modern buildings, high-rise buildings and many monuments characterize the center of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Of particular interest are the architectural relics of the colonial and Wilhelminian eras. For short visits it is useful that the main sights of Buenos Aires are in the central districts of Puerto Madero, Retiro, San Telmo as well as Boca and Barracas. The main attractions are concentrated in a few square kilometers. Our favorites for a two-day short stay in Buenos Aires are the following attractions. We explain how to find them and how to get there in our article: Discover Buenos Aires on your own - two tours.
High-rise buildings in the Puerto Madero district
Remarkable church buildings
Catedral Metropolitana
The Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. The facade and the towers were taken over from a previous building built in the 16th century. The nave and dome were completed in the 18th century. The facade followed in the 19th century. The interior of the church is in the neo-renaissance and neo-baroque styles.
The facade is adorned with a portico made up of a total of 12 columns and a triangular ornamental gable. The porch is more like a Greek temple than a church.
The church's interior consists of a nave, two side aisles, and a transept. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling depict biblical scenes. They were created towards the end of the 19th century. The Venetian-style mosaic floor was laid in 1907. Between 1998 and 2013, the cathedral served as the residence of Archbishop Jorge M. Bergoglio, the late Pope Francis.
Basilica Del Santisimo Sacramento
The church, consecrated in 1916, was elevated to a basilica by Pope Benedict XV. Its furnishings are exquisite: gold, silver, marble, blue granite, stained glass windows, and Venetian mosaics fascinate both worshippers and visitors.
Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento
Location: San Martín 1035; near the Plaza General San Martín. San Martin Plaza
Our Lady of Pilar Basilica
Located next to La Recoleta Cemetery, the single-nave church was consecrated almost 300 years ago. It has been a national historical monument of Argentina since 1942. The church, which appears simple from the outside, is famous for its outstanding altarpieces and ornaments. The baroque altar is decorated with Inca ornaments and lots of silver.
Our Lady of Pilar Basilica
Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar - nave
Location: Junín 1898.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
The parish church in the Montserrat district is the city's oldest colonial building. The construction of the church began in 1712; it was consecrated ten years later. Because of its colonial reference, the church has been a historical monument since 1942.
Parish Church of San Ignacio de Loyola
Location: Bolívar 225; about 200 meters from the Plaza del Mayo.
Important public buildings
Presidential Palace Casa Rosada
The expansive, pink building on the east side of the Plaza de Mayo is the Presidential Palace. It is only used for formal occasions. It stands on the remains of the old city fortifications. The palace has a small museum that displays personal items from former presidents. If the national flag is raised, the president is in the palace.
Casa Rosada
Casa Rosada - the flag is flying, the president is working
Centrally located in the Plaza del Mayo; Palace tours are offered.
The old City Hall
The construction of the old town hall was decided in 1890. The construction project fell into a financial crisis, which is why the construction was more modest than originally planned. Tiles and chandeliers from a neighboring demolished house were even reused.
The old City Hall
The inauguration took place in 1893. After 1911 the town hall was expanded to double its area.
Centrally located in the Plaza del Mayo.
Cabildo of Buenos Aires
As long as the Spanish viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata existed, the Cabildo was used as the seat of government. The origins of the building go back to 1610. The building now houses the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution.
Cabildo of Buenos Aires
Cabildo Museum
Centrally located in the Plaza del Mayo.
Palace of the Congress of the Argentine Nation
The building, crowned by a huge dome, is the seat of the Argentine National Congress with the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The People's Assembly was established between 1898 and 1906. The MPs' offices are in an adjacent building.
Palacio del Congreso
Location: Av. Rivadavia 1864. The Av. de Mayo connects the palace with the Casa Rosada.
Peace Palace
Built between 1902 and 1914 for José C. Paz, editor of the newspaper La Prensa, the monumental building is now the headquarters of an officers' association and the national arms museum.
Location: Plaza General San Martín
Palacio San Martín
The Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses this city palace located in Plaza San Martín for festive receptions. The building was created in the Beaux Arts style. It was originally built for a private client.
Palacio San Martín
Significant secular buildings
National bank
The state credit institution is the largest commercial bank in Argentina. Admission to the associated numismatic museum is free. Inside there is a remarkable octagonal dome.
National bank
The headquarters are in the Plaza del Mayo.
Edeficio Kavenagh
An Art Deco style skyscraper. When the building opened in 1936, it was considered the tallest building in Latin America at 120 meters high. The Edeficio Kavenagh has now been added to the list of Argentina's historical monuments.
Edeficio Kavenagh
Location: Florida 1065, near the Basílica Del Santisimo Sacramento.
La Recoleta Cemetery
One of the most famous sights in Buenos Aires is certainly the Cementerio de la Recoleta, which was laid out in 1822 as Buenos Aires' first cemetery. At the end of the 19th century it became the capital's preferred necropolis. More than 90 of several hundred grave sites have been declared national historical monuments. Important architects designed the graves. One of the main attractions is the grave of the Duarte family, to which Evita Perón, who died at the age of 33, belonged.
The cemetery is in a prestigious residential area. Main entrance: Junín 1760.
Galerías Pacífico
The Galerías Pacífico were modeled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The complex was built in the 1890s in the Beaux Arts style. The building complex is currently used as a mall, hotel and office location. The features of the shopping area include upscale shops, beautiful ceiling paintings, a glass-covered corridor and a glass dome. The building has also been a national historic monument since 1989. There are probably only a few shopping malls worldwide that have been awarded such a rank.
Galerías Pacífico
Galerías Pacífico - ceiling paintings
Location: Florida 750 Pedestrian Street
National Gallery
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is one of the most important national art collections in Latin America. 34 larger and more than 688 smaller works of art are shown in 12.000 halls.
Location: Av. del Libertador 1473
Palacio Barolo
Before the completion of the later Edeficio Kavenagh, the Palacio Barolo, completed in 1923, was the tallest building in Latin America at 100 meters high. The 22-story high-rise was planned in the eclectic style. Dante Alighieri's “Divine Comedy” was the inspiration for the planning. Based on the seal, the building is divided into three areas. The basement and ground floor correspond to hell. Floors 1 to 14 represent Purgatory, and floors 15 to 22 represent heaven. The height of 100 meters corresponds to the 100 cantos of the Divine Comedy. There is a light source on the roof, whose light can still be seen in the distance Montevideo should be seen.
Palacio Barolo
Palacio Barolo - entrance hall
In this case, eclecticism means: The building is a mixture of neo-romantic and neo-Gothic. The dome follows an Indian architectural style. Guided tours are offered.
Teatro Colón
The opera house, which opened on May 25, 1908, is one of the most famous music theaters in the world. Globally recognized performers and conductors will be guest (s) at the Teatro Colón. The opera house with 2.500 seats and 1.000 standing places is Argentina's most famous musical theater.
Teatro Colón
Location: Cerrito 628 (street parallel to Av. 9 de Julio)
Squares, streets and bridges
Plaza del Congreso
In a narrower sense, there are three parks opposite the Congress Palace: the Plaza del Congreso, which gives it its name, the Plaza Lorea and the Plaza Mariano Moreno.
Plaza del Congreso
In the extensive open space stands the Monumento de los dos Congresos, which commemorates two congress meetings in 1810 and 1816. One of the sculptures represents an allegory of the Republic, and the surrounding water symbolizes the Atlantic. Other monuments include the Kilometer Zero monolith in Plaza Moreno and the figure “The Thinker” created by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
Palacio del Congreso with the Thinker
Plaza de Mayo
The “May Revolution Square” is called the heart of the Argentine capital. It is a place steeped in history. The plaza was named after the liberation month of May 1810. In that year, Argentina gained independence from Spain.
Plaza de Mayo
The city developed from the plaza. The central park is bordered by representative buildings. It was the scene of a bloody massacre. During demonstrations against the takeover of the military on October 16, 1955, hundreds of demonstrators were killed in the bombing of the square. And in this square, during the tyranny of the military, the “Madres de Plaza de Mayo” protested every week in silent marches to bring charges against the disappearance of their children.
Plaza de Mayo
In the square are the 19-meter-high Pirámide de Mayo and an equestrian statue of the politician and general Manuel Belgrano. The Pirámide is the capital's oldest national monument.
May Pyramid
Equestrian statue of General Manuel Belgrano
Republic Square
Another place steeped in history is the Plaza de la República. The flag of the Argentine nation was hoisted for the first time in the area around the square. The square is the intersection of three important streets: Avenida 9 de Julio, Avenida Corrientes and Diagonal Norte. Three subway lines meet underground. In the center of the square is the Obelisco, which can be seen from afar.
Plaza de la República with the Obelisco
Lavalle Square
Plaza Lavalle is a three-block green space in the center of the capital. The park is named after Juan Lavalle, a war hero and fighter for independence. Important buildings such as the Palace of Justice, the Teatro Colón or the National Theater Cervantes border the plaza. A number of monuments adorn the square.
Plaza Lavalle with the Palace of Justice
Plaza San Martín
The imposing plaza is located in the Retiro district. About 100 years ago, the district was a preferred place of residence for the urban upper class. Impressive buildings from this period still surround the facility today. In the center is an equestrian statue of General San Martín.
Plaza San Martín with the equestrian statue of General San Martín
Avenida 9 de Julio
Avenida 9 de Julio is the boulevard of the Argentine capital and also one of its main arteries. The name is derived from the nation's Independence Day, July 9, 1816. In addition to the twelve lanes, there are another three lanes on both sides, separated by median strips. This results in a road width of 140 meters.
Av 9 de Julio
Avenida de Mayo
The Avenida de Mayo is a boulevard lined with many historical buildings. The almost dead straight 1,6 kilometer long street connects the Plaza del Congreso with the Plaza de Mayo.
Puente de la Mujer
The Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava has a weakness for bridges. The Puente de la Mujer (women's bridge), which he designed for pedestrians in the port area of Madero, was opened to traffic in 2001. Its dimensions: length 160 meters, width 6 meters, height 39 meters. It can be swiveled so that ships can pass it. Calatrava interpreted the bridge as a couple dancing tango. The mast is the man, the curved surface the woman. Welcome to the capital of tango!
Puente de la Mujer
Puerto Madero - old became new
The former port area of the Puerto Madero district was a neglected district after the construction of Puerto Nuevo. Since the 1990s, the old warehouses of the four harbor basins have been converted into chic lofts, hotels, restaurants, bars, offices, museums, etc. Internationally renowned architects such as Calatrava, Foster and Starck were involved in the redesign. High-rise residential buildings and office buildings were added later. The district is a sight in itself.
Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero - converted warehouses
The Fragata ARA Presidente Sarmiento is located in the third harbor basin. The former training ship of the Argentine Navy (built in 1897), built as a three-master full-ship, had four steam engines. It was also armed with rapid-fire guns and torpedoes. The frigate became a museum ship in 1964. It has been in the port of Madero since 1994. On board: a piece of the Great Wall of China and the mummified dog Lampazo.
Fregata Presidente Sarmiento
Dimensions in meters: length 85,50 / width 13,30 / height 54,30
Memorials and monuments
Dozens of memorials, monuments and statues are located in downtown Buenos Aires. We are particularly impressed by the following:
The Floralis Genérica
The 23-meter-high and 18-ton sculpture made of aluminum and stainless steel is one of the city's most interesting works of art. The huge flower opens its six petals at sunrise. It closes it again at sunset. During the day the brightness is reflected, at night the sculpture gives off a diffuse light.
Floralis Generica
Location: Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta, near the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
The kilometer Zero Argentina monolith
The distances within the country are determined from kilometer zero.
Kilometre Zero
Plaza del Congreso
The Monumento a las Cataratas del Iguazú
The Iguazú Falls Monument was inaugurated in 2013. A high, semicircular wall interprets the "Garganta del Diablo", part of the Iguazú Falls. Water gushes out of the wall. The symbolism includes the fact that material from the geological formation of Iguazú was used for the construction.
Location: Avenida de Mayo / Av. 9 de Julio
Monumento Al General San Martin
The monument is dedicated to Argentina's national hero, General Martín. The equestrian statue was unveiled in 1862, the group of figures beneath it was created much later in 1910. The general is shown on horseback. The lower figures symbolize the farewell of the army, the Battle of Salta and the capture of Montevideo, the victory and the return home.
Monument to the General of San Martin
The obelisco
The 67 meter high obelisk on the Plaza de la República was built in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city's founding. The construction time was supposedly two months. The monument is supposedly accessible inside; A total of 206 steps lead to the top. Four glass windows provide views of the city. However, at the end of 2018 there was no sign that the obelisk was open to visitors.
The obelisco
Location: Plaza de la República / Av. 9 de Julio
The Torre Monumental
Buenos Aires' English community donated the 76-meter-high brick clock tower to the city's residents. The reason for its construction was the centenary of the May Revolution of 1810. Before the Falklands War in 1982, the tower was officially called Torre de los Ingleses. It is located in a beautiful park within sight of the Estación Retiro train station.
Torre Monumental
Location: Av. Dr. José María Ramos Mejía 1315.
Coffee houses and tango shows - two important institutions
Coffee houses are just as much a part of Buenos Aires as tango. Various coffee houses and just as many tango bars extend across the city districts. The most popular and popular coffee houses are Café Biela and Café Tortoni.
Café la Biela
Biela location: Av. Pres. Manuel Qintana 596; the Recoleta cemetery is nearby.
Tortoni location: Avenida de Mayo 825.
The choice of tango shows is even more difficult. Various restaurants compete for spectators. Generally there is dinner before the show, followed by the performance. It is possible to visit the shows without having dinner. We especially like the Tango Porteño.
Tango show Porteño
Location: Cerrito 570 (near the Obelisco).
Update February 2024