Buenos Aires Attractions

Cementerio de la Recoleta
One of Buenos Aires' prime tourist attractions, the Cementerio de la Recoleta sits in the plushest of neighbourhoods, ritzy Recoleta. High walls surround this necropolis where, in death as in life, generations of Argentina's elite rest in ornate splendor.
It's fascinating to wander around and explore this extensive mini-city of lofty statues, detailed marble facades and earthy-smelling sarcophagi, all the while reading family names of those with enough social points to make it in here. Follow the crowds and you'll find Evita's grave.

Plaza de Mayo
At the east end of the Plaza de Mayo is the unmistakable pink façade of the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). From the heights of its lofty balcony, Juan and Eva Perón, General Leopoldo Galtieri, Rául Alfonsín and other politicians have addressed the throngs below.
Other major buildings around the plaza include the Museo del Cabildo, the intriguing old town council building that represents all that's left of the recova (colonial arches) that once surrounded the plaza, and the Catedral Metropolitana, a religious landmark and major historical site.

Plaza Dorrego
As both birthplace of the tango and a bohemian artist's quarter, the barrio of San Telmo is still a prime store of cultural riches. Plaza Dorrego's amazing antiques market Feria de San Telmo buzzes with frisky vendors, street performers and tango dancers.
Nearby, the Museo Histórico Nacional details the whole Argentine experience in paint and portrays the country's key independence and republican figures. Other museums in the area include the Museo Penitenciario Nacional, and the Museo de Arte Moderno, housed in a recycled tobacco warehouse.

Teatro Colón
Opened in 1908, the Teatro Colón is truly a world-class theatre and the jewel in Argentina's arts crown. Guided visits around the theatre's basement workshops, rehearsal rooms, stage and seating areas highlight the majesty and mechanics behind the spectacular performances. Catch one if you can.
The only facility of its kind in the country, the seven-storey Colón is used for opera, ballet and classical music, with seating for 2500 spectators and standing room for another thousand culture-craving Buenos Aires porteños.