Hotels in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires: Tango, Architecture, and the Río de la Plata

Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, sits on the western bank of the Río de la Plata, 11,710 km from Madrid and roughly 14,000 km from New York. Founded in 1536 and refounded in 1580, the city grew into South America's largest Spanish-speaking metropolis, now home to around 15 million people across Greater Buenos Aires. Its European-inflected streetscapes reflect waves of Italian and Spanish immigration from the late 19th century — nowhere more visibly than in the ornate facades of San Telmo and the painted conventillos of La Boca.

Where to Stay in Buenos Aires

Most visitors base themselves in Palermo, Recoleta, or San Telmo. Recoleta clusters around the 1732-founded Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where Eva Perón is buried. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood offer dense restaurant and bar streets along Thames and Fitz Roy. Budget travelers and tango enthusiasts gravitate to San Telmo, whose Sunday Feria de San Telmo fills Defensa Street with antiques and street performers.

Practical Tips

• Currency: Argentina operates a formal exchange rate; carry USD cash and exchange at licensed casas de cambio for better rates.
• Transit: The Subte metro runs six lines (A–H); Line A dates to 1913, making it South America's oldest subway.
• Climate: Summer (December–February) averages 28 °C; winters (June–August) are mild at 10–12 °C.
• Airport: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) sits 35 km southwest of the city center; the journey by taxi takes 40–60 minutes.