"La Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most visited cemeteries in Latin America, mainly because Evita Peron is buried there, among other notable figures. The cemetery is built around a convent and a church, Our Lady of Pilar (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar), that was built in 1732. The order was disbanded in 1822, and the garden of the convent was converted into the first public cemetery in Buenos Aires . Occupied by mostly wealthy families of Buenos Aires . Highly recommended to have a guided map to find some famous graves."

"Visiting the Pope's Parish Up until recently, the Catedral Metropolitana was famous for a few things - the rococo altar, the Christ statue carved from algarrobo (carob) wood, the fact that it's the final resting place of the great South American liberator General Jose de San Martin. Lately the city cathedral has made headlines for something bigger - it's the parish of the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires , Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in history. Stop in to admire the beautiful baroque interior - and while you're here, picture the throngs of proud Argentinians who crowded into the nave on the day Bergoglio was chosen as the next pope."

"No woman—or man—has come to symbolize Argentina more than Eva Perón, the country’s first lady from 1946 until her death at age 33, in 1952. Learn about this iconic figure at the Evita Museum, where photos, videos, and numerous personal effects (including dresses and even shoes) provide an intimate, in-depth chronological view of Evita’s life. The museum site was once the headquarters of the Eva Perón Foundation, which helped women who came to Buenos Aires from the provinces; the ornate structure, originally built in the early 1900s, is a marvelous backdrop to the small museum. Perhaps even more popular than the exhibits is the on-site restaurant, which serves delicious food on a gorgeous plant-filled patio. By Travesías"

"The Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve owes its creation to rubble from a highway construction project that was dumped into the river: As nature took over the landfill, new life emerged along the shoreline. Look out over the estuary—that spot on the horizon (on clear days, at least) is Uruguay. Glance back toward the city and admire the urban-rustic juxtaposition of cattails framing sleek steel towers. You could spend all day walking the trails here, so give yourself at least an hour; rent a bike at the main entrance to get around faster. There are free guided tours in Spanish on weekends, plus monthly bird-watching excursions and full-moon nighttime walks. By Travesías"

"El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore Buenos Aires is a city of readers—it supports more bookstores per capita than any other place in the world. The crown jewel of the librerías here is the Ateneo Grand Splendid. Housed in a theater where music legends such as Carlos Gardel once attracted vast crowds, the store features shelf after shelf of tempting volumes on its rounded balconies. Italian frescoes on the domed ceiling and plush red-velvet curtains are from the theater’s original 1919 design. The four-story space carries over 120,000 books and a local-music selection, and there’s a café on the erstwhile stage. By Travesías"

"Legend has it that immigrants who lived near the port of La Boca painted their houses with whatever leftover paint they could scrounge from nearby shipyards, lending the neighborhood its charmingly colorful style. There are several tourist attractions in the area, but unless you’re a diehard soccer fan, skip the Boca Juniors’ stadium, don’t give the Caminito more than a cursory glance, and head straight to Fundación Proa. This modern, minimalist space highlights world-class art exhibits, and the glass walls let in natural light that bounces off the Riachuelo, a once lowly, now more affectionately regarded shipping canal just outside the door. The top floor has a bookshop and a restaurant with a beautiful view of the historic port. By Travesías"

"Los Bosques A forest grows in Buenos Aires. Popular, expansive Tres de Febrero Park, which borders the Palermo and Belgrano quarters, is commonly referred to as Los Bosques thanks to its tree-lined jogging trails and large pond that’s home to fish, duck, geese, and swans. The biggest attraction may be the spectacular 8,000-bush rose garden showcasing 93 varieties in every imaginable hue. The park is also the site of the Sívori Museum, with a small Argentine art collection and a lovely courtyard. By Travesías"

"Carlos Thays Botanical Garden The red-gravel paths that wind among 6,000 plant species, past a babbling stream, and into deeply shaded areas may make you forget you’re in the center of a loud, bustling city. That said, many visitors don’t know that the Botanical Garden includes a small butterfly garden. It’s closed during the week, but you can still peek over a low wall to watch some 50 butterfly species flit about their business. And for one glorious hour, from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, the gate is thrown open and the public is free to walk sunny paths among shoulder-high flowering hedges as colorful, flirtatious butterflies alight on amused visitors’ heads, shoulders, and arms. By Travesías"

"Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo On every Thursday for the past 40 years, women have walked a picket line around Buenos Aires’s most politically significant plaza. They call themselves Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, and each mother present has lost a son or a daughter, presumably “disappeared” at the hands of the nation’s 1970s-era military dictatorships. Some days only a half-dozen mothers lead the march; though increasingly elderly, they are still determined to carry on the fight against all forms of oppression. You’d expect it to be a depressing affair, but in fact it’s quite moving to see the crowd of 50 or more supporters march beside the original mothers as they chant, demanding accountability for one of Latin America’s most shameful and violent historical episodes. By Travesías"

"Graffitimundo Street Art Tours in Buenos Aires Graffitimundo is dedicated to increasing awareness of the bustling street art scene in vibrant Buenos Aires . Beginning in 2009, the non-profit organization began connecting people with the artists of this unique movement and increasing knowledge surrounding the origin of urban art in Argentina. Tour options include North City Tours, South City Tours, Bike Tours and Private Tours. These are all perfect ways to see Buenos Aires in an experiential and interesting way."

"Treat Yourselves to a Night at the Opera Teatro Colón is considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. Though the theater was, to the great disappointment of many travelers, closed for years while undergoing major renovations, the Colón has now reopened and is playing host to a busy schedule of opera, ballet, and symphony. If you can’t get tickets for this legendary theater, try another elegant venue like Teatro Nacional Cervantes or Teatro San Martin. Check out Ciudad Cultural Konex if you’d rather see an edgier contemporary performance of modern dance or theater, or head to La Trastienda to hear live music by some of Argentina’s best young artists."

"Biblioteca Nacional One of the more jarring building styles you’ll find in the city’s architectural mishmash is brutalism, and Argentina’s National Library is an iconic example of the movement. The imposing structure rises like a mammoth tree in the park that surrounds it, and its design seeks to suggest expansion: A root-like system of underground book depositories can be enlarged without changing the building’s intended aspect. When readers request titles, these come up through the building’s central trunk to a fifth-floor reading room, open to the public and featuring an unobstructed view of the Recoleta neighborhood and the river. Check the library’s website for information on talks, concerts, and events. By Travesías"

"La Glorieta La Glorieta attends to those attracted to tango’s drama but who eschew slick, three-hour dance extravaganzas in downtown cabarets. Free and open to the public, this gazebo, in a plaza near Belgrano’s Barrio Chino, transforms on weekend evenings into an open-air gathering place for tango dancers—young and old, experienced and rookies alike. If you’re looking to learn the dance’s steps (as well as its complex etiquette), go early for classes (5–6:30 p.m.) before the dance floor opens. Dancing goes on until 11 p.m. and is canceled on rainy nights. By Travesías"

"A symbol of Buenos Aires’s golden age, the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo was the locus for the horseraces that played a major role in 1930s and ’40s porteño culture. Crowds flocked to the track on weekends; great wins (and many more losses) inspired dozens of tango songs. Today, the grand 1876 Belle Époque structure still hosts a handful of weekly races. For an up-close look at the horses, check out the showcase before each competition; place your bets and pay the small fee to watch the steeplechase from more comfortable tribuna oficial seats, offering great views of your horse as it crosses the finish line. By Travesías"

"Like any great city, Buenos Aires has its Museum Mile. For art, standouts include the National Fine Arts Museum (MNBA), with its mix of Argentine and European pieces, as well as the Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum (MALBA), highlighting the works of Latin American artists. Walk the boulevard between the MNBA and MALBA to see some of the city’s most luxurious real estate. From the MNBA, cross Figueroa Alcorta and swing by the University of Buenos Aires Law School and Floralis Genérica , a 65-foot, stainless-steel kinetic sculpture representing a massive flower. Follow Figueroa Alcorta to Castilla, then turn left into Grand Bourg Park, a stately, if petite, plaza surrounded by imposing palaces, or take a right into Palermo Chico with its circular streets, grand mansions, and palaces. By Travesías"

"Exploring an urban archaeological site at El Zanjón de Granados Touring this one-of-a-kind urban villa and archaeological site allows a unique insight into the city's history. The beautifully restored urban mansion was once the residence of a wealthy Spanish family; they fled for higher ground when yellow fever struck San Telmo, and the abandoned building later served as tenement housing for countless immigrant families. When a new buyer purchased the property in 1985, he discovered layers of historical objects in the subterranean tunnels. Today, knowledgeable local guides take small groups through the grand villa and its underground maze, pointing out the old water cistern and display cases filled with antique children's toys, old hairbrushes and beautifully painted dishes, reminders of an era gone by."

"Galileo Galilei Planetarium Commercial space flight is coming soon, but for now we have the Galilei Planetarium to spur our intergalactic dreams. Its 65-foot planetarium dome can portray a whopping 8900 stars, a presentation highlight; get ready for other big moments like lunar rocks that came back with Apollo 11 (a gift from American president Richard Nixon) and three metallic meteorites that fell to earth in Argentina."

"This dreamy 1927 house is suddenly a hotspot. Denizens love the magnificent architecture that frames a restaurant, florist shop, bookstore and library, perfume boutique, cocktail bar and publishing offices. Innovative yet winningly accessible, Casa Cavia isn’t really for partying; its spaces are given over to film screenings, literary events, workshops, and special presentations. Make a day of it: Lunch, followed by shop-browsing and maybe a late-afternoon aperitif with conversation inspired by the center’s infectious love of books and movies."

"National Decorative Arts Museum With its swoon-worthy, 6000-plus piece collection, the museum establishes a magical dialogue with the past. All kinds of great stuff, from neo-classical statuary, silverware of yore, and centuries-old tapestries, and more inhabit a magnificent 1911 mansion, alone worth the price of admission. In addition to offering a survey of the decorative arts’ development over time, there are spaces for temporary exhibitions focused on local collections and artists. Top off all the luxe with coffee or an aperitif at Café Croque Madame, in the mansion’s stately gardens."