Posh Voyage partnered up with the fabulous Lesley Murphy, better known as the sweetheart contestant for the popular reality show The Bachelor to create the best 72-Hours in Buenos Aires Guide. After not finding love on the show, she moved to Buenos Aires where she later discovered her true love: Travel.
While in Argentina she started her South America Travel Blog, The Road Les Traveled. Combining my numerous voyages to Argentina with her expertise, we created the most spectacular city guide for travelers looking for the ultimate luxury experience while in BsAs.
Many say Buenos Aires is the Paris of Latin America. I say Buenos Aires is the Champs Elysees of Paris; elegant and sophisticated, with a splash of grandeur.
Everything about this city makes me fall in love with Buenos Aires over and over again. From the architecture to the food stands in Recoleta, these are the place to go if you are in need of a European getaway with a Latin twist, especially during the start of their Summer.
10:00am Check in at the Park Hyatt. It didn’t take me long after landing to discover the unique and regal Park Hyatt. This mansion was built in the Belle Époque era and belonged to an aristocratic family for many years, before becoming the Park Hyatt in 2002. This is one of the most enchanting buildings in Buenos Aires, so if you don’t plan on staying there, be sure to stop by for an afternoon tea on the hotel’s terrace.
If you like a trendy and modern vibe during your stay, try the Faena Hotel. Designed by Philippe Starck, this is perfect hotel for contemporary travelers. Their rooms are exquisite, the Library Bar is gorgeous and the restaurants are eclectic and out of the ordinary. The only drawback is that it is in Puerto Madero, a relatively new development 10 minutes away from the city center.
If your cup of tea is a little bit more “boutique-y”, then Legado Mítico Hotel is the place for you. Before you arrive and choose your room, be sure to read about Argentine personalities as each of the 11 distinctive rooms encompasses a different one.
Finally, if you enjoy feeling like a local, try Oasis Collections. They have the most spectacular selection of high-end apartment rentals all over the city. You also gain access to their small and quaint club house in Palermo Soho.
Recoleta
11:00am Breakfast at the new adorable Four Seasons restaurant, El Secreto. Lesley from The Road Les Traveled couldn’t stop raving about the place: “The best part about the whole experience was the actual venue. Or maybe it was the chorizo. Or maybe it was Max, my friendly waiter. Hmm. Come to think of it, the best part about it was everything. Todo. Whatever the case, I’m about to let the world in on Four Seasons’ little secret”.
1:00pm Explore Recoleta. Most affluent neighborhood in the city, it is also the oldest and most traditional area in BsAs.
2:00pm Lunch at Sottovoce. The place might not impress you at first, but sit tight until your burrata arrives, seafood pasta and home made lasagna. After that, I assure you this will be your go-to Italian spot during your stay. It’s okay to repeat restaurants in this case!
If you feel like something a little more French, try Croque Madame. The carrot and ginger soup is decadent.
3:00pm Next to Croque Madame you will find one of the most beautiful museums in Buenos Aires, Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo.
5:00pm Visit the most famous site in Argentina, the Cemetery. These are not your average tombs, they are big and lavish. It servers as the resting place for Argentina’s most important personalities, among them possibly the most famous is Eva Peron.
8:00pm Dinner at Tomo 1. I need to start by saying that the best sommelier in Argentina is in this very restaurant, so be ready for an off-the-charts wine tasting experience. Chef Ada Concaro has astonished diners from all over the globe with discerning palate by mixing her Italian and French roots with an Argentine savor.
10:00pm Head over to Million or Gran Bar Danzon for a few drinks before calling it a night. If you still have some energy, head over to the famous nightclub, Shampoo.
Palermo Soho
12:00pm Walk around Palermo Soho. The most fashionable neighborhood in Buenos Aires
1:00pm Japan and Peru had a baby and named her Osaka. Who doesn’t love Peruvian-Japanese fusion? Excellent sushi and ceviche oozes out of this beautiful restaurant, perfect for a romantic date, business meeting or group dinner. It’s so diverse that anybody can find what they’re looking for here. Order the white fish in leche de tigre, Osaka Roll, fried king crab and king crab salad in a fukimaki roll, or the Kobe beef, served raw with a Japanese mustard butter and spring onion. The prices are well worth the quality cuisine and service.
Feel like a true Argentine Bife de Chorizo instead? Then head for lunch at La Cabrera. Touristy? Yes. Gimmicky? A little. Delicious? Absolutely. Tried and true? Definitely. This restaurant may be touristy, but that doesn’t take away from it’s scrumptious menu. From the Argentine steaks to the chorizo to the various side orders, you won’t go wrong with La Cabrera. Although you’ll leave full and happy, your wallet will most likely be much lighter than when you walked in the place.
3:00pm Walk around Plaza Armenia. The plaza has artisanal vendors scattered all around. After shopping you can go relax at the park while looking at the bustling city from afar.
8:00pm Dinner at I Latina. If you’re a foodie, you can’t miss out on what’s behind closed doors. It’s time to open your eyes, mind and mouth for the unique Argentine take on dinner. All about blurring the lines between a licensed eatery and a dinner party, these gastronomical experiences are held in unadvertised locals. I Latina will transport you to Colombia with its fixed 7 course dinner. Voted #1 of 2,336 restaurants in Buenos Aires on TripAdvisor, I’d say this is a sure bet on a good night. Bring a large handful of pesos with you, and leave with a much lighter wallet to sleep off that food baby.
10:00pm If you didn’t have enough fun Thursday night, our top bars around Palermo Soho are Post Street Bar, Rio Cafe and Thames 878.
Palermo Hollywood
10:00am Breakfast at Oui Oui. The “Gallo” is amazing with their homemade granola plus yogurt! The medialunas are also mouthwatering.
11:00am Walk around Palermo Hollywood. The epicenter for great restaurants, boutiques and local designers.
2:00pm Lunch at Don Julio. The best steak in Buenos Aires (bold statement) can be found right here at Don Julio. With people acting like nothing short of wild beasts to get a table here, you should go ahead and make a reservation before trying to dine among quality beef and delectable wine. Your taste buds will thank you after. If you’re lucky, you’ll be handed a bottle of wine for your autograph on the way out that will adorn the walls of the popular eatery. The place is surrounded by bottles and bottles of drunk wine from patrons past – which lets you know you’re in good company.
8:00pm Dinner at Fukuro. An amazing switch up to the Argentina steak is this noodle bar and pork bun eatery. The decor is funky and the owners are beyond friendly. The Argentine take on an ice cream sandwich is a must-try too. Secret ingredient that’s not so secret: Fernet! Order the #HuangBrother steamed buns with the #KeepItRealRamen noodles. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.
Another great dinner spot is Azema Exotic Bistro. This bistro serves an innovative fusion of Creole, Caribbean, Vietnamese, and French cuisines… yes it might sound odd, but somehow it works extremely well. Order the Tandoori salmon.
10:00pm Drinks at Makena Cantina Club and Niceto Club.
Palermo Viejo/Nuevo
11:00am Brunch at Ninina. In the land of red meat and redder wine, it’s hard to find a good salad. This spot not only lures in passerbys with its stark white marble and chic copper lighting, but it goes one step further with providing kale – a green almost unheard of in Buenos Aires. Lesley: “If you’re in for something light, go for one of the many smoothies or juices on offer. You can’t go wrong with the pollo de granja grillado salad either. On the hungrier side? Find a friend and dive into the brunch”.
Another of Lesley’s favorite spots is In Bocca Al Lupo Cafe. According to Lesley, “This charming Italian cafe is a little slice of heaven. The coffee is strong but the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. It is so easy to return time and time again for breakfast meetings, lunch dates, coffee dates, all-day-work-day sessions. With a full menu of pastries, cakes, breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, homemade Italian food, complimentary wi-fi and an oh so inviting vibe. I can’t say enough good things”.
12:00pm Visit the most famous museum in Buenos Aires, MALBA. It features modern and contemporary Latin American art. After a few hours soaking up some art, walk over to the Botanical Garden. It’s only a short 20-minute walk.
2:00pm Since you only have half a day left, take a cab over to Puerto Madero and explore the up and coming part of Buenos Aires. If you are hungry, have a quick bite at I Fresh Market, an artisanal sandwich shop or at D.F, a Mexican restaurant with the best taquitos al pastor.
8:00pm Dinner at Astrid & Gaston. Plain, good Peruvian food. Rated as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by the Pellegrino rating. The ceviche is amazing.
If you prefer to stay in Puerto Madero and want to finish the trip with a cherry on the top, Chila Restaurant is your stop. The French restaurant is flawless, I recommend doing the tasting menu.
Finally if you feel like something less stuffy and more exciting, try Asia de Cuba. It might have closed down in New York, but the Argentinians LOVE this place.
If you have more than 72 hours in Buenos Aires, do not miss San Thelmo. This is the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires, known for the charming cafes, tango parlors, cobblestone streets, trinket vendors and antique shops. Or stop by el Caminito, a colorful street in La Boca neighborhood famous for inspiring the world-renown Tango, El Caminito. Very touristy, but doesn’t get more Argentine than this!
