Our most recommended things to do in Avenida de Mayo

Highlights of Buenos Aires: Small Group 3-Hour Guided Tour

1. Highlights of Buenos Aires: Small Group 3-Hour Guided Tour

On this 3-hour tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see the main site of Buenos Aires. Begin at the Plaza de Mayo or May Square, the site of the most important historical events since the city’s founding. Your guide will show you the most important buildings and monuments and tell you about the square’s history. Then enjoy Avenida de Mayo (May Avenue) and marvel at the atmosphere of San Telmo, the oldest residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Walk along its cobble-stoned streets and explore its antique shops and picturesque buildings. Feel the beat of the original Argentinian tango in the neighborhood of La Boca. Walk along Caminito Street and watch the dancers and browse the shops. See the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium. Experience the modernization of the city as you travel along Madero Port and see its docks that are home to large office buildings and an array of dining venues. Pass through the Retiro neighborhood and then on to Palermo, the most exclusive residential area in Buenos Aires. Later, at your last stop, visit one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, el Barrio de Recoleta.

Buenos Aires: Walking Tour of May Square

2. Buenos Aires: Walking Tour of May Square

The May Square is the spot where Spanish conquistador Juan de Garay founded the city in 1580. There had been a previous settlement a little further south in 1536 by another Spanish conquistador, Pedro de Mendonza, but the site was abandoned six years later. On the tour you will have to look around all the time because that way you’ll notice that the square is surrounded by some the most important political and religious institutions in the city: the House of Government known as the Casa Rosada, with its particular pink hue; opposite, the Cabildo or Town Hall, the whitewashed Neo-Colonial building on the left side of Avenida de Mayo, the City Government Palace, on the right side of the Avenida de Mayo and finally the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral, mother church of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, with its classical portico and unique blend of architectural styles. Take time to learn about the significance of all these notable sites and more, asking your guide as many questions as you wish along the way.

Buenos Aires: Full-Day Walking Tour

3. Buenos Aires: Full-Day Walking Tour

Start the tour in San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and boasts a vibrant tango and arts scene. Its antique markets, street lighting (known as "faroles"), cobblestones, old buildings, and original decor add to the unique bohemian atmosphere of the place. Sundays are the busiest days as the street market comes to life around Plaza Dorrego. Explore the San Telmo market and browse through the shops selling meat, vegetables, and other groceries. Most of them offer local gastronomy and specialties from all over the world. You will also taste some delicious empanadas. Continue along Defensa Street, in the heart of the San Telmo neighborhood, and reach the park. Take the bus to La Boca neighborhood, known for the Boca Juniors stadium and the colorful Caminito Street. Be enchanted by street tango dancing and singing performances and learn how tango, soccer, and different immigration influences have made Buenos Aires one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Onboard another bus, enjoy the views of the modern skyscrapers of Puerto Madero until you reach the Plaza de Mayo, the main square of Buenos Aires, and the political heart of Argentina. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and observe the Cabildo, the colonial City Hall, and the Casa Rosada, the seat of the executive power. After touring the square, head to the Obelisk, a symbol of Buenos Aires. Be a part of this incredible metropolis, going through the real experience of the daily life of an Argentine citizen, and walk along the lively 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue in the world. Historical buildings, monuments, and streets will show the changes that the city has undergone since its foundation. Arrive in the Recoleta neighborhood by subway and see beautiful architecture, a large number of museums, elegant cafes and restaurants, exclusive avenues, and shopping malls. Visit the impressive Recoleta Cemetery, the resting place of most of the aristocratic families of the country and of well-known historical figures such as Eva Duarte Perón. Optional: After touring the cemetery, take a bus to the Montserrat neighborhood and visit the Barolo Palace, inaugurated in 1923 and declared a National Historic Monument. Its architecture has rigorous symbolism and includes numerous analogies and references to the Divine Comedy, by the poet Dante Alighieri. The tour ends with a visit to a beautiful viewpoint at the top of the Barolo Palace, with views of the Plaza Congreso, Avenida de Mayo, and its surroundings. Here we can relax at the bar located on the rooftop, having a drink and enjoying a snack.

Buenos Aires 4-Hour Premium City Tour

4. Buenos Aires 4-Hour Premium City Tour

Your Buenos Aires tour begins at the symbol of the city, the Obelisk. This giant monument was built in 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city. On this 4-hour tour you’ll take in major sites including the Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martín, and Plaza Congreso. Travel along the city’s famous avenues, such as Corrientes, Mayo, and 9 de Julio. You’ll see the city’s massive football stadiums, home to Argentina’s favorite pastime. Buenos Aires boasts a lively multi-cultural blend of generations old families and you’ll experience the diverse neighborhoods, getting a feel for the city and the people who call it home. Discover the unique architecture of historic areas such as La Boca, San Telmo, and Montserrat. Enjoy the finer things in life in elegant Palermo, where you’ll have time to explore Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood. From there you’ll move on to Recoleta, home to the well-known cemetery that is the final resting place of Eva Peron and many other notables. Between neighborhood visits, you’ll be able to admire the natural beauty of Lezama and 3 de Febrero parks.

Buenos Aires: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

5. Buenos Aires: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

Buenos Aires should be enjoyed from different angles, and this half-day sightseeing tour is designed to do just that. The combined coach and walking tour encompasses the best sights the City of Tango has to offer. Start with the city’s symbolic Obelisk, erected in 1936 to commemorate Buenos Aires 400th anniversary. See colonial Spanish squares, such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martín, and Plaza del Congreso, home to the large-domed Palacio del Congreso. Travel down impressive Avenida Corrientes, leafy Avenida de Mayo, and the vast Avenida 9 de Julio. Explore commercial areas of Buenos Aires and discover Argentina’s favorite past-time at numerous soccer stadiums throughout the city. You will go to colorful neighborhoods to give you a more local feel for the city. See the brightly-painted houses of La Boca, first settled by Italian immigrants, explore the home of tango in bohemian San Telmo, and see the city’s first barrio at Montserrat. Discover a more sophisticated side to Buenos Aires in the upscale areas of Palermo and Recoleta, and get a feel for urban nature at leafy Lezama Park and landscaped Tres de Febrero Park.

Premium City Tour with visit to Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires

6. Premium City Tour with visit to Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires

Uncover the most important points of the spectacular city of Buenos Aires on 2 combined tours: small group city tour (3hs) plus the visit to the Teatro Colon (1hr). In the 3hs City Tour discover the history of May Square, explore the oldest residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighborhood of La Boca. Contemplate the modernization of the city whilst traveling along Madero. Visit Recoleta Cementery where you can discover the final resting place of Eva Peron. At the end enjoy a 1-hour tour on one of the world's most popular opera houses, the Teatro Colon with a skip-the-line access. Languages Offered: Spanish & English We are granted by the safe travel seal of World Travel & Tourism Council.

Buenos Aires: Historic District Guided Walking Tour

7. Buenos Aires: Historic District Guided Walking Tour

Visit one of the most of the picturesque neighborhoods in Buenos Aires on a guided walking tour. Learn about Argentina's history and traditions. Meet your guide outside an iconic Buenos Aires café and begin your tour. Find out about the famous personalities from Argentinian history who used this as a meeting place. Stand in the historic Plaza de Mayo, where Buenos Aires was founded in 1580. See Casa Robada, where the Argentinian president's office is located. Next, check out the Cabildo, a historic building that served as the seat of the town council during colonial times. Afterward, visit the cathedral building and admire its unusual neoclassical design. Near the cathedral, you can see the Plaza de Mayo subway station. This is where Buenos Aires' subway system began.

Buenos Aires: Small-Group City Tour and Shore Excursion

8. Buenos Aires: Small-Group City Tour and Shore Excursion

Enjoy this informative 3-hour coach tour that hits all the highlights of Buenos Aires. Once your ship docks at the port, meet your guide aboard your comfortable coach and settle in for a morning or afternoon of sightseeing. Your 3-hour, small-group tour will show you the main and most important landmarks of the city of Buenos Aires. At the first stop, you will discover the history of “May Square,” where some of the most important historical events took place. Learn from your knowledgeable guide about it and about the protagonists who made history since the square's foundation. You can see its surroundings, the most emblematic buildings, and learn all about them.  Then, head to May Avenue (Avenida de Mayo) and admire the oldest residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo. Walk along its cobble-stoned streets and check out its antique shops and picturesque buildings. You will continue your tour and experience the original tango in the neighborhood of La Boca. Here, you can explore “Caminito Street” and enjoy the dancers and souvenir shops. Also, you will see the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium. You'll have a chance to contemplate the modernization of the city when you visit “Madero Port” and its exclusive docks. This part of town is filled with excellent restaurants and large office buildings. Pass through the Retiro neighborhood and then see Palermo and its most exclusive residential area and finally, arrive at Recoleta where you will visit this wonderful neighborhood and learn about its history. After discovering the wonderful city of Buenos Aires, you will be taken back to your ship.

Other Sightseeing Options in Avenida de Mayo

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What people are saying about Avenida de Mayo

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 443 reviews

We had just a few days in Buenos Aires and wanted to have a general overview tour. This tour was perfect for this goal. The guide was excellent. We took public transportation (bus and subway) which allowed us to see multiple areas of the city. The guide paid for the transportation which made it easier for us. We stopped for empanadas and beverage in La Boca and also had a stop in Recoleta. I would recommend doing this tour at the beginning of your stay in BA as it provided an overview of areas that you may want to return to for a more in-depth visit.

It was a great tour. Our guide ( Stella ) was very informative, respectful and friendly. The driver was very cautious and helped us out& in in the Mini van. It was very enjoyable, strongly recommend this tour.

Great introduction to this splendid city. Our guide, Enrique, is a charming and knowledgeable gentleman who obviously loves Buenos Aires.

Our tour guide was great and vary knowledgeable about the city and the locations we visited.

It was a good way to see the city. We took the bus and we’re able to walk in core parts.