15 Best Free Things To Do In Buenos Aires

Planning a trip to Buenos Aires and looking for the best free things to do? Well, luckily Buenos Aires is a city you don’t need a lot of money to enjoy, there are many free things to do in Buenos Aires that will keep you entertained for days.

If you’re looking to travel on a budget in Argentina, also consider checking out this budget guide to help cut the costs and make the most of your trip.

So with that said, leave your money at home and let’s take a look at some of the best free things to do in Buenos Aires.

15 Free Things To Do In Buenos Aires

1. Visit the free museums

One of the best free things to do in Buenos Aires is to visit a museum. The city is home to over 150 museums and luckily there’s a good few that are absolutely free:

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts): for a visit to one of the most extensive collections of Argentine and International art.

Open: Tuesday to Friday, 11 am – 7.30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 7.30 pm and Monday closed.

Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum): Focuses on the history and culture of Buenos Aires, with exhibits on the city’s development and daily life.

Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 11 AM–7 PM.

Museo Casa Carlos Gardel: Dedicated to the life and career of the legendary tango singer Carlos Gardel.

Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11AM – 7PM, Saturday and Sunday 11AM – 8PM, Tuesday Closed.

Museo Histórico Nacional (National Historical Museum): Exhibits related to Argentina’s history, including artifacts from the colonial period and the fight for independence.

Open: Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 7 pm.

Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo: Exhibits decorative arts, including furniture, tapestries, ceramics, sculptures, and paintings.

Open: Wednesday – Sunday 1PM – 7PM

Museo Sitio de Memoria ESMA: A memorial and museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the human rights violations that occurred during Argentina’s Dirty War.

Open without reservations: Tuesday – Friday at 4:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3 and 4:30 pm.

Museo de La Mujer: A cultural institution dedicated to showcasing and exploring the history, struggles, achievements, and contributions of women in Argentina and around the world.

Open:Tuesday – Saturday 3PM – 7PM.

Museo Escenográfico Botica del Ángel: A museum showcasing a mix of visual art, historical memorabilia, and live performances.

Open: Tuesday – Friday 3PM – 6PM.

Free things to do in Buenos Aires - An angel with the head of San Juan Bautista by Alonso Cano

2. Visit One Of The Many Cultural Centres

Buenos Aires has cultural centres all over the city, making them a great free activity to do for a day. Some of the best cultural centres in Buenos Aires are:

Centro Cultural Recoleta – a colourful exhibition in Recoleta showcasing contemporary art.
Centro Cultural Borges – named after the famous Argentine writer Jorge Borges, the centre exhibits diverse art, performances and cultural events. It’s located on Viamonte 525, inside the Galerías Pacífico shopping centre.
Usina del Arte – often showing dance performances, art exhibitions and tango festivals. It’s located in a former electricity plant in La Boca.
Tecnopolis – a massive science, technology, and art park featuring exhibitions and interactive displays in the Villa Martelli neighbourhood.
Centro Cultural de la Memoria Haroldo Conti – located within the Espacio Memoria y Derechos Humanos (Ex-ESMA), this cultural centre is dedicated to preserving the memory of Argentina’s dictatorship period and promoting human rights. It offers a wide range of exhibitions, films, and talks.
Centro Cultural Kirchner – hosts a variety of musical performances, including classical concerts, contemporary music, tango shows, and international artists and is one of the largest cultural venues in Latin America. Located on Sarmiento 151.

3. Take A Free Walking Tour

One of the best ways to get to grips with a new city is to go on a walking tour with a local guide. They can show you how to get around the neighbourhoods and provide valuable knowledge of the history and culture in the city.

You’ll see some of the most important landmarks in the city like the prominent Obelisco, the famous Plaza de Mayo and the pink Presidential Palace. But more importantly, learn about their history from the perspective of a local.

4. Explore The Markets + Fairs

One thing Buenos Aires knows how to do is their markets. There’s an abundance of them in every neighbourhood. It’s just about knowing where they are and when they’re on. Have a wander around a few:

Feria de Artistas Plásticos de Caminito – is an arts and crafts market on Caminito street open every day from 11am to 6pm.
Plaza Dorrego Antiques Market – takes place every Sunday and is one of the most popular in the city for antique goods.
San Telmo Sunday Market – one of the biggest markets in Buenos Aires selling antiques, handmade goods and local food. It’s open 10AM – 4PM and is located on Defensa Street.
Feria de Mataderos – takes place every Sunday and is a great way to discover the country’s history and traditions. With folk dance performances and horse riding competitions, you can expect a lively atmosphere. There’s also a variety of arts and crafts, and traditional Argentinian food specifically from the North of Argentina to explore.
Feria de Libros – is one of the largest and most important book fairs in the Spanish-speaking world. And takes place at La Rural exhibition center in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It runs over a few weeks in April.
Feria de Artesanos Plaza de Francia – is a popular art market in the Plaza Francia held every weekend.

5. Bird Watch at Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

This is the biggest urban park in the city and is home to a wide range of animals. You’ll see many different types of birds, lizards and coypus.

You can even spot a couple of turtles wandering about. For a respite from the bustle of the city, it’s a great place to sit and relax. It’s also one of the most popular places for birdwatching, with over 350 types of species.

6. Admire Floralis Generica

The Floralis Generica is one of the most impressive monuments in the city. You can find this in the centre of Plaza de la Naciones Unidas.

It’s a giant stainless steel flower designed by Eduardo Catalano that represents hope, rebirth and renewal. The petals of the flower actually open and close with the sunlight.

The best time to visit this is at sunset when the light reflects off the stainless steel and aluminum, making the flower appear to glow.

Cartoon character discovering in San Telmo

7. Wander Along Paseo de la Historieta

This is one of the most unique free things to do in Buenos Aires. The Paseo de la Historieta is a walk beginning in the San Telmo neighbourhood, where you will find life-sized sculptures of Argentina’s most loved comic book characters.

One of the most famous is Mafalda located in Plaza Mafalda in San Telmo. You’ll probably see the crowd lining up to take photos with her.

You’ll pass through different streets along Chile, Defensa and Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo until you reach Puerto Madero.

It’s a fun walk and a great way to learn more about Argentina’s comic interest. So keep an eye out for the iconic characters and make sure to get some photos with them.

8. Ride The Tram At Tranvía Histórico de Buenos Aires

As a city that used to boast one of the most extensive tram systems in the world, there isn’t much left of it. Except for the fleet of trams run by a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing Buenos Aires’ historic streetcars.

If you want to take a look at how the residents of Buenos Aires used to commute 100 years ago, head to the Caballito neighbourhood to take a ride on one of the vintage trams.

The tramway runs on a circular route around Caballito and all the cars have been restored to their original condition. The ride will take about 20 minutes.

To get a hit of nostalgia, it’s the perfect free thing to do in Buenos Aires.

You can find the trams along Emilio Mitre Street.

9. Visit The Many Plazas

Buenos Aires isn’t short on plazas, with over 100 scattered across the city. The plazas are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and act as a focal point for tourists and locals alike to socialise, admire and learn from. Some of the most popular plazas in the city to visit are:

Plaza de Mayo – is historically and politically significant in Argentina as it’s the site of some of the most important events in Argentine history. The Plaza itself is stunning and you’ll often find buskers singing or people dancing throughout the day.
Plaza San Martin – one of the most beautiful in the city. It was made to honour the contributions that the national hero, San Martín made to the country.
Plaza Dorrego – one of the oldest plazas in Buenos Aires. The square itself has a very European feel with colonial buildings and cosy cafes surrounding it.
Plaza Francia -is the beautiful public square in Recoleta named in honour of France. There are often performances, fairs and cultural events that take place so you can expect a lively atmosphere.
Plaza Italia – A busy intersection and meeting point in Palermo. The plaza is surrounded by important landmarks like the the Ecopark, the Botanical Gardens, and the entrance to the Rosedal (Rose Garden).

10. Visit One Of The Most Beautiful Bookshops In The World

Considered one of the most beautiful bookshops across the globe, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is without a doubt impressive. It was once an opera theatre which is evident from the grandeur of the building.

Naturally, most of the books are in Spanish with very few English options, but the beauty of the bookstore itself is the real reason to visit. Head upstairs to get the most incredible view of the bookstore.

11. Explore China in Argentina

Barrio Chino is a little bit further out of the city but you can get there by taking the Line D (Green Line) from central stations like “Catedral” (Plaza de Mayo) or “9 de Julio” to the Juramento station.

From Juramento, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to Barrio Chino.

It’s something different in the city and a fun place to explore with a great atmosphere and an abundance of authentic Asian cuisine.

12. Visit The Grand Monuments

Buenos Aires seems to have iconic monuments on every street. Take a walk around the city and hit up some of the most famous:

Obelisco de Buenos Aires
Teatro Colon
Monumental Tower
Puente de la Mujer
Monumento a los Caídos en Malvinas (Falklands War Memorial)
Casa Rosada
Monumento a los Dos Congresos

13. Watch A Tango Performance On El Caminito

El Caminito is one of the most famous streets in Buenos Aires and is worth paying a visit to see the colorful buildings, murals and learn about the history of the neighbourhood.

There’s often performances going on along Caminito, with couples dancing tango, singing or performing tricks. It’s always a lively atmosphere and costs nothing to wander around.

14. Learn About The Street Art In Barracas

If you love urban art, then head to Barracas. The neighbourhood is renowned for its colourful murals and incredible art scene. The area has become a canvas for talented local and international street artists, transforming its walls into a colourful outdoor gallery.

You can spend some time wandering through the streets and even learn about the history of the city, many of the artists create pieces that explore social, political, and historical themes.

This is one of the best ways to see and understand the passion and creativity of the residents.

15. Relax In One Of The Many Gardens

Buenos Aires is one of the greenest cities in Latin America and is home to numerous public parks, botanical gardens, and nature reserves. And the best thing, there’s no fee to enter.

If you fancy stepping into nature away from the busy city life, head to one of the many green spaces available in the city:

Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays (Botanical Garden)
Rosedal de Palermo (Rose Garden)
Parque Tres de Febrero (Bosques de Palermo)
Plaza Francia