30 Free Things to Do in Buenos Aires

In Buenos Aires, there are plenty of free things to do! Surprisingly enough, even some of the most famous landmarks in Buenos Aires are free of charge!

To help you get the most out of Buenos Aires on a budget, I have put together a list of 30 free things for you to do when visiting Buenos Aires!

Remember that by watching out how and where you exchange your money, you can also save greatly on your trip to Buenos Aires.

And with the cash you saved on free activities and exchanging the right places, you can instead buy a good steak and a bottle of red wine!

Let’s get started!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, Becci Abroad will earn a commission if you purchase through one of those links. This helps to pay the bills and the maintenance of the site.

Free Top Attractions in Buenos Aires

#1 The Pink House

The Pink House, or la Casa Rosada in Spanish, is Buenos Aires’ iconic big pink-painted presidential palace. The palace is located in the center of Buenos Aires and is a must-visit for everybody coming to Buenos Aires.

The good news is that it’s completely free to visit it from the outside. And the even better news is that it’s free to visit it inside too!

However, the Pink House is only open to the public on weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 6 pm and with a guided tour. And a reservation is necessary. Reserve your tickets to the Pink House here.

The Presidential Pink House is especially famous for the photos of Juan and Evita Peron on the balcony overlooking Plaza de Mayo. However, the palace houses plenty of other great stories.

#2 The May Square

The May Square, or Plaza de Mayo in Spanish, is one of the most important and emblematic squares in Buenos Aires.

It’s located just behind the Pink House and cannot be missed as most of the pictures of the Pink House are taken from here.

#3 Avenue 9th of July

Avenue 9th of July, or Avenida 9 de Julio in Spanish, is one of the main avenues in Buenos Aires and it is said to be the widest avenue in the world.

Avenue 9th of July runs by many of the important landmarks in Buenos Aires: the Obelisk, the Corrientes Avenue, and the Colón Theater.

#4 La Boca & El Caminito

La Boca is properly on many people’s bucket lists for Buenos Aires. The iconic brightly painted houses and the colorful corner house, El Caminito, are for sure well-known landmarks for the city.

But did you know that it’s completely free to visit La Boca?

Yes, the colorful houses you see in the pictures from Buenos Aires are just a small part of the neighborhood named La Boca. You can visit La Boca completely free of charge.

#5 Floralis Genérica

Floralis Genérica is a giant metal flower sculpture located in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Recoleta. It is by far one of my favorite Buenos Aires landmarks.

The majestic metal flower opens in the daytime and closes at night. On sunny days it makes beautiful reflections in the water pool underneath the sculpture.

Floralis Genérica is located only a short walk from the Recoleta Cemetery and makes a perfect same-day visit.

#6 Bookstore El Ateneo Grand Splendid

El Ateneo Gran Splendid is properly the most specular bookstore you will ever visit. Because it is a bookstore inside a theater!

The gigantic building on the central avenue, Avenida Santa Fe, opened as a theater in 1919. The theater closed down. Then it was turned into a cinema and closed again. And finally, it opened in 2008 as a bookstore. But the impressive decorations from its time as a theater were kept.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid is open to the public, and you can freely enter and take photos. But maybe you also fancy a coffee on the old stage?

#7 Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is part of the old harbor in Buenos Aires. Today it has become a trendy high-end neighborhood with restaurants, cafés, corporate offices, and skyscrapers.

Puerto Madero a great place for sightseeing and taking pictures free of charge. But watch out for pricey and, sometimes, poor-quality restaurants in the area.

#8 Puente de la Mujer

When in Buenos Aires, you can’t miss one of the city’s most important landmarks: Puente de la Mujer or the Woman Bridge!

The bridge is located in the middle of Puerto Madero (see above), and it’s free of charge to visit and cross the bridge.

#9 San Telmo

San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires and offers many beautiful old buildings and traditional coffee shops and bars.

The neighborhood of San Telmo starts at Plaza de Mayo and covers the whole area to the right of Plaza de Mayo.

San Telmo is free to visit and wander around the old streets.

#10 Buenos Aires Street Art

Around Buenos Aires, you can find many different murals with street art.

The quality varies but there are some pretty amazing pieces. And, of course, they are completely free of charge to visit!

Read more about street art in Buenos Aires.

#11 The hip Palermo neighborhood

Palermo is a nice mix of classic Buenos Aires houses and hip modern cafés. Especially, the area around the square Plaza Serrano is a popular place to hang out in Palermo.

And it is, of course, completely free to visit and walk around Palermo.

The neighborhood is also a popular place for tourists and expats alike to stay while in Buenos Aires.

Are you looking to move to Buenos Aires? Check out this useful information about living in Buenos Aires!

 

Free Markets in Buenos Aires

#12 San Telmo Sunday Market

On Sundays, Defensa Street in the neighborhood of San Telmo turns into a huge street market, Feria de San Telmo.

The San Telmo Market is free of charge to visit. Except, of course, any money you spend on shopping for souvenirs.

It is a great way to experience both the market and the neighborhood of San Telmo at the same time. Read more about what to do in San Telmo.

#13 Matadero Sunday Market

The Matadero Sunday Market is a traditional market in Buenos Aires. Here you can experience traditional Argentine folkloric dance and handcrafts.

The market is located in the neighborhood of Matadero. It is a bit harder to get to Matadero than to San Telmo – but not impossible!

In my opinion, the Matadero market will give you a more authentic experience of Argentine culture.

Read more about the Matadero Sunday Market.

Free Greenspots in Buenos Aires

#14 Botanic Garden

Buenos Aires Botanic Garden is located in the heart of Palermo by Plaza Italia. The garden offers a great break from the busy city life in Buenos Aires.

It is completely free of charge to visit the Botanic Garden.

The garden is open Tuesday through Friday, 8 am to 6.45 pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and Argentine holidays, 9.30 am to 6.45 pm. On Mondays, the garden is closed.

Read more about Buenos Aires’ Botanic Garden.

#15 The Palermo Forests

The Palermo forests, or Bosques de Palermo in Spanish, is a huge park area located in Palermo. The parks are popular among locals for outdoor sports or for walking their dogs.

Enjoy an afternoon walk in Bosques de Palermo or try out their paddle boats on the small lake in the middle of the park.

Read more about the Palermo Forests.

#16 The Rosedal Garden

The Rosedal Garden is a huge rose garden located inside Bosques de Palermo.

The entrance to the garden is free of charge, and you can enjoy the many different types of flowers and a Spanish-inspired patio.

Read more about the Rosedal Garden.

#17 Reserva Ecológica

Reserva Ecológica is the largest natural reserve in Buenos Aires. Its full name is Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur but most people just call it Reserva Ecológica.

The natural reserve is located just behind the trendy neighborhood of Puerto Madero and stretches out to the shore of the river, Río de la Plata.

The entrance to Reserva Ecologica is free. But you might want to rent a bike if you plan to visit because the area is huge!

Read more about Reserva Ecológica.

#18 Buenos Aires Urban Beach

Buenos Aires’ Urban Beach or Playa Urbana is an urban beach area located in the far northern corner of the city of Buenos Aires.

The area offers different water activities, mostly for kids.

The entrance is free of charge, but the area is only open during the summer months in Buenos Aires (January and February). 

Read more about Buenos Aires Urban Beach.

#19 Chacarita Cemetery

Chacarita Cemetery, or Cementerio de la Chacarita in Spanish, is the largest cemetery in Argentina.

Cemeteries in Buenos Aires are generally taken to the next level of what you expect for cemeteries. They have sculptures and small mausoleums as tombs.

The entrance to Chacarita Cemetery is free, and you can find many past-times Argentine celebrities here such as tango singer Carlos Gardel.

The cemetery is located in the neighborhood of Chacarita. In the past times, this area was considered far away from the city. Nowadays, it is an integrated part of the city and with the subway, you can quickly get there.

Free Museums in Buenos Aires

#20 The National Museum of Fine Art

The National Museum of Fine Art, or Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Spanish, exhibits some of the best fine art from Argentina and the world.

The entrance to the National Museum of Fine Art is free of charge. So, if you are into art, this is a good place to add to your Buenos Aires bucket list.

The museum is located in the neighborhood of Recoleta, close to other Buenos Aires landmarks such as the Recoleta Cemetery and Floralis Genérica.

#21 The National Museum of Decorative Art

The National Museum of Decorative Art, or Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo in Spanish, is a small museum located in Palermo.

The museum is located inside the residence of Matías Errazúriz and Josefina de Alvear, the granddaughter of Independence leader Carlos María de Alvear.

The old house is impressive, and on the first floor, the museum shows personal artifacts from its former owners.

The entrance to the museum is free, and it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 pm to 7 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

There is a small café on the patio in front of the entrance for grabbing a cup of coffee.

#22 Museum Richardo Rojas

The small museum for the Argentine writer and journalist, Richardo Rojas, is located in the neighborhood of Palermo and is a true hidden gem in Buenos Aires.

The most impressive part of the museum is without any doubt, its beautiful patio.

If you are in the area, definitely drop by to admire this astonishing building. And the entrance is completely free.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.

#23 The National Historic Museum for the Town Hall and the May Revolution

The National Historic Museum for the Town Hall and the May Revolution, or Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo in Spanish, is another museum with free entrance.

The museum is located inside the old town hall or Cabildo on the May Square.

From the balconies on the first floor, you have an amazing view over the May Square and the Pink House.

Free Landmarks in Buenos Aires

#24 The Argentine Congress

The Argentina National Congress, or Congreso de la Nación in Spanish, offers free guided tours of the beautiful palace that houses the Congress.

The tours take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm.

You can sign up for a tour by showing up with your passport at the entrance on Avenida Rivadavia 1864. Apparently, you should also be able to sign up (and cancel, if needed) by writing to them visitasguiadas@hcdn.gob.ar. It is requested by the Congress administration to be on time for the tours.

Mind that the guided tours might be suspended or modified if there are parliamentary activities in the Congress.

#25 The Palace of Running Waters

The Palace of Running Water, or Palacio de Aguas Corrientes in Spanish, is one of the most astounding buildings in Buenos Aires.

This amazing building used to be a water pump station. Nowadays, it houses a museum about water and sanitary in Argentina and the offices of the water company, Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA).

You can either visit it from the outside – for free – or get inside the museum, also for free. However, the outside of the building is a lot more spectacular than the inside.

Read more about the Palace of Running Waters.

#26 Church Basílica de Maria Auxiliadora y San Carlos

The church Basílica de Maria Auxiliadora y San Carlos is one of the most beautiful churches in Argentina.

The church is located in the neighborhood of Almagro and can be visited for free. Read more about the amazing architecture in Buenos Aires.

#27 The Parliament of the City of Buenos Aires

The building that houses the City Legislature Building, in Spanish La Legislatura Porteña or Legislatura de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, is technically open to the public to visit for free through a guided tour.

However, I have to admit that I haven’t been able to sign up for any of these tours. Or for that sake get an answer for the administration of the tours.

So yes, it’s free but questionable how to get in contact with them.

Free Things in Buenos Aires Only on Wednesdays

#28 The Museum of Buenos Aires (only Wednesdays)

The Museum of Buenos Aires, or Buenos Aires Museo (BAM) in Spanish, is a museum that showcases the cultural and historical development of Buenos Aires.

So, if you are interested in getting to know more about the history of Buenos Aires, it is definitely a good place to start.

The museum normally charges a small entrance fee but on Wednesdays, it’s free of charge to visit.

#29 The Museum for Carlos Gardel (only Wednesdays)

The Museum of Carlos Gardel, or Museo Carlos Gardel in Spanish, is a small local museum about the famous Argentine tango singer Carlos Gardel.

The museum is located in the house where Gardel used to live in the neighborhood of Almagro. The whole area around the house has many references to Gardel and tango.

So, if you are interested in tango or the history of tango, I recommend visiting.

The museum normally charges an entrance fee but on Wednesdays, it’s free of charge to visit.

#30 The Museum of Modern Art (only Wednesdays)

The Museum of Modern Art called Museo Moderno in Spanish, is located in the neighborhood of San Telmo near the San Telmo Sunday Market.

The museum has different exhibitions of local and international modern art. They normally charge an entrance fee but on Wednesdays, it’s free of charge to visit.

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Which one is your favorite free thing to do in Buenos Aires? Which did surprise you the most? And which ones have you already visited? Share your thoughts and knowledge below!

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