Hidden Gems in Buenos Aires: 30 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires offers many hidden gems to explore and unique places to visit. The city oozes with history, mystery, hidden bars, and secret gardens.

Whether you are a seasonal traveler to Argentina’s capital city or an adventurer seeking unique and off-the-beaten track experiences, then this post is for you!

After living 7 years in Buenos Aires, I have compiled the ultimate list of the hidden gems in Buenos Aires, that I have learned about over the years.

The post unfolds as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to ensure you find the most interesting spots at your fingertips!

Join me on a journey through all the less-known hidden gems in Buenos Aires!

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.

An Expat’s Neighborhood Guide to Unique Things to Do in Buenos Aires

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Hidden Gems in Downtown Buenos Aires.

Downtown Buenos Aires features important historical landmarks such as the Pink House, the May Square (Plaza de Mayo), Buenos Aires Cathedral, the May Avenue (Avenida de Mayo), and Avenue 9th of July (Avenida 9 de Julio) as well as the financial district of Buenos Aires with many corporate offices

Downtown Buenos Aires is also more popularly known among the local porteños as microcentro.

However, the neighborhood of Downtown Buenos Aires also features some amazing hidden gems and truly unique places that I’m sure most of you haven’t heard about.

#1 Discover the Tiny House in the Sky on Avenida 9 de Julio

El Chalecito Mueblería Díaz, translated as Furniture Store Díaz’s Tiny Country House, is one of the best-kept hidden gems in Buenos Aires.

The Tiny Country House is a replica of the furniture store’s owners own country house, built on top of the furniture store’s showroom in the lucrative location on Avenida 9 de Julio.

From the Tiny House, you have a perfect view over Buenos Aires’ most famous road, Avenida 9 de Julio, and the city’s landmark, el Obelisco.

The Tiny Country House is also known as the Tiny House in the Sky. Needless to say, it is also one of the absolute best viewpoints in Buenos Aires!

The skyscraper underneath the Tiny House in the Sky used to be the showroom for a local furniture store, Mueblería Díaz. The furniture store’s owner, Rafael Díaz, built the house in 1926. He built the house for him and his family to have a place to eat lunch and rest during the day.

In 2014, the Tiny House in the Sky was declared a heritage in the city of Buenos Aires. In 2021, the house opened its doors to the public for the first time.

The Tiny House in the Sky has limited access for visitors.

Buenos Aires Secreta is the only tour operator offering tours and the tours are only available now and then. The tours are also only available in Spanish. Check Buenos Aires Secreta’s Instagram for the next available tour. 

If you can’t find an available spot on a guided tour to the Tiny House in the Sky, it is still fun to try and spot the unique gem while exploring Avenida 9 de Julio – a true must-visit place in Buenos Aires!

Location: Sarmiento 1113, Buenos Aires

#2 Lunch at a Hidden Monastery

The Monastery of San Ramón Nonato, also known in Spanish Convento de San Ramón Nonato, is a one-of-a-kind hidden gem in Buenos Aires.

The old monastery is located only a few meters from the famous May Square and the Pink House right in the middle of busy downtown Buenos Aires. However, if you are not looking for it, you can easily miss the entrance to this unique place in Buenos Aires!

The Monastery of San Ramón Nonato dates back to 1603 and features a small chapel and beautiful secret garden in Buenos Aires.

Originally, the monastery was connected with one of the oldest churches in Buenos Aires, Basílica de la Merced. However, today the monastery functions as an oasis for busy office workers on lunch breaks.

In the old buildings of the monastery, you can find antique stores, restaurants, and small cafées that take advantage of the beautiful old garden. 

The Monastery of San Ramón Nonato is one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires for a lunch break.

Location: Reconquista 269, Microcentro/Downtown

#3 Enjoy Noel Palace’s Secret Garden

The Noel Palace, known as Palacio Noel in Spanish, is a massive neo-colonial mansion with a gorgeous Andalucian secret garden in Buenos Aires.

The Noel Palace is located in the neighborhood of Retiro, close to downtown Buenos Aires. 

The mansion is hidden away behind a white brick wall. A small wooden door makes up the entrance to the building and gives you this feeling of entering a truly hidden gem in Buenos Aires. 

The unique combination of the beautiful Spanish-inspired mansion with a large garden hidden between skyscrapers in the city center of Buenos Aires is worth the trip!

The mansion was built in the 1920s by architect Martín Noel from whom the building got its name, Palacio Noel.

Since 1943, the Noel Palace has been the home of a Hispanic Art Museum, or in Spanish Museo de Arte Hispanoamericano Isaac Fernández Blanco.

The museum is tiny and features a collection of different artistic objects from the Spanish colonial area in Argentina up until Argentina’s independence.

There is a small entrance fee to enter the Noel Palace. If you are looking for unique things to do in Buenos Aires, you could consider adding Noel Palace to your list.

The opening hours for the Noel Palace:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 11 am to 7 pm.
• Saturday, Sundays, and some Argentine holidays, 11 am to 8 pm.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Check the Noel Palace’s website (link in Spanish) for updates beforehand.

Location: Suipacha 1422, Retiro

#4 The Hidden Bar in a Flower Shop

Florería Atlántico, translated as the Atlantic Florist, is one of the most unique places in Buenos Aires.

Florería Atlántico is a hidden cocktail bar in Downtown Buenos Aires, only a few blocks from the historic square, Plaza San Martin.

The entrance to the hidden bar is located inside a beautiful flower shop.

When you enter the flower shop, ask for Florería Atlántico. The cashier will point you to a metal door that most of all looks like the door of a fridge. Behind the door, a flight of stairs will lead you to the basement and the hidden bar. 

The bar at Florería Atlántico is open every day from 4 pm to 2 am.

Location: Arroyo 872, Buenos Aires 

#5 Discover Buenos Aires’ Tango Subway 

The subway stations of the yellow H-subway line are one of the truly unique things to do in Buenos Aires.

Each of the subway stations on the H-line is decorated with murals of old tango stars such as tango singer Carlos Gardel.

The murals are created in memory of the people who were part of making tango world-famous during the Golden Days of Tango in Argentina during the 1920s and the 1930s.

The subway in Buenos Aires is one of the best ways to get around the city with public transportation. By locals, the subway is also known as el Subte.

The H-line on the subway is the newest of the subway lines in Buenos Aires. The construction of the H-line started in 2003. By then, the local City Government of Buenos Aires decided that the new subway line should become a “cultural tango tour”. 

Few people realize the many tango references that the H-line has. On each station, there are different artworks from local artists about different tango stars.

My favorite artwork is the one on the subway station Corrientes by the famous Avenida Corrientes. On the station, you can change between the H-line and the B-line, and right where the access to the two lines connects, there is an impressive mural of Carlos Gardel and Argentine musician, Enrique Santos Discépolo.

The mural is also an example of the local decoration art, filete porteño. You will see filete porteño used throughout the city of Buenos Aires to decorate everything from signs to trucks. 

To add even more tango magic to this hidden gem in the Buenos Aires subway, you can sometimes find a local couple dancing tango in front of the mural.

So, jump on the Buenos Aires subway to discover how the city’s world-famous tango heritage comes to life on the subway stations!

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Hidden Gems in San Telmo, Buenos Aires

San Telmo is Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhood with cobblestone streets, beautiful colonial houses, small unique antique stores, and the famous San Telmo Market. 

San Telmo is a popular place to visit to experience street tango performances at Plaza Dorrego or tango shows at tango venues such as el Viejo Almacén.

But San Telmo also offers some of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires. If you are looking to beat the crowds and discover the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires!

#6 Discover the Buenos Aires’ Most Narrow House

La Casa Mínima, translated as the Minimalist House, is the most narrow house in Buenos Aires and one of the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires.

The narrow house measures no more than 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in width.

The Mini House is located on the alleyway Pasaje San Lorenzo in San Telmo. The construction of the house dates back to 1580. Back then, the house was part of a larger building covering the entire corner of Pasaje San Lorenzo and Defensa in San Telmo.   

In 1871, during the Yellow Fever outbreak, the owners of the house moved away. Afterward, the house became a tenement. At that time, the house got separated from the corner house and became the tiny house you see today.

La Casa Mínima is part of the historical complex with secret tunnels and a museum, El Zanjón de Granados. Guided tours of la Casa Mínima take place every day at 1 pm. Read more about admission fees and tickets.

Location: Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, San Telmo

#7 Visit the Hidden Bar in an Old Jesuit Convert

Atis Bar is a bar located in one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires, located in a spectacular setting in the heart of San Telmo.

The building that today houses Atis Bar is a historical site in Buenos Aires. The building used to be an old Jesuit convent. The owners of Atis Bar have chosen to keep the original features. 

You enter the bar through a small passage leading to an old Spanish-inspired house. Towards the back of the house, stairs lead up until you see a beautiful patio. The patio divides into different levels and covered in plants.

Atis Bar’s patio feels like a secret garden in Buenos Aires with plants covering the walls and the balconies.

Location: Peru 1024, San Telmo

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Hidden Gems & Unusual Things to Do in Palermo, Buenos Aires

Palermo is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires offering hip coffee shops, bars, street art, and Sunday markets at Plaza Serrano.

At the heart of Palermo, you will find Plaza Italia, or translated Italian Square, one of Buenos Aires’ busiest intersections. The square connects public transportation from all different parts of the city.

The neighborhood of Palermo is divided into several sub-neighborhoods such as Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, and Palermo Chico.

The area is one of the safest in Buenos Aires, making it a popular neighborhood for expats, international students, and tourists visiting the city.

You can also find several unique and unusual things to do in Palermo to explore some of the best-hidden gems in Buenos Aires.

#8 Explore Museum for Ricardo Rojas & its Spanish Garden

The Museum for Ricardo Rojas, known as Museo Casa de Ricardo Rojas in Spanish, is one of the most beautiful unusual things to do in Palermo!  

The museum is located in a central location in Palermo, a block from the busy Avenue, Avenida Santa Fee. 

Once you enter through a huge wooden door of the museum, you are drawn directly to the beautiful Spanish-inspired secret garden.

This secret garden in Buenos Aires combines elements of colonial architecture, Muslim architecture, and Roman architecture.

Ricardo Rojas was an Argentine writer, journalist, and politician in the 19th century. Rojas was born in 1882 in Tucuman in Northwest Argentina and wrote many books focusing on Argentine culture and national identity.

Rojas died in Buenos Aires in 1957, and the following year, his widow donated their house and all of Rojas’ belongings to the Argentine State to create the museum we see today.

The Museum for Ricardo Rojas features the writer’s private collections of books from Argentina, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries. Now and then, the museum also organizes different cultural events such as concerts.

The entrance to the museum is free. Check the Museum for Ricardo Rojas’ website (link in Spanish) for more details.

The opening hours for The Museum for Ricardo Rojas are Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. Monday and Sunday the museum is closed.

Location: Charcas 2837, Palermo

#9 Learn to Make an Argentine Asado

A visit to Argentina or Buenos Aires is not completed if you haven’t tried an Argentine BBQ or asado.

But why not embark on one of the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires and learn how to make your own asado the Argentine way?

Asado Adventure offers a unique food tour where you learn everything about preparing a traditional Argentine asado.

The asado is an important part of the Argentine culture for most Argentines, and it is so much more than just throwing the meat on the grill.

My husband can hold hours-long lectures about the importance of asado and how to prepare properly. It is about the process. It is about buying the right ingredients, starting the fire, and preparing the local chimichurri sauce.

Asado Adventure takes you through the authentic local experience of preparing an asado. This is one of the best unusual things to do in Palermo while you explore the beautiful neighborhood of Palermo Viejo. 

Honestly, if I had known about this food tour when I moved to Buenos Aires, I would have done it over and over again!

#10 Try Yerba Maté

Yerba maté or simply maté is a traditional Argentine herbal tea-like beverage with high caffeine levels. In Argentina, the beverage is deeply intertwined with local gaucho culture.

Argentine guachos are equivalent to cowboys, and they are a very important part of Argentina’s cultural and historical heritage. The maté-drinking is part of a culturally significant ritual in present-day Argentina.

In Buenos Aires, you will frequently see groups of friends sitting in the park passing a maté around between them.

However, to try maté is so much more than just tasting the bitter infusion drink in its traditional maté (cup) with the straw, called bombilla in Spanish. 

To try maté is learning about the cultural rituals and habits that are connected to mate-drinking.

What is a better way to learn all the ins and outs of drinking maté like a local than joining a maté workshop with other beginners like yourself?

#11 Discover the Barolo Palace’s Little Brother

The Round House, or la Casa Redonda, is one of the less-known hidden gems in Buenos Aires. The house is an example of the beautiful architecture you can find in the city.

Among locals, La Casa Redonda is known as the Barolo Palace’s little brother. The strong similarities with Buenos Aires the iconic Art Nouveau landmark, the Barolo Palace, is not a coincidence! 

The Round House in Palermo was designed and built by the same architect who created Barolo Palace, the Italian architect Mario Palanti.

The construction of Palanti’s Round House finished in 1922. Since then it has been the home of wealthy Argentine families, an Embassy as well as an art gallery.

The Round House is located on a quiet street in the exclusive off-the-beaten-path neighborhood of Barrio Parque, a small neighborhood nestled between Palermo and Recoleta.

Among locals, Barrio Parque is also known as the Embassy neighborhood because of the large amounts of foreign embassies located there.

Today, the house is inhabited and closed to the public. But you can still admire its beautiful exterior, and this is one of the truly unusual things to do in Palermo.

Location: Eduardo Costa 3079, Palermo

#12 Drinks at the Hidden New York Subway Bar

Uptown Bar is a hidden bar located in Palermo where the entrance is designed as a subway station in New York.

To enter the bar you need to walk down a flight of stairs leading you through a tunnel with signs from New York’s iconic subway. 

As you get further down you pass by ticket control and finally enter what looks exactly like a subway train from New York City. Once you are inside the wagon, the doors close behind you, and another pair of doors open allowing you access to Uptown Bar.

Uptown Bar has become increasingly popular in Buenos Aires, and I have to say that the replica of the New York subway entrance is done very well.

Uptown Bar serves a lot of different drinks; both classics and their creations.

Uptown Bar is one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires and unusual things to do in Palermo, if you are looking for a different night out while in Buenos Aires.

Location: Arévlo 2030, Palermo Hollywood

#13 Visit Buenos Aires’ Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden in Buenos Aires is a large traditional Japanese-style garden. The garden is one of the largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

The garden features a wide variety of plants and a pond with small islands connected with traditional red-painted Japanese bridges. Inside the Japanese Garden, you also have a restaurant serving traditional Japanese food.

Buenos Aires’ Japanese Garden is located in the heart of Palermo, right next to Parque Tres de Febrero, also known as Bosques de Palermo.

The Japanese Garden was inaugurated in 1967 to accompany an official visit from Japan to Buenos Aires.

The Japanese Garden in Buenos Aires is open every day from 10 am to 7.45 pm and charges a small entrance fee.

Check the current prices and open times for the Japanese Garden in Buenos Aires (link in Spanish).

Location: Avenida Casares 3401, Palermo

#14 Admire the Water Palace

The Water Palace, or El Palacio de Aguas Corrientes in Spanish, is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in Buenos Aires and one of the most unusual things to do in Palermo.

The facade is covered with more than 300,000 unique glazed colorful terracotta tiles with different motives including the Argentine code of arms.

The Water Palace was built between 1887 and 1894 as a water pumping station. Today, it’s a museum for Argentina’s water and sanitation history and one of the most interesting non-touristy things to do in Buenos Aires.

In my opinion, the museum isn’t worth it as the most impressive part of the building is the outside stunning details of the tiles.

You can learn more about the Water Palace by signing up for this private architecture tour in Buenos Aires.

Location: Riobamba 750, Buenos Aires

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Hidden Gems in Almagro, Buenos Aires

Discover the authentic charm of Buenos Aires in the bustling Almagro neighborhood! The neighborhood of Almagro is one of the best-kept hidden gems in Buenos Aires and is often overlooked by tourists.

A few subway stops from the Buenos Aires city center, Almagro offers a raw, unpolished vibe distinct from Palermo or Recoleta.

In Almagro, you can get a genuine glimpse into the local life in Buenos Aires.

I lived in Almagro for a couple of months, before the pandemic hit, and enjoyed the local feel and the hidden gems in the neighborhood.

#15 Experience the Traditional Buenos Aires Decorations 

Fileteado porteño is a traditional decoration style from Buenos Aires. The traditional handicraft is used to decorate signs, shop windows, buses, and trucks in Buenos Aires.

In 2015, fileteado porteño was inscribed as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage. The decoration style also often connects with tango and is used to decorate signs or portraits of tango stars.

In Almagro, you can experience a truly hidden gem where this traditional Buenos Aires handicraft is used to create several houses

On Jean Jaures Street in Almagro, you can explore one of the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires and admire houses decorated from head to toe with fileteado porteño.

the Buenos Aires City Government sponsored the creation of the houses. The aim was to help preserve and promote the traditional porteño way of decoration.

Location: Jean Jaures, Almagro

#16 Visit Carlos Gardel’s Museum in Almagro

Buenos Aires neighborhood Almagro is a great spot to learn about tango in Argentina.

Almagro houses the museum and childhood home of Argentine tango singer, Carlos Gardel, and a sidewalk named after Gardel, Pasaje Carlos Gardel.

The Pasaje Carlos Gardel is a unique place to visit in Buenos Aires featuring traditional bars and tango-inspired street art.

At the Gardel Museum, you can learn more about tango and the life of Carlos Gardel. The museum charges a small entrance fee but on Wednesdays, the entrance to the Carlos Gardel Museum is free.

Are you traveling on a budget? Check out my complete list of free things to do in Buenos Aires!

Location: Jean Jaures 735, Almagro

#17 Try Tango at a Local Dance Hall

Almagro is a great place to get a more unique experience of local Argentine tango.

Almagro is famous among locals to be one of the best neighborhoods for dancing tango at a local tango dance hall, called Milonga in Argentina.

One of the most popular milongas in Almagro is La Catedral located on Sarmiento Street.  La Catedral offers tango dance lessons for beginners at the beginning of the evening. 

So, find your best dancing shoes and embark on one of the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires!

You can find a complete list of milongas in Buenos Aires open on a certain day at Milongas Hoy.

Location: Sarmiento 4006, Almagro

#18 Visit the Candy-Striped Church

Nestled in Almagro, the Basílica de Maria Auxiliadora y San Carlos stands as one of the most unique hidden gems in Buenos Aires.

This lesser-known basilica unveils its stunning features of candy-striped columns, a mesmerizing night blue ceiling, and intricately crafted decorations within.

The church is unnoticed by many foreign visitors, but if you want a visit a unique place in Buenos Aires and beat the crowds, then head to Almagro to visit Basílica de Maria Auxiliadora y San Carlos!

Location: Avenida Hipólito Yrigoyen 3999, Almagro

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Hidden Gems in Belgrano, Buenos Aires

Belgrano is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Buenos Aires with tree-lined avenues and historical gems.

Belgrano is a great place to stay if you are looking for a local ambiance with a hit of luxury. Many well-off porteños choose to live in Belgrano, and the neighborhood gets its vibe from that.

Throughout the neighborhood of Belgrano, you can find many unique experiences, cute cafés and hidden gems.

#19 Explore the Secret Garden at Museum Larreta

The Museum of Spanish Art Enrique Larreta is one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires!

In Spanish, the Museum of Spanish Art Enrique Larreta is known as Museo de Arte Español Enrique Larreta and is a small art museum promoting Spanish art in Argentina.

However, the museum also features a gorgeous Spanish garden that truly one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires.

Enrique Larreta was an Argentine writer, art collector, and diplomat, and the building that houses the museum used to be his home in Buenos Aires. 

The museum itself is a little bit boring if you are not into Spanish art. But this secret garden in Buenos Aires is definitely worth a visit!

The museum charges a small entrance fee. You can also get a peak at the garden by visiting the café, Croque Madam, located inside the museum’s garden.

The entrance to the café is just around the corner from the entrance to the museum, on the street Vuelta de Obligado. 

The Croque Madam café is one of my favorite café in Buenos Aires and a wonderful hidden gem away from the hectic streets of Buenos Aires.

The opening hours for the Museum of Spanish Art Enrique Larreta:

• Monday – Friday, 1 pm to 7 pm
• Saturday, Sunday, and Argentine holidays, 10 am to 8 pm.

Location: Avenida Juramento 2291, Belgrano

#20 Explore Buenos Aires’ Chinatown

Buenos Aires’ Chinatown, locally known as Barrio Chino, is one of the many great non-touristy things to do in Buenos Aires!

Buenos Aires’ Chinatown is located in Belgrano right next to the train station Belgrano C. The Chinatown in Buenos Aires feels tiny compared to Chinatowns in other big cities such as New York or London. Few visitors realize that Buenos Aires has its hidden gem of a Chinatown!

Buenos Aires Chinatown counts a couple of blocks featuring Asian supermarkets, Asian-inspired restaurants, and bars.

The entrance to Chinatown in Buenos Aires is marked by a massive traditional Asian-inspired arc in the intersection of Juramento and Arribeños streets.

The arch was created in 2009 as a gift from the Chinese government. However, the majority of the Asian population in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown is Taiwanese.

Read more about what to explore in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown.

Location: Avenida Juramento and Arribeños

#21 Tango at Barrancas de Belgrano

The most popular park in Belgrano is Barrancas de Belgrano. On sunny days you will find students and families enjoying the sun on the green grass.

In the evenings, you can join the unique experience in Buenos Aires of outdoor tango dance lessons at Barrancas de Belgrano. 

Local tango enturistas meet to practice tango on a small stage inside the park, called La Glorieta de Belgrano.

The tango classes last around 2 hours and take place Monday through Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Find more information on the Milongas at Barrancas de Belgrano at Milongas Hoy

Barrancas de Belgrano in itself is also worth a visit without the tango!

The park was created in 1892 and features more than 60 species of plants. The park was designed by French Carlos Thays, who also created Parque Tres de Febrero and Buenos Aires’ Botanical Garden.

Location: Echeverría 1800, Belgrano

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Hidden Gems in Villa Crespo & Colegiales, Buenos Aires 

Colegiales and Villa Crespo are two residential neighborhoods nestled northwest of Palermo. Both areas are tranquil residential neighborhoods with a more authentic local atmosphere with plenty of hidden gems to explore.

Especially, Villa Crespo is an upcoming neighborhood in Buenos Aires where many expats choose to reside. While Colegiales has a more local feel to it.

#22 Charcarita Cemetery

Chacarita Cemetery is often overshadowed by the more famous Recoleta Cemetery. The cemetery is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Buenos Aires, which few visitors have heard about. 

Nevertheless, Chacarita Cemetery is one of Argentina’s largest cemeteries. The cemetery features both massive mausoleums and prominent Argentine figures such as politicians, artists, and musicians such as tango singer Carlos Gardel.

The Chacarita Cemetery was established in the late 19th century in the residential neighborhood of Villa Crespo.

Today, the cemetery provides a unique glimpse into Argentina’s rich history and culture.

Visit the Chacarita Cemetery and get spooked and impressed by the porteños’ creative graves and mausoleums for their ancestors. 

#23 Discover Street Art in Colegiales

Colegiales is one of the best hidden gems in Buenos Aires if you enjoy captivating street art!

Even though the neighborhood is mostly residential, it offers some impressive pieces of high-quality street art.

If you’re in Palermo, don’t overlook the opportunity to explore the street art in Colegiales! 

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Hidden Gems in Villa Urquiza, Buenos Aires

#24 Grab a Drink at DoHo Villa Urquiza

DoHo Villa Urquiza is the best-kept non-touristy place to visit in Buenos Aires!

Doho Villa Urquiza is a new upcoming gastronomic hotspot in Buenos Aires, where you can find trendy bars, modern restaurants, and cafées.

DoHo is short for Donado and Holmberg, the two main streets of the area. 

The architecture in DoHo Villa Urquiza is more modern than what you will see in most other places in Buenos Aires. In 2009, there was a political initiative to renovate and modernize the area after years of decline.

In the 1970s, the area surrounding Donado and Holmberg Street should have been part of a project for highways started by the Argentine military junta. However, the highway project failed. 

Until 2009 the area was left abandoned with illegally occupied houses. Then the City Government of Buenos Aires decided to invest heavily in modernization, resulting in the area we can enjoy today.

Here are some of my favorite places to visit in DoHo Villa Urquiza:

• Gallo Negro Cervecaría – A local craft beer bar which has become a huge success in the area. They are outdoor serving.
• Café Urbano – My absolute favorite coffee shop in DoHo. Café Urbano has a modern look and feel and is a great place to stop for a coffee and a piece of delicious cake.
• El Bohemio – A cute bohemian-styled restaurant located on the corner of the streets Donado and La Pampa. Their food is good and usually more healthy than most of the food you will find in Buenos Aires.
• Cigaló Specialty Coffee – A modern-looking and dog-friendly café serving specialty coffee.

DoHo Villa Urquiza is also a great area for long-term accommodation in Buenos Aires. The area is well connected with public transportation such as buses and subways close by. Villa Urquiza has a more quiet and more relaxed atmosphere than many parts of Palermo.

#25 Explore Street Art in Coghlan & Villa Urquiza

Discovering street art in Coghlan and Villa Urquiza is one of my favorite hidden gems in Buenos Aires!

These lesser-known neighborhoods feature impressive street art murals and graffiti from both local street artists and international artists.

The local street art organization, Buenos Aires Street Art, offers guided walking tours of the neighborhoods where you hear all the stories about the murals and get to see all the hidden gems.

Both Coghlan and Villa Urquiza are relatively safe neighborhoods that you can easily explore on your own! Read my complete guide to street art in Coghlan and Villa Urquiza.

After exploring the street art, head to DoHo Villa Urquiza to explore this modern area in Buenos Aires and grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.

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Unique Things to Do Near Buenos Aires

#26 Attend Wine Tasting at the Local Winery Gamboa

Gamboa Winery is a small local winery nestled in the Campana area of the Buenos Aires province, approximately 65 km from Buenos Aires city center.

Gamboa Winery is a true hidden gem in Buenos Aires if you are looking to explore non-touristy things to do outside Buenos Aires.

The winery also makes a great day trip from Buenos Aires for wine enthusiasts or those with limited time for a journey to Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza!

Known as Bodega Gamboa in Spanish, this hidden gem is located in the flat terrain of the Buenos Aires Province. This area contrasts with the areas conventionally associated with vineyards. However, the challenge of cultivating grapes in an unfavorable setting led to the creation of the vineyard as a hobby project by the owners.

A visit to Gamboa Winery includes a brief tour of the winery and the wine they produce. After the tour, you follow a delightful lunch in the restaurant paired with their exclusive wine.

Bodega Gamboa’s wine production remains limited. During my visit, Gamboa’s proprietary wine was already sold out. Nevertheless, the owners have established partnerships with vineyards across Argentina, ensuring a supply of unique wine for guests to enjoy with their meals.

#27 Watch Argentine Folk Dance at The Mataderos Market

The Mataderos Market is one of the most unique things to do in Buenos Aires. The Sunday Markets offers an authentic encounter with Argentine folk dance and the rich gaucho culture.

In Argentina, a gaucho is akin to the American cowboy, playing a crucial role in the nation’s cultural and historical legacy, particularly in the rural regions.

The market is known as Feria de Mataderos in Spanish and presents an array of stalls featuring leather goods, decorated knives, and a diverse selection of Argentine mate cups.

The Mataderos Market takes place in the Mataderos neighborhood on Sundays from April to December. Be mindful of possible cancellations due to bad weather.

To reach the Mataderos Market, options include buses, taxis, or Uber.

The journey from the city center takes roughly 30 minutes by car. While from Palermo, it extends to about 45 minutes.

By bus, the travel time is approximately an hour from both the center and Palermo.

#28 Bike to the Memory Park

The Memory Park is one of the best non-touristy things to do in Buenos Aires to learn about Argentina’s past.

The Memory Park is a vast public space situated along the northern banks of the river, Río de La Plata, in Buenos Aires.

The park’s official name is El Parque de la Memoria – Monumento a las Víctimas del Terrorismo de Estado, translating to the Memory Park – Monument for the Victims of State Terrorism, the park pays homage to the dark era of state-sponsored terrorism during Argentina’s last military dictatorship, commonly known as the Dirty War.

Within the park’s vast space along the river banks, there is a collection of artwork and sculptures telling the tales of Argentina’s past. A central and impactful feature is a monumental wall with engraved names of all the victims.

The military dictatorship, which persisted into the early 1980s, came to an end following Argentina’s defeat in the Falkland War (Guerra de las Malvinas). 

Visiting the Memory Park provides a compelling opportunity to delve into Argentina’s history while at the same time visiting this hidden gem in an off-the-beaten-path location by the river.

Rent a bike and follow the scenic waterfront path, Costanera Norte, from the city past Buenos Aires’ second airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newberry.

Location: Avenida Costanera Rafael Obligado 6745, Buenos Aires

#29 Do Day Trip to San Isidro

San Isidro is a charming town nestled along the northern coast of Buenos Aires by the river banks of Río de la Plata.

The small town offers an ideal off-the-beaten-track day trip from Buenos Aires. A hidden gem for international travelers, San Isidro promises a unique and different experience compared to Buenos Aires.

San Isidro was founded in 1784, this small town offers a captivating historic quarter featuring old mansions and hidden gardens.

A highlight of San Isidro is the impressive neo-gothic Cathedral of San Isidro and the Pueyrredón Museum, a museum for the renowned Argentine politician Pueyrredón, showcasing his traditional Argentine range.

Outside the historic center of San Isidro, you can visit Villa Ocampo, an impressive mansion once owned by Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo. 

San Isidro can be accessed with a quick train ride from Buenos Aires, which makes it the perfect hidden gem to explore on a day trip from Buenos Aires!

#30 Visit La Plata on a Day Trip

La Plata is located approximately 60 km from the city of Buenos Aires and is the capital city of the Buenos Aires province. 

The city is a less-known destination for travelers visiting Buenos Aires, but you shouldn’t disregard this hidden gem because of that!

La Plata is renowned for its beautiful neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral. The La Plata Cathedral is the largest in Argentina, and a visit to La Plata should undoubtedly include exploring the cathedral. Don’t miss out on visiting the cathedral’s towers from where you have a fantastic panoramic view of the entire city.

In addition to the cathedral, La Plata also houses the only house designed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier in South America. The Le Corbusier House, also known as Casa Curutchet, is even part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

La Plata Museum, or Museo de La Plata in Spanish, is a local natural history museum offering an impressive collection of fossils, mummies, and reconstructed dinosaurs across 2 floors and 23 rooms.

La Plata can be easily reached by regional train from the Plaza Constitución train station in Buenos Aires. Look for the Roca regional train line with La Plata as its final destination.

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Have you visited any of these hidden gems in Buenos Aires? Which is your favorite? Would you add any of these non-touristy things to do in Buenos Aires to your itinerary? Share your thoughts and knowledge below!