During the conference, you will have the opportunity to see some exciting areas of Buenos Aires as part of the programme. If you have an extra day or two after the conference to explore the city, check out our recommendations for top 5 places to visit during your stay.
- Top tip: When exploring the city, please be aware of your belongings and vigilant of pick pockets. As with any large city in any country, petty crime can be a risk. Do stay safe and keep your valuables in a zipped pocket where possible.
San T
elmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. Wandering the narrow cobbled streets you’ll discover colonial buildings, tango bars, antique shops and markets.
Visit on a Sunday for the bustling Fiera de San Telmo. This colourful outdoor market stretches for 13 blocks and is open from 9am to 6pm with vendors selling antiques, art, clothing and snacks. A great place to venture to after the study visits!
2. La Boca
La Boca was once a gritty shipyard area and home a large population of European (particularly Italian) immigrants that arrived during the time of the industrial revolution. In the 19th Century, newly arrived immigrants settled near the port and constructed their houses out of scrap metal that could be salvaged from the shipyards. The tenements were painted bright colours using left over marine paint.
At the turn of the 19th Century a new port was constructed in the north of the city. The shipping industry moved from La Boca to its new industrial hub, taking with it many of its workers, and the neighbourhood of La Boca fell into decline.
In the 1950’s, the revival of La Boca was inspired and led artist Benito Quinquela Martin, who spent much of his childhood and adult life in the neighbourhood, and is arguably one of Argentina’s most famous painters. Quinquela encouraged residents of La Boca to paint the houses bright colours as homage to their original owners, and today the area is one of the most popular and photographed tourist destinations in Buenos Aires.
- Visit the Museo Benito Quinquela Martin in La Boca to see the artist’s former home, learn more about his philanthropy and see the unrivalled collection of original artworks.
- Visit the Fundación Proa, a contemporary arts centre with international exhibitions and an excellent rooftop café that provides lovely views over La Boca.
Located a
long Santa Fe Avenue, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a book-lover’s paradise. The building, which opened in 1919 was originally a theatre, designed by the architects Pero and Torres Armengol. Today it is El Ateno’s flagship bookstore, and has been voted as the second most beautiful bookshop in the world. Peruse the shelves and explore the building that still retains many of its original features including theatre boxes, ornate carvings, and crimson stage curtains.
4. Palermo
The city’s cosmopolitan hub, Palermo is a neighbourhood that is full of bustling restaurants and cafes, colourful street art, independent shops and boutiques, and little museums and galleries. For a culture hit, don’t miss the fantastic Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires (MALBA), or just enjoy watching the world go by with a coffee and a medialuna (traditional Argentine pastry – featured as the main image for this post!).
5. National Museum of Fine Arts
Established in 
1895, the National Museum of Fine Arts houses an outstanding collection of international art dated from the middle ages to the twentieth century, and artworks by some of the most important Argentine painters. Click on the link above to discover more about the museum on our conference blog.
And a bonus one, because there are too many great places to list for a real ‘Top 5’…
Known as a ‘labyrinth city of the dead,’ La Recoleta cemetery is the final resting place of some of Argentina’s most famous sons and daughters. Thousands of ornate crypts, historic monuments, and elegant statues line the walkways of this tranquil cemetery, many of which date back to the early 1800’s. The Recoleta Cemetery is a ten minute walk from the National Museum of Fine Arts, making them the perfect activities to combine in one day.
Looking for more inspiration? Visit the Buenos Aires Tourism website for ideas:
Heritages of Migration: Moving Stories, Objects and Home | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 6 - 10 April 2017 