8 Tourist Traps in Buenos Aires, And What to Do Instead
Before reaching for the classic top 10 list, check out these alternatives to Buenos Aires tourist traps.
We’ve all been there – arrive at a new destination, check out the guidebook, and head to the main tourist attractions only to leave underwhelmed or with the feeling of being ripped off. Buenos Aires also has its fair share of tourist traps. And while they are popular for a reason, we’re here to help you discover a more genuine version of the city. We‘re talking about the one behind the glossy tango shows, pushy souvenir shops, and overpriced steaks – the one locals actually live and enjoy. So, before reaching for the classic top 10 list, check out these alternatives to Buenos Aires tourist traps.
1. Instead of Boca Juniors and River Plate, Attend a Match at a Smaller Club
Trap: Everyone wants to say they attended a Superclásico, or at least a game involving either Boca Juniors or River Plate. But unless you’ve got a local connection or are a socio (member), snagging tickets is tricky. For tourists, the only really viable option is to pay over the odds for an organized tour. Even then, you’ll likely be in a mostly tourist section, away from the pulse-pounding energy that makes these matches legendary in the first place.
Alternative: Every club, from grassroots to the professional leagues, is supported with passion here. This makes catching a game at clubs like Argentinos Juniors and Huracán just as authentic as the big hitters. You can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadium, with no membership required. The fan culture is still electric, and you’ll be mixing with genuine supporters, not tourists in jerseys they picked up that morning.
Tip: Huracán’s Tomás Adolfo Ducó Stadium, “El Palacio,” is an Art Deco masterpiece and just a couple of blocks from bus and Subte stops that’ll whisk you back to Palermo and Recoleta after the final whistle.
2. Instead of Shopping on Calle Florida, Check Out the Outlets in Villa Crespo
Trap: Calle Florida is one of the city’s most famous streets. First mapped in 1582, it was among the most important retail districts throughout the 20th century, even featuring a Harrods until 1998. Today, it’s lined with footwear, leather, and brand-name fashion outlets, but a quick look at the prices will make you turn away. It’s also notorious for black market currency exchange touts.
Alternative: Shopping has never been particularly cheap here; however, consider visiting Villa Crespo for a better chance of finding a bargain. Calle Gurruchaga has outlets of both local and international brands, including Penguin, Prüne, and Vitamina. If you’re in the market for leather goods, Calle Murillo between Scalabrini Ortiz and Gurrachaga is the city's go-to. The family-run workshops and stores sell jackets, bags, and belts made from genuine Argentine leather, often at a fraction of downtown prices.
Tip: Take cash to the shops on Calle Murillo, and don’t be afraid to engage in some gentle bargaining.
3. Instead of an Overpriced Tango Show, Spend the Evening at a Milonga
Trap: Tango shows are as ubiquitous in Buenos Aires as a Maradona mural. Now, if you want to get picked up, shown to your seat, told what to eat, and taken home, they are great. However, they are also expensive and embellished with Broadway-style choreography, rather than showcasing the true grit and soul of tango.
Alternative: Enter the milonga, the traditional tango dance hall where locals of all ages gather to dance, drink, and socialize into the early hours. There are probably over 20 milonga events a day around the city. The best part? For most, you only need to turn up, pay a nominal admission fee, and then step in ‘s cultural heartbeat. Some of the most well-known include La Catedral, Salon Canning, and Maldita Milonga.
Tip: There’s no pressure to actually dance at a milonga. Many, locals included, come to simply enjoy the seasoned dancers, live music, and a glass of wine (or two). Hoy Milonga has an up-to-date schedule of events.
4. Instead of the Corrientes Theater District, Discover the Underground Scene
Trap: There are estimated to be over 400 theaters in BA, with the Avenida Corrientes strip being the city’s equivalent of Broadway or London’s West End. Think bright lights, big names, and historic performance venues like Teatro Gran Rex and Teatro Broadway. While you’re sure to catch a decent musical, comedy, or variety show here, the agenda focuses primarily on mainstream productions.
Alternative: The underground and off-Corrientes scene is where the creative spark truly shines. Neighborhoods such as Abasto, Almagro, San Telmo, and Villa Crespo are buzzing with independent venues. They present a range of works, from experimental pieces to contemporary dramas and politically charged shows. Abasto Social Club, Espacio Callejón, Teatro Beckett, and El Método Kairós are all worth checking out.
Tip: Browse local listings on sites like Alternativa Teatral and show up with an open mind, even if your Spanish is at a beginner level.
5. Instead of Taking the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Explore on a Bike Tour
Trap: The Buenos Aires Bus promises a hop-on, hop-off introduction to Buenos Aires, and with stops in San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Recoleta, Palermo, and Villa Crespo, it certainly delivers. If seeing the city from a bus window sounds fun, this is for you. However, it’ll set you back around US$35 for a day pass. You should also factor in potential traffic jams and monotone audio guides.
Alternative: This is a city on the move, so explore it by moving yourself. Bike tours provide you with genuine local context, a touch of personality, and the freedom to ask questions or pause for empanadas on a whim. BA Bikes and Biking Buenos Aires have everything from city to food, graffiti, and market tours.
Tip: Confident enough to hit the 185-mile network of bike lanes alone? Sign up for the Ecobici bike sharing program. A 24-hour pass, including unlimited 90-minute trips, costs approximately US$13. There are currently 400 bike stations distributed around the barrios.
6. Instead of Big-Name Concerts, Catch Great Live Music at Local Venues
Trap: If there’s one thing that Argentines rarely scrimp on, it’s live music. There’s hardly ever a spare seat in the house when international acts come to town. And after a lull following the pandemic years, the city is back on the tour map, with big names packing out venues such as Movistar Arena and River Plate Stadium. However, face-value ticket prices are now comparable to those in Europe and the U.S., with third-party sites often adding questionable markups.
Alternative: Skip the mainstream venues and tap into a live music scene that flourishes seven days a week. Whether you’re into sultry jazz, homegrown rock, cumbia, or trap, the local circuit has something for all tastes, usually at intimate clubs. In Palermo, try Bebop Club for blues and soul, Thelonious Club for jazz, and Makena Cantina Club for afrobeat, punk, and everything in between. There’s funk, soul, and rock at Éter Club in Villa del Parque, and an electronic scene at Artlab in Almagro.
Tip: Passline is your one-stop website for event listings and ticket sales.
7. Instead of Queuing at Café Tortoni, Go to Las Violetas
Trap: Sure, Café Tortoni has the makings of a must-see in the city. It was once a haunt of tango crooner Carlos Gardel and writers Borges and Cortázar, after all. With a sepia-toned decor and gleaming chandeliers, it also preserves the charm that’s made it a favorite since 1858. However, it’s also a common stop on city tours, which means groups of tourists queuing to snap photos and sip an average cortado.
Alternative: Just a short ride to Almagro, Las Violetas offers all the elegance and history without the tourist overload. Open since 1884, this grand café impresses with its stained glass windows, gleaming marble floors, and pastries piled high on silver trays. You’re likely to find porteños reading the newspaper here, not just posing with it. Order the María Callas afternoon tea, a selection of fine pastries, sandwiches, confectionery, and artisanal baked treats.
Tip: Both Café Tortoni and Las Violetas are designated bares notables, a group of historic cafés celebrated for their historic and cultural significance.
8. Instead of Don Julio, Dine on Juicy Steaks at Neighborhood Parrillas
Trap: Don Julio is the name that tops every “best steakhouse in Buenos Aires” list and even the best in the world. Starting out as an unassuming neighborhood parrilla, it shot to stardom after receiving a Michelin star. Yes, the steaks are great, but so are the prices, and it can feel more polished than passionate. What’s more, you’ll need to reserve well in advance to avoid the 11.30pm sitting.
Alternative: Parrillas are the beating heart of the city’s restaurant scene. On seemingly every other block, you’ll find parrilleros (grillmasters) nonchalantly stoking flames and flipping steaks. These neighborhood grills are where meat is a birthright, not a brand, where waiters joke like old friends, and menus are smudged with Malbec stains. Spots like Parrilla Peña in San Nicolás and Parrilla SecreTiTo in Las Cañitas strike a balance between tasty cuisine and authenticity.
Tip: Read our honest opinion of Don Julio and decide for yourself, or take your pick of our 40 must-try parrillas.