I'm a Digital Nomad and Here's Why Buenos Aires Stole My Heart

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I’ve spent over three years in South America, and I always come back to one city. From its culture to its architecture, there are many reasons why I love Buenos Aires.

Having spent three years as a digital nomad throughout South America, there are plenty of places I love dearly. However, one city always brings me back.

Of course, I’m talking about Buenos Aires, Argentina’s exciting capital city. Below are 12 reasons why I love Buenos Aires and why you should visit soon.

The People

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Yes, people in Buenos Aires can be overly passionate. And don’t even dare disagree with them about their favorite football team or address Messi as anything less than His Holiness.

For better or worse, Porteños (Buenos Aires locals) took me in. From long walks around the city, tango shows, and endless barbecue invites, I can’t thank them enough for showing me their city and their culture.

Before you visit, try learning some Spanish. Even if you can’t speak, try meeting people. For a big city, you’ll probably find it teaming with overly kind people, enthusiastic about you enjoying their home and leaving with a load of great experiences.

The Cuisine

Argentina is famous for its meat. Imagine thick cuts of free-range beef and sausages cooked over a smoky open flame. The ‘parilla’ or Argentine grill is by far the backbone of the city’s cuisine.

For more goodness, try a choripan, a football match staple consisting of smoky chorizo sausage and chimichurri sauce sandwiched between toasted bread. Or, try traditional milanessa, similar to Austrian Wiener schnitzel, slathered in tomato sauce, and the city’s unique but delicious pizza.

If meat isn’t your thing, head to one of the city’s renowned vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Believe it or not, this meat-heavy city does the healthy stuff really well. Try classics such as MARTi or the beloved Gordo Vegano.

The Music

Buenos Aires is ground zero for Argentine Rock, hip-hop, tango, and electronica. You can find just about anything played live in the city’s clubs and music venues.

I became obsessed with Rock Nacional, Argentina’s intensely political and social form of rock. Heavily influenced by tango and other Latin American music styles, Rock Nacional’s hits became anthems for the country and its struggles.

If you visit, don’t miss a live tango show. Or, try to catch some of the world’s biggest names in music at one of Buenos Aires’ annual music festivals, such as Primavera Sound.

The Architecture

During the late 19th and 20th centuries, Argentina was one of the world’s most vibrant economies, and its capital was a money-making hub. To celebrate its newfound riches, the city’s planners invited the best architects in Europe across the ocean to complete their dream projects.

You’ll see masterpieces of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Neoclassical. In between are modern buildings full of artistic expression and unique features unlike anywhere else.

Head to the central district to see famous landmarks such as the Palacio Barolo, Congreso de la Nación Argentina, and Casa Rosada. Then, take a walk through the Recoleta neighborhood to enjoy towering apartment buildings with facades that rival any European city.

The Long Walks

Buenos Aires is a walker’s paradise. Although there are over 15 million people, much of it is safe to explore on foot as long as you hide your cell phone.

Some of my favorite places to walk include Bosques del Palermo, Playa Reserva Ecológica Buenos Aires, and Chinatown. I also love roaming around neighborhoods such as Almagro and San Telmo.

When you visit, bring your walking shoes and hit the town. Explore a few popular neighborhoods and take in the sights. Just remember, keep your cell phone and valuables hidden and you’ll be fine.

Museum Hopping

Museum culture is alive and well in Buenos Aires. The city has some of the continent’s most renowned art, history, and science museums, many of which are free to visit.

Hit up the famous Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes for superb international art. Then, check out the popular Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires or MALBA to see some of the best art from Latin America.

My favorite museums are the smaller museums dedicated to unique art or quirky memorabilia. When you visit, try to visit as many museums as you can to get the most out of this museum-heavy destination.

Tigre Delta Adventures

Although Buenos Aires is a big city, it’s close to one of the most peaceful natural areas in the country. The Tigre Delta is an hour north by train and makes the perfect day or weekend trip from the city.

You’ll find hotels, inns, and homestays built along the delta, some on stilts and overlooking the canals and rivers. You can rent kayaks and boats or explore the islands on foot.

The city of Tigre is also a wonderful place to visit. You can see iconic monuments such as the Museo de Arte de Tigre.

The Parks

Buenos Aires is a city full of incredible green spaces. The parks are well-manicured and feature a wide range of highlights, from aviaries to artificial lakes.

Don’t miss local favorites such as the Paseo El Rosedal Garden. Here, you can rent paddle boats and rollerblades or enjoy a romantic walk through the rose garden.

Other must-see green spaces include the Japanese Garden, the botanical garden, and the Buenos Aires Ecoparque. In all the green spaces, look for wild parakeets nesting in the trees and other beautiful birds.

The Art and Theater

Throughout the city, you’ll be surrounded by art. From murals to street art, there is endless beauty and inspiration everywhere you look.

For a stunning artistic sight, head to the Floralis Generica. This giant metal flower opens during the day, mimicking a live flower.

If you want to learn about local art and meet local artists, head to the Museo Moderno in the San Telmo Neighborhood. This exciting museum is a community center for local artists as well as one of the city’s must-see museums.

Buenos Aires is a theater-lover’s dream. Internationally acclaimed destinations such as Teatro Colon frequently show performances with incredible grandeur. Don’t miss walking down Corrientes Avenue and booking tickets for live shows in some of the best theaters in the country.

The History

Buenos Aires might not have ancient history like other Latin American cities such as Cusco or Mexico City but it’s still a history lover’s paradise. From historic homes to the sights of some of the world’s most important events, there’s plenty to explore and learn about.

Neighborhoods such as San Telmo are rich in historical places. Here, you can see the historical heart of the city at El Zanjón de Granados.

For the ultimate introduction to the city and its history, consider using the popular Buenos Aires Bus. This double-decker takes you around the city’s top landmarks, where you can learn about the architecture, historical places, and neighborhoods with an audio guide.

One of the best historical sights is the Recoleta Cemetary. Here, you’ll find the beautiful graves of famous Argentine figures such as Evita Peron. For history enthusiasts and fans of architecture, this is a must-see destination.

The Cafe Culture

Locals in the city start their day off with a media luna—a small croissant and a coffee at their favorite cafes. Luckily for cafe lovers, these beloved establishments stay open well past the morning and even serve wine and food during the afternoon and evening.

Throughout the city, you can find popular cafes that cover all sorts of preferences. Of course, you can find hipster cafes with incredible coffee in neighborhoods like Palermo. However, I love the city’s historical cafes.

Some of these cafes are over 100 years old and remain almost unchanged. Try visiting as many of these classic cafes as you can. Order a glass of wine or vermouth, bring a book, and just let the ambiance take over.

My Morning Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a popular tea in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Southern Brazil. In Buenos Aires, you’ll see people carrying their mate gourds, straws, and thermoses of hot water everywhere.

I became obsessed with the tea and the culture behind it right away. My day starts with boiling water, adding the loose leaves to my gourd, shaking it, pouring a little cold water, inserting my straw, and carefully adding the hot water until a bunch of dry leaves float to the surface. Yes, it’s a ritual.

If you visit Buenos Aires, consider buying yourself a mate gourd, a good straw (bombilla), and some good organic yerba mate. Head to the park with a thermos of hot water and enjoy.