7 exciting free activities to experience in Buenos Aires

Known as the Paris of Latin America, Buenos Aires remains affordable, offering great value for travelers seeking a budget-friendly destination.

But some of the best experiences in Buenos Aires don't just come at a low cost—they’re completely free! Here are seven top options:

1. Recoleta Cemetery

A burial site for Argentina’s elites, Recoleta Cemetery is renowned for its grand mausoleums, but it’s Evita Peron’s grave, marked with her maiden name Duarte, that draws the largest crowds to this iconic landmark.

The Duarte family mausoleum is located near the entrance and is easy to spot. However, the narrow passage in front, barely wide enough for one person to pass, makes it nearly impossible to photograph unless you have a wide-angle lens.

On your way to the mausoleum, don’t miss the statue of the sleeping boy angel, a poignant sight that resonates with every visitor. You can also ask about another famous figure buried here, Rufina Cambaceres, whose grave is depicted with her rising from it.

The tragic legend of Rufina Cambaceres tells how she was mistakenly buried alive after doctors misdiagnosed her condition. After she awoke inside her tomb, her desperate screams were heard, but by the time workers arrived, she had passed away for good.

2. San Telmo Flea Market

Every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there’s a must-see event in Buenos Aires – the flea market at Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo. Since 1970, it has been the city’s main open-air antique market.

In the past, this market became a place for local families to sell their precious antiques during the economic downturns of the 1980s and 1990s, attracting buyers from as far as Europe and North America. Today, a nearby covered market handles the overflow, while shoppers haggle for deals in the surrounding stores. The area also bustles with street food vendors, organic produce stands, secondhand bookshops, cellphone kiosks, beer stalls, and countless other sellers.

The primary draw for many visitors to San Telmo is the mesmerizing tango dancers, who, young or old, perform with such grace and passion that they leave audiences spellbound.

3. Casa Rosada

The Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires' iconic Pink Presidential Palace, sits at the heart of Plaza 25 de Mayo. Its name commemorates the first successful revolution in South America, which led to the region’s independence.

While many visitors are content to snap photos from the outside, if you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you can tour the building for free—just be sure to bring your passport for entry.

Upon entering, you’ll find yourself in the reception hall, home to the Gallery of Patriots, displaying portraits of Latin American political icons like Salvador Allende, Che Guevara, and Evita Peron, who once lived in the Casa Rosada.

To the right, you’ll discover the quaint chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary and a patio dedicated to the Falklands/Malvinas War. On the left, the beautiful Palm Court leads into the Hall of Honor, lined with busts of prominent figures, and opens onto a grand veranda. If you're lucky, you might even get to explore the presidential suite on the first floor, though it’s not always accessible to the public.

Anthony Bourdain immerses himself in the bittersweet soul of Buenos Aires

4. Reserva Ecológica

While it’s easy to go days in Buenos Aires without glimpsing the Rio de la Plata, the city’s lifeblood, there’s a hidden 360-hectare wetland reserve waiting to be explored.

The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, one of the world’s most precious protected areas, sits right in the heart of high-end real estate. It’s a haven for hikers, cyclists, and birdwatchers, offering a 22-kilometer circuit to explore or a peaceful spot to picnic by the Rio de la Plata.

Though the Rio de la Plata’s brownish, sediment-filled waters might not look inviting, its shallow depth and lack of tides—allowing you to walk 300 meters in without getting your knees wet—make it a favorite spot for local families.

Reserva Ecológica

5. Papal Tour

Pope Francis is a point of immense pride for the people of Buenos Aires, and it’s no surprise that his hometown offers not one, but two free papal tours for visitors to explore.

One of these is an intimate 90-minute walking tour through the neighborhood of Flores, tracing the Pope’s early life. The journey begins at the Basilica of San Jose, where the 17-year-old Jorge Bergoglio had a life-changing experience during confession. From there, the tour takes you to his birthplace, his childhood home, his kindergarten and primary school, before finishing at another house where he grew up.

For a more extensive experience, a three-hour bus tour takes you further, beginning at the Metropolitan Cathedral, where Pope Francis celebrated mass as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The tour includes stops at the seminary he attended in Balvanera and the Sanctuary of Mary, Untier of Knots, which he famously supported. While the bus ride is more relaxing and allows you to see more, the tour only includes a few stops where you’ll get off and explore.

Papal Walking Tour

6. La Boca

Located near the iconic Boca Juniors stadium, once the first port of Buenos Aires, La Boca fell into disrepair during the 1980s and 90s but has since undergone a dramatic transformation with colorful bursts of kitsch.

La Boca is far from subtle: its streets are filled with vibrantly painted buildings, exaggerated caricature figures, papier-mâché greeters, and bold, in-your-face graffiti. But in all its loudness, it’s a visual feast—La Boca is a living art gallery, constantly performing for its visitors. No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without experiencing this explosion of color and culture.

7. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

A museum visit is always a treat, but one with free English-language tours is a rare gem. These tours are available four days a week, with professional and knowledgeable guides offering an engaging experience. Be sure to check the schedule before dropping by.

Though the museum features works by renowned international artists like Modigliani, El Greco, Goya, Picasso, and Rodin, its true treasure lies in its extensive collection of Argentine art. The museum is open every day until 8:30 p.m.