Tourism in Buenos Aires

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buenos Aires is in the midst of a tourism boom, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council^[1], it reveals strong growth for Argentina Travel and Tourism in 2007 ^[2] and in coming years, and the prestigious travel and tourism publication; Travel + Leisure Magazine, a monthly publication leader in the world-wide market of travel magazines, travelers voted Buenos Aires the second most desirable city to visit after Florence, Italy^[3]. Buenos Aires, regarded as the “Paris of South America,” offers elegant architecture, exquisite cuisine, a legendary nightlife, and fashionable shopping. Argentina has become famous for being rich in European flavor.

2007 Words Best cities by Travel + Leisure Magazine

1 Tourists attractions
- 1.1 Hotels
2 References
3 External links

[edit] Tourists attractions

The most popular tourist sites are found in the historic city core, comprising Montserrat and San Telmo. The city was originally constructed around the Plaza de Mayo, the administrative center of the Colony. To the east of the Square is the Casa Rosada, the official seat of the executive branch of the government of Argentina. To the north, the Catedral Metropolitana which has stood in the same location since colonial times, and the Banco de la Nación Argentina building, a parcel of land originally owned by Juan de Garay. Other important colonial institutions were Cabildo, to the west, which was renovated during the construction of Avenida de Mayo and Julio A. Roca. To the south is the Congreso de la Nación (National Congress), which currently houses the Academia Nacional de la Historia (National Academy of History). Lastly, to the northwest, is City Hall.

Magestic Teatro Colón

Avenida de Mayo links the Casa Rosada with the Argentine National Congress. On this avenue there are several buildings of cultural, architectural and historical importance, such as Casa de la Cultura, the Palacio Barolo and Café Tortoni. Underneath the avenue, the first subte (metro) line in South America, was opened in 1913. The avenue ends at Plaza de los Dos Congresos, which features a number of monuments and sculptures, including a signed copy of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker".

The Manzana de las Luces area features the San Ignacio church, the Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires, and the old city council building (1894 to 1931). This area has hidden tunnels, which crossed the city during colonial times. In the neighbourhood of San Telmo, Plaza Dorrego holds an antiques fair on Sundays, complete with tango shows. There are several religious shops formed by the church of Nuestra Señora de Bethlem, Parroquia de San Pedro Telmo and Museo Penitenciario "Antonio Ballve". To the south stands the Museo Histórico Nacional on Parque Lezama.

Galeria Pacifico shopping arcade on Florida Street

In the barrio of Recoleta are located a number of tourist sites including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Biblioteca Nacional, the Centro Cultural Recoleta, the Faculty of Law of the Universidad de Buenos Aires, the Basílica Nuestra Señora de Pilar, the Palais de Glace, the Bar La Biela and the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where the remains of Eva Duarte de Perón can be found.

El Ateneo is one of the city's most well-known bookshops situated in Santa Fé Aveneue, Barrio Norte. Once a theatre and later a cinema, the building still retains the feeling of the grand theatre it once was, despite its recent renovation.

In the barrio of Retiro, the Estación Retiro (train station) can be visited. There are several notable landmarks here, especially in the Plaza San Martín park, including the Monumento a los Caídos en las Malvinas (1982 Falklands War monument), an equestrian statue of General San Martín, Torre de los Ingleses (English tower), the ornate Basilica Santísimo Sacramento, and the Kavanagh Building, one of the tallest in the city.

Interior of the Basilica Santísimo Sacramento, in the Retiro district

It's well worth a visit to the theatres to get a different perspective from the New York or Paris scene

The Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires is located in the barrio of Palermo, and is one of the most important in the country. In this neighbourhood can also be found the Bosques de Palermo, the Planetary and Buenos Aires Zoo.

The southern zone of the city, (including barrios such as Barracas and Parque Patricios) while traditionally not a top tourist destination, is historically the source for much of the city's early tango culture. It is now home to a burgeoning arts scene. Another important tourist site is Avenida Corrientes. In this avenue, theaters like Teatro San Martín, Paseo La Plaza and the stadium Luna Park can be found. At the intersection of this avenue with Avenida 9 de julio, the Obelisco, the emblem of the City of Buenos Aires, is located. Mercado de Abasto, which is currently a shopping arcade, is also on this avenue.

At the South west end of the city is located the Parque de la ciudad, one of the biggest thematic parks in Latin America, charactirezed by its 200 metres high Torre Espacial tower.

Buenos Aires has been attracting the largest homosexual community in Latin America. [1] Year 2006 has seen more arrivals of gay cruise ships, an increase in the number of gay businesses, and the commencement of construction of a 5-star gay hotel.

Hilton Hotel to the right of River View Towers in the Puerto Madero district

[edit] Hotels

The City of Buenos Aires has various types of accommodations available from luxurious five star to quality budget located in neighbourhoods that are further from the city centre, although the transportation system allows an easy and inexpensive access to the city.

There are 17 5-star, 53 4-star, 42 3-star and 64 2 or 1-star hotels. The majority of the hotels are located in the central part of the city, within close proximity of the main tourist attractions.

There is also a vast number of hostels and university residences available at very low cost.

For the traveler desiring more independence and privacy, there is an abundance of furnished apartments for rent. These range from low-cost, small studios to expensive, glam apartments with all the amenities one could expect.