Kiss and Tango: Buenos Aires for Romantics

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't worry about bringing your own picnic - the food vendors are plentiful, serving up local specialties such as choripan, a tasty sausage sandwich. There are also lots of drinks and ice cream available.

Description:

Originally owned by Governor Rosas, this park opened to the public in 1874. Visit the Jardín de los Poetas, with sculptures of famous writers such as Alfonsina Storni, Félix Amador, Paul Groussac and Enrique Larreta. Enjoy the Rosedal where the colorful roses are kept. Other features include pergolas, bridges, fountains, seats, street lamps and a magnificent array of sculptures. Many activities are available at the lake, including rowing and pedal boats. These woods are the preferred choice for local joggers and bicyclers.

Description:

Located in the district of Belgrano, it is an appropriate spot for those who seek to have an intimate meal. The interiors are in oak and illuminated with diffused lights. Antique pieces, pictures in sepia tones don the walls and corners. Specializing in international food, the recommended dishes are Cream of Puerros, Jumped Chicken and different varieties of fish.

Description:

The botanical gardens take up a wide acreage in Plaza Italia, adjacent to the zoo and the La Rural complex. Visitors can stroll on lovely pebble paths through the variety of foliage, notably the prickly cactus garden and the steamy greenhouses. The real highlight of the gardens, though, is the cats. Hundreds of cats dwell in the gardens year-round, lazily basking in the sun and entertaining visitors. This is a wonderful place to bring kids.

Description:

A good martini is a rarity in Buenos Aires. Just try and order one at nearly any bar in the city; your drink will be poured from a single bottle labeled "Martini," hardly a viable competitor in the mind of a true martini lover. Enter Mosoq, a martini bar/Peruvian restaurant extraordinaire, with a drool-worthy list of martini varieties, all prepared to perfection. The food, inspired by traditional Peruvian cuisine, isn't half bad, either.

Description:

The best French cuisine in Buenos Aires can be tasted at La Bourgogne restaurant, the only Relais & Gourmand in Argentina, where the executive chef Jean Paul Bondoux amazes the most demanding clients. A warm and elegant venue where everyone can enjoy La Bourgogne's delicious French and international cuisine, as well as the tasty meats from the "Grill Rotissoire".

Our Local Expert Says:

Visitors who are not staying at the Alvear Palace (and thus are missing out on such perks as antique French furnishings and Hermes bath products) can still enjoy the luxury of the hotel on the terrace at the La Orangerie brunch buffet and bar, or at the French La Bourgogne restaurant.

Description:

Since its opening in 1932, this hotel has maintained a lofty reputation as one of the most prestigious hotels in town. Seemingly untouched by time, it is imbued with old-world elegance and sophistication. Located in the city's most exclusive neighborhood-La Recoleta-it is near outstanding art museums and galleries, designer boutiques and some of the night-clubs and restaurants in town, including La Bourgogne.

Our Local Expert Says:

Oftentimes live music entertains the crowds during the weekend fair, so if you're worn out from browsing, take a seat on the hill and enjoy the music and people-watching.

Description:

This plaza, founded in October 1909, comprises some 15,400 square meters of local flora surrounded by cultural centers and the largest outdoor handicrafts fair in the city, La Feria de Recoleta, taking place every Sunday. The appropriately named Francia a Argentina monument at its center was donated in 1910 by France to Argentina commemorating the Centennial of the Revolution of May. The Museum of Fine Arts, monolithic National Library and imposing University Faculty of Law flank the area.

Our Local Expert Says:

For about a dollar you can purchase a map of the cemetery from vendors at the entrance. It will prove to be quite useful when you find yourself in the maze inside.

Description:

This cemetery was a church graveyard until 1882 when the Governor opened it to the general public and renamed it Cemetery of the North. Small, and situated on the city's most valuable land, its importance resides in the many illustrious people that rest here. One of the most visited tombstones is Eva Peron's. The majority of materials used in the construction of tombs between 1880 and 1930 were imported from Paris and Milan, and important sculptural works grace many of the tombs.

Description:

Chefs Mariana de Rosa and Flavio Pop have created their own dream-world eatery in Sifones & Dragones, whose slogan states that "it is not a restaurant, but rather a kitchen with tables." With just a few tables and ecletic decor, Sifones & Dragones is an intimate gem of a restaurant and a local favorite of the creative crowd. Choose from the number of tasty a la carte options that include gazpacho, pate, Thai shrimp, mushroom risotto, and gnocchi, among other options. For a romantic evening, Sifones & Dragones is not one to be missed.

Our Local Expert Says:

Milion is a place where friends meet, so take a big group, order up a bunch of fruity drinks and tasty hors d’oeuvres, and claim the space along the upper deck railing just outside the bar. Try the frozen mojito for an especially refreshing tropical treat.

Description:

Milion is an old family mansion converted into one of the city's most popular bars. A visit to this stylish lounge guarantees you the listening pleasure of good jazz tracks and a varied range of meals. Apart from the chilled out bar and garden, there is also a gallery of modern art. Pick up a drink and explore this throwback to the decadent old days. Be one of the customers who flock to this innovative, luxurious venue, regardless of your age!

Our Local Expert Says:

Sample the cocktails at the basement bar, which was recently named one of Forbe's magazine's top 10 international hotel bars.

Description:

Opened in 1909, this is one of the classic, top-quality hotels in the city that still lives up to its reputation. Overlooking the gracious Plaza San Martin, the hotel has all you could wish from a first class establishment: swimming pool, health club, hairdresser, 24 hour room service and both central heating and air conditioning. Try one of the two elegant restaurants or enjoy a drink at the handsome Piano Bar.

Description:

This park consists of 350 hectares of land that can be visited every day of the year. Forty years ago the plans were to build a sports complex and residential accommodation, but as time went by, the local fauna and flora reclaimed the land and it became a natural reserve by the river. It is divided into four zones, of which the most relevant ones are the woods, where many different types of birds live, by the river; the lagoons and marshlands, inhabited by ducks, storks and swans; and finally the River Plate banks.

Our Local Expert Says:

Weekend bike rentals are available just behind Puerto Madero at Costanera Sur for just a few bucks an hour. Bring the bikes over to Puerto Madero to ride by the water and join in the hundreds of locals who prefer this sunny exercise spot.

Description:

Up until the epic restoration in 1994, the brick docks lining the old port of Buenos Aires remained abandoned. The area now thrives with modern residential and business lofts and offices, bars, restaurants, an eight-theatre cinema complex, and a university while retaining the original English redbrick facades. The 15-block area runs two kilometres along the river bank dotted with fine dining, such as the Parolaccia di Mare. Two historic ships from the Argentine Armada, the Corbeta Uruguay and the Fragata Sarmiento, are moored quayside as floating naval museums.

Description:

Designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the only work he's done in South America, Puente de la mujer (Bridge of the woman) is a sight that shouldn't be missed by any visitor to Buenos Aires. The 335-foot-long pedestrian bridge connects both sides of the upscale Puerto Madero, which is separated by an artificial canal. This beautifully astounding structure was engineered in such a way so the central portion of the bridge is enabled to open at a 90-degree angle to allow for easy passage of mid-sized water traffic. Inspired by the Latin dance know as the Tango, Calatrava's design abstractly resembles a couple moving to Argentina's most sensual type of dancing. Argentinean businessman, Alberto Gonzales, donated the funding for Puente de la mujer to the city in 2001.

Description:

Visit Leandro for the meats and the Roasted Achuras. And eat your meal at the terrace, watching the river flow by quietly. No wonder romantically-inclined couples make a beeline for this place! To come back to the food, vegetarians may order the Glaseados Vegetables or the delicious macrobiotic salads.

Description:

Decorated with mirrors, paintings and furniture of the 30s, this popular spot is a blast from the past. Wednesdays there are tango classes for the most active and on the weekends, you can enjoy live jazz and blues. The kitchen's specialty is the Green Chicken.

Description:

647 is a unique space in the Porteño night map, that adds a new concept: the dinner club. Trendy in the main European cities, the dinner club is an integral proposal to dine and share the pre- and after- dinner, within an exclusive, elegant and sophisticated atmosphere; where music, cocktails and gastronomy know how to shine. The restaurant introduces the tailor-made haute cuisine of chef Guillermo Testón, perfectly accented by the crafty cocktails at the swish bar.

Description:

This academy is located in the palacio Carlos Gardel, on top of the Café Tortoni. It is one of the 18 national academies of tango. It also has various franchises in the provinces the USA, and Europe. The Liceo Superior of the Academia offers 24 different courses during three years, at which end students get a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) in Tango. At the same time, it offers tango dance lessons. An intensive theoretical and practical course in Tango is also available for foreigners visiting Buenos Aires.