WTTC local guide: My perfect day at home in Buenos Aires
We asked Eugenia Rodriguez, Digital Marketing Specialist at the World Travel & Tourism Council and Buenos Aires native, what makes for a perfect day in Buenos Aires?
I’m from Olivos, a nice neighbourhood close to the Rio de la Plata river (it is the widest in the world, with a maximum width of 220 kilometres (140 mi)).
The city is called 'The Paris of South America' not only because of its European architecture, which came from the massive immigration we had in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly from Spain, Italy, and France, but also because of its 'Bon Vivant' lifestyle. Throughout the city, coffee shops, bars, and squares are bustling with people sipping 'cafe con leche' with 'medialunas, the typical glass of Malbec wine, or a mate with friends (a bitter hot drink).
The city is also known as the ‘city that never sleeps’ for good reason. You can start your night with friends for dinner around 8/9 or even 10 pm (Yes, we got that from the Spanish culture), meet around for a ‘previa’, which are the previous drinks before going out and continue the night out in a bar or disco until 7 am, as the proper nightlife begins at 3 am.
My favourite place to relax is Perú Beach. It’s a recreational spot located in Acassuso, with beautiful views of the Rio de la Plata. If the weather permits - which is usually sunny most of the year - you can enjoy a meal while you are a front-row spectator of people practising water sports such as windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Wingfoil, Stand Up Paddle and Kayak. If you feel more adventurous, there is a 20 metres high climbing wall, a skate park, and a roller hockey rink to make the most of your time there.
The speakeasy bars are also a must in Buenos Aires. You can visit ‘Uptown’, which is a bar inspired by Manhattan, where you need to get through a subway car to get in. Another good choice is ‘The Hole’, a thematic bar where you feel like an Alcatraz prisoner, and you can have dinner or drinks in a prison cell.
As steak and the ‘Asado’ (kind of barbecue) is the most precious food in Argentina, I recommend ‘La Cabrera’ where you can taste the most typical dishes such as asado, morcilla (black pudding), empanadas, choripan and for the deserts time the delicious panqueque with dulce de leche or flan with dulce de leche.
Asado
Due to our Italian heritage, I recommend a place where you can enjoy pizza and milanesas with Argentinian flair. You can visit ‘Güerrin Pizzeria’ and delight yourself with the cheesiest pizza you will ever try.
The first thing I do when I go home is enjoy the Sunday asado with my family. Aside from the food, the ‘Asado de los Domingos’ is a tradition for Argentinian families and a time to meet and enjoy with family and friends. For vegetarians/vegans, don't worry; we also do Pasta Sundays honouring our Italian roots.
Top of my playlist when wandering Buenos Aires is by Costumbres Argentinas – Los Abuelos de la nada. This is an iconic Argentinian rock band that was formed in 1967.
I have one last tip - if you learn the chorus of the Argentinian World Cup song, you will make lots of friends. Also, you will gain the love of the people around you, as, yes, we are still celebrating the cup.
‘Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar. Quiero ganar la tercera, quiero ser campeón mundial’
‘Guys, now we have got our hopes up again. I want to win the third; I want to be the world champion’.