City Experiences, Featured Content, Buenos Aires things to do

Winter activities and things to do in Buenos Aires

Jorge Farah

By | July 17, 2019

El Caminito in winter

What to do in Buenos Aires winter during June, July and August months. The best activities, festivals and foods to try during the cold weather season in Argentina.

Whether you wound up in the Buenos Aires winter by accident or you’re an adventurous soul who has chosen to visit BA during its chillier months, we have some tips on how to make the most of your time here during locro season. Though the streets may be a little less crowded in the months between June and September, the city remains as thrilling and enchanting as ever.

First, the good news: winter in Buenos Aires is actually pretty mild. While the summer heat tends towards the oppressive side, winter is considerably more bearable, with an average temperature range of 45 – 60 °F. So don’t fret — you won’t be forced to spend your vacation indoors. Just make sure to bring a scarf.

Cultural Centers, museums and music

Soak up the local culture!

Buenos Aires breathes arts and culture. A city so steeped in this rich heritage isn’t going to take a break from it just because it’s a little chilly out. There are a lot of options available if you want to really dig deep into everything that the city has to offer culturally.

For starters, you could check out the city’s many museums and cultural centers. One of the things that characterizes Buenos Aires is its thriving artistic scene, and this is a fantastic way to sample it. MALBA — the Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art — is one of the most famous examples, a gorgeous building located in the chic neighborhood of Palermo that hosts cool exhibits and events. This includes musical performances and special film screenings — check their website to see what’s on display!

Exterior of old post office now Kirchner Cultural Center, Buenos Aires

If you’re looking for a free activity, make your way to the gorgeous Centro Cultural Kirchner to check out the various exhibitions on display, as well as marvel at the jaw-dropping beauty of its design. It’s also common for the venue to host performances by notable local or international musical acts, which you can access for free by booking tickets in person or through their website.

Similarly, the Centro Cultural Recoleta — a mere hop and a skip away from the famous Recoleta cemetery, in case you’re already in the neighborhood — hosts all manner of free activities, including local art fairs and music performances by up-and-coming indie bands and solo artists. The quality of the artists is always top notch, so it’s very likely that you’ll stumble upon a new favorite.

Musicians performing in front of crowd at El Universal Cetro Cultural, Buenos Aires

Live music

Speaking of live music, Buenos Aires is positively bustling with it. Whether you’re into rock, jazz, hip-hop, classical, or any of the various intersections of those genres, you’re guaranteed to find something you love.

There are various venues all over the city where you can find fantastic work by local or international musicians. For live jazz, check out the beautiful Thelonious Club in Palermo, or the classic go-to Notorious in Recoleta. If you favor rock music, take a look at the schedule for places such as La Trastienda or Teatro Vorterix. And, of course, if you’re feeling like a classy night out, there’s also the world-famous Teatro Colón, the awe-inspiring opera house that is widely considered one of the best concert venues in the world.

There’s a wealth of smaller venues putting on interesting events, so keep an eye on online listings. We’ve put together a list of great places for live music, so take a look and see what sounds good to you!

Tango dancers on stage at Viejo Almacen show

And hey, let’s not forget what Argentina is known for, Tango! You could catch a casual show at the original tango house of Buenos Aires El Viejo Almacén in San Telmo for an authentic experience. If you feel like dressing up and really going for it there’s the luxurious Rojo Tango, one of the most elegant and luxurious shows in town, taking place in the majestic five-star Faena Hotel in Puerto Madero.

If you’re hoping to see where the amateurs refine their skills or perhaps looking to do a little tango dancing yourself, hit up a traditional milonga (to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of milongas) such as Maldita Milonga or Milonga Parakultural at Salon Canning, where you’ll be able to delight in the awesome live music as well as dance ‘til 5 AM.

There is also an interesting phenomenon called Peñas Folklóricas, which are rural style gatherings that incorporate music, dancing, food, and wine; where the barrier between stage performer and audience member is blurred as guests are encouraged to keep the party going after the performances. Peñas mainly occur in the countryside, but there are a few places in the city town that host these, such as La Peña del Colorado and Los Cardones, where you’ll enjoy live music, dancing, and traditional Argentine food. And speaking of food…

opening beef empanada, food staple of the winter

Eat some Argentinian winter food specialties

Yes, Buenos Aires is famous for its beef. But in the colder months, you should try some of Argentina’s most traditional winter foods. One example is locro, a kind of stew made up of corn, meat, and sausage. It’s hearty and comforting, and served piping hot. Locro is traditionally eaten during two key Argentine holidays: the anniversary of the May Revolution (May 25th), and Argentine Independence Day (July 9th, which happens to fall right in the middle of the Argentine winter). Try it at year round at the Peron-themed restaurant Peron Peron in Palermo or maybe make a day of it by attending the Feria de Mataderos on Saturday or Sunday.

Cooks finishing large pots of locro stew

Gobierno de Buenos Aires

Other classic Argentine winter dishes include guiso de lentejas (lentil stew), mondongo (a soup made of diced tripe and vegetables — it’s tastier than it sounds!), and, of course, the empanadas. You can sample them at regional specialty restaurants such as Ña Serapia and 1810 Cocina Regional in Palermo, or El Sanjuanino and La Cholita in Recoleta.

Cafes

You can also use the chillier months as an opportunity to explore some of Buenos Aires’s famous coffee houses, such as the historic Café Tortoni (who also put on an affordable tango show in the evenings), or Coffee Town in the picturesque Mercado de San Telmo indoor market. Maybe warm up on the stage at the theater-turned-massive-bookstore El Ateneo, where you can relax to some live piano music and sample their desserts.

Other noteworthy cafes to visit:

  • Lattente (Best coffee in town)
  • Full City Coffee (Colombian focus, great patio)
  • Lab (Best baristas in town)
  • All Saints (New school with a rustic twist)
  • Gato Negro (Old school coffee and tea house)

Get out there!

The cold might be a small annoyance, but don’t let it stop you from getting the most out of the city. We suggest bundling up and getting out there, seeing as much of Buenos Aires as you can. There are many options available for tours around the city, where you can do a deep dive on specific neighborhoods and see famous landmarks all over town. You’re here for a limited time, and Buenos Aires has too much to offer to stay indoors. Get out there and see the sights.

But remember to bring that scarf.

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