Once you have visited Plaza de Mayo, taken your picture in front of the BA sign, and seen a tango show in Plaza Dorrego, it is time to go off the beaten path. From an underground maze to a food truck-entertainment paradise, here is our guide to some of the best sites that fly under the radar of most tourists passing through Buenos Aires.
El Zanjon tunnels will take you back in time when the old mansion belonged to a wealthy Spanish family and six slaves. Serving as the archeological calendar of the city, the house was constructed in the 19th century and the tunneling served to control the water flow from the river that has since dried out. The underground maze connects three buildings, one of these houses is ‘Casa Minima’ that, with its two-and-a-half meters in width, is the narrowest house in the city. You can only visit the mansion and the tunneling by taking a guided tour, where you will learn more about the old myths of the underground city.
Allow yourself to be moved and transported into the stories of the night while in absolute darkness. Using your other senses, you will get the experience the play in an entirely different way while putting your own imagination to the test. You are an audience member but also an active participant whose sensory abilities shape the meaning of the entire play.
Off the beaten path and near the national airport you will find the rather scenic Parque de la Memoria by the river commemorating the tragedies that occurred during the dictatorship, which lasted till 1983. The park mostly consists of statues, which reflect the artists’ views of the repressive regime. At the center of these statues, you will find a cement wall engraved with the names of the people who disappeared during this time organized by year. If you look closely, you will notice that most of these people were in their 20’s, as they were among the biggest group to protest against the government. Visiting Parque de la Memoria is a great way to get some fresh air while learning more about the Republic’s recent history. It is best to take a 20-minute taxi ride as it is quite far from the main tourist sites.
Located in the Monserrat barrio, Manzana de Las Luces or ‘Block of the Lights’ thanks its name to having functioned as the center of education and enlightenment. It was home to the country’s first national library, college, and the representative room where the city’s representatives created new laws and elected governors. To this day, many cultural events still take place here such as arthouse films and concerts. It currently houses the ‘Collegio Nacional de Buenos Aires’, one of the most prestigious high schools in the country. With over 400 years of history, many political events took place at this block and if you want to take a deep dive into Argentina’s history, it is worth taking a guided tour through the colonial buildings.
You can also visit part of the city’s underground tunnel system that stretches under Manzana de Las Luces and connects the churches with the government’s buildings. The reason for this underground network is still up for debate and historians believe many tunnels have yet to be discovered.
You have surely heard about the hidden bars spread throughout the city, but closed-door restaurants may not ring a bell. It is an intimate dining experience where a chef invites you, and a couple of other strangers into their home to experience fine dining and mingle with locals and fellow travelers. It is mostly a thing of the past, but a few of these remain thriving, such as Casa Saltshaker, Treintasillas, Casa Coupage, and Paladar.
Patio de los lecheros has transformed itself into the gastronomic and cultural heart of the barrio Caballito. Filled with food trucks, entertainment and artisanal beers. Patio de los Lecheras is a great way to take a break from visiting the more traditional cervecerias in the city.
Whether you’re an experienced horseback rider or a complete beginner, a day of polo lessons can be a great way to stay active on your vacation after you’ve eaten all the steak you can handle. An expert trainer will teach you the basics of the sport of kings and 90% of beginners will be striking the ball at the end of the lesson. Trying your hand at polo yourself and visiting an estancia can be a great way to escape the chaotic city for just a day or two.
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