48 hours take three… Moving rather further afield from our 48 hour guides to London and Berlin, Dan Zbijowski fills us in on the best of Buenos Aires!

Buenos Aires is a backpacker’s dream.

Most famous for Tango and steak, it is the 24hr party capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Often referred to as ‘the Paris of Latin America’, Buenos Aires has wide leafy boulevards, great shopping, more architecture than you can shake a stick at and something to keep you entertained every night of the week.

Day One

Lose Yourself Amongst the Streets… Starting at the 12 lane Avenida de 9 Julio – the widest road in the world – take in the impressive Obelisque. You can stroll along the quirky cobbled streets of San Telmo (on a Sunday the streets come alive with vendors selling Antiques and Arts) then stop at Plaza Dorrego for a coffee and a pastry, where there’s always live music or street performers. If you’re feeling energetic you can walk from here to La Boca – otherwise, jump on a Collectivo (Argentinean mini-bus).

Get your camera ready for the brightly coloured street “Caminito”; arguably one of the most famous streets in the world, the blue, yellow and pink houses that adorn it are proud testament to the birthplace of Tango.

‘Los Portenos’ (people living in a port city) are fiercely passionate, which means a visit to La Boca wouldn’t be complete without taking in a game of football. Boca Juniors (home of Maradona!) is a ground where the football passion is unrivaled and, although it’s better to go in the safety of an organized tour, a trip to El Classico (Boca Juniors vs River Plate, the biggest derby in South America) is an experience not to be missed.

Stay Out All Night… Nightclubs often don’t open until 2am and then close at 9am, with some of the younger crowd heading straight to work afterwards! There is a nightclub for every night of the week, from ‘Super-club’ Pasha to the more off-beat Club 69 (on a Thursday). Be prepared for pop or techno; there isn’t much in-between.

Catch a Few Hours Sleep… This might be a city that never sleeps, but it’s probably best to get a few hours rest at some point! Head to one of the hostels in Buenos Aires, such as Hostel Clan – within walking distance of San Telmo and the sights and bars, it has a roof terrace for catching the rays when you finally turn in after a hedonistic night out.

Day Two

Start Again at Recoleta… Home of the main Buenos Aires cemetery, Recoleta is the place to head for the impressive mausoleums of Argentina’s important political figures. The most famous of these is Eva Peron, whose status was elevated around the world by the film, Evita – just don’t mention Madonna to the locals!

Recoleta is also home to the capital’s rich set, with many fine examples of French Architecture dotting the streets. Despite its size, Buenos Aires has a very laid back pace and relaxing (and recovering) over an empanada and a cup of coffee is a great way to watch the city as it passes by.

Shop for Bargains… For travelers who still feel they have some energy left, Avenida Florida is home to designer shops with many of the big European names – but at a fraction of the price.

Dine Out Late… Locals typically spend the evenings eating, drinking and then dancing the night away, so don’t be surprised to see people eating in restaurants after midnight. There are great restaurants everywhere in Buenos Aires, although Palermo is a young student neighbourhood that has many bars and places to eat that are perfect for backpackers on a budget. Enjoy a Quilmes or 4, have an empanada for a starter and fight your way through the huge steaks that are served… And then, of course, you can party your way through ’till dawn again!

Guest poster Dan Zbijowski shares his experiences in Buenos Aires. If you have tips on traveling in Buenos Aires or a 48 hours in your favorite city to share, why not get in touch below!