Natives of Buenos Aires, or porteños, as they are known, value their culture and history, and as such there are all kinds of free cultural events and activities going on in the city. Read on to find out how to make the most of Buenos Aires without spending a peso.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
An Electric Power Plant Turned Cultural Center
The rectangular clock tower of the Usina del Arte (Agustín Caffarena 1, La Boca) is easy to spot on the city skyline. Built in Florentine neo-Renaissance style, it began life in 1916 as a power plant for the Italo-Argentine Electric Company. It eventually passed into the hands of the state, before falling into disuse and ruin with the wave of privatizations in the 1990s. Now, fully repaired and refurbished, it serves as a cultural center.
At the Usina del Arte, you can enjoy visual art like photography, installations, and sculptures, as well as music, with classical, rock, folk, tango, and jazz music recitals, to name but a few, performed by both Argentine and international musicians. All you have to do is reserve your place on their website.
A Blue Whale in Buenos Aires
The Blue Whale in question is not a real whale, but rather a new concert hall that, together with the building’s dome, is a spectacular place to visit within the Palacio Libertad (Sarmiento 151). Visitors can take guided tours of this majestic building, which was once the Central Post Office and now has National Monument status. The tour includes a stop at the dome’s viewpoints, offering panoramic views of the city.
Palacio Libertad plays host to tango events, classical music recitals by the National Symphony Orchestra, both permanent and traveling art exhibitions, and shows for children. As an added bonus, most of the activities are free, though you may need to book tickets online for some events.
The Historic Cemetery That’s Like a Who’s Who of Argentina
Since 1822, historical figures including Eva Perón, heroes involved in the fight for independence, and many different presidents have been buried in the Recoleta Cemetery (Junín 1760). Its mausoleums and statues are works of art in themselves, steeped in fascinating legends and stories, such as that of the Lady in White, a soul in Purgatory who is said to run through the cemetery. One of the real stories, however, is that of the Carrils, a married couple who got along so badly in life that their statues actually have their backs turned to one other.
The cemetery offers guided tours that last for around an hour — and entrance into the cemetery and guided tours both free of charge for Argentine residents.
The Cultural Center That Sprang Up With Democracy in the 1980s
The establishment of democracy in 1983 coincided with the conversion of a Franciscan convent built in the 18th century to a cutting-edge artistic center. Attached to the Recoleta Cemetery and the Iglesia del Pilar, the Recoleta Cultural Center (Junín 1930) was refurbished in 2019 to be more modern, inclusive, and accessible.
The rooms and spaces within Recoleta play host to the visual arts, recitals, dance and theater shows, film screenings, literary events, and expressions of urban culture and design.
Buenos Aires Uncovered: Guided Tours and Themed Walks
If you’re interested in guided tours and themed walks that offer a different take on Buenos Aires, the city’s tourist board organizes some very interesting ones. With a variety of walks on offer, you can choose whether to be guided to the more traditional tourist attractions such as the tango bars of San Telmo, or to lesser-known places, such as Barracas, on a tour of Buenos Aires’ industrial past.
Just visit the city tourist board’s website, select the tour you want to take and reserve your place. Remember to carry some ID, and a bottle of water and hat if you’re visiting Buenos Aires in summer.
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