Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada & Microcentro
★★★ Plaza de Mayo — The Political Heart
The Plaza de Mayo is the square where Argentina's history was written — and is still being written. Here, the nation proclaimed its independence in 1810, here Evita gave her legendary speeches from the balcony of the Casa Rosada, here the Madres de Plaza de Mayo marched in circles every Thursday for decades to remember their children "disappeared" during the military dictatorship — and they still do, every Thursday at 3:30 PM. White headscarves on the square are a permanent reminder of the Desaparecidos.
★★★ Casa Rosada (Pink Presidential Palace)
The pink presidential building at the eastern end of the Plaza de Mayo is one of the most famous structures in South America. From its balcony, Eva Perón gave her legendary speeches to the "Descamisados" (shirtless ones), here Maradona and Messi waved after World Cup titles, and here the people demonstrate when they are angry — which happens regularly in Argentina.
Why pink? The most common theory: President Sarmiento had the palace painted pink in 1873 to unite the colors of the two political camps — red (federalists) and white (unitarians). Less romantic but more likely: The color resulted from mixing lime with oxblood, a common building material at the time.
The building can be visited for free on weekends: The tour (approx. 1h) shows the presidential office hall, the Cristina Kirchner hall, and the famous balcony. In the basement: the Museo del Bicentenario with excavations of the colonial fortress and a massive mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros (the Mexican muralist).
Balcarce 50. Tours: Sat–Sun, every 15 Min., 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Free, pre-registration on visitas.casarosada.gob.ar (bring passport!).
★★ Catedral Metropolitana
The cathedral on the north side of the Plaza de Mayo looks more like a Greek temple from the outside (12 Corinthian columns) than a church. Inside: the tomb of General José de San Martín (Argentina's national hero and liberator), guarded by an eternal flame and two grenadiers in historical uniform. And: Here preached Jorge Mario Bergoglio — better known as Pope Francis — before he was elected head of the Catholic Church in 2013. His cardinal coat of arms hangs in a side chapel.
★★★ Teatro Colón
One of the best opera houses in the world — its acoustics are ranked by experts alongside La Scala in Milan and the Vienna State Opera. The magnificent building from 1908 (Italian Renaissance style, 18 years of construction, three architects) offers 2,478 seats and standing room for another 1,000. Seven tiers, a golden dome with frescoes, Italian Carrara marble, French stained glass windows, and Venetian mosaics.
Cerrito 628. Tours: daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, every 15 Min. Approx. 5,000 ARS (approx. 5€). Performances: from 3,000 ARS — opera, ballet, and concerts at world-class level for a fraction of European prices. Book online: teatrocolon.org.ar
★★ Avenida 9 de Julio & Obelisco
The widest street in the world — 140 meters from building front to building front, with up to 20 lanes. In the middle stands the Obelisco (67 m, 1936), Buenos Aires' unmistakable landmark. At the intersection with Avenida Corrientes is the heart of the city: theaters, cinemas, pizzerias, and neon lighting reminiscent of Times Square.
★★ El Ateneo Grand Splendid
The most beautiful bookstore in the world (as chosen by The Guardian): A former theater from 1919, completely converted into a bookstore — but with preserved ceiling paintings, theater boxes (now reading corners), and the stage (now a café). Even if you don't buy a book: Go in, marvel, have coffee on the stage.
Av. Santa Fe 1860, Barrio Norte/Recoleta. Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–10:00 PM, Sun 12:00 PM–10:00 PM. Free entry.