Walking Tour 1: Plaza de Mayo → San Telmo → La Boca

This day tour takes you through the historical axis of Buenos Aires — from the political heart through the atmospheric tango district to the colorful working-class neighborhood. About 6–8 hours with breaks, approx. 7 km on foot.

Stop 1: Plaza de Mayo & Casa Rosada (9:00 AM)

Start at the political heart of Argentina. Admire the pink Casa Rosada, visit the cathedral (where Pope Francis preached and San Martín's tomb lies) and the Cabildo (Revolution Museum). If Thursday: The Madres de Plaza de Mayo march at 3:30 PM — a moving moment. The white headscarf symbols on the pavement of the Plaza are a permanent reminder.

Stop 2: Avenida de Mayo (9:45 AM)

Stroll along the magnificent Avenida de Mayo — one of the most beautiful streets in South America. Art Nouveau palaces, Art Nouveau domes, the historic Café Tortoni (No. 825, since 1858, the oldest café in the city — the queue is long, but it's worth it: order a Café con Leche and a Medialuna and enjoy the interior with marble tables, wood paneling, and the spirit of Borges, who was a regular here). At the end of the Avenida: the imposing Congreso building (Argentina's parliament, modeled after the US Capitol).

Stop 3: San Telmo (10:30 AM)

Turn south into Calle Defensa. Browse the antique shops (open on weekdays too), explore the Mercado de San Telmo for an early lunch (empanadas and coffee at the counter). At Plaza Dorrego, locals sit in cafés under the plane trees — on Sundays, tango couples dance here, on weekdays it's quieter and more intimate.

Stop 4: Parque Lezama (12:00 PM)

The park at the border between San Telmo and La Boca. Here, Pedro de Mendoza is said to have founded Buenos Aires in 1536 (a monument commemorates this). The Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa (Russian Orthodox Church) with its blue onion domes is a surprising sight. The park itself is quiet during the week — full of families on weekends.

Stop 5: La Boca & Caminito (12:30 PM)

Continue to La Boca to the colorful Caminito. Take photos, watch the tango-posing dancers at work (tips expected, approx. 500–1,000 ARS per photo). Don't buy food here! (overpriced and bad). Optional: Museo Benito Quinquela Martín (above the Caminito, great harbor scene paintings, 2€ entry) and/or La Bombonera (museum + stadium tour, worth seeing even without a game).

Stop 6: Return via Puerto Madero (2:30 PM)

By taxi or colectivo (bus 29 or 152) to Puerto Madero. Walk over the Puente de la Mujer, past the Reserva Ecológica. Sunset drink in one of the restaurants at the docks, then dinner in Palermo (taxi, approx. 3,000 ARS).