As Argentina enters into its summer season, bustling and vibrant Buenos Aires heads outdoors with locals and travelers alike exploring the Argentina’s capital’s beautiful parks, gardens, and an 865-acre protected eco-reserve. As a leading cultural destination in Latin America, there are countless ways to enjoy Buenos Aires’ rich literary tradition, festivals, theatres (including the world-famous Teatro Colón), and historic cafés whilst soaking in the sunshine.
Buenos Aires by Bike
With over 165 miles of bike lanes and the Ecobici bike share program that offers travelers various membership packages to choose from depending on length of use, biking is also a great way to explore Buenos Aires; its eclectic architecture, majestic parks, riverfront, and main attractions.
Costanera Norte, a coastal corridor, is ideal for a bike ride along the Río de la Plata (River Plate), the world’s widest river. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat along the way, from upscale restaurants to the carritos along the riverfront serving choripan (classic chorizo sandwich).
Public Parks
The Bosques de Palermo – The city’s largest park is always full of locals enjoying a walk, run, or bike ride through the green spaces or by the park’s lakes. Don’t miss the Rosedal (the rose garden) with over 8,000 roses from 93 different species.
Parque Lezama – One of the city’s oldest parks used to be the private gardens of an Argentinian aristocratic family. It’s appreciated for its hilly walkways and sculptures, as well as its close proximity to some of the city’s historic cafés and the emblematic blue domes of the Russian Orthodox cathedral.
Parque Centenario – For travelers looking to immerse themselves into the daily life of a typical Buenos Aires neighborhood, Parque Centenario with its 30 acres of green spaces and lake is a haven for joggers and outdoor exercise enthusiasts. The park also hosts a daily book fair as well as a more extensive arts, crafts, and vintage clothing fair on weekends.
The City’s Oasis
The largest and most biodiverse green space in the city, the Reserva Ecológica is an oasis of calm, and a haven for wildlife on the city’s riverfront framed by the modern skyscrapers of Puerto Madero in the background. The reserve is home to numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as over 500 species of native vegetation including meadows of pampas grass, forests of alder trees and the cockspur coral tree, Argentina's national flower.
Street Art Walks
Buenos Aires is one of the world’s greatest cities for street art. Colorful murals – from homages to cultural figures to scenes depicting political satire - adorn the sides of buildings in numerous neighborhoods throughout the city. The world’s longest mural painted by a single artist can also be found in Buenos Aires: El Regreso de Quinquela, a 21,500 sq ft tribute to Argentine painter Benito Quinquela Martin.
Additional information on travel to Argentina is available at argentina.travel.
Photography by: Visit Argentina