Buenos Aires – Plaza de Mayo
Day 17 / 2/28/2026
Today marked the end of our Patagonian adventure. The plan was to catch an early morning flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city. Although we wanted to see Buenos Aires, it was also the easiest route towards Iguazu Falls, as there was no simple way to get there directly from El Calafate other than perhaps travelling via Rio, which we would be visiting on the way home.
Visiting Buenos Aires
Although we had already spent an afternoon in Santiago at the start of the trip, Buenos Aires felt like our first proper chance to slow down and walk around a major South American capital. We had been a little concerned about security in the bigger cities before travelling, particularly with Rio still to come later in the journey. In Buenos Aires, though, we felt comfortable walking around the central areas we visited, including Plaza de Mayo, Avenida de Mayo and Plaza del Congreso. As always in a large city we were sensible and aware of our surroundings, but it was reassuring to find that our first real city wander after Patagonia felt much more relaxed than we had perhaps expected.
Photo Diary
We had allowed the usual two hours before check-in, only to discover that security did not open until an hour before our flight!
Our Aerolíneas Argentinas flight waiting at El Calafate airport, marking the end of the Patagonia part of the trip and the start of our journey to Buenos Aires.
El Calafate to Buenos Aires
Route prepared with FOSSGIS OSRM. Report a map issue.
Plaza de Mayo is the historic heart of Buenos Aires and one of the most important civic spaces in Argentina. Framed by landmarks such as the Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo, the square has been the setting for many of the country’s defining political moments, from independence-era events to modern demonstrations and public gatherings.
Plaza de Mayo, with the Casa Rosada in the background, felt like the historic heart of Buenos Aires and a very different scene after Patagonia.
The Argentine flag flying above Plaza de Mayo, a fitting sight in the historic and political heart of Buenos Aires.
The Casa Rosada, Argentina’s presidential palace, overlooking Plaza de Mayo in the centre of Buenos Aires.
The historic Cabildo on Plaza de Mayo, one of the key buildings linked to Argentina’s independence era.
Looking across Plaza de Mayo towards the surrounding civic buildings, with the clock tower rising above the trees and ornate street lamps.
One of the main buildings on Plaza de Mayo is the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. From the outside it looks more like a grand civic building than a traditional cathedral, with its classical columns facing onto the square. Inside, though, it feels much more recognisably church-like, with ornate chapels, religious artwork and the tomb of General José de San Martín, one of Argentina’s most important historical figures.
Inside the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, where the grand interior feels very different from its more classical exterior on Plaza de Mayo.
The tomb of General José de San Martín inside the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, guarded by ceremonial soldiers in one of the cathedral’s most important spaces.
Looking up into the decorated dome of the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, one of the details that made the interior far grander than the outside suggests.
Back at the hotel, we had a rest before heading out again later that evening. We walked up towards Plaza del Congreso, partly to see a little more of the city and partly with the vague intention of finding somewhere for dinner.
Plaza del Congreso is one of Buenos Aires’ grand civic squares, set in front of the impressive Argentine National Congress building. Compared with Plaza de Mayo, it felt a little less formal and more lived-in, with people passing through, sitting in the gardens and traffic moving around the edges of the square.
After a wander around, we kept things simple and stopped at a local parrilla al paso. It turned out to be an excellent choice: a freshly cooked steak sandwich, eaten without any fuss, and absolutely delicious.
Palacio Barolo on Avenida de Mayo, one of Buenos Aires’ most distinctive buildings and an impressive sight on the walk through the city.
An evening walk through Plaza del Congreso, a grand but lived-in square that made a pleasant route from the hotel.
Sunset over Plaza del Congreso, with the National Congress building framed by the gardens and evening sky.
After a fairly relaxed wander, we headed back to the hotel, ready for a full day of sightseeing the next day.