Mar del Plata

When arriving into Buenos Aires, you would normally hear the taxis horns honking as they weave in and out of the traffic and you would normally see hundreds of people rushing around the Microcentro on their way to work. This Thursday and Friday is a little different.

The 8th December is a Catholic National Holiday called the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. As this festival is non-movable, this year it falls on a Thursday meaning, the Friday is also made into a holiday known as, the National Tourists Day. The Porteños migrate to the beaches of Uruguay or the coastal region of Mar del Plata, leaving the city free for you to explore and enjoy. Here are some ideas of things to do over the extended weekend.

Sightsee around the beautiful city:
Start off at the Teatro Colón and walk down the widest avenue in the world, 9 de Julio and stop off at the impressive Obelisk. Head over to Plaza de Mayo to see the Houses of Parliament (Pink House) and end up at the graceful ‘Woman’s Bridge’ in the trendiest and most modern area of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero. Here you can sit back and relax next to the beautiful docks. It would roughly take 40minutes to an hour to do this walking tour of the must see landmarks in Buenos Aires. Click here to see a route of your walking tour.

Things To Do over the extended weekend.1. Mar del Plata 2. Bosques de Palermo 3. MALBA

Top up that all important tan:
If you want to relax, Buenos Aires on a National Holiday is the perfect place to do this. Go to one of the many beautiful parks in Palermo such as, Bosques de Palermo or the Botanical Gardens and sit back, relax and soak up the rays. If you are going to one of the parks, make sure you don’t forget your sun cream, water and of course, to ensure you look the part, your mate.

El Ateneo Library

It’s too hot to do anything:
That’s where you are wrong. Head to one of the many air-conditioned museums in Buenos Aires and see why Buenos Aires is known as the capital of culture in Latin America. All the museums are free on National Holidays, so take advantage and go to the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA) or the Faena Arts Centre in Puerto Madero. Grab a book and sit down on the chairs provided or at the cafe in the most impressive and beautiful library, El Ateneo Gran Splendid.

Otherwise, get those last few Christmas presents at one of the modern shopping centres in Buenos Aires such as, Alto Palermo or Abasto Shopping Centre which have many of the famous brands as well as having fantastic food on offer.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the weather in a calmer Buenos Aires and start exploring this amazing city!