First stop on the Buenos Aires Bike Tour, the famous Plaza Dorrego

Setting off on these small vehicles is highly practical in heavy traffic, when seeing Buenos Aires otherwise becomes a great difficulty. At the beginning of the classic Buenos Aires bike tour everyone is given a bottle of water for the journey and there are guides at the front and at the back to make it a more safe and enjoyable ride.

A great way to see the city with friends

With each of the 15-20 minute stops being as enjoyable as the last, the route continues towards the legendary stadium “La Bombonera“, which is the football stadium of the famous Bocas Juniors team, before moving on towards the neighbourhood of La Boca with it’s colourful Caminito. Here, you park your bikes and begin a pleasant walk with 30 minutes free time to wander around this typical porteño neighborhood with its colours, dancers and captivating music.

La Boca with all its charm and colour

The classic Buenos Aires bike tour route continues towards the most modern part of Buenos Aires, the neighbourhood of Puerto Madero, where, outside of the city, you take the dirt roads of the Reserva Ecológica (Ecological Reserve) to the river for another relaxing and exotic stop. The ride continues in the heart of the neighborhood facing the famous “Woman’s Bridge,” El Puente de la Mujer.

The Ecological Reserve in the neighborhood of Puerto Madero, a moment of calm

This excellent Buenos Aires bike tour finishes in Plaza de Mayo, another very famous spot in Buenos Aires where La Casa Rosada (the “Pink House”), home of the government is located, along with the headquarters of the country’s national bank, Banco de la Nación Argentina.

Setting off from the famous Plaza de Mayo

Overall, the classic Buenos Aires bike tour is a pleasant ride and experience which can be achieved by absolutely anyone. It is slightly tiring, but by no means too difficult, as there are many stops and it’s all along flat ground. It’s a really interesting tour to do with family or friends, as well as being a great way to see the city from a different angle on these beautiful wintery days. Some tips before pedalling: cover up because the wind can be chilly, so wear appropriate walking shoes, and take a hoodie or jacket so you can cover up should it start to rain. Thanks to La Bicicleta Naranja for inviting us along on their bike ride! Visit our website for more Buenos Aires bike tours

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1. El Cabildo: Colonial Council

Used as the seat of government during colonial times, the Cabildo is now a museum displaying information and artifacts from the history of the city. It was completed in 1610, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. When you visit, enter through the door facing Plaza de Mayo and wander through its rooms before exiting via a courtyard in the back. Don’t miss the upstairs levels, where you can find nice views of the surrounding areas!

The Buenos Aires Cabildo: formerly the city council, now a history museum

2. Catedral Metropolitana: Metropolitan Cathedral

From intricately tiled floors to ornate gilded altars to lofty stained-glass windows, the home institution of the Pope is one of the most stunning buildings you can explore in this area. The outstanding architecture includes Roman columns, quite different from Catholic tradition. The serene quiet of the interior of the Catedral Metropolitana is a welcome respite to the commotion of the city. Because of ongoing renovations, you need to walk around the temporary scaffolding before stepping inside to be amazed at the incredible detail that sets this place apart. Don’t miss the tomb of Jose San Martin, who is credited for Argentina’s independence.

Catedral Metropolitana: the main Catholic church in Buenos Aires

3. La Casa Rosada: Pink House

At the back end of the plaza is the sprawling pink building where the Argentine president governs the country. You can know if she’s there at any given time by checking the flag pole above the building: when there are two flags flying, the president is in the house! The reason for the color of La Casa Rosada is debated. Some say the whitewash was mixed with cow’s blood to make it more durable. Romantics prefer to believe the color was chosen symbolically to unite the two opposing political parties at the time, whose respective colors were red and white. You can take a free guided tour of La Casa Rosada in English on Fridays and Saturdays. Make sure to stop by at night, too, because seeing it lit up by florescent lights is quite a different experience!

The “Pink House”: Argentine Governmental Palace

4. La Casa de La Cultura: House of Culture

This spectacular building, located on the corner of Plaza de Mayo and Avenida de Mayo, is both a resource center and a small museum, but it’s also worth visiting for the building’s architecture and history! This French-style building is as old as Avenida de Mayo (circa 1894). It was the headquarters of Argentina’s second-largest newspaper at the time, La Prensa. For this reason, the bronze Athena statue on top of the building remains as a monument to the freedom of the press. Despite how dazzling the exterior is, don’t miss the interior—high gilded ceilings are the highlight. La Casa de La Cultura is the perfect introduction for a classic sightseeing tour across Avenida de Mayo.

The Buenos Aires House of Culture: a spectacular architectural landmark

5. El Banco de la Nacion: Bank of the Argentine Nation

The massive edifice of the Banco de la Nacion represents the strength and might of Argentina’s banking system. The revivalist French neoclassical building was designed in the 1930s, and still wows visitors every day. Hours are 10 to 3 Monday through Friday if you want throw make time to see the impressive interior. Check it out at night, too, when neon lights throw slowly shifting colors on the front. Take note that use of cameras and cell phones is prohibited in Argentine banks!

Banco de la Nación Argentina: the largest state-owned bank in the country’s banking sector

Take our word for it and be sure to make time for these Top 5 landmarks around Plaza de Mayo. Your trip to Buenos Aires won’t be complete without them!

For more landmarks around Plaza de Mayo and other places to visit in Buenos Aires, check out our website.

Happy Travels!
By: Caroline Leland
For: BsAs4u

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Saturday 24^th March 2012 is the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice (Día de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia), one of the most important public holidays for Argentineans as the day commemorates the victims of the military dictatorship. Each year the Day of Remembrance for Truth & Justice is held on the 24^th March to mark the anniversary of the coup d’état in 1976 that brought the military government into power and led to 7 years of cruel dictatorship in Argentina. This 7 year period has many names such as, ‘‘The Dirty War’’, ‘‘The Reign of Terror’’ and ‘‘’The Process’’ (El Proceso) however, its official name was the National Reorganization Process. 

The Dirty War was marked by Argentineans living in constant fear of their lives, with an estimated 30,000 Argentineans disappearing with no trace as they were actively against or, they were simply viewed as opposing the government. Many of the children who ‘disappeared’ during this dictatorship were then adopted into other families. Unlike today, in Argentina’sdemocratic society, all civil rights such as, freedom of expression, justice and voting were eliminated.

“Los desaparecidos“

The public holiday therefore is an issue close and relevant to thousands of Argentineans with those directly linked to ‘los desaparecidos’ or those who believe and support basic rights for truth and justice in society, turn up in their thousands. Around the city of Buenos Aires, people congregate showing their support for justice and go on peaceful marches to ask for justice for their missing loved ones. You will see that many people carry photos of ‘los desaparecidos’ and it is an extremely powerful and emotional experience as the crowds display a mix of sadness and anger.

Pepople supporting at Plaza de Mayo

Two important groups at the centre of this Public Holiday are the Madres de Plaza de Mayo who march around the Piramide de Mayo in Plaza de Mayo every Thursday at either 3.30pm or 5.00pm demanding information on the whereabouts of their love one as well as a sort of symbolism that the events that took place during the Dirty War should never take place again. Las Madres march with white handkerchiefs on their heads with the names of their missing ones written on them. The second group is the well-known Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo who use DNA technology to find people who were taken as children or babies during the dictatorship and adopted into other families. The two groups have put pressure and are making progress with the current Argentine government to take steps to bring to justice those responsible of the atrocities.

 

Abuelas and Madres of Plaza de Mayo

candombe groups

 

Things to do on Day of Remembrance for Truth & Justice:

• On Thursday 22^nd March 2012, the Madres de Plaza de Mayo will march as they have done for nearly 35 years at Plaza de Mayo at 3.30pm.

• On Saturday 24th March, the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice March begins at 1.00pm, with all the social organizations meeting at Congreso. At 3.00pm they will all leave Congreso and head for Plaza de Mayo. Click here to see the route of the March.

• There is no better time than to go on a political city tour of Buenos Aires in order to get an overall view and understanding ofArgentina’s political and social struggle from the last 50 years.

• Visit a bookstore such as, the beautiful El Ateneo Grand Splendid and look for a book called, “Nunca Más” (Never Again). Published in 1986, it provides accounts about the atrocities that went on during the dictatorship. 

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Running along side of Avenida 9 de Julio are a number of landmark and attractions. Here are our top 5 landmarks to see along Avenida 9 de Julio (located north to south)

1.  The French Embassy: An architectural masterpiece with ornate balconies and a domed roof, it is a perfect example of European architecture which gave Buenos Aires the nickname of ‘‘The Paris of South America’’.

 

2.   Teatro Colón: Considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Buenos Aires and one of the world’s top 5 best concert halls acoustically, the Teatro Colón has had famous opera singers such as, Pavarotti and Callas perform there, as well as, world famous ballet dancers such as, Nureyev dazzling audiences. If you get the chance whilst visiting Buenos Aires, you must go and see a performance at the theatre. Click here to see upcoming 2012 performances.

 

3.    Obelisco: At the very centre of the avenue where it crosses with Avenida de Mayo, is one of Buenos Aires’ most famous and recognised landmarks. The 70m high, white, needle-like structure was constructed to commemorate Buenos Aires’ 400^th Anniversary and is today the focal point for the Porteño celebrations and the starting point of many of the political demonstrations.

 

4.  Avenida de Mayo: The intersection with Avenida 9 de Julio is one of the most historical landmarks in the whole of Buenos Aires as the two most important streets in Buenos Aires meet. Avenida de Mayo runs directly to the Parliamentary Congreso buildings making the intersection the starting point of the majority of political demonstrations that take place in Buenos Aires.

 

 

5.   Don Quijote de la Mancha Statue: The statue was a gift from Spain in 1980 to celebrate Buenos Aires’ 400 year Anniversary. However, the statue has been at the centre of controversy as many artists and residents of Buenos Aires consider the statue to be ugly, poorly located and irrelevant to the history of Argentina. Make sure you pay a visit to this statue of controversy in Buenos Aires.

 

 

Whilst visiting Avenida 9 de Julio during your stay in Buenos Aires make sure you do not further south and discover that this is not just the widest street in the world but an extraordinary avenue home to some of the most important and stunning landmarks located in Buenos Aires.

 

All pics are from FLICKR

 

If you are looking for tours and activities in Buenos Aires during the summer, visit our official website

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