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Free tour

Free tour Retiro and Recoleta: Aristocratic Buenos Aires

Duration: 2h and 30min
Languages: English, Spanish
Guru: Rodrigo
Quality Verified Registered on August 24, 2020

Hello! I am Rodrigo, born and raised in the amazing city of Buenos Aires. Throughout my life I've also lived in Dublin, Ireland; Copenhagen, Denmark; different parts of Norway; Berlin, Gemany(I have a passion for good weather...) and also in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I have been a tour guide for 10 years and across 3 cities (Buenos Aires, Copenhagen and Berlin, always in English) and also worked in tourism in Norway and Sierra Leone. I really enjoy what I do. I studied political science and journalism, currently I am studying tourism and sustainable development and I also write. I try and mix what I’ve learned in all the places I have lived on my tours so I can tell you a story and make you feel as if you were actually watching it happen. I am enthusiastic, outgoing and love telling stories, anecdotes and sharing my knowledge of the city I live in. And I also like to have fun, so it is not all about history... ask what you want to know! Can do tours in English and Spanish, so get in touch in any of these 2 languages if you have any questions or want a tailor made tour. You can also contact me abou Tango shows and experiences and football matches.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Aristocratic Buenos Aires!
Join me on a walk through two of the most architecturally impressive neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, home to the French-obsessed oligarchic elites of late 1800, who tried to shape Buenos Aires after the French capital.

Discover the glamour and extravagance of the "Paris of South America" by visiting Retiro and Recoleta. The chosen neighbourhoods by Argentina's French-obsessed economic (and oligarchic) elites in the late 1800s and the beginning of the 20th century, where they constructed 60-room French palaces to show off their wealth and power, and competed for fame and influence.
San Martin and his liberations campaigns, the golden age of Argentina, stories of love and revenge that echo through time, quirks, and bizarre facts and habits of Buenos Aires and its people, "los porteños".
Go back into the glamour of the old days, as you learn about Argentina's "Belle Époque", and how their fortunes (and misfortunes) intertwined with the ups and downs of the country throughout the 20th century and all the way until today.

During the tour, we will see: 

  • San Martín Square: 
  1.  - Anchorena Palace 
  2.  - Kavanagh building
  3.  - Paz Palace
  4.  - Monument to José de San Martín (Argentina's main National Hero)
  • The Monumental Tower (formerly known as the British Tower)
  • Arroyo Street
  • Embassy of France
  • Embassy of Brazil
  • Alvear Avenue: home to Argentina's finest palaces


Useful information:

  1. The tour will end at the Plaza Francia, right in front of the Cemetery of Recoleta. 
  2. This tour DOES NOT include the cemetery

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Buenos Aires, C1006 Buenos Aires, Arg...
    Buenos Aires, C1006 Buenos Aires, Argentina
    View on map

    We meet right by the main monument at Plaza San Martin. I have beard, moustache and glasses. I will send a message on the day of the tour to make it easier to recognise me

  • 1
    Outside visit
    monumento al Libertador General San Martín
  • 2
    Outside visit
    Peace Palace
  • 3
    Outside visit
    Kavanagh Building
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto
  • 5
    Outside visit
    Arroyo
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Ambassade de France / Embassy of France
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Embassy of Brazil (Foreign Ministry building)
  • 8
    Outside visit
    Apostolic Nunciature
  • 9
    Outside visit
    Duhau Palace - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
  • 10
    Outside visit
    Residencia Maguire
  • 11
    Outside visit
    Plaza Intendente Torcuato de Alvear

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts reservations up to 20 people.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
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