All this way to get to Buenos Aires. It’s an incredibly long flight from the US and having just 24 hours to explore is tragic. But sometimes schedules can simply not be helped, and so we’re here to help squeeze every ounce of flavor and joy out of 24 hours in Buenos Aires. Here’s a 1-day pre-cruise itinerary to enjoy. Warning: it’s really busy so make sure to get a good night’s rest on the red-eye out.

8:30 AM – Arrive Buenos Aires Ezezia International Airport (EZE)

Flying into Buenos Aires means landing a bit outside the city. Like most major airports, Buenos Aires’ airstrips aren’t in the city center, but about 15 miles Southwest of the city. Hop in a cab to get into the city as soon as you can, it really is the easiest way to get in. A cab will run you about $40 or so, depending on the exchange rate and will take about 45 minutes to get downtown. Don’t forget about Argentina’s “reciprocity fee” which require citizens of some countries to pay an entry fee. For US Citizens it’s about $160. You can pay this fee online before you travel, by the way. For more information on entry/exit requirements, we recommend – as always – visiting the State Department’s travel website, http://travel.state.gov.

10:30 AM –Cementerio De La Recoleta

With the best museums not opening til later in the day, starting by paying your respects to the elite of Argentina makes good sense. The cemetery in Recoleta is a virtual city of the dead and roaming for hours is not unheard of. Don’t forget the camera, and remember to look for Evita’s grave!

12:00 Noon –Feria Artesanal

What’s a vacation without shopping? And the Feria Artesanal is the most popular street market in the city with hundreds of booths and creative souvenirs to purchase and enjoy as you navigate around the mimes and hippies that are all over the fair. You won’t have to walk far from the Cemetery to enjoy the market, either – its just beyond the gates.

1:00 PM – Ice Cream Break!

Buenos Aires has a lot of European influence, including Italian influence – which means great ice cream. With our sweet tooth, we’re just as likely to skip lunch and get a heaping helping of Gelato from “Freddo,” Buenos Aires’ leading ice creamery which locations across the city.

1:15 PM – Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

The National Museum of Fine Arts is one of the top fine art museums in South America featuring works by Renoir, Monet, Gauguin and a whole host of others local and international. Definitely worth a visit, and the museum is even free! More information to the museum can be found by clicking here.

3:30 PM –Plaza de Mayo

This plaza in front of the city’s main Cathedral is important for a lot of reasons. A lot of protests happen here, but the most important still takes place here weekly. Every Thursday at 3:30 PM, the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo gather and march around the square like they have for decades. Until 2006, they marched in resistance of the government to demand an accounting for the thousands of missing sons from Argentina’s “Dirty War” in the 70s and 80s. Although they accomplished their goal of holding the Argentinian government accountable, they still march weekly demanding justice on a whole host of other social issues. It’s not too often that a vacation offers the opportunity to view history, but this is definitely one of those times.

4:00 PM – Catedral Metropolitana

Just outside the Plaza de Mayo, is the main Cathedral of Buenos Aires. It’s significant to Argentina both spiritually and architecturally. Get there by four to get a tour of the Cathedral itself as well as the Crypts below.

6:30 PM – Museo Evita

Head to the Palermo neighborhood to get a chance to see the Eva Peron museum. If she was important enough to get her own Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, a museum had to be in the works too, and it is there for the viewing. Check out her closet as most of her wardrobe is on display at the museum.

8:30 PM – Dinner

It’s not Argentina without a great steak! Pretty much anywhere you are going to go in Argentina, the Parillas will be there, in view, grill in the window and smell in the air enticing you in. We recommend getting either the Lomo or Bife de Chorizo cuts, they tend to do best on the Parilla grill.

10:30 PM – Tango

Tango is the dance that has become both the symbol and the second language of Buenos Aires. It’s a tradition that goes late into the night in Argentina and we can’t think of a better way to bring a very full day in Argentina to a close. Shows can be pricy – tickets can run upwards of $125, so asking the hotel concierge for their suggestions for an affordable tango experience may be the best move.

There are lots of great cruises in and out of Buenos Aires. Plan for your 24 hours in Buenos Aires by checking out the great cruises here.