Best Bike Tours in Buenos Aires

Argentina is a city of great culture, ingrained gastronomy, sophisticated architecture and memorable history, leaving plenty of things to see and do in Buenos Aires, its capital. If you fancy experiencing the best it has to offer, then I assure you that a bike tour is one of the most enjoyable ways to do so.

Bike culture is part of everyday life for Argentinians, so why not experience Buenos Aires like the locals? In this article you will learn about the best routes with advantages and disadvantages, the neighbourhoods you can't miss and the average prices. Whether you're a regular cyclist or an amateur, here's something for everyone to explore Buenos Aires on two wheels.

With the tour getting to know Buenos Aires by bike you can enjoy an overview of the capital with its contrasting neighbourhoods, squares, parks and monuments. The starting point of this adventure is the picturesque neighbourhood of San Telmo, where you will cycle through the narrowest streets of the area, surrounded by the Museum of Modern Art, the Casa Minima, the Solar de French Gallery and many other sites with charming architecture and cultural value.

The next stop is the famous football stadium La Bombonera followed by the picturesque houses of the Caminito in the heart of the old port of La Boca. Afterwards, the group continues through the trendy Puerto Madero, the newest and most sophisticated area of the city.

At midday, some operators include lunch or an hour's break to recharge your batteries in an area with a variety of restaurants with options for all diets. You then return to the road to move on to the Ecological Reserve, where the feeling of serenity and tranquillity intoxicates and energises the spirit.

Then it's time to visit the Plaza de Mayo. Here, you will see the old Cabildo (city hall), the Catedral Primada de Buenos Aires, which was the former residence of Pope Francis, and the Casa Rosada (Pink House). This square is an emblematic place for Argentinians, as it has been the scene of many transcendental events in the country's history. And that's not all.

In the afternoon you can also visit the neighbourhoods: El Retiro, Palermo and you border the cemetery, which are some of the best things to do in La Recoleta, before returning to your point of origin.

Details of interest

• Price: from 32 € per person.
• Duration: 4-7 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: expert guide service in your language, lunch of typical Argentinean dish, bottled water and bike and helmet rental service.
• Means of transport: manual, electric or bamboo bicycle.
• Pros: it is the most complete tour and covers the north, centre and south of Buenos Aires.
• Cons: Sometimes groups can be large.

This half day tour invites you to get to know another perspective of Buenos Aires, it is about cycling surrounded by eclectic, modern and often transgressive street art pieces that portray the contemporary history of Buenos Aires in inhospitable places of the city, surrounded by many of the best museums of Buenos Aires.

Together with your local guide, you will cycle through little visited neighbourhoods, tracing the connection between labels and art, the architecture of the city and the expressions that give voice to the voiceless.

During the tour, you'll photograph some of Buenos Aires ' most impressive street art such as the colourful Cuartos de colores mural by author Gonzalo Prieto, the beautiful flower mural, the hugging girls by Juli Casas and Mar Bou and plants Mural cabernet by artist Josefina Di Nucci, and the famous Pared collage, a large wall filled with stickers, paintings and memorable phrases from local culture.

During the tour, your guide will share with you the history and anecdotes behind each artwork in spaces such as the Mugica neighbourhood, San Telmo and the Barracas neighbourhood, giving you a better understanding of the role of urban art in the city.

Interesting details

• Price: from €78 per person.
• Duration: 2 - 4 hours.
• Timetable: morning and afternoon.
• What may be included in the tour: expert urban art guide service in your language. bike and helmet rental.
• Means of transport: hand, electric or bamboo bike.
• Pros: The groups are small and offer a different view of the country's artistic tradition.
• Cons: itineraries vary considerably between operators as avant-garde art is constantly changing. No food or drink included.

This half-day cycling tour of Buenos Aires takes you through the historical, architectural and natural heart of the belle époque Latin capital to the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas where a metallic jewel awaits you.

You will begin your adventure in downtown Buenos Aires, where you will experience the vibrant energy of the city's financial district, just 3 kilometres from the Microcentro. The area in question is Retiro, where you will be impressed by the majesty of the palaces and emblematic buildings of the Belle Époque, while exploring Plaza San Martin, the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, the Military Circle, the Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires, the Monumental Tower and its surroundings.

Next stop is in the Recoleta neighbourhood, a district known for its historic cemetery, cafes, ice cream parlours, museums and monuments such as the Floralis Generica, an impressive metal flower that opens its petals in the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas. From there, you'll continue north to Palermo, home to Buenos Aires' only religious theme park, which brings together gardens, hippodrome galleries, the largest Islamic temple in Latin America and the Galileo Galilei Planetarium.

But the real jewel of the tour is in the parks and at the Palermo Rose Garden, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush greenery and natural beauty. There you will take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the breathtaking views and tranquillity of this unique natural space.

On the way back, you will stop at the Plaza del Congreso, one of the most important meeting points of the city, where you will have the opportunity to admire the impressive building that represents the legislative power of Buenos Aires. After 4 hours of cycling adventure, you return to the starting point with an unforgettable experience and a new appreciation for the history, architecture and nature of Buenos Aires.

Details of interest

• Price: from 32 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: guide service with expert cyclist in your language. Bike and helmet rental.
• Means of transport: hand bike.
• Pros: the group is small, the price is cheap and it evokes the nostalgia of the city among a variety of the best buildings of Buenos Aires.
• Cons: only includes the bike ride, no food or drinks included. You'll probably want to spend more time in this area if your interest leans towards 19th century architecture.

A Buenos Aires South Day Bicycle Tour is the perfect adventure for those who wish to explore the historical centre of the city, including its Afro-Argentine roots, amidst a network of emblematic streets. The adventure usually starts in San Telmo, the oldest neighbourhood. Here, you will be able to see how time has stood still since the beginning of the 20th century, preserving the splendour of its historic centre, which still retains the Creole mystique of the Porteños.

From there, the group moves on to Lezama Park, one of the natural lungs of the city where you can learn about the founding of Buenos Aires, immigration stories with the National Historical Museum as the centrepiece of the section.

You then cycle to the edge of La Boca, where you can admire La Bombonera, the famous football stadium of Boca Juniors, one of the most popular teams in Argentina. Afterwards, you continue past traditional mansions and parishes to reach the colourful area of "El Caminito", which used to be the first port of Buenos Aires and is now a neighbourhood full of local artists, antiques and handicrafts.

After leaving the old town, you advance with the group to Puerto Madero, the second port of the city, which has evolved to become the most avant-garde and eclectic neighbourhood in Argentina. Here, you will see the evolution of the city through its architecture and impressive buildings that have redefined the city's skyline with the female figure at the heart of the change.

Then it's time to head to the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, a nature reserve that occupies 350 hectares between the city and the Río de la Plata. Here, you can enjoy the nature and tranquillity of this green oasis. The last stop of the tour is the Plaza de Mayo, where the city of Buenos Aires was founded in 1580.

Interesting details

• Price: from 32 € per person.
• Duration: 4 - 5 hours.
• Schedule: morning.
• What the tour may include: guide service with expert cyclist in Spanish. Bike and helmet rental.
• Means of transport: hand bike.
• Pros: it is quite a complete tour and the groups are small (maximum 8 people), which makes the tour more enjoyable.
• Cons: no food, drinks or entrance fees to any monument are included.

Do you want to explore the historic centre of Buenos Aires and get to know one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods of the city? Then you can't miss this half-day bike tour through downtown and La Boca. The tour usually starts in San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods of the city where its flea market is an unmissable icon on Sundays. On this stretch you will see its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture.

Afterwards, you will continue to Puerto Madero, the most modern neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, where women who have played an important role in the history of Argentina are honoured in its streets. Here you will enjoy breathtaking views of the harbour and the city's skyscrapers.

And once you leave the sophistication of the harbour, you will cycle inland to La Boca, one of the most colourful and authentic neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires. There, you can visit "El Caminito", a colourful pedestrian street, full of handicraft shops and restaurants where you can taste the typical food of the city. Also, you can't miss a visit to La Bombonera stadium, home of the famous Boca Juniors football team.

During the whole tour, you will have the opportunity to listen to the interesting commentary of your guide, who will tell you everything you need to know about the history, culture and people of Buenos Aires. Also, the use of the cycling equipment is included, so you won't have to worry about anything.

Interesting details

• Price: from 32,5 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Timetable: morning.
• What the tour may include: local expert guide service in your language. Bicycle rental service with helmets.
• Means of transport: hand bike.
• Pros: the tour route is quite convenient, the price is cheap and they usually ride in small groups which enhances the experience by making it more personalised.
• Cons: It does not usually include lunch, snacks or water.

Traditional, contemporary and hipster neighbourhoods converge in Buenos Aires. If there was a capital that inspired the phrase " variety is the spice of life", it was surely the Argentinean capital and these are its reference neighbourhoods:

San Telmo

San Telmo, known for its history, culture and gastronomy. Here you can learn about the city's past and see how it has evolved over time. You can also visit some of the most famous places in Buenos Aires such as Plaza Dorrego or the San Telmo Market.

If you want to get out of the city by bike, but be close enough that you don't have to go too far from your base, this tour is perfect for you!

Puerto Madero

If you want to explore the modern side of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero is the answer. This trendy neighbourhood offers beautiful views of the city skyline and its famous port. Here the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, inspired by the city's historical past and the nature of the place, designed the famous Puente de la Mujer in 2001.

In addition, you'll find a variety of other beautiful and interesting sites such as the Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat Art Collection, the Faena Art Centre and not to mention its ecological reserve, a visual delight.

La Boca

La Boca is a historic and culturally enriching neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. It is home to the famous football stadium La Bombonera and the Caminito, where you will find local artisans and artists. It is a must-see for those who wish to experience authentic Argentine culture.

San Nicolas

San Nicolás is a historic neighbourhood of Buenos Aires that is home to some of the city's most emblematic buildings, such as the Teatro Colón and the Galerías Pacífico. It also has an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars that make it perfect for strolling around.