Cafe Tortoni

The Cafe Tortoni is an establishment that is the epitome of Argentinian cafe culture founded by a French immigrant in 1858. Its design and architecture took inspiration from French cafes, and it was recognised as one of the top ten most beautiful cafes in the world and throughout its history, it received many popular figures in politics, music, sports, and more.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Buenos Aires
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza de Mayo is the most emblematic square and the main foundational centre of the city of Buenos Aires. It has witnessed many moments of huge historical value for Argentina such as the May Revolution, which the square was named after.
Cabildo
The Cabildo de Buenos Aires is the former colonial town hall that witnessed epic debates during the May Revolution of 1810. It used to be the former seat of the council in the colonial era and It was built in 1751. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, part of the building was demolished to widen the Avenues that run on the laterals.
Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires
The Catedral Metropolitana is an important Catholic Church in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Obelisco
The Obelisco of Buenos Aires is a historical monument built in 1936 to conmemorate the first foundation of the city.
Manzana de las Luces
One of the earliest sites in the city, with accessible Jesuit-built tunnels.
Museo Mundial del Tango
A compact museum focused on Argentina’s most popular dance.

Related Tours

Historic Buenos Aires: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Explore the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, 'the Paris of Latin America' on a half-day walking tour where you will learn about the historic and cultural highlights of Argentina's capital with your own private tour guide.

On your private tour you will:

  • Take a stroll around Plaza de Mayo, an iconic 19th-century square in Buenos Aires that has witnessed remarkable moments throughout Argentina's history;
  • Step into the magnificent Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, where Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, led mass as Archbishop until 2013;
  • Travel back in time to the Cabildo, a public building in Buenos Aires, which used to be the seat of the Spanish coloniser's city council;
  • Walk by Casa Rosada, where Argentina's president holds office, and find out the origin of its colour;
  • Visit Museo del Bicentenario, also known as Museo Casa Rosada, inaugurated in 2011 to commemorate 200 years since Argentina's May Revolution;
  • Visit San Ignacio Church (Iglesia de San Ignacio de Loyola), built by a Jesuit architect to honour Saint Ignatius, the founder of the order;
  • Dive into the oldest bookstore in Buenos Aires, Libreria de Ávila, opened in 1777 by Professor Francisco Salvio Marull;
  • Step into one of Buenos Aires’ great culinary icons: Café Tortoni, inaugurated in 1858 and famous for its delicious hot chocolate and churros!;
  • Learn about Argentine politics from the 19th century to the current day at the Congreso de la Nacion Argentino.


A city famous for its faded colonial grandeur with Spanish, French, and Italian architecture, the buzz and colour of its local neighbourhoods, a complex and dramatic political past, its steaks, nightlife, classical and street art, live music and of course, the tango! Buenos Aires is a melting pot of cultures, and on your tour, you will explore the highlights this incredible city has to offer with your expert private guide.

Your tour begins in the historic and iconic Plaza de Mayo, where you’ll learn about a number of remarkable moments in Argentina’s history. Several major landmarks surround the Plaza including the Casa Rosada (the presidential palace and seat of the government) the Cabildo (the city council during the colonial era), the May Pyramid, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires – whose most famous cardinal is the current Pope Francis, the city hall, the financial district and the Equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano.

You will hear about Madres y Abuelas (Mothers and Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo, an NGO of women who campaign for the safe return of their relatives taken during a dark period of Argentina's history – the Dirty War. On April 30th in 1977, they gathered for the first time in this historic square to demand the safe delivery of their children and grandchildren who had been kidnapped, tortured and disappeared by the military dictatorship.

The Cabildo is an iconic building in Argentinian history that was the centre of the 1810 May Revolution. Walking around the square, you will learn about the importance of the surrounding buildings and their role in the past two centuries, as your guide will tell you the tales of SI, the state intelligence service, and Argentina’s tumultuous financial history.

Stopping at the presidential palace of Casa Rosada, you will venture into the catacombs of the old colonial fort, now the Museo del Bicentenario; a place where presidential memorabilia stands alongside old finds from Buenos Aires’ colonial past.

Walking down Avenida de Mayo you will step inside the iconic Café Tortoni; a place synonymous with Argentinian delicacies – hot chocolate and churros – and with a history going back to 1858.

Your last stop will be the Congreso de la Nacion Argentino. Situated as a counterweight to the Casa Rosada at the end of the Avenida de Mayo, it is where Argentine lawmakers meet and deliberate. A fantastic place to learn about the multiple deviations of Argentine politics, and to find out why Eva Peron, known more commonly as Evita – “Don’t cry for me Argentina”, is still so popular here!

*Please note: the museum is only open on weekends. This is a minor part of your tour, and your guide will substitute it with other equally impressive attractions. However, if you wish to visit the museum with a guide, be sure to book a weekend tour. 
One Day in Buenos Aires: Private Full-Day Walking Tour

Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in Latin America due to its art nouveau buildings, cobblestone streets, contemporary culture, nightlife and amazing food.

On your private full-day tour you will:

  • Explore Plaza de Mayo, a remarkable 19th-century square in Buenos Aires that has been the scene of the most important moments of Argentina's history since the 19th century;
  • Discover Casa Rosada, Argentina's presidential palace, and see the balcony where Evita gave her most famous speech;
  • Step into the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, where Jorge Bergoglio (now known as Pope Francis) led mass as Archbishop of Buenos Aires until 2013;
  • See the Cabildo, a public building in Buenos Aires that was originally built in the 16th century, and used to be the seat of the Spanish government during the colonial era;
  • Enjoy one of Buenos Aires’ great culinary icons: Café Tortoni, inaugurated in 1858 and visited by many renowned people such as Carlos Gardel, Albert Einstein, Federico Garcia Lorca and Robert Duvall among others;
  • Drive by the Obelisco, one of the most famous landmarks of Buenos Aires inaugurated in 1836 and the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires opera house, known as one of the best 5 theatres in the world because of its amazing acoustics;
  • Explore the beautiful Recoleta neighbourhood, one of the most emblematic of Buenos Aires, home to the famous Cementerio de la Recoleta (Recoleta’s Cemetery), Facultad de Derecho and the Floralis Generica, the perfect photo stop on your trip.


Buenos Aires is a special place; a blend of Europe in South America reflected in its striking architecture and cultural background mixed with enchanting Latin charm. Formerly one of the richest cities in the world, your private full-day tour will ensure you see, experience and absorb all the highlights of this vibrant city.

Your tour will start at Plaza de Mayo – the central hub of Buenos Aires that has a special place in Argentina’s consciousness. Starting with the once infamous Cabildo, your private guide will take you back in time for a taste of the revolutionary sentiment in the air when it was the focal point of the May Revolution in 1810.

Walking through the square to the oldest political monument in Argentina, the Piramide de Mayo (May Pyramid), you will hear the stories of the surrounding buildings; including the classical Catedral Metropolitana where Pope Francis was the archbishop until 2013.

The jewel of the square though is most the Casa Rosada (Pink House). This presidential mansion has been the scene of many famous moments in Argentina’s history, not least Eva Peron’s speech addressing the “shirtless”; an event featured in the film ‘Evita’ where she was played by Madonna.

You’ll then take a stroll through Avenida de Mayo, experiencing Argentine café culture at its finest at Café Tortoni. This unique establishment feels like a little piece of Paris in Buenos Aires and has been a great place to unwind since it was founded in 1858. Famous for its delicious hot chocolate and churros!

Your tour will take in iconic places like the Obelisco, where you’ll be able to admire the majestic architecture of the Teatro Colon and hear about the thriving cultural life of Buenos Aires. Your last stop will be the Recoleta neighbourhood with its famous Cementerio de la Recoleta (Recoleta’s cemetery), a vast and brooding necropolis, a haven for the city’s wild cats, that holds tombs with many interesting stories. 

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