El Ateneo Grand Splendid is an absolutely stunning bookstore set inside a grand former opera house…read more While you might see beautiful pictures online, they honestly do not do this place justice. It's so much more breathtaking in real life. The building miraculously retains many of its original theatrical details, including the intricate moldings, grand balconies, heavy curtains, and gorgeous ceiling artwork. The original stage has even been transformed into a Havana café, which is a fantastic touch. Even though I don't read much in Spanish, I absolutely loved just walking around and taking in the sheer scale and beauty of the architecture. You have the freedom to roam around the majority of the space, and you can even grab a spot on one of the many balconies to sit, relax, and read if you wish. If you are visiting Buenos Aires, stopping by to take a look is an absolute must. Highly recommended!

While out with friends, I took them up on the opportunity to stop by this bookstore with a unique…read morehistory of having been a theater (Teatro Gran Splendid, 1919). As a bookstore, it has kept the stage and ceiling mural paying homage to its theatre origins. It is beautiful and was quite the thing to see in person. We spent about 30-40 minutes perusing through the bookstore, and it was very crowded. Notably the children's section and classic music are located on the lower level. There is a fee to access the third floor, we did not do this. We also didn't purchase anything from the bookstore or the cafe so I cannot rate this. I did briefly consider purchasing postcards. Although, this wasn't our primary target for the outing of the day, it was worth slightly adjusting our schedule and walking route to stop in to see this beautiful place that brings its history right into its present.

Fantastic building, needs to be visited. Around the building, there's a museum of the "Argentine…read moreComic Strip" and statues of great Argentinian writers (JL Borges and others).

This building is a stunning example of Brutalist architecture. It genuinely looks like a sci-fi,…read moresteampunk fortress. The exterior is incredibly striking and is definitely the main reason to visit. If you decide to go inside, know that there is quite a bit of security. Entry is free, but you need an ID to get a keycard for the turnstiles (you drop it back in when you leave). The interior layout is a bit odd. There are some art exhibits you can wander through, and a main reading room on the 7th floor filled with students, though you need to request an extra ticket inside which is also free, to access that restricted area. Overall, the inside wasn't super interesting to me, but the exterior architecture alone makes it worth the trip.