Buenos Aires has always been a bucket-list destination for me and when Pauline asked to do a guest post I was all psyched up to hear what she had to say about her favorite city and how to see it in the least touristic way as possible.

by Pauline Davis

Argentina's thriving capital, Buenos Aires, has a population of over 3 million. This busy city is a world-class travel destination. Thinking of traveling to Buenos Aires? Here are some of the things you should know, in my secret guide to the city:

1. You can travel by underground metro

Buenos Aires' subway system is known as El Subte. It opened in the early 1900s, and is a museum as much as a reliable method of travel. Expect to see wonderful mosaics, historic displays and works of art as you pull into stations.

Before traveling, take time to learn how to buy tickets for El Subte, and how to use the trains safely and comfortably.

2. Don't miss a visit to La Boca

La Boca is a colorful neighborhood where artists and creatives can be found around every corner. Street art is commonplace in La Boca, with many of the shops selling fascinating trinkets and wonderfully unique souvenirs. Roam around, enjoy the vibrant colorful balconies and the Caminito Street Museum, which is an open-air museum and market.

3. You can't beat the coffee

Buenos Aires is one of the cities with the best coffee in the world. Don't miss your chance to try the café cortado, which is an espresso with a small amount of hot milk.

You can find many wonderful coffee shops, often serving everyone's favorite morning drink alongside a choice of sweet pastries.

Some amazing coffee shops include Café La Biela, a frequent hangout of Argentine influential writer Jorge Luis Borges.

4. You'll find plenty of reading material

Buenos Aires has more bookshops than any other city in the world, per capita. Admittedly many of the books will be written in Spanish, but even if you don't buy it is certainly worth visiting simply to soak up the atmosphere.

The Ateneo Grand Splendid, in Buenos Aires, is said to be the world's most beautiful bookshop. The shop is built within an old theatre, complete with many of its original features, and has a small number of English language books.

5. You won't want to miss the Jardin Japonés

Beautifully maintained and with spectacular theming, the Jardin Japonés is Buenos Aires' famous Japanese garden. It's the largest in the world outside of Japan, and is situated in the beautiful Palermo neighborhood.

Throughout the year, the Jardin Japonés hosts many Asian festivals. It's well worth seeing if there's a celebration planned during your time in Buenos Aires.

6. Buenos Aires has almost 300 theaters

There are more than 280 theatres in Buenos Aires. In fact, there are more here than in any other city on the globe. Whilst visiting Buenos Aires, consider taking time to watch a theatrical performance. Many of the performances will be in Spanish, which is the most widely spoken language, though you can enjoy music - the world’s universal language - or find an English language performance with a bit of research.

Many people visit Buenos Aires for beautiful scenery, vibrant culture and history. With so much to see, you might want a carefully planned holiday itinerary. Or, simply let inspiration carry you on a spontaneous journey!

About the author

Pauline Davis

Traveling since she was 5, Pauline has had to succumb to a working student life with a long list of travel destinations. For her, everything is a balance act - working, studying, traveling and taking care of her 2 Labradors. Also a budding writer, Pauline expresses her love for both traveling and writing by contributing to a slew of online publications in her spare time.