Avenida de Mayo (May Avenue), Buenos Aires

May Avenue is under a mile long and filled with Argentine history and sophisticated architecture. The avenue, inaugurated in 1894, was named in honor of the May Revolution of 1810. It stretches from May Square to Argentina’s National Congress, serving as one of the city’s most symbolic routes. Several impressive buildings representing a variety of architectural styles line the avenue.

The elegant “The Press” building, designed in Parisian Beaux-Arts style, was completed in 1898 as the headquarters of “The Press” newspaper. Today, it houses the Ministry of Culture. The Roverano Passage, opened in 1918, offers a charming shortcut to the parallel street Hipólito Yrigoyen. Inside this passage, you’ll even find Pope Francis’s former hairdresser—a quirky detail for visitors.

London City Cafe has been a beloved local and tourist spot since 1954. One table is dedicated to author Julio Cortázar, who used to write there over coffee. The former Vera Palace is now El Túnel, an excellent bookstore specializing in rare and unusual titles. Cafe Tortoni, founded in 1858, is the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires, where a coffee—or a glass of cider—feels like stepping back in time.

The Avenida Theater, opened in 1908, hosts opera, theater, and traditional Spanish performances. The Barolo Palace, completed in 1923, is one of the avenue’s most extraordinary landmarks, featuring stunning architecture inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. Finally, the 1910 Inmobiliaria building showcases an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from Art Nouveau to Neoclassical.