La Plata
La Plata, Buenos Aires
While Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires province. Its crowning glory is the neo-Gothic Catedral de la Plata that reigns supreme over its central square, Plaza Moreno, and reflects the grandeur of a city whose name translates as “silver.” It’s also famous for its diagonal streets and being a miniature Buenos Aires.
In the top 100 tallest churches in the world, Catedral de la Plata is the city’s indisputable symbol, but it’s not all there is to see. Highlights include Teatro Argentino, second only to Buenos Aires’ Teatro Colon for its architecture and acoustics; Museo de la Plata, a natural history museum home to mummies, dinosaurs, and artifacts from Ancient Egypt; and the green lung of Paseo del Bosque, former marshlands now home to a boating lake and open-air theater. Day trips from the capital typically cover all top attractions, including stress-free round-trip transfers.
With its selection of world-class culture, La Plata is a must for museum fans and those seeking respite from Buenos Aires.
A wide range of accommodation is available in La Plata if you want to stay overnight, with options ranging from luxury to budget.
La Plata is home to a large university. And where there are students, nightlife tends to follow—so bring your dancing shoes if you’re keen on a party.
La Plata is 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Buenos Aires—it takes around one hour to arrive by car via the Au Dr. Ricardo Balbín. You can also take the 129P bus from Avenida 9 de Julio to La Plata—you’ll need a Subte card to board the bus, which you can buy from kiosks around the city with a ‘Subte’ sign.
The best time to visit La Plata and the Buenos Aires province is spring (September through December) and fall (March through May). Summer in the city can be painfully hot, and most residents flee to the coast to escape the heat. But if you can handle the humidity, you’ll feel like you’ve got the city all to yourself.
A favorite summer sojourn among porteños looking to feel a fresh sea breeze, Mar del Plata (Sea of Silver) is just a few hours away from La Plata—and it’s well worth the journey. Unlike in the beef-dominated cities, you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants and golden sands lapped by the Atlantic Ocean. There are even some surfing opportunities along the coast and a vibrant nightlife scene to boot.
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