Buenos Aires · WORKSHOPS
The good hands-on classes fill their tables weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet your hosts at a San Telmo home for a three-hour, hands-on lesson in empanadas, alfajores, and mate. Hosts such as Thomas and Sophia explain the food and customs in English or Portuguese, then sit with you to enjoy the meal. Vegetarian fillings are available.
“Great class! Our hosts were very welcoming and helpful and the food was delicious!”
Spend 60 minutes in a private Buenos Aires studio learning the embrace, tango walk, basic step, ocho, and other essentials. English-speaking instructors including Martin, Joshua, Gabriela, and Luciano teach singles, couples, and private groups. Your confirmed studio location arrives by email, not at the Obelisk.
“We loved our lesson. Joshua was very good at getting us involved and got us to do the basics in one hour. As 2 complete novices we were not expecting much but it has whetted our appetite to try more.”
In Palermo, a native guide such as Carolina, Tomás, or Catalina leads you through Argentine empanadas and dulce de leche alfajores. You mix, fold, bake, and eat what you make, with meat and vegan empanada choices, mate tea, and cultural tips along the way.
“Wonderful activity for all ages. Catalina was fantastic! I’ll be using the recipes at home in the near future.”
At Tango Porteño, steps from the Obelisk, you can take a one-hour beginner tango lesson, enjoy a three-course Argentine meal with wine, and watch a 90-minute stage show at 10 p.m. Choose show-only, dinner, lesson, or transfer options. Smart-casual dress fits the elegant theater.
“Doing the whole experience, including the dance lesson, dinner and show was worth every penny. The dance instructors were phenomenal with the whole family having a great time and learning enough of the tango to be able to 'dance' when we get home. The show was incredible and extra fun to see our instructors performing.”
Spend 60 private minutes learning the embrace, walking, basic steps, ochos, and simple choreography with instructors such as Martin, Joshua, Celeste, or Gabriela. Your studio is arranged near your Buenos Aires hotel, with lessons suited to complete beginners and experienced dancers alike.
“The class was wonderful. Joshua was a wonderful instructor. My Fiancée who couldn’t dance was able to dance the basic at the end of the class. Highly recommended.”
Spend about five days studying Spanish at Expanish Buenos Aires, with 20 group lessons, small classes capped at 12, a first-day orientation, social activities, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and a certificate. Classes welcome beginners through advanced students, though the exact schedule may be confirmed on arrival.
“I really loved my time at Expanish Buenos Aires. I took the 20-hour intensive courses for a period of 4 weeks. I also opted for a homestay (without meals). From the beginning it is encouraged to speak Spanish at school, and therefore my Spanish improved significantly! Really useful for my travels after the school. It's great how the school also emerge you into local live in Buenos Aires. I took part in many of the activities, and it's a great way to get to know the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, meet fellow students and practice your Spanish in a low-key manner. Expanish is not just a school, but an…”
Spend two Saturday hours in an old-style Almagro mansion with Johana Copes and her dance team. You’ll take a relaxed beginner tango class, taste mate, enjoy sweets, and practice with teachers and international classmates. English, Portuguese, and Spanish instruction is available.
“Not enough time with a teacher. The teacher focused mainly on the regular students”
Meet at Vamos Academy in central Buenos Aires for a one-hour English lesson taught entirely in English by a native teacher. Choose conversation, grammar, vocabulary, speaking practice, or exam preparation. Lessons can be individual and tailored to your level, from A1 beginner to C2.
“I really enjoyed my experience at Vamos. Overall, it was wonderful and I'm glad I chose to attend Vamos Academy. Initially, I enrolled in an 8-week intensive group class, but later switched to individual lessons. The group classes were particularly Read more”
Meet Saul at El Arte de Amasar for a one-hour private tango lesson with a local instructor, then spend 3.5 hours cooking Argentine specialties, tasting wine, and eating a three-course meal. The cooking class accommodates up to eight people, with vegetarian options available.
“First, very nice man and nice tango teacher. It would have been a great experience except we had transportation issues getting there and then found out it was not actually a private class. It was our last night in Argentina and we chose this particular class because it was listed as private and we wanted the time alone with our adult kids…when we got there we found out there were two other couples. Although they were nice people and Saul was kind…it was not what was advertised. The teacher stayed extra for us since we were late which was very kind…but if you want a private class make sure and…”
In Palermo, you’ll make traditional Argentine empanadas with a Spanish, English, or Portuguese-speaking guide, then taste Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Guides such as Catalina, Valentin, and Fernando add food, wine, and Buenos Aires tips to this two-hour class.
“This was a great activity given we had limited time in Buenos Aires. Thomas was a great host and everyone moving around the office and table were very friendly. Our final products didnt look great but they were delicious. Thomas' chimichurri was the best we tasted in Argentina. It was exciting learning about empanadas and wine from the different areas of Argentina. Thomas was able to make very good wine and lunch recommendations too. Appreciated the enthusiasm and excitement about Argentina, wine and cooking.”
Meet a private Spanish teacher at Vamos Academy on Viamonte Street for a lesson built around your level and goals. Focus on conversation, writing, vocabulary, professional Spanish, DELE or CELU preparation, and Argentine usage. Materials, facilities, coffee, workshops, tango lessons, and a certificate are included.
“I chose Vamos Academy mainly because of its location. I was staying in the San Telmo area, and the school was just a five-minute walk away. One thing I learned during my search is to be cautious—many other schools don’t list their prices Read more”
Spend about two to two and a half hours with artist Leticia at OWO Ceramics, learning hand-building basics in English or Spanish. Make mugs, candle holders, vases, or your own design while enjoying wine, beer, snacks, music, and a calm studio setting.
“It was so cosy and we had a lot of fun! Would highly reccomend”
Travel 80 km from Buenos Aires for a 9-hour polo day with hotel pickup, professional matches, horse introductions, a foot-mallet lesson, riding practice, a mini match, an asado, wine, and a final ride through the campo. Guides such as Juanse and Juan explain the sport in English or Spanish.
“We had a wonderful day with Juanse as our host. Whilst I chose not to ride, my travel partner, who is an experienced rider had a fantastic time watching the morning chuckas, learning the basics and then getting to play some polo with the group and the support staff. He specifically noted how well the day was run to include people with varied (including none) riding experience. Lunch was great - lots of various meats, veggies and wine or juice etc. as a non rider I really enjoyed the park like grounds, the birds, watching the games, and the dogs - bring your binoculars. All round positive and fun day.”
Meet professional tango dancers at an old house adapted into a Buenos Aires tango school. In one private hour, you learn the embrace, walk, and basic steps, then watch a live tango exhibition. English and Spanish instruction is available, with Joana praised for her patient teaching.
“Joana is lovely, an excellent dancer, and had the patience to guide us through the basics of tango.”
Join Vale and Juli of Carpincha in Recoleta for a 60-minute mate workshop. Learn the drink’s history, taste four yerba mate varieties, prepare your own mate, and sample medialunas, biscochitos, and alfajores in English or Spanish.
“Activité très adaptée pour découvrir un des aspects de la culture argentine Tout un ensemble d’histoires d’anecdotes et de vécu autour d’un moment de partage intime propre à l’histoire de chaque famille argentine Merci pour ce moment de partage, d’échanges avec une équipe dynamique et à l’enthousiasme communicatif Nous sommes très heureux de notre soirée et recommandons d’y aller les yeux fermés”
Pick a barrio, a table or a night at the theatre.
