Celebrate Independence Day in Buenos Aires: the best activities and tours

Next Monday, 9^th July 2012, the locals of Buenos Aires are celebrating a very important event: el Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day)! This means that no one is working on that day for they will be making the most of a much deserved three day weekend. So if you are visiting Buenos Aires this weekend, there are a few things you should know about Independence Day in Buenos Aires. [caption id="attachment_6400" align="alignnone" width="600"] Independence Day in Argentina / source[/caption] Declared on the 9^th July 1816 at the Congreso de Tucuman (Congress of Tucuman), the independence of Argentina was a direct consequence of the May Revolution of 1810. It finally liberated the country from the dominion of the Spanish crown that lasted over 3 centuries. It marks a very important day in the hearts of the Argentine people, who consider it the date of birth of what is now one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world! So in order to commemorate Independence Day in Buenos Aires, the people of Buenos Aires take a day of work to spend time with friends and family. Contrarily to May Revolution of 1810 on the 25^thof May, most Porteños (the name given to the inhabitants of Buenos Aires) decide to stay at home for this bank holiday, where they will start the day waking up late and cooking a typical ‘asado’ with their relatives, where they will usually eat a selection of different cuts such as mollejas, kidneys, chinchulines, and many other tasty foods. The meal can go on all day until they will finally end celebrating Independence Day in Buenos Aires with a desert, typically tiramisu, palmieritas, and probably a few kilos of ice-cream. More typical families will accompany their Independence Day in Buenos Aires celebratory meal with traditional Argentine songs, such as the Canciones de la Bandera (Songs of the Flag) or the National Anthem. [caption id="attachment_6401" align="alignnone" width="555"] Declaring the Independence of Argentina at the Congress of Tucumán / source[/caption]As it will be a three day weekend, a lot of people will be leaving the city. Two very popular destinations will be Tigre, a little town situated a little way outside Buenos Aires, and Uruguay. Both places are full of interesting activities to experience! In Tigre you can take a boat tour around the Rio de la Plata Delta or just visit this authentic town on foot which you can find a big fruit market as well as many good restaurants. For Uruguay you have two options: you can either go to Colonia and take a day tour around this beautiful historical town or go all the way to Montevideo and take a guided tour around the capital. [caption id="attachment_6402" align="alignnone" width="640"] Celebrate with an Argentine asado / source[/caption] Many restaurants on Independence Day in Buenos Aires will be cooking typical Argentine meals such as May Revolution of 1810, and every bakery will be selling membrillo cakes, which are pastries made with quince, a fruit resembling an apple that is cultivated in Argentina. So if you are visiting Buenos Aires this weekend, don’t forget to eat a delicious meal in a typical Porteño restaurant! And if you are looking for other activities to do in Buenos Aires this weekend, check out our BsAs4U catalog, where you may find a variety of tours and activities in the capital for the best prices and in the safest conditions. If you are looking for tours and activities in Buenos Aires during the Winter, visit our official website.