Tango

Tango is the passionate dance and music born in the port districts of Buenos Aires in the late nineteenth century, a soulful, intimate embrace set to the melancholy strains of the bandoneon. A UNESCO intangible heritage and the soul of the city, it can be experienced everywhere: in the traditional milonga dance halls where locals dance until dawn, on the street corners of San Telmo and La Boca, and in the grand dinner-shows staged for visitors.

What you actually see

• A milonga - the traditional dance hall where locals dance.
• The bandoneon - the accordion-like instrument that gives tango its sound.
• Street tango - the dancers on the corners of San Telmo and La Boca.
• A tango show - the theatrical dinner-shows and stages.

When to go

Year-round; an evening at a milonga or a show. The grand dinner-shows are polished but touristy, while the milongas give the authentic, living culture, and beginner classes are widely offered for those who want to try the steps.

Honest expectations

The big tourist dinner-shows are slick but expensive and staged; the real, living tango is found in the neighbourhood milongas, which have their own etiquette and can be intimidating for newcomers, though many welcome beginners with a class first. Street tango on the corners is fun but the dancers expect tips for photos.

Nearby

San Telmo, La Boca and the milongas across Buenos Aires are its home.