Travel & Tourism

12 Things to Do in Buenos Aires: Outings and Activities in Argentina’s Capital

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Buenos Aires, the vibrant and cultural capital of Argentina, is a true crossroads of stories, cultures, and flavors. With its dynamic blend of European and South American traditions, it draws millions of visitors each year who are eager to discover its many facets. But what to do in Buenos Aires to maximize your stay? Whether you are a tango enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking new experiences, Buenos Aires has something to offer for everyone.

1. Discover La Boca and the Caminito

Discovering La Boca and the Caminito means exploring a cultural anchoring site at the heart of the city of Buenos Aires. This place, once a port district and former railway yard, is today renowned for its iconic street, the Caminito, which has become an open-air gallery. Mural paintings, spontaneous tangos, and artist studios enliven this street-scene, deeply marked by the heritage of Italian immigrants. Between walls of colorful corrugated iron and memories of Diego Maradona, the residents of Buenos Aires keep a living memory alive. It is a unique experience, often recommended during visits to Buenos Aires, ideally enjoyed in the afternoon before the neighborhood empties out. A detour that links popular culture to the deep roots of the country’s history.

2. Stroll through San Telmo

Strolling through San Telmo means soaking in a place where time seems to stand still. The historic district of the city of Buenos Aires, San Telmo is a central stop on a trip to Buenos Aires for those seeking a retro and warm atmosphere. On Sundays, Defensa Street becomes a lively stage, with flea markets, musicians, and tango dancers. This street-leaning place is perfect for discovering local crafts, antiques, or sharing a moment over a maté. You may also meet the grandmothers of the neighborhood, the locals set up on the sidewalks, and the echo of a country’s history still very present. A cultural stop that gives the early morning or afternoon a scent of authentic Argentina.

3. Explore Recoleta and its cemetery

Recoleta stands out for its elegance and heritage wealth, notably thanks to the Recoleta Cemetery, a true anchoring site in the history of the country. This place with notable funerary architecture houses the tombs of major political figures, including Eva Perón, and attracts both and international visitors. In this district, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes complements the experience with its collections of European and Argentine painting. Recoleta is a territory conducive to contemplation and to understanding the capital. Each mausoleum, each sculpture tells a story, placing this area in a sensitive reading of the past, accessible to all curious travelers on their trip to Buenos Aires.

4. Enjoy the green spaces of Palermo

Palermo, a vast district of the city of Buenos Aires, is often presented as one of the green lungs of the capital. Its spaces, such as the Carlos Thays Botanical Garden, provide a balance between nature and urban life. The Bosques de Palermo, with their lakes and trails, are ideal for a late afternoon stroll. You’ll encounter joggers, families, and Buenos Aires locals seeking tranquility. Further north, Palermo Hollywood draws crowds with its cinema studios, galleries, and trendy cafés. The Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA), located nearby, adds contemporary exhibitions to the mix. It’s a neighborhood to roam slowly, between leafy spaces and cultural buzz.

5. Explore the downtown core with Microcentro

Exploring the Microcentro means discovering the political and administrative heart of the city of Buenos Aires. This anchoring site brings together the Mayo Square, the Casa Rosada — the seat of the Gobierno de la Ciudad —, and the major avenues like 9 de Julio where the Obelisk stands. The Microcentro also houses iconic street locales, such as the pedestrian calle Florida, loved for its upmarket shops and lively activities. This zone, dense and vibrant from the early morning, is a must-see on a trip to Buenos Aires. It captures the institutional dynamism, the impact of figures like Eva Perón, and the legacy of large-scale movements in the country’s history.

6. Relax in Puerto Madero

In Puerto Madero, modernity and memory converse along the banks of the Río de la Plata. This rehabilitated district, once a port-yard site, is now a highly valued space for leisure. The renovated docks host contemporary restaurants where one can enjoy an Argentine barbecue or simply admire the Puente de la Mujer, an emblematic work of the area. In the afternoon, you may encounter both tourists strolling and locals, drawn by the calm and architectural quality. Puerto Madero illustrates Buenos Aires’ urban evolution, between its port heritage and bold design, and stands as a modern waypoint on a trip to Buenos Aires.

7. Attend a tango show

Attending a tango show in the city of Buenos Aires allows you to grasp the depth of a living art, a cultural emblem of the country. Whether staged in a majestic Teatro Colón or a intimate cabaret, tango offers a unique experience rooted in the country’s history. Performances attract both Buenos Aires locals and curious visitors from around the world. Tango, born in street venues, evolved into sophisticated stages while preserving its dramatic intensity. This moment, often offered in the evening, perfectly complements visits to Buenos Aires by delivering an emotional immersion where movement conveys what words cannot say.

8. Discover Buenos Aires street art

Street art in Buenos Aires holds a unique place in the city’s urban cultural life. It transforms the street scene into a space of expression, especially in the neighborhoods of Palermo Hollywood or La Boca, where walls tell the country’s history in another way. Murals feature famous faces like Diego Maradona, political or poetic motifs. Buenos Aires tours can include guided routes to explore this living visual heritage. For the visitor, it’s a unique experience that offers a different reading of the city, far from museums and classic circuits. A form of art that is accessible, engaged, and deeply rooted in local identity.

9. Savor the Argentine gastronomy

Tasting the Argentine gastronomy is an essential component of a trip to Buenos Aires. It’s impossible to miss the parrilla, that iconic grill served across the city. Whether at a dinner with friends or a quick bite at a market, the Argentine barbecue is a memorable moment, a celebration of flavor and conviviality. It is often paired with empanadas, local wines, or a dulce de leche dessert. For the curious, some upmarket shops offer artisanal products to take away. This culinary richness, carried by the people of Buenos Aires, reflects the identity of a welcoming metropolis, nourished by tradition and open to the world.

10. Explore the city markets

The markets of Buenos Aires are places of authenticity, ideal for meeting the locals. If San Telmo remains the reference, others such as the Dorrego Flea Market or the Abasto Market deserve attention. These street venues blend antique stalls, fresh produce, textiles, and everyday objects, often lively from the early morning. These markets reflect local eating habits, crafts, and the city’s energy. They also anchor the trip to Buenos Aires in the reality of urban life. Beyond shopping, these spaces are social anchoring places where you can observe evolving tastes, interactions, and the country’s history on a miniature scale.

11. Teatro Colón: audace architecturale et expérience théâtrale à Buenos Aires

The Teatro Colón, located in the heart of Buenos Aires, is an iconic venue for theater and opera lovers. It serves as an anchoring site in the artistic history of this South American metropolis, and for a trip to Buenos Aires it is a major stop. Inaugurated in 1908, it testifies to the urban and cultural rise of the Argentine capital. During a performance or a guided tour, one enters a universe of grand architectural scale, mixing marble, gilding, and remarkable acoustics. For art or heritage enthusiasts, it is a moment of exceptional significance — a Colón theatre that commands respect. Be sure to buy your ticket in advance, as crowds are strong among both passing tourists and Buenos Aires locals. This setting also allows history buffs to better understand the city’s evolution in the 19th century and its international ambitions.

12. Jardín Japonés: a tranquil haven in the porteño metropolis

The Jardín Japonés, located in the city of Buenos Aires, is a green lung and a welcome sanctuary during an urban tour. It provides a pleasant pause for nature lovers or a gentle afternoon away from the street’s bustle. In a context where Buenos Aires is dynamic, this botanical garden stands as an anchoring garden within the metropolis, illustrating how the city hosts subtle and well-kept green spaces. This place also allows visitors to see the international influence on Argentine urbanism and offers residents of Buenos Aires and visitors a moment of calm. In case of light rain, it is also a relevant alternative before visiting a nearby museum or cafe.

Buenos Aires is a city rich and varied, where every street corner hides a new story. Whether you have a day or a week, these activity ideas will let you discover the city’s best. Whether you’re drawn to dance, architecture, or gastronomy, there is always something new to discover. To go further, the surrounding areas of the city, such as the Tigre region, also hold surprises for curious visitors.

How long does it take to visit Buenos Aires?

When planning a trip to Buenos Aires, it helps to consider spending at least three to four days in this South American city to get a solid overview of its neighborhoods, architecture, and urban vibe. Local guides suggest three days to cover the major axes, but five days or more allow for a day trip or deeper exploration of secondary neighborhoods. This duration enables history buffs and culture lovers to combine museum visits, riverside strolls along the Rio de la Plata, and wandering in districts like Palermo Hollywood and Recoleta. For a more complete Buenos Aires itinerary, consider six or seven days if you also want to venture outside the city center.

Is Buenos Aires worth it?

The question of whether Buenos Aires is truly worth the trip deserves a nuanced answer: yes, the city deserves time. A cosmopolitan metropolis with rich contrasts, it blends the country’s history with modernity, European-inspired architecture with street markets. A travel guide notes, “you can’t come to Argentina without spending at least a few days in the capital”; it offers a unique experience for art, culture, and even football enthusiasts. A visit to Buenos Aires lets you explore strong anchoring sites like historic theaters, old libraries, flea markets, and upscale shops, while meeting the locals and observing their traditional lifestyle and attachment to the neighborhood. In short: for a cultural and urban journey in South America, it is a worthwhile investment.

What is the best time to go to Buenos Aires?

To get the most from a trip to Buenos Aires, it helps to choose a period that balances mild climate, urban activity, and a reasonable tourist crowd. Autumn (April–May) or spring (September–October) in the southern hemisphere are often recommended: pleasant temperatures, favorable light for photography… While the city can be visited year-round, some summer periods can be very hot or humid, and winter is somewhat quieter. By choosing a favorable season, the trip gains comfort – a key dimension for a visitor wanting to explore museums, stroll by the water, or join a walk through the historic neighborhoods.

Where to stay in Buenos Aires?

Choosing a place to stay in Buenos Aires is strategic to optimize the experience. To combine comfort, safety, and easy access to sights, the neighborhoods of Palermo, Recoleta, or San Telmo are frequently recommended. A local guide suggests staying in Palermo to be near restaurants, cafés, and upscale shops, while staying in a relatively quieter setting than the noisy center. A history- or architecture-loving traveler may prefer Recoleta to be near colonial heritage and museums. For fans of neighborhood life and flea markets, San Telmo offers a singular charm. It is useful to book flights early, choose a well-situated hotel or apartment, and avoid overly peripheral areas if time is limited.

What to do around Buenos Aires?

Exploring the surroundings of Buenos Aires significantly enriches an urban stay. Among possible day trips: a venture to the Tigre delta, a visit to an old estancias in the Argentine pampas, or a trip to a nearby lively town just outside the capital. In these moments, you leave the city center, rent a car or join an organized tour with local guides, and discover a slower rural pace, traditional life. This excursion allows you to step away from the usual tourist circuits and meet local communities, old plantations, or anchoring sites. It also offers a better understanding of the country’s history and the relationship between urban and rural life in this region.

What to do on Sundays in Buenos Aires?

Sundays in Buenos Aires offer a special atmosphere: streets retreat behind historic facades, locals enjoy a moment of relaxation, and flea markets come alive. A must-do activity is visiting the San Telmo Market on Defensa Street, combined with an Argentine barbecue or a break in a neighborhood cafe. These moments allow travelers who love authenticity to soak up local culture. Sunday is a great time to wander through less-visited neighborhoods, to discover the El Ateneo bookstore, or simply to stroll along the Río de la Plata. This particular day highlights urban life with a slower pace and more discoveries.

What to do in Buenos Aires when it rains?

When it rains in Buenos Aires, the city does not lose its appeal: indoor visits become attractive, particularly to cultural venues like art museums or historic houses, or a pause in a historic café. A practical alternative is visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts in Recoleta, or the Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum (MALBA) in Palermo, which provide shelter and rich discoveries. Thus, even in the rain, you can explore the country’s history, admire key works, and observe urban life from a different angle. Buenos Aires remains functional despite rainy spells, and this kind of day can become an unforgettable cultural concentration rather than an obstacle.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, then corrected, expanded, and validated by the editors of the desk.

Where to Walk Under the Stars: Three Night Hikes to Discover

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A Descent That Falls Into Place

To witness the most beautiful night sky of the Hautes-Pyrénées, this is where you must go. The first French territory to earn the label “International Dark Sky Reserve,” the IDSR of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre safeguards a 3,000 km² area between Lourdes and Saint-Lary-Soulan, where everything is done to reduce light pollution. At the heart of this darkness, in the darkest zone of the reserve, stands the Pic du Midi Observatory. A landmark in astronomy where, if you plan ahead, you can sleep there. And it serves as the starting point for a very beautiful nocturnal hike. An unforgettable descent, with the stars as your only guide.

Malaysia: A Cultural Patchwork and a Fascinating Gastronomic Mosaic

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A journey through Malaysia that feels like several journeys rolled into one. For this Southeast Asian nation, nestled between neighboring Thailand and Indonesia, visiting Malaysia isn’t merely about seeing a country; it’s wandering through a mosaic, a patchwork of atmospheres and styles, of cultures and religions, a nearly creole kaleidoscope of communities living intertwined in harmony.

There are Hindus, Muslims (the majority of the country), Christians, Buddhists. There are Malays, Indians, Tamils, Chinese; there are Indian Muslims (the Mamaks) and Indian Hindus, there are Peranakans (or Baba-Nyonya, descendants of Chinese married to Malays), and there are as many languages and dialects as there are communities, or almost.

A Chinese temple in Malacca.

Each city has its Little India, its Chinatown, its numerous beautiful temples dedicated to the various practiced religions, and nothing seems to disturb the peaceful coexistence of these little cultural fragments which, added together, give Malaysia, a country of passage (the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British were colonizers) and a welcoming nation for all of Asia known through the centuries.

“When I was younger, as Charles, the first of the guides who will accompany us on this trip coordinated by Destination Explore, explains to us, we lived in community with our neighbors. The neighbors are the first people you meet when you have a problem, regardless of their faith or origin; we share joys and pains, the meals we make, the celebration evenings. It’s perhaps less the case now with the “condos,” the large modern housing complexes, it’s a bit more MYOB, “mind your own business,” but the spirit of the country still remains closely tied to this concord.

Kuala Lumpur, the Glittering

As soon as you land, the first day of the journey unfolds, as it should, in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s economic capital, Kuala Lumpur is a modern city where the few buildings dating from the colonial era, mostly British, stand out amid a cluster of tall glass and steel towers. Initially founded around tin mines, bought in bulk by the Chinese, it is now the wealthiest city of one of Southeast Asia’s roaring tigers, and the country’s recent wealth is reflected in this architecture of a new city.

Named after the national oil company, the Petronas Twin Towers, towering, dominant, disproportionately phallic, linked by one of the world’s most famous pedestrian bridges, from which we survey the city with a sense of omnipotence, did not rise from the ground by accident.

The presence of oil on the national territory, and thus very affordable gasoline, makes Malaysia a country of cars, and sometimes a country of interminable traffic jams. “There can be three, four, five, six cars per family—the father’s car, the mother’s, the daughter’s, the son’s, the weekend car, the family car… When you start working, the first objective is, after three months, to go to the dealership”, explains Charles.

Le centre ville de Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur city centre.

En haut de ces près de 300 marches, les Grottes de Batu.
Above the nearly 300 steps, the Batu Caves.

In Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere in the world, when we visit it, it is Ramadan. The streets dedicated to street food, like Jalan Alor or Bukit Bintang, two of the most famous, come alive as soon as the fast breaks, teeming with a dense and joyful crowd, delighted to eat well for barely a few ringgits, the local currency, about three francs and six sous — food is particularly cheap in the country, a handy note when setting a budget for a trip.

From height and variety, Kuala Lumpur also offers a workout for the legs: climbing the 272 colorful steps shared by pilgrims, tourists, and occasionally a bold monkey, to reach Batu Caves, a little north of the city. In this impressive complex, guarded by a colossal statue of the Hindu deity Murugan nearly 43 meters tall, the lively Hindu festival Thaipusam takes place each year.

Malacca, Magellan Penang and the “street food”

After two nights at the modern and very elegant Hyatt Centric in Kuala Lumpur, the journey continues to Malacca, about a two-hour drive from the Malaysian capital. The mood shifts completely. The mythical city visited by Ferdinand Magellan, who contributed to its capture by the Portuguese in 1511 and who found his slave and interpreter Henrique there, Malacca is a UNESCO-listed little treasure, a peaceful, low-lying city where labyrinthine streets offer a wealth of cafés, restaurants, stalls, and art galleries.

We spend only a few hours in Malacca, notably for lunch at one of the city’s excellent Indian restaurants, a place that looks unassuming but leaves you satisfied and happy. Yet the city’s incredibly cool vibe, its colors, its water-worn façades make us want to return someday, with a bit more time to enjoy its atmosphere and its rich history.

Vue de Malacca, au bord du canal portant le même nom.
View of Malacca along the named canal.

Une échoppe à Malacca.
A shop in Malacca.

A short domestic flight with Malaysia Airlines brings us to the next and final stop of our short stay, Penang. Where, between a visit to the Habitat Penang Hill nature park, a spectacular retreat in the green jungle accessible by funicular from the city, or a stroll through the colorful and busy streets of the old town, the program is rather enticing: to eat.

And to eat well: like a condensed national culinary culture, two hours by plane from the capital, Penang Island and its capital George Town, also UNESCO-listed, are paradises for gourmets with adventurous stomachs and eyes who want to learn everything there is to know about Malaysia, on the tip of the tongue.

The “hawker centers,” Southeast Asia’s equivalent of Western food courts, consist of long lines of more itinerant stalls lining the sidewalks in the heart of the city—where the wok flames crackle in a symphony of scents, offering the traveler a thousand cultures in as many plates.

On the street or indoors, as at Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine where we are lucky to sample a succulent procession of typically Peranakan dishes, such as Kapitan chicken curry and Joo Hoo Char, some of these places are celebrated by the Michelin Guide. It’s no accident that Penang was once named by Time Out as Southeast Asia’s most exciting city for street food, ahead of Hanoi, Singapore, or Mumbai, and that George Town remains for many guides the true gastronomic capital of Malaysia.

Un "hawker center" de Penang.
A Penang hawker center.

Un étal de rue à Penang.
A street stall in Penang.

From roti canai (an Indian-influenced crepe) to durian, the “king of fruits” with its distinctive—some would say overpowering—aroma, not to mention the myriad ways to prepare rice, noodles, soups, fresh herbs and spices (char kway teow, asam laksa, hokkien mee…), there is in this country a limitless palate to explore and savor for two or three lifetimes. When will you come back?

The Luxury of Business

Before ever setting foot in the country, the journey begins with a touch of luxury: it is in business class that Malaysia Airlines, which invites us on this journey, takes us halfway across the globe. For the ordinary traveler not accustomed to such generosity, the difference with economy class is phenomenal—and the 13-hour journey passes infinitely faster.

As Malaysian hospitality dictates, the service is exemplary; we dine on (very) good dishes native to the country, from satays (ubiquitous little beef or chicken skewers, sometimes lamb) to nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and perfumed with pandan leaves), and the reclining seats allow true rest. It is therefore with a confident stride and a refreshed spirit that we can begin the first of the four days of our journey upon arrival.

Takanakuy: Peruvian Christmas Day Bare-Handed Fight Ritual

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While in most French households the mood is one of family merriment with presents under the tree and roasts in the oven, the residents of the small town of Santo Tomás celebrate the birth of Christ in their own way. It is in the Chumbivilcas region, tucked away in the Peruvian Andes, that between five and six thousand people gather in the arena usually used for bullfights to watch the bouts. The clashes run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., non-stop. A French expert on the subject, photojournalist and filmmaker Simon Ruiz, told Geo how the idea of making a film about this tradition came to him: “While I was scrolling Tik Tok, I came across a video of women fighting bare-handed in the middle of a large crowd.”

Speaking with his fixer on the ground, he quickly understood that this is a living tradition. He then decides to fly in to arrive on Christmas Day, equipped with his trusty camera. “For more than ten years I have been interested in Indigenous communities,” he explains, “I have come to realize the complexity of their situation: they are not simply communities living deep in the forest, subsisting on the river and the mountains. There are many deeper and more modern issues at stake.”

A ritual of uncertain origins

Simon Ruiz thus approaches the subject with the greatest respect and becomes interested in everything that surrounds the blows inside the arena. The Takanakuy is indeed part of a broader festival called Wayliya. In the days leading up to the fights, the festivities are organized with detailed disguises featuring traditional garments, but also masks and the stuffed remains of animals—antlers and condors—used as impressive headgear. Alcohol flows freely during these days of preparation for the Takanakuy, but this is no reason to forget the purpose of the celebration: Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Hours of prayer are numerous and solemn. On the morning of December 25, the time is for hymns of praise to Jesus. Traditional Christianity takes precedence over times of dance and song, before 10 a.m., the time of the rendezvous inside the arena. The fighters’ aim is not to “win” a fight, even though there is always a dominant and a dominated one. All blows are allowed until one of the two opponents falls to the ground, at which point the hostilities are immediately halted by the referee, as Simon Ruiz relates.

In 2025, he chose to lay down his camera when invited to take part in a fight. He found himself facing one of the men he had known over the years while he came to film and photograph Takanakuy for the French press. To prepare and document his approach, he stayed for a month and a half in Santo Tomás and interviewed many people, including the village intellectual Víctor Laime Mantilla. The village representative defines it as “a pre-Hispanic tradition whose history has been passed down orally from generation to generation.” These testimonies take on various shapes and forms, and today it is difficult to determine with certainty where Takanakuy truly comes from.

The main theory, according to Víctor Laime Mantilla, goes as follows: this historical ritual may have begun in the time of the Inca emperors as a chance to display one’s courage in combat outside of actual battles. For Simon Ruiz, who has heard other voices from other Chumbivilcanos, there is also the possibility that this tradition originated in an even darker context: “After the arrival of the colonizers, perhaps some slave traders forced men to fight to choose the strongest…a bit like cockfights.” One must imagine that each story holds a grain of truth.

Modernity versus tradition

Whatever the origin of this tradition, one thing is certain: today it is deeply embedded in the Peruvian landscape. To the point of continuing to evolve with contemporary mores. Initially strictly reserved for men, the fights now see women stepping into the arena. According to Simon Ruiz, nearly one in two bouts today is fought by women.

The competitors have earned the right to fight among themselves, on equal footing with men, for reasons that the photojournalist finds surprisingly feminist: “Young women went to study in big cities, where equality is talked about a lot, and then returned with progressive demands.”

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but they have been present for several years now, albeit in a somewhat less official manner than the men. For Víctor Laime Mantilla, this is part of the nature of any tradition: it must adapt to survive. That doesn’t mean everything is rebuilt from scratch. Among the disguises you still find the majeños, the negros, the qara capas, the langostas, and the qarawatannas, variants of minors, crustaceans and slaves who dance all in praise of the Virgin Mary and Jesus in the streets and in the arena on December 25.

In Santo Tomás, Takanakuy is not simply a sequence of spectacular bouts. It reflects a society that negotiates its legacies, tensions, and transformations.

Nordic Island With Caribbean Vibes Becomes a Timeless Zone Every Summer

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While Norway often evokes rugged fjords, snow-covered mountains, and Arctic landscapes, a small island in the north of the country defies all clichés. Located above the Arctic Circle, Sommarøy surprises with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, earning it the nickname of the “Caribbean of the North.” But this unexpected scenery is not its only asset. Each summer, a spectacular natural phenomenon transforms the daily life of its inhabitants and offers visitors an extraordinary experience.

An Arctic Island That Resembles the Tropics

About thirty kilometers west of Tromsø, often considered the gateway to the Norwegian Arctic, Sommarøy has only a few hundred inhabitants. Yet this small fishing community attracts more and more travelers intrigued by its singular landscape. Here, the pristine beaches contrast with the usual image of the High North.

The origin of this scenery is very different from that of classic tropical beaches. In the Caribbean, the sand is mainly composed of crushed quartz. But on Sommarøy, it comes from the accumulation, over thousands of years, of fragments of shells and calcareous algae. This particular composition gives the seabed a very light color. Since the waters around the island are shallow, sunlight reflects off this white bottom and creates these turquoise and emerald hues that recall tropical destinations.

The very name of the island also means “summer island.” Historically, fishermen would come to this place during the good season to exploit the abundant shoals of herring present in the surrounding waters. Today, while fishing remains important, tourism occupies an increasing place in the local economy.

When the Sun No Longer Sets

If Sommarøy is today known far beyond the borders of Norway, it is in large part thanks to an initiative that earned worldwide attention in 2019. The inhabitants proposed turning the island into a kind of “time-free zone,” or “hourless” area, during the summer. An idea inspired by the midnight sun: for 69 consecutive days, the sun never sets.

In this light-filled, day-and-night landscape, usual benchmarks fade away. A midnight hike, a night-time kayak excursion, cycling, paddling between islets, or a late swim become perfectly ordinary activities. The residents summed up this mindset by saying they wanted “do what we want, when we want”.

Subsequently, it became clear that the proposal to remove schedules was never intended to be applied in practice. The operation was in fact part of a promotional campaign aimed at making the island known internationally. A staging that nonetheless rested on a tangible reality: in Sommarøy, the midnight sun allows enjoying the scenery and activities at any hour of the day or night.

Note that the winter period offers an equally impressive spectacle. When the sun disappears for long weeks, the northern lights take over and regularly illuminate the sky. The island’s terrain also enables skiing with a view of the ocean.

To extend the experience, travelers can stay at a local hotel equipped with large bay windows opening onto the surrounding landscapes. The cuisine highlights Arctic resources, notably seafood, reindeer meat, mushrooms, and wild berries. A way to discover another facet of this surprising island.

One Trip, One Ticket: The EU Project to Simplify Train Travel Unveiled in Brussels

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Streamlining train bookings has long been a perennial pipe dream in the European Union (EU), despite regular calls to end the fragmentation of the rail network across twenty-seven national systems, which makes travel unnecessarily complicated and costly.

The growth of rail, however, remains crucial for Europe’s climate ambitions. At the outset of her second term in July 2024, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had pledged a single, unified booking system.

To turn this ambition into reality, Brussels is poised, according to sources close to the matter, to table a proposal that would compel operators to sell the tickets of their rivals on their own websites and to share their data with booking platforms.

Currently, “booking cross-border rail travel in Europe remains unnecessarily complicated”, notes Vivien Costanzo, a German member of the European Parliament from the Social Democrats. “A European rail system needs simple reservations, reliable connections, and clear rights for passengers. It is only under these conditions that rail will become a genuine European alternative to short-haul flights”, she warns.

But the proposal is likely to meet fierce opposition from national operators. In Brussels, the “European Rail Community” (ERC), a lobby of EU operators, denounces an “unprecedented interference” by the Commission. “I know of no case where anyone is forced to sell a competitor’s product. Imagine Lufthansa being forced to sell Ryanair tickets”, says Alberto Mazzola, an ERC official interviewed by AFP.

The Network Has Shrunk

Train tickets in Europe are currently primarily sold by national operators. The new legislation would require them to display offers from other companies, enabling passengers to compare prices and book a trip in one go.

A 2025 YouGov survey for the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that nearly two in three people forego a trip because the booking process is too complex. Studies also indicate that booking a train journey takes on average 70% more time than booking a flight. “With more competition in rail, passengers will benefit from better services and lower prices”, says Jan-Christoph Oetjen, a centrist Member of the European Parliament.

The Commission should also update passenger rights in cases of missed connections, regarding compensation or flexibility to board the next train.

This initiative comes as the war in the Middle East has driven up kerosene prices and raised concerns about supply difficulties for the aviation sector during Europe’s peak tourist season. It could offer railway operators the “opportunity” to “change the narrative” around international train travel and to invest in improving services, believes Victor Thévenet of Transport & Environment.

Rail accounted for only 0.3% of the transport sector’s greenhouse gas emissions in Europe in 2022, compared with nearly 12% for civil aviation. But between 1990 and 2021, the EU railway network shrank by more than 12,000 kilometers, eurodeputies lamented in 2024, vowing to halt this trend.

Things to Do in Cappadocia: 6 Must-Do Outings and Activities

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Summary


  • 1. Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia


  • 2. Visit to Göreme Open Air Museum and its village


  • 3. Exploration of the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli


  • 4. Hiking in the valleys: Love Valley, Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley


  • 5. Visit to Uchisar Castle


  • Discovering crafts in Avanos


  • Cappadocia landscape: a land sculpted by nature and inhabited by history


  • Is Cappadocia worth it? A unique region in the heart of Turkey worthy of its reputation


  • How many days to visit Cappadocia: crafting a balanced itinerary according to your priorities


  • Getting around Cappadocia: choosing the right means to explore a dispersed territory


  • What to do in Cappadocia when it rains: cultural activities and underground visits to favor


  • Cappadocia travel: how to organize a coherent and enriching discovery?

Nestled in the heart of Turkey, Cappadocia is a region that evokes surreal landscapes and a millennial history. Renowned for its intriguing rock formations called fairy chimneys, its mysterious underground cities, and its spectacular panoramas, Cappadocia attracts thousands of visitors each year in search of exploration. If you wonder “what to do in Cappadocia?”, this article provides a detailed guide to magnify your experience through the activities and sites it offers.

1. Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia

Discovering Cappadocia from the air on a hot-air balloon ride is one of the highlights of a trip to Turkey, both for reading the landscapes and for understanding how the region is geologically organized.

At dawn, the open sky over Göreme and that over Zelve reveal themselves in a gradually brightening light that highlights the Göreme Valley, the Love Valley, the Rose Valley, and the mushroom-shaped rock formations. This experience, included in many Turkish stay itineraries, requires a ticket, sometimes separate from the valley entrance pass, with prices varying by season.

Easily accessible thanks to internal domestic flights in Turkey to Kayseri Airport, then by rental car or car from the airport, this activity stands as a true appointment to observe major points of interest from a beautiful panoramic view, revealing the coherence between troglodyte villages, valleys, and plateaus.

2. Visit to Göreme Open Air Museum and its village

The Göreme Open Air Museum visit allows a structured approach to the religious and architectural history of the region, in a classified and protected environment. This open-air museum, located in the heart of the Göreme Valley, brings together rock-cut buildings dating from the late Roman Empire and the Byzantine period, accessible thanks to a specific entry ticket and to cathedral access reserved for certain chapels.

The site is set in a Göreme open-air environment that is particularly readable, where frescoes dialogue with the volcanic rock. Access for visitors is arranged, although some portions require special attention. This visit fits easily into an itinerary including Ürgüp, Mustafapaşa, or Zelve, offering a comprehensive reading of the troglodyte village and its evolution over time.

3. Exploration of the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli

Exploring the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli completes the understanding of the region by revealing a Cappadocia carved meters underground, designed for collective protection. These impressive complexes unveil an organized network of rooms, corridors, deep wells, and storage areas, illustrating a remarkable adaptation to historical and climatic constraints.

Connected to the main roads by car, these visits are often included in tours with a guide, helping interpret the defensive and domestic functions of these spaces. They naturally fit into Cappadocian housing plans and itineraries, where one also discovers the logic of rock-cut rooms and the troglodyte chamber at Jerveni, still used today as remarkable lodging for travelers.

4. Hiking in the valleys: Love Valley, Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley

Hiking in Cappadocia offers a complementary and accessible approach to exploring the region’s landscape diversity, especially in Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Pigeon Valley, whose names often reflect a natural or historical feature, sometimes linked to the era of pigeons.

These itineraries, usually free or requiring a simple valley pass, provide direct valley access from Göreme, Ürgüp, or the town of Mustafapaşa. The marked paths allow you to observe cliffs, former dwellings, and open panoramas, sometimes linking Zelve, its Open-Air Zelve, and the Pasabag crossing.

These routes are suitable for all levels and rank among the best ways to explore the region without logistical constraints.

5. Visit to Uchisar Castle

Visiting Uchisar Castle offers a strategic reading of the territory from one of the region’s highest points, overlooking the valleys and surrounding villages. Accessible by town car or local transport, this site provides a structured panorama of the Göreme Valley, Zelve, and the surrounding plateaus.

The ascent gradually reveals defensive caverns, storage areas, and rochedwelling integrated into the rock, testifying to a continuous occupation. This high point makes an excellent reference for understanding the spatial organization of Cappadocia and naturally fits into a route linking Ürgüp, the Ürgüp Hammam, or a night in Ürgüp, often sought for its good addresses and troglodyte accommodations.

6. Discovery of crafts in Avanos

The discovery of crafts in Avanos adds a human and economic dimension to a stay in Turkey, highlighting skills handed down since antiquity. Located along the Kızılırmak River, the town is renowned for its pottery workshops, accessible freely or through organized demonstrations. This stop harmoniously complements an itinerary including Göreme, Mustafapasa — and its Mustafapasa options often cited among the best Mustafapasa deals — or Ürgüp. Avanos accommodations, often more traditional, offer comfortable rooms, sometimes a private room with a bathroom, ideal for a quieter pause. Integrated into a coherent circuit, Avanos illustrates the balance between heritage, local life, and tourism organization in this emblematic region of Turkey.

This survey of Cappadocia’s activities and sites plunges us into a universe where nature, history, and culture intertwine. The region offers a myriad of experiences for every traveler, whether history enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, or those curious about art and tradition. It is a destination to visit and revisit, with each season presenting a unique show on its memorable landscapes. One thing is certain: Cappadocia will astonish you with its richness and extraordinary diversity.

Cappadocia landscape: a land sculpted by nature and inhabited by history

A journey to Turkey takes on a distinctive dimension in Cappadocia, where erosion-sculpted landscapes offer an open-air reading of human and natural history. This territory, shaped by the Roman Empire, presents a mosaic of troglodyte villages, iconic valleys such as Love Valley, Göreme Valley, and Rose Valley, and remarkable formations like mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.

Beyond the postcard image, these landscapes tell of a constant adaptation of habitation to the constraints of the terrain, visible in rock-cut rooms, Cappadocian dwellings, and cities dug meters underground. Cappadocia is worth it for the richness of its open-air museum, for the experience of a flight over Göreme Open Air, but also for its subterranean points of interest, its hikes, its good addresses in Ürgüp or Mustafapaşa, and the stunning view from Uçhisar.

This region of Turkey, accessible via domestic Turkish flights to Kayseri Airport, delights with the density of its cultural and natural offerings.

Is Cappadocia worth it? A unique region in the heart of Turkey worthy of its reputation

Asking whether Cappadocia is worth it means questioning the relevance of a place that has become emblematic of travel in Turkey. Located in central Anatolia, this region stands out for its unique geological formations, rock-cut churches, and underground cities, witnesses to ancient human occupation. The Cappadocia landscapes, shaped by erosion, offer a rare visual experience, especially in the Göreme Valley or the Üçhisar region.

In addition to the postcard image, there are singular experiences such as a dawn hot-air balloon flight. For travelers seeking history, nature, and unusual perspectives, Cappadocia is a destination that fully justifies the detour.

How many days to visit Cappadocia: crafting a balanced itinerary according to your priorities

The number of days to visit Cappadocia depends on the level of immersion you seek. A three to five-day stay in this region allows you to cover the must-see sites, from the Zelve Valley to the Göreme Open Air Museum, while taking time to stop in the town of Mustafapaşa or enjoy a hammam in Ürgüp on a Saturday.

It makes sense to plan for fantastical accommodations spread across different villages to facilitate excursions. The housing plans often include private rooms with a bathroom, sometimes troglodyte, such as the cave room at Jerveni, and they allow you to live a local experience. Structuring the itinerary with realistic travel times, whether by rental car or shuttle, is essential to keep sight of the region’s diversity.

Getting around Cappadocia: choosing the right means to explore a dispersed territory

Getting around Cappadocia requires some foresight, given the extent of the territory and the dispersion of points of interest. The car from the airport or a hotel-based car remains the most flexible means, especially to reach places like Zelve, the Zelve Open Air, or more remote villages such as Ortahisar.

Some travelers opt for a guide or a local driver, particularly for tours linking the valleys, the deep wells, or the troglodyte accommodations. The Göreme Open Air area can also be explored on foot via marked Cappadocia hikes. Transportation becomes a genuine element of exploration here, revealing the alternation of landscapes and the variation in scale between towns, valleys, and troglodyte villages.

What to do in Cappadocia when it rains: cultural activities and underground visits to prioritize

When the weather is uncertain, knowing what to do in Cappadocia when it rains allows turning constraints into cultural opportunities. The underground cities, dug several meters underground, provide shelter while giving access to a crucial part of the territory’s history. The museums, troglodyte houses, or Avanos craft workshops welcome visitors in covered and informative settings.

Exploring these spaces, often accessible with an entry ticket or included in a valley pass, reveals how residents used stone to build a protected everyday life. In Cappadocia, the subterranean heritage offers a millennia-old response to the whims of the weather.

Cappadocia travel: how to organize a coherent and enriching discovery?

Organizing a coherent Cappadocia trip means balancing a program between landscapes, culture, and lodging. The valley name, the village, or the troglodyte site often provides the key to understanding the place. Travelers can set their starting point in Göreme, easily connected by domestic Turkish flights via Kayseri Airport, before radiating to places like Mustafapaşa, known for its best Mustafapaşa options, or Ürgüp, appreciated for its overnights and its local atmosphere.

A well-prepared stay in Cappadocia relies as much on logistics — car, access tickets, accommodations — as on the ability to grasp the multiple layers of this territory: an open-air museum, a land inhabited since the era of pigeons, a living architecture, between sky, rock, and memory.

This article was drafted with the help of artificial intelligence, then corrected, expanded, and validated by the newsroom journalists.

Living with Peacocks? A Small Italian Village Split on the Issue

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In a quirky take on Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, dozens of peacocks promenade through the streets of a small Italian village, driving residents crazy with their mating calls. We can see these birds, with their long iridescent tails, perched on roofs and fences in Punta Marina, a seaside village in the Emilia-Romagna region near Ravenna.

The city’s prestigious mosaics from the ancient era bear witness to the birds’ presence in the region for centuries. Although there has been no official census in the village, these birds are believed to number around 120 in Punta Marina, where no predator seems to bother them.

But for Marco Manzoli, 81, a retired bus driver, it is mainly troublemakers that produce a lot of droppings. “Their population has exploded over 30 years and is now too large: they disrupt sleep, hinder traffic and soil the ground with droppings that resemble ice cream, in which people end up walking.”, he told AFP TV.

Not far away, six peacocks stroll nonchalantly at a crossroads, admiring their reflection in parked cars and shop windows. “The peacocks climb onto cars… and scratch them,” adds Mr. Manzoli, fearing that “tourists will stop vacationing unless they have a garage to park their car”.

The baker Claudio Ianiero, 64, told AFP TV that the peacocks had long lived in a pine grove behind the village, but they had begun seeking shelter from predators by nesting in the gardens of abandoned houses. “There they have many natural enemies, such as wolves and foxes. Here, however, they have none, and they are proliferating at a pace that’s difficult to control”, he said.

The Formation of Two Camps

As a peacock approached the bakery window, eyeing the butter croissants on display inside, Ianiero dismissed alarmist reports in the media about an invasion, a health emergency, or a forced exodus of residents.

The baker, who specializes in peacock-shaped cookies among other specialties, says that residents have lived in harmony with these birds for years. These crest-bearing birds, with their countless shades of blue, are “something magical” for Punta Marina, he believes.

But for Mara Capasso, a 57-year-old supermarket cashier, the issue of peacocks “has split the town into two camps”. She notes that some neighbors are awakened every night by the birds’ mating cries. The peacocks should be “taken to pine forests, woods, places where they can live in their natural habitat, because they should never live on concrete”, she continues.

Over the years, the Ravenna city hall, which oversees Punta Marina, has considered various strategies for managing the bird population. A relocation attempt in 2022 failed, largely due to opposition from animal-rights groups. This initiative could well bear fruit today, as “we are receiving adoption offers from all over Italy”, assures Mr. Ianiero.

Although the municipality launched a 2024 campaign to raise awareness among residents and visitors about coexisting with peacocks, including a request not to feed them, Emanuele Crescentini, a local resident, thinks more needs to be done.

Mr. Crescentini, 50, has dubbed himself the “forest ranger” of the peacocks, roaming the streets to shield the birds from inhabitants’ anger. “There is plenty of space in Punta Marina, they could spread out everywhere without causing any trouble”, he notes. “We could set an example of smart and mature coexistence. It’s entirely possible”, he adds.

The Heart of America Attracts Tourists

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The United States, a vast North American nation formed by 50 states, today counts more than 348 million inhabitants and has Washington, D.C. as its capital. Each year, millions of travelers from around the world embark on legendary road trips here, whether in New York to admire the Statue of Liberty, in San Francisco to marvel at the famed Golden Gate Bridge, or in New Orleans to soak up its festive atmosphere.

Yet the country also hides quieter destinations where unforgettable experiences await, such as Nashville, Eureka Springs, or Portland. According to CNN Travel experts, the heartland state of the United States also deserves a substantial detour. To reach it, you must cover long stretches by car along immense highways that run to the horizon across vast arable lands. Likewise, small towns, akin to simple stopovers, surface beneath a boundless sky.

The geographic center of the United States lies in northern Kansas

Determining the center of the United States has sparked disagreements for many years. “There is no universally accepted definition of the geographic center, nor any method entirely satisfactory for determining it,” stated the U.S. Department of the Interior in a 1964 report. In an attempt to resolve this issue, experts from the U.S. Coast Survey and Geodetic Service employed a precise scientific approach.

They cut a cardboard map of the country and balanced it on the point of a pin to identify its center of gravity. Subsequently, the position was shifted slightly by a few hundred meters to avoid landing on private property. This experiment revealed that the central point lies in the northern part of Kansas, near the town of Lebanon. Following this discovery, the site experienced an unexpected tourist boom.

If you wish to explore the center of the United States, you’ll take I-70 into the rural Kansas road network, winding through farming country and past the river town of Manhattan, then Clay Center, which marks the halfway point between Los Angeles and New York.

Along your journey, you’ll glimpse grain silos, water towers, red-brick barns, Texaco stations that have closed their doors, and endless fields. In Cawker, about 25 minutes from the center, a roadside kiosk on Route 24 houses a quirky spectacle that has made this tiny town famous: the world’s largest ball of twine.

What can one find at the center of the United States?

As CNN Travel notes, the geographic center near Lebanon sits in a very quiet rural area. There you’ll discover a small single-room white chapel, a pine grove, covered picnic tables, and a spring-mounted playground for children. A few signs also indicate the significance of the place.

Additionally, a marker lists the coordinates (39° 50′ N, 93° 35′ W) of what is today called the “historic center,” and a mast flies the flags of Kansas and the United States. On the opposite side of the road, beyond a barbed-wire fence, three large wooden crosses stand sentinel. The interior of this tiny chapel exudes an unexpected serenity, flooded with a soft light filtered through sheer drapes, making it a place conducive to contemplating the world around us.

This is a plaque that indicates the exact coordinates of the geographic center of the United States.

Sri Lanka: Dignity Restored for Highlands Tea Pickers

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Tea leaf rolling is her specialty. Every day, Dhananjani Madhumathi, 40, settles into the workshop at Amba Estate (“the Amba estate”), an organic plantation in the Ceylon designation perched in the Highlands, in the center of Sri Lanka. “Madhu,” as close relatives call her, sits at a long wooden table. Above a wicker basket, she delicately, with the tips of her fingers, rolls the morning-picked shoots. “Here, we only pluck the bud and the very first leaf, which appear every ten or eleven days at the tip of the stems, she explains. That is how we obtain the best aromas.” Quality teas typically consist of the bud and the first two leaves of the shoot, the freshest and most tender. Here, we are therefore one notch above. The rolled tea is then dried on large sieves, packed, sent by truck to Colombo, the capital, and then exported.

A Century-Old Plantation

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