must-visit in Buenos AiresSquare & Landmark

Obelisco de Buenos Aires

📍 Avenida 9 de Julio & Avenida Corrientes, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Quick Facts

Location: Argentina, Buenos Aires
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Opening Hours: Open around the clock; lit at night
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Free (exterior viewing; the obelisk itself is closed to visitors)
Address: Avenida 9 de Julio & Avenida Corrientes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Coordinates: -34.6037, -58.3816

Introduction

The Obelisco is Buenos Aires' most photogenic landmark: a 67.5 m square-column monument designed by Alberto Prebisch, unveiled on 23 May 1936 for the city's 400th anniversary (1536-1936) and built in just 31 days. It stands on the traffic island where Avenida 9 de Julio — at its widest about 140 metres, among the widest avenues on Earth — crosses theatre-lined Avenida Corrientes. The monument cannot be climbed, but the spot is Argentina's kilometro 0, where all national road distances begin; when Argentina wins the World Cup or on national holidays, hundreds of thousands gather here, and on ordinary nights it is the fixed vantage point for photographers. Steps away stands the Teatro Colon, one of the world's great opera houses — an easy walking pairing.

✨ Highlights

The 67.5 m Obelisk

Unveiled for the city's 400th anniversary in 1936; designed by Prebisch, built in 31 days.

Argentina's Kilometro 0

The site marks kilometre 0, where all national road distances are measured from.

The Widest Avenue

On the island where 9 de Julio (about 140 m at its widest) meets Corrientes.

Stage for Celebrations

Where hundreds of thousands gather for World Cup wins and national days.

The Night Vantage

The lit monument against the flow of 9 de Julio is the classic long-exposure frame.

Next to the Colon

The Teatro Colon, one of the world's great opera houses, is a 5-10 minute walk.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best time：After dark when it is lit and the avenue flows below; daytime suits architectural detail.

→Combine：The Teatro Colon, El Ateneo bookshop (a converted theatre), Florida Street and Plaza de Mayo are all walkable.

→Crossing：9 de Julio is very wide — use crosswalks and the central islands, never the railings.

→Belongings：Crowds mix on the avenue and island; keep phones and cameras in hand.

→Opening Hours：Open around the clock; lit at night

→Transportation：Subte Line B Carlos Pellegrini, Line C Diagonal Norte or Line D 9 de Julio

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Free (exterior viewing; the obelisk itself is closed to visitors)

💡 Tips

• The monument looks best after dark — long exposures pick up the avenue's light trails.

• The Teatro Colon is a 5-10 minute walk and pairs into the same half-day.

• El Ateneo bookshop, a converted theatre, is about 10 minutes away on foot.

• Cross 9 de Julio in stages via crosswalks and central islands — never over the railings.

• On World Cup and national-holiday days crowds swamp the island; weekday mornings are calmer.

• The traffic island is windy — dress warmly for winter evening shoots.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Obelisco de Buenos Aires?

Open around the clock; lit at night

How much is the admission for Obelisco de Buenos Aires?

Adult: Free; Free (exterior viewing; the obelisk itself is closed to visitors)

Any practical tips for visiting Obelisco de Buenos Aires?

The monument looks best after dark — long exposures pick up the avenue's light trails. The Teatro Colon is a 5-10 minute walk and pairs into the same half-day.