Nearby places

Planning a theatre walk around San Nicolás

Most of the venues listed above sit within a short walk of one another, which makes San Nicolás one of the easiest theatre districts in the world to explore on foot. Teatro Ópera and Teatro Gran Rex face each other across Avenida Corrientes near the Obelisco, and on a busy evening the pavement between them fills with queues for both houses at once. Head west along Corrientes and you reach the Lola Membrives, then the San Martín complex and the Astral, all on the same avenue. Teatro Colón, the Cervantes and the Maipo lie a few blocks off the main strip, so they fit just as easily into an afternoon of wandering.

Different houses, different experiences

These theatres are not interchangeable. The Colón is one of the world's great opera houses, known for its acoustics and its lavish horseshoe auditorium, and it is the place for opera, ballet and orchestral concerts rather than commercial musicals. The Ópera and Gran Rex are large halls that often host big touring productions and concerts. The San Martín is a public cultural complex with several stages and a broader programme that can include contemporary drama and dance. The Cervantes is Argentina's national theatre, focused on Argentine and Spanish-language work, while the Maipo has a long association with revue and popular entertainment. Knowing the character of each house helps you choose a show that suits your taste and your level of Spanish.

Practical tips for visiting

• Check each venue's official website or box office for current programmes, as line-ups change frequently.
• Evening performances in Buenos Aires tend to start later than in many other cities, so dinner is often eaten after the show.
• Corrientes stays lively late into the night, with pizzerias, cafés and bookshops open around the theatres.
• Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas around the Obelisco, as in any busy city centre.

For advice on reaching the area by Subte, bus or taxi, see our getting there guide, and for help choosing seats and timing your purchase, read our ticket tips.