Visiting the Top of the Obelisco in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires just revealed one of its best-kept secrets. From 1 November 2025, the Top of the Obelisco opens to visitors. For decades, people have admired the monument from the streets below, seen it on postcards, or used it as a meeting point — but now you can actually stand above Avenida 9 de Julio and enjoy the city from a completely new angle. This new experience might become one of the best things to do in Buenos Aires. In this article, I’ll tell you how to get up to the observation deck of the Obelisco, the ticket price, and how to book your time slot.

Highlight in Buenos Aires

The Obelisco de Buenos Aires stands proudly at the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Corrientes, right in the beating heart of the city.

Built in 1936 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city’s first foundation, the Obelisco quickly became an icon.

Every year, millions of people pass by. They celebrate football victories, dance during Pride, or simply cross on their way to work. For many locals, it’s part of their everyday skyline. For travelers, it’s often their first encounter with Buenos Aires.

And now, finally, you can see the city from inside it.

How to get to the viewpoint of the Obelisco?

The city completed a long-awaited project to install an elevator inside the narrow core of the monument. It was a complex task, but the result is impressive. Visitors now have a safe, guided way to reach a new viewpoint on Buenos Aires.

Here’s how it works:

At the base, you take a few steps and enter a small elevator that holds only four people at a time. It takes you through seven internal levels. The elevator stops near the observation deck, where a spiral staircase of 35 steps leads you to the very top.

When you reach the top of the Obelisco, you find four small windows — one facing each direction — revealing a panoramic view of Buenos Aires.

It’s an intimate, almost secret experience. You won’t find crowds or noise. Only a handful of people are allowed up at a time, and each visit lasts about 20 minutes.

The View from the Obelisco observation desk

So, is it worth going to the Top of the Obelisco?

Absolutely. The view from 65 meters high offers something completely new.

To the north, you’ll see Avenida 9 de Julio stretching endlessly. Traffic lights flash like tiny dots, buses and taxis look like toys, and the green canopies of trees break up the gray of the city. Great to take a time-lapse video.

To the south, the avenue continues toward Constitución Station, one of the city’s main transport hubs.

Look west, and you’ll spot Avenida Corrientes leading toward the famous Teatro Colón and beyond. To the east, the modern skyline of Puerto Madero glows, and on clear days, you might even see the silver line of the Río de la Plata.

Practical Information before getting to the top of the Obelisco

Opening hours and duration

The Top of the Obelisco is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00. Visits are organized in 15-minute time slots, and reservations are mandatory with a maximum of 4 people per time slot.

Ticket prices and currency

Tickets cost around 25 USD per person, paid in Argentine pesos 38.000 ARS. Locals pay a lower rate, 18.000 ARS, but foreign visitors can expect this as an average price.

Because the exchange rate in Argentina changes frequently, I recommend reading the currency exchange guide on Secrets of Buenos Aires before paying. It explains the best way to exchange your money, what rates to expect, and how to get the best value for your pesos.

Accessibility

The experience is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users due to the narrow staircase near the summit. The interior of the monument was not originally designed for visitors, so even after renovations, the space remains tight.

Where to get tickets?

You can buy your tickets safely through the official website: miradorobelisco.com.ar. Payment for the Obelisco tickets is done in advance by card, making it easy for international visitors. Because of the limited capacity, it’s highly recommended to reserve your time slot a couple of weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

How to Get to the Obelisco

Getting to the Obelisco is easy from anywhere in the city. You can reach it directly by subway, known in Buenos Aires as the Subte.

• Line B: Get off at Carlos Pellegrini station
• Line D: Get off at 9 de Julio station
• Line C: Get off at Diagonal Norte station

All three stations are connected underground, so no matter which line you take, you’ll arrive just steps away from the monument. If you prefer buses, several lines stop right along Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also widely available.

To get more information how to use the subway and get around in Buenos Aires, I wrote an article with many tips.