Image of the Torre Espacial in the Villa Soldati district

Bridge, tower & modernBuenos Aires & surroundings

Torre Espacial, the lookout tower of the Parque de la Ciudad

The Torre Espacial (Space Tower) is a steel observation tower in the Villa Soldati district of Buenos Aires, inside the Parque de la Ciudad, the former Interama amusement park. It is one of the hidden gems of Buenos Aires away from the classic routes: a structure from another era that dominates the south of the city.

It was made in Austria, took years to open and had its lookout shut for eight years. Today the Torre Espacial is one of the tallest structures in the country and, according to the sources, lets you see the coast of Uruguay.

WhereSector Futuro of the Parque de la Ciudad, Villa Soldati district, city of Buenos Aires

TypeSteel observation tower from the 1980s; a cultural landmark of the city

Best forPanoramic views, engineering and anyone looking for things to do in the south of Buenos Aires

Getting thereIn the Villa Soldati district, inside the Parque de la Ciudad; check the current access to the lookout first

The history of the Torre Espacial

The Torre Espacial stands in the Sector Futuro of the Parque de la Ciudad, the former Interama amusement park, in the Villa Soldati district of Buenos Aires. It is also known as the Torre de Interama or Torre de la Ciudad. The structure was designed and manufactured in Austria by the company Waagner-Biro, which produced it in 1979, and it was assembled in Buenos Aires in the early 1980s. According to one source, the bankruptcy of Interama S.A., the company developing the park, delayed delivery of the components.

The tower opened to the public on 9 July 1985. Its base is anchored underground on thirty reinforced-concrete piles one metre in diameter, whose depth is given as between 30 and 35 metres depending on the source. What rises above ground is a galvanised steel structure on a hexagonal base, braced by six tension cables and clad in painted sheet metal with a trapezoidal profile. A myth with no documentary backing says that its design recalls a spearhead pointing at the sky or a sword planted in the earth.

The total height is quoted in different ways: between about 200 and 228 metres, depending on the version. What the sources agree on is that, until the Alvear Tower opened in 2019, it was the tallest structure in Argentina. The lookout is reached by two high-speed lifts that make the trip in less than a minute; the internal staircase has 1,000 steps and 45 landings. One source mentions observation decks at 120, 124 and 176 metres, and from the highest one the view stretches about 80 kilometres and takes in the coast of Uruguay.

The lookout was out of service from November 2003. At the end of 2010 restoration work began on the lifts and the platform, and it reopened to the public on 26 November 2011. That same year the city legislature declared the tower a cultural landmark of the City of Buenos Aires, under Law 3860. Today its antenna carries radio and television signals for the whole city.

Curious facts about the Torre Espacial

The structure was manufactured in Austria in 1979 by the company Waagner-Biro before being assembled in Buenos Aires.
Until the Alvear Tower opened in 2019 it was the tallest structure in Argentina.
Its internal staircase has 1,000 steps and 45 landings, yet the two high-speed lifts make the trip in less than a minute.
A myth, with no data to confirm it, says the design was inspired by a spearhead pointing at the sky or a sword planted in the earth.
From the highest platform the view reaches about 80 kilometres and, according to the sources, takes in the coast of Uruguay.
The lookout stayed closed from November 2003 until it reopened on 26 November 2011.

Tours near Torre Espacial

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

Empanada Cooking Class in Buenos Aires

★ 5 (135 reviews) · 3.5 h

See details ›

Buenos Aires: 7-Course Argentine Asado & Live Music

★ 5 (103 reviews) · 3 h

See details ›

Buenos Aires: Take a Mate Break in 45 Minutes

★ 5 (84 reviews) · 45 min

See details ›

Customized Tigre Delta Tour lunch and drink included

★ 4.9 (76 reviews) · 3 h

See details ›

Visiting the Torre Espacial

The tower is in the Parque de la Ciudad, in Villa Soldati in the south of Buenos Aires, away from the busiest tourist districts.
The lookout reopened in 2011 after restoration; the sources do not say how visits work today, so check the current opening days and hours before you go.
The high-speed lifts take less than a minute; the 1,000-step internal staircase is not meant as the usual way up.
On clear days the panoramic view reaches about 80 kilometres.
Among the other places in this guide, the nearest are about 7 kilometres away.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Torre Espacial is

Photos of Torre Espacial

Photograph titled “Alcanzar el cielo” (Reaching the sky)

Olympic Village area in Villa Soldati, Buenos Aires

Questions

What is the Torre Espacial in Buenos Aires?

It is a steel observation tower in the Parque de la Ciudad, in the Villa Soldati district. It was made in Austria, opened to the public in 1985 and is a cultural landmark of the city.

Where is the Torre Espacial?

In the Sector Futuro of the Parque de la Ciudad, the former Interama park, in the Villa Soldati district of Buenos Aires.

How tall is the Torre Espacial?

The sources differ: one speaks of about 200 metres and others of 228 metres. Until 2019 it was the tallest structure in the country.

What can you see from the Torre Espacial lookout?

A panoramic view of about 80 kilometres over Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires; according to the sources, the coast of Uruguay can be seen from the highest platform.

When did the Torre Espacial open?

It opened to the public on 9 July 1985. The lookout was closed from November 2003 and reopened on 26 November 2011.

Can you go up the Torre Espacial?

The lookout reopened in 2011 after restoration. The sources do not detail current access, so check the opening days and hours before you go.