I was fortunate to have lived in Rosario, Argentina, for nearly two years so I can share from personal experience what the best places to visit in Argentina are. Honestly, even two years didn’t feel like enough time to see and experience all this magnificent country has to offer, though.
From the sizzling tango performances in Buenos Aires to the icy glaciers of Patagonia to the decadent wine region of Mendoza. Argentina is a massive country that has something to offer everyone.
The Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate, Argentina.
It hosts some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere and has one of the most captivating capital cities in the world, which is a must-visit for any food or soccer fans out there.
And if you’re curious about Welsh settlements, chaotic animal colonies, and sun-soaked vineyards making top-notch wine, then Argentina is perfect for you.
This post shares some of the most amazing places to visit in Argentina and explains the best time of year to come to Argentina and how to get around Argentina (at the end of the post). Enjoy!
Note:It’s worth noting that unless you have at least a couple of months to dedicate to traveling in Argentina, you will likely be unable to visit and enjoy each place in this post. Argentina is HUGE, and these places are spread throughout the country.
This post is meant to help you decide which portions of the country sound the most interesting to you, so you can better plan your trip. If you’re interested, I also put together an itinerary for Argentina with the places I consider to be “must-sees” in Argentina for people who have less than 2 weeks to spend here.
20 of the Best Places to Visit in Argentina
A summer home on the Tigre Delta that can only be reached by boat.
20. Tigre Delta
Tigre Delta is a unique suburb built around the swampy land and waterways that empty from the Rio Paraná into the Rio de la Plata. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Buenos Aires.
The homes here are built on islands, and there are no roadways going to them. People travel by boat, and the grocery stores actually will bring a boat full of fruit and different food right to the homes of the residents – so they can buy their groceries!
There are quite a few different things to see and do in Tigre Delta such as museums, like the Naval Museum and Art Museum. There are nice antique shops, riverside restaurants, and pubs, and also a casino and an amusement park.
The most common thing, though, is to take a boat tour of Tigre and see how folks live on the islands. It takes a little more than an hour, and you’re served coffee and little desserts while you’re on it.
19. Talampaya National Park
Talampaya National Park is a geological treasure in La Rioja Province in the Cuyo region. The park covers an area of 215,000 hectares but only 5% is accessible to tourists. The rest is a research area.
The Talampaya Canyon is the most impressive part of the National Park. It sits 1,500 meters above sea level and is an important archeological and paleontological site to this day, having been home to dinosaurs and aboriginal communities millions of years ago.
18. Ischigualasto National Park a.k.a Valle de la Luna
Also by Talampaya National Park is the impressive Ischigualasto National Park, which is also known as the Valley of the Moon. This area contains the most complete continental fossil record known from the Triassic Period (245-208 million years ago).
Six geological formations in the parks contain fossils of a wide range of ancestors of mammals, dinosaurs, and plants that reveal the evolution of vertebrates and the nature of palaeo-environments in the Triassic Period.
Some tour companies offer tours that will take you to both National Parks within the same day.
17. Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is a resort city on Argentina’s Atlantic coast. It’s one of the best places to visit in Argentina for anyone looking for some beach time! Its long string of beaches includes the wide Punta Mogotes and Playa Grande, with its surf breaks.
Behind Playa Grande, the tree-lined streets of the Los Troncos neighborhood have elegant early-20th-century houses that are now museums. These include the Roberto T. Barili History Museum, which traces the city’s past through photographs and objects.
Just note, during the summer months, Mar del Plata is VERY busy with local Argentines visiting during their summer holidays. Be sure to book any accommodations in Mar del Plata in advance.
16. Nahuel Huapi National Park
Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina. It’s a huge protected area in the Bariloche region of Patagonia and is filled with gorgeous lakes, tons of wildlife, and even a dormant volcano.
It’s the perfect spot for hikers, as the trails are all very well-marked and well-maintained. There are even cabins that can be used by overnight trekkers. It’s worth checking out the complete list of hikes in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
15. Bariloche
Once you’re done trekking through Nahuel Huapi National Park, head into the beautiful city of Bariloche! San Carlos de Bariloche, also simply called Bariloche, is known for its Swiss alpine-style architecture and its chocolate, sold in shops lining Calle Mitre, the main street.
It’s also a popular base for hiking and skiing the nearby mountains and exploring the surrounding Lake District. Take your time to really enjoy the city when you visit it. Go for nice walks around the streets to soak it all in and appreciate the architecture.
Since it’s surrounded by so many forests and lakes, it’s really pleasant to get out of the city for a bit and experience nature by foot, bike, or car. They say the views even inspired Saint Exupéry to write The Little Prince.
You can do many different excursions from the city, especially boat rides on the lakes to see the islands and waterfalls. A popular one is Camino de Los Siete Lagos, a road that takes you through the most incredible sceneries and landscapes. There are also great places to stay in Bariloche.
14. Quebrada de Humahuaca
Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow mountain valley in northern Argentina. It’s known for its dramatic rock formations and hills, and its indigenous Quechuan villages, and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
In the south, the rainbow-colored slopes of the “Hill of the Seven” rise above the village of Purmamarca. It’s a tourist hotspot, thanks to this geological masterpiece. Be sure to visit in the morning, as the colors are more vibrant in the early sunlight.
13. Salinas Grandes
Most of us have seen Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, but did you know that Argentina has its own salt flats too?
The Salinas Grandes are located in the northwest part of Argentina, in the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. They are the third-largest salt flats in the world!
Puerto Madryn is a city on the coast of northern Patagonia. It has a lot of sandy beaches, but even in the summer, the water is pretty cold.
The reason many go to Puerto Madryn is for the abundance of wildlife. It’s a great area for whale watching, and you can even go snorkeling or diving with sea lions!
Punta Tombo is also a popular day trip about 155 miles South of Puerto Madryn. Here, you can get up close and personal with the second-largest penguin colony in the world! It also happens to be the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in all of South America.
It’s also best known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, a chunk of northeastern Patagonia that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, also filled with wildlife.
These waters are a breeding spot for the endangered southern right whales, who come by the hundreds between mid-June and mid-December. There are also elephant seals, sea lions, and orcas living here, plus over 180 different bird species.
This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many boat, kayaking, and scuba diving trips available, though you can often see marine life right from the shore too. There are also some great hotels in Puerto Madryn!
La Recoleta Cemetery
11. Buenos Aires
No trip to Argentina would be complete without spending at least a day in the city of Buenos Aires, so it’s no surprise it made it on the list of the best places to visit in Argentina! Here are a few key things to do and places to visit while you are in Buenos Aires.
Plaza del Mayo – this is where some of the most notable events in Argentine history have happened.
La Recoleta Cemetery – one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world! This is a must-visit in Buenos Aires.
La Boca – this is a colorful and touristy neighborhood.
Eat steak at a parrilla – La Cabrera is one of the best in the city.
See a show at Teatro Colon
Puerto Madero – it’s a trendy neighborhood that is nice to walk through.
And if you’re interested in visiting another big city in Argentina, I’d recommend Córdoba which is the second-largest city in the country.
You can really feel the mix of pre-Hispanic and colonial influences in this attractive town, which has some of Argentina’s best-preserved old colonial buildings. Named Cultural Capital of the Americas in 2006, Cordoba does well combining the old and the new.
Mendoza is a city in Argentina’s Cuyo region and the heart of Argentina’s wine country. It’s most famous for its Malbecs. Of course, the most popular thing to do here is to tour the bodegas (wineries). You can take traditional tours or even bike tours to the bodegas.
Ushuaia is often called “The End of the World” (fin del Mundo) because it is considered the southernmost city in the world, and is one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
It’s a city surrounded by the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel and is a popular spot for tourists because many of the ships for Antarctica depart from here. (It’s quite fun to watch them go!)
There are many great restaurants and bars in Ushuaia. This city is also a fantastic base for doing some of the day trips I’ll mention next…
Speaking of the Beagle Channel, this is also an amazing place to visit in Argentina. There are many species of birds as well as sea lions to be seen and some outstanding views of Ushuaia.
Martillo Island is an easy half-day trip from Ushuaia. It’s home to an incredible colony of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins between September and April. There are around 1,000 nests there!
We were told to stay 3 large steps away from the penguins, but sometimes penguins would brush right past you on their way over to their friends. I couldn’t believe how close you can get to them. Walking with the penguins on Martillo Island is an absolute must-do in Argentina!
Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia.
6. Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park is located within Ushuaia and borders Chile. It’s a magnificent spot for hiking with forests, glaciers, mountains, and peat bogs, and is truly one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
The hikes here range from difficult and treacherous multi-day hikes to easy, well-marked out and back hikes. Below, are some of the popular day hikes you can take in Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Pampa Alta Trail (4.9 km) — This is one of the easier hikes, with views of the Beagle Channel.
Costera Trail (8 km) — A hike along the coast.
Hito XXIV (7 km) –- This one takes you to the international border with Chile.
Cerro Guanaco Trail (8 km) –- The hardest/steepest day hike. But has a lookout point at the end.
Mount Fitz Roy is an iconic mountain that sits on the border between Argentina and Chile. It was originally named “Chaltén,” meaning “smoking mountain” in the ancient Tehuelche tribe’s dialect. This is because there is almost always a cloud surrounding it which makes it look as though it is smoking.
While Mount Fitz Roy is considered one of the most difficult peaks to scale, there are ways to see it, even if you are not a very experienced hiker. I personally like the Laguna Capri hike. (You can find more info on that, here.)
Just in case you were wondering, too, Mount Fitzroy is what is on the label for the clothing company “Patagonia.”
4. El Chaltén
If you’re heading to see Mount Fitz Roy, then you’ll have to go through El Chaltén to do so. El Chaltén is dubbed Argentina’s trekking capital, with tons of beautiful hikes to choose from and is one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
El Chaltén itself is just over 1,000 people but has some cute bars, restaurants, and hostels. It’s a unique, little town with little to no cell phone reception, and currently has no banks and only one ATM. It’s very much a town geared toward hikers and backpackers.
3. El Calafate
El Calafate is a town near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The reason many come here is to visit Perito Moreno Glacier (more on that next).
However, the town itself is also worth visiting, as there are many lovely restaurants, bars, chocolate and ice cream shops, as well as cafes.
El Calafate also has a lot of souvenir shops and places to buy hiking gear. Of course, it’s marked up considerably, though. It’s a wonderfully relaxing and cute town to relax in before setting out on your hikes! There are also some great places to stay in El Calafate!
2. Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier is located within Los Glaciares National Park and is a popular day trip from the touristy town of El Calafate, and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
This national park itself is in southern Patagonia and spans over 2,300 square miles of icebergs floating in lakes, jagged Andean mountain peaks, and, most impressively, massive glaciers. It’s one of Argentina’s big tourist attractions.
Perito Moreno Glacier is unique because it’s a glacier that is accessible, and it’s actually growing! Experts are still debating as to why Perito Moreno Glacier is growing while many glaciers are regressing.
Now, one of the ways to enjoy Perito Moreno Glacier is to take a bus to the viewing platforms of the glacier. However, the “coolest” way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier is by hiking it! It is one of my favorite memories of Argentina. I loved that you also get a glass of whisky at the end on glacier ice.
Whether you’re in the mood for some day hikes or multi-day adventures, this is the place you want to visit. The access points of El Chaltén and El Calafate make great bases for exploring this incredible glacial landscape in Patagonia.
“Poor Niagara.” Eleanor Roosevelt famously said that upon seeing Iguazu Falls. And it’s hard to not have that reaction when you see them in person! It’s no wonder it made it to the top of the list of the best places to visit in Argentina.
Iguazu Falls are shared between Brazil and Argentina and are made up of a system of 275 waterfalls and cascades, with the exact number depending on the season.
It spans an area of 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) wide and is almost twice as tall and nearly three times wider than Niagara Falls. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Argentina.
Fortunately, you can get really close to the action on the trails, walkways, and bridges in Iguazu National Park. The star of the show is the Garganta del Diablo or Devil’s Throat.
This intense section of churning white water produces a roar so loud you can barely hear yourself think! It also sends up these huge clouds of mist into the air as the water crashes down. Getting to see Iguazu Falls in person is a total bucket list experience.
The sheer size and power of all that falling water is really something you have to see to believe!
Again, Argentina is HUGE, folks. So depending on which parts of the country you are planning to visit, this will vary. I, personally, like traveling in Argentina during the end of February/early March. This at the end of the tourist season, but many places are still open and accessible – but with far fewer crowds.
The weather is a bit warm in Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazu at this time of year (around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for a high on average), but it is absolutely perfect in Patagonia (between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit). There were also very few crowds.
If the end of February doesn’t work for you, I also recommend visiting Argentina in the spring, which is the end of September through the end of December. The temperatures are mild and the beautiful Jacaranda trees are in bloom (pictured above).
The average temperatures will vary, but Buenos Aires is usually between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The Patagonia region will be chillier, with temps ranging from only 30 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees. (Be prepared, this is peak tourist season, though!)
Arriving in Argentina – How to Get to Your Hotel From the Airport
The majority of international flights to Argentina will arrive to Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires (EZE). This is about 20 miles/33 km from the city center of Buenos Aires (where your hotel will likely be).
Now, taking the bus from the airport to the city center will take you anywhere from 2-3 hours, and it’s not a simple journey. Whereas a car ride will take about 40 minutes.
I recommend contacting your Buenos Aires hotel for a shuttle service or taking an Uber. Uber does work in Buenos Aires! A ride will likely cost around 970 pesos (roughly $15 USD).
FYI – As of right now (November 2023), US citizens do NOT need to pay a reciprocity fee when they enter Argentina. Most nationalities also do not require a visa to enter Argentina. Double-check if you need a visa.
Getting Around Argentina
To maximize your time in Argentina, I recommend flying to each destination. It is possible to take a bus or rent a car and get to these destinations, but it is going to take a considerable amount of time.
For example, taking a bus trip from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu will take a minimum of 18 hours – and the ticket will be roughly the same price as a flight. Driving your rental car will take roughly 15 hours. Or a flight from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazu will take less than 2 hours!
The most common domestic flights will be through Aerolineas Argentina. Their flights will be the most readily available and likely the cheapest. I won’t lie – they’re not the best airline. The service is quite terrible (in my experience), and it’s a bit chaotic. Just prepare to adjust your expectations when flying with them! (I personally flew Aerolineas Argentina for this entire itinerary.)
LATAM Airlines also offers domestic flights, although not as many and prices can be a bit higher. They are a far better experience to fly, though, in my experience!
In Buenos Aires or Puerto Iguazu, you can use public transport to get around within the cities. Buenos Aires has a great subway system, and the buses in Puerto Iguazu are quite efficient and inexpensive. Cabs are also always readily available (and Uber does run in Buenos Aires).
In Patagonia, there are shuttles, taxis and plenty of tour companies to get you where you need to go.
Rosario, Argentina – my former home. Rosario is not a popular tourist destination, though.
If anyone has any additional questions or comments about traveling in Argentina, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section at the bottom of this post! Thank you so much for reading, everyone.
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Hi! I’m Lindsey, the voice behind Have Clothes, Will Travel. I’m an online shopping aficionado from a small town in Wisconsin who has also lived in Russia, Argentina, Japan & Australia.
One Comment
I would love to visit all these wonderful places! Thanks for sharing this!
xoxo
Lovely
I would love to visit all these wonderful places! Thanks for sharing this!
xoxo
Lovely