Argentina is a country that offers a combination of excitement, boldness, and intelligence. It captures attention through its vibrant cities, rich culture, and abundant natural beauty. Beyond its reputation for the tango, Argentina has much more to offer than meets the eye.
In the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, one can feel a captivating and cosmopolitan energy as they explore the numerous cafes and hangouts. Cordoba boasts beautiful Spanish architecture, while Mendoza is nestled deeply within the country’s renowned wine region.
When visiting Argentina, one can always find opportunities to immerse oneself in nature and encounter wildlife. The northern region, with its subtropical atmosphere, is home to the magnificent Iguazú Falls, surrounded by an area perfect for hiking and exploration.
12. Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is a city located on the shores of Gulfo Nuevo and is mostly known as the entrance to Peninsula Valdes. It is a popular place to visit during summer because of its beautiful beaches, even though the water can be quite cold.
The city has seen significant growth in tourism lately and its population drastically increases during the summer months. One of the main attractions is whale watching, as the Southern Right Whale comes to the waters of Gulfo Nuevo to breed and give birth.
It is possible to see the whales from the mainland between July and September. Peninsula Valdes, which sticks out into the South Atlantic, is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land.
The peninsula is a breeding place for various intriguing marine animals like seals, penguins, orcas, and sea lions. It is also a great spot for bird enthusiasts, as there are over 180 bird species that have been observed there.
The only settlements on the peninsula are the small village of Puerto Piramides and a few ranches. In Puerto Piramides, there are two main roads with markets, souvenir shops, and good seafood restaurants. There are also a few bars for enjoying drinks, music, and socializing.
It’s important to note that Peninsula Valdes is privately owned, and visitors are not permitted to explore it on their own. All visits to the peninsula need to be arranged through tour operators in Puerto Madryn, who offer bus and boat tours.
11. El Chalten
El Chaltén is a small and charming town located in the Patagonian region of southern Argentina. It was originally established as an outpost in the late 70s.
The town has become famous for its incredible peaks, Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres, making it a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and trekking adventures. During the summer, the town gets crowded with tourists.
El Chaltén overlooks the northern part of Los Glaciares National Park and serves as the starting point for numerous hiking trails. The choice of trail depends on your personal preference.
Some popular options include the easy trek to Lago del Desierto, the beautiful sunrise spot at Laguna Capri, and the more challenging hikes to Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Torre.
After a day of hiking, many visitors head to the local brewery called La Cerveceria, which is a popular place to quench your thirst and relax.
10. Ibera Wetlands
The Ibera Wetlands is a protected area filled with marshy swamps, moss-covered bogs, and shallow lagoons. It is one of the largest wetlands globally, second only to the Pantanal in Brazil.
You can find these wetlands in the northeastern province of Corrientes, about 400 miles away from the capital city of Buenos Aires. Being far from popular tourist spots, the Ibera Wetlands have remained untouched and offer visitors the chance to witness breathtaking nature.
Argentina’s wetlands are famous for their diverse wildlife, including alligators, giant otters, capybaras, monkeys, and anacondas.
Moreover, there are over 350 bird species inhabiting the wetlands, including herons, eagles, magpies, and even the enormous great rheas, resembling ostriches.
9. Ushuaia
Ushuaia, located in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, is a popular starting point for Antarctic cruises. It is the largest city in the province and is situated in the Beagle Strait, making it one of the southernmost cities in the world.
This is why it is often referred to as the ‘End of the World’. Despite its remote location, Ushuaia has transformed into a sought-after resort town with modern casinos and luxurious hotels.
However, if you look deeper into its history, you’ll find that it served as an exile prison and an Argentinian naval base in the past. Nowadays, Ushuaia’s main tourist attractions are divided between the east and west.
To the west, you can find the End of the World Train and Tierra del Fuego National Park, while to the east, there are Fagnano Lake and various scenic hiking trails. If you visit the Beagle Channel, you can witness sea lions and penguins.
Additionally, there are plenty of interesting things to explore in the city center. Highlights include the Maritime and Old Prison Museum, where you can see prison cells with a haunting atmosphere, and hiking to the picturesque Martial Glacier for a panoramic view of the city.
8. Mendoza
Mendoza, located in the largest wine producing region of Latin America, is a popular tourist destination because of its wine and its close proximity to Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
In addition, Mendoza offers the opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, horse riding, and river rafting.
The main square in Mendoza, called Independence Plaza, is the heart of the city and is surrounded by restaurants, shops, and illuminated buildings at night.
Mendoza’s unique irrigation system keeps the arid desert region well-watered, with natural waterways and bridges on both sides of the road.
Many wineries in the Mendoza region offer vineyard tours and wine tasting sessions, each with their own unique offerings such as private tastings with a sommelier or wine tasting by bike.
Throughout the year, there are wine events on the social calendar that often have walk-in tours, but if you visit during the harvesting season in March and April, it’s important to plan ahead as wineries are often fully booked weeks in advance.
7. Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a lively city with vibrant culture and charming European architecture. It is known for its lively neighborhoods, fantastic shopping, and exciting nightlife. The city is proud to be the birthplace of the captivating tango dance.
Located in Argentina, it is one of the largest cities in Latin America.Buenos Aires offers a variety of attractions for tourists, such as beautiful theater shows, trendy bars, and sophisticated art galleries.
The city is always bustling, with late-night dining and clubbing being the norm. If you want to experience everything Buenos Aires has to offer, be prepared for limited sleep.The city is divided into neighborhoods called barrios.
The Microcentro, where The Obelisco is located, is a popular district to visit. San Telmo is known for its flea markets, and La Boca is famous for its colorful architecture and tango street performances.
Buenos Aires is also rich in cultural experiences, with numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters.One of the highlights of visiting Buenos Aires is attending tango dances, which are regularly performed on the streets and in various venues.
6. Cordoba
Cordoba, located at the center of Argentina, is the country’s second largest city. It is called “La Docta” because it has many colleges and universities. The city is surrounded by three mountain ranges and is situated along the Primero River.
You can see a mix of beautiful old colonial buildings and modern ones in Cordoba. Don’t miss the 17th-century Jesuit churches when you visit.
Cordoba has a vibrant nightlife and hosts various events like cuarteto music and rally car racing because it is home to over 200,000 students.
To truly experience Cordoba, immerse yourself in its culture by visiting theaters, cultural complexes, and art bars that cater to different preferences.
5. Bariloche
Bariloche, a town located on the slopes of Cerro Otto in Argentina’s beautiful lake district, provides breathtaking views of the royal blue lake and avocado mountain slopes of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi.
Despite having a small beach, the town’s real attraction lies in its popularity as a sports destination. Visitors flock to Bariloche for skiing, trekking, rock climbing, and water sports.
In winter, it resembles a Swiss ski resort with its Cerro Catedral ski resort and enticing options such as chocolate boutiques and breweries.
West of Bariloche, you can find stunning waterfalls and glaciers near Pampa Lenda, while the Seven Lakes Road to the north offers breathtaking vistas of lakes and mountains.
During summer, the lakes are ideal for fishing and the beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
4. Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls is a very large and powerful waterfall located between Brazil and Argentina. It is made up of many smaller waterfalls. The tallest one, called Devil’s Throat, is almost twice as tall as Niagara Falls.
The surrounding forest is also very beautiful and full of different kinds of animals. The waterfall has its own national park called Parque Nacional Iguazú, which has a lot of unique plants and animals, including rainforests.
There are walking paths in the park and you can also take a boat ride near the falls. Besides the waterfall, there are also many interesting animals to see in the park, such as monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, and more than 2,000 types of plants.
3. Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata used to be a place where wealthy people from Argentina went to relax, but now it is a popular beach resort city. It is located on the Atlantic Coast in the Buenos Aires Province and attracts many tourists every year.
The city has sandy beaches and a vibrant culture. It can get very busy here on summer weekends, but outside of summer, it is more peaceful.
In Mar del Plata, you can see beautiful buildings with both historical and modern architecture, such as Spanish chalets, Victorian homes, high-rise hotels, and casinos.
There are also many restaurants to choose from, as well as an aquarium, zoo, golf courses, and a sports stadium. The main attraction in Mar del Plata is its sandy beaches. The most popular ones, like Bristol, La Perla, and Popular, are conveniently located near the city center.
There are also other great beaches like Playa Grande and Playa Mogotes. These beaches can get crowded between December and March, but they have restaurants, shops, bars, and many water sports and activities.
The Southern Beaches are especially popular among young people, who often gather there for live music and parties.
2. Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a mountain valley in north-western Argentina that has a long history dating back thousands of years. It used to be an important trading route during the Inca Empire and had a convenient caravan road.
The valley is characterized by its dry climate, cacti, llamas, rugged mountains, and colorful sandstone hills. There are several small towns to explore, including the main town of Humahuaca with a population of over 10,000 people.
Other lesser-known mountain villages like Iruya and Purmamarca also offer unique experiences, such as a lovely market. The valley is surrounded by different types of hills and mountains, and the scenery is truly exceptional.
One must-visit spot is the Sierra de Siete Colores, known for its hills with rainbow colors. In addition to its natural beauty, the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley has historical significance as it witnessed many battles during the Argentine War of Independence.
For history enthusiasts, the Tilcara fortress, an ancient Incan site, has been restored and is worth exploring.
1. Los Glaciares
Los Glaciares National Park, also known as Glaciers National Park, is the second-largest park in Argentina and has one of the largest ice fields in the world.
There are many boardwalks and boat rides that allow visitors to get close views of the beautiful ice bergs in various colors and shapes.
The glaciers in the park constantly advance and retreat, creating a mesmerizing display of cracking ice and loud booms as huge blocks break away and fall into the lakes with enormous splashes.
In the southern part of the park, you can find the glaciers, while the northern section offers breathtaking mountains like Mount Fitz Roy, perfect for hiking and mountain climbing.
However, the most famous feature of Glaciers National Park is the Perito Moreno Glacier, which attracts adventurers who enjoy trekking and rock climbing.
The glacier’s continuous movement causes massive sheets of ice to dramatically plunge into the water below, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight.
