Are you planning a vacation and wondering what the best things to do in Argentina are? Well, this is a diverse country with great customs that guarantees you an authentic and unforgettable experience. And without a doubt, the desire to return and get to know it even more.
Located in the south of America, Argentina is a country full of surprises with a different, diverse, and beautiful geography, a flourishing nightlife, unique local cuisine in the world (especially when it comes to meat), and a long list of tourist attractions. It is a land of natural and man-made wonders that range from glaciers to the vineyards of Mendoza. Truly, there are many things to see and do in this dynamic and incomparably unique country.
In this post, I’m going to show you which are these places that are always on the list of top 10 Things to Do in Argentina and tell my perception about some of them.
Best Things to Do in Argentina
1. Iguazu National Park
They are part of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World for a reason. Located on the border with Brazil, they can be seen from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, in protected areas of both countries. And on the argentine side, they are in the Iguazu National Park, one of the most visited national parks in Argentina (and the first destination I traveled to by plane).
These falls are a set of 275 waterfalls, whose most impressive is the Devil’s Throat, which is 80 meters high. Walkways that blend in with the environment allow you to enter the jungle and closely observe these waterfalls.
A significant amount of original flora and fauna such as orchids and more than 400 species of birds are preserved here. You must bear in mind that to enjoy the Iguazu Falls, you will need at least a full day. So you can get to know all the trails and participate in excursions in the Park with activities full of adrenaline. And being one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in the world, the place is always crowded with visitors.
2. Perito Moreno Glacier (Santa Cruz)
Taking a trip through Patagonia is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences you can have in your life. For me, this trip remained a dream for a long time, until earlier this year, I had the privilege to make it.
Despite imagining what awaited me, seeing thousands of photos, and stories, the trip, and the natural beauties surpassed my expectations. You can be sure that the same will happen to you.
I arrived at the National Park early in the morning, which is one of the best times to visit. From a distance, I could already see the grandeur of the Perito Moreno and could, slightly, get an idea of its magnificence.
The giant Perito Moreno Glacier measures approximately 250 square kilometers and is part of the 48 glaciers that make up the Patagonian ice field. Just to give you an idea of the importance of this glacier, it is considered the third-largest freshwater reserve in the WORLD! In 1981, the Los Glaciares National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In other words, I’m talking about a place of extreme importance in the world.
The visit inside the National Park is made through walkways that take you to a safe distance from the glacier. The walk is super calm, and the structure is impeccable! Along the way, you will discover even more beautiful angles to see and register the beauties of that place. And this being one of the main places to visit in Argentina, there are tourist facilities that offer services around the area.
One of the most popular tours if you visit the Perito Moreno Glacier is the boat trip, which takes you to a region close to the glacier. If you have time and stay within your budget, I recommend doing it! The tour lasts about 1 hour, and the viewing angle changes completely. Just be sure to take your photos during the ride. It’s the best time to take pictures!
3. Buenos Aires
Looking for the best things to do in Argentina? Then Buenos Aires is the place to be. Cosmopolitan and dynamic, this Argentine capital is full of charm and one of the best tourist destinations. It is a city full of parks and greenery. You will be surprised by getting lost in its immense Parisian-style avenues, enjoying the vitality of one of the most important cities in South America.
I enjoyed the beautiful views of the pink government building to the imposing opera house, the colorful streets of Boca, and the wide boulevards of the Palermo district. It is also in this city that you will find 734 bookstores for every 100,000 inhabitants, and the best known is El Ateneo Grand Splendid.
I also took tours in Buenos Aires and excursions to interesting destinations such as the Tigre delta or Montevideo in neighboring Uruguay. There are tons of places to discover and explore this great city which can be easily explored.
Finally, it is here that I witnessed the most beautiful demonstrations of Tango, this passionate dance, inseparable from the country.
4. Ushuaia
This is another of the famous places in Argentina that does not surprise from the list. It is known as “the city of the End of the World,” where you can visit the Beagle Channel and enjoy incredible mountain landscapes. It has one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever seen, a very important gastronomic culture and an incredible natural environment, whether you go in winter or summer.
The main activities that can be carried out in this privileged corner are related to nature, including trekking, horseback riding, climbing, and diving. But there is also a place reserved for contemplation, such as the must-see cruises and expeditions that tour islands, bays, glaciers, and cliffs. In addition, you can take the sea by boat and see the famous lighthouse at the end of the world. And if you want to learn the heritage and history of the town, you can take a tour of the end of the world museum.
Tourists from all over the world visit Ushuaia every year because of its geographical position and its natural environment. This makes it one of the most chosen destinations to spend a different vacation.
5. Mendoza
Not long ago, I got to know the city of Mendoza, and I regret not having gone before. It is a clean and orderly city, where they say that you can taste the best wine in the country (I will not enter into this controversy, although its wines are internationally famous).
There are 1,200 wineries, making it one of the most important production centers in South America. The region’s grape varieties are known worldwide, especially Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.
Tours are organized all around the city. And you can explore the vineyards, visit their cellars, find out how they produce their wine, and best of all, taste their best varieties. The landscape between vineyards and mountains is also breathtaking.
In addition, you should prepare to embark on a journey to the highest mountain in America: Cerro Aconcagua. This is one of the most important tourist destinations for mountaineers and professional climbers. Getting to the viewpoint is a walk that generates great pleasure, and from there, you can contemplate the immensity of the mountain range.
Mendoza has more than ten tourist circuits, festivals, and very friendly people, who will make your visit an unforgettable occasion.
6. Mar de Plata
Mar de Plata has become one of Argentina’s tourist icons and one that all beach lovers want to go to. Its emblematic beaches, great port, and beautiful spa make it a unique place.
In the past, it was only known as a special leisure area for the aristocrats. However, today, it has become one the best places to visit in Argentina, which is so famous for its wide coastline of beaches.
Facing directly to the Atlantic Ocean, Mar De Plata is never empty of visitors during the holiday season. In addition to local tourists, it is not uncommon for foreign visitors to be attracted by the charm of this one beach. And being one of the best beaches in Argentina, it looks like this place can be the main destination when visiting this exotic country.
In addition, Mar del Plata is not only famous for its beaches, but the city also has numerous proposals to choose from bicycle rides, horseback riding, rock and cliff climbing, trekking, rappelling, and even airplane rides. For lovers of adventure tourism, you can go paragliding, diving, and parachuting.
The gastronomic proposal invites visitors to enjoy the city with its most varied flavors, where seafood and fish take all the applause.
7. Recoleta Cemetery
When visiting Buenos Aires, I felt compelled to visit the famous Recoleta cemetery. It took hours of walking in the 54,843 square meters between tombs, vaults, and mausoleums. One thing I can guarantee: it was worth it!
The most interesting is the impressive headstones. There are a large number of monuments and crypts on the territory of the cemetery. Walking through the many pavements of the cemetery, you can see medieval crypts decorated with beautiful statues and bizarre patterns. The cemetery is one of the most unusual places for tourists to visit, but it attracts attention due to its beauty and is one of the most popular places to visit in Argentina.
This is not an ordinary cemetery, as it is under the protection of UNESCO. Here are the burial places of the rulers and most prominent statesmen of Argentina, as well as representatives of the aristocratic and wealthiest strata of society. Here, under a very modest and inconspicuous tombstone, is the burial of the national heroine and the most famous woman in the country, Evita Peron.
8. Talampaya Park
Not sure what to do in Argentina? A visit to Talampaya Park will leave you with an unforgettable experience.
This is a relatively small but interesting park located in the province of La Rioja with an area of only 2,150 sq. km. On its territory, there is a canyon with red rocks, on which ancient drawings and pictograms are perfectly preserved. Trees, flowers on the lawns, cacti, and shrubs grow from the cracks in the rocks. There are unique places in which the echo can be heard for several minutes.
The Park stands out for its reserve of fossils, including some animals that were unknown to Paleontology and that have promoted new studies on the origin of dinosaurs and mammals. These fossils include Lagosuchus talampayensis, an archosaur that lived 250 million years ago, and Palaeocheris talampayens, a 210 million-year-old tortoise.
The Park has canyons, and beautiful geological formations and testimonies left by native peoples have been discovered, mainly petroglyphs and ceramics. In 2000, the reserve was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. And this is not surprising because, in an area of only 2150 sq. km, there are many unique natural wonders.
To be honest, Talampaya was one of the most amazing places I visited during my trip. I was expecting nothing, and I left with a book of selfies and photos that I have a huge affection for.
9. Puerto Madryn and the Peninsula Valdes
The City of Puerto Madryn lies in a protected area on the Patagonian Coast. It turns out that this area is filled with tourists who want to see the most beautiful beach views in the Argentine region. And during summer, Puerto Madryn awaits you with its crystalline beaches, where diving, sailing, and kitesurfing are the main water sports. You can also snorkel with sea lions in Punta Loma.
Nature lovers can also enjoy marine life in the Valdez Peninsula, which is considered an open-air aquarium and the best place in Argentina for ecotourism and watching marine animals. Here you can see whales, killer whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, as well as penguins in their natural habitat. To have an unforgettable experience, you can organize a kayaking or diving trip to get as close as possible to the animals.
10. Nahuel Huapi National Park
This is the oldest Park in Argentina, established in 1934. The rarest and most unique plants are found here. Regardless of where you are in the Park, you can see the Tronador volcano. Glaciers periodically slide down its slopes, which give rise to numerous mountain lakes.
The most natural beauty of the Park is the lake named Nahuel Huapi. The lake is located 767 m above sea level. According to rumors, the terrible monster Nahuelito lives in this lake. It is a symbol of the local area, bringing a lot of income to the residents, selling various trinkets with the Nahuelito symbols to tourists.
The Park is simultaneously located in several diverse natural zones and vividly demonstrates the beauty and richness of the plant and natural world of Argentina. Here I was able to see rare species of southern beech and cedar, some of which are of a very respectable age (500 years). The trunk diameter of ancient trees can be up to 2 m.
The reserve also attracts tourists with its unique wildlife. The Park is inhabited by fallow deer, Andean deer, and numerous representatives of rodents: nutria, whiskey, mouse possums, and armadillos. There are also exotic birds like the wedge-tailed parrot, rhea, Chilean hummingbird, Magellanic woodpecker.