The 10 Best Places to Visit in Argentina

Spanning both Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazú Falls are spectacular. Visiting from the Argentinian side gives you the chance to get very close to the falls themselves as well as explore the area on many kilometres of walkway that we’ve through the lush vegetation here. Teaming up with a private guide provides outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities in the rainforests of Iguazú National Park and the Bird Park. You can also take heli trips and get truly memorable view of the falls, or take a jet boat safari to their base.

To see the falls at their most impressive, aim to visit between late March and May, or August and early October. Just a short drive along the river, Awasi Iguazu offers spacious stilted villas surrounded by beautiful jungle.

Colourful houses, busy street markets and dazzling tango shows, Buenos Aires beckons to the traveller looking for the perfect mix of city life and culture. No visit is complete without a city tour to Recoleta, the Evita mausoleum and the Boca Juniors’ stadium. Round out a day with Rojo Tango and dinner. Get a taste for life in one of the best cities to visit in Argentina with street food tours, access to closed door restaurants and even private culinary classes. One of our favourites is the El Federal empanada masterclass.

While in the city, consider staying at Legado Mitico which is located in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood close to great shopping and restaurants. The historic Hub Porteño in Recoleta is also a good boutique hotel choice. Buenos Aires is perfectly positioned for exciting day trips out to the Pampas region and Tigre Delta.

If you’re looking for a remote destination, then Ushuaia should be at the top of your list. This city is known as the last outpost before the icy sweeps of the Antarctic. In fact, a variety of cruises set sail from here, some of which pass Cape Horn. Timing is important when visiting Ushuaia and we recommend avoiding June to August as it’s far too cold for most activities, and the cruises only start departing in October and November.

Pop into the Maritime Museum if you have a few days in Ushuaia, and consider heading out on a tour to the Isla Martillo Rookery to see Papuas and Magaellanic penguins. Just a few minutes from downtown Ushuaia, Arakur is spectacularly situated overlooking the Beagle Channel. Another hotel with an excellent location is Los Cauquenes.

Deep in Argentine Patagonia, El Calafate is a small town that acts as a gateway to some of the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes. El Calafate itself is a chocolate box, alpine style town on the shore of Lago Argentino, twinkling lights reflecting in the water and with plenty of small hotels, little boutiques, shops and cafes. Most people tend to stay here for two or three nights, which is the perfect amount of time to explore Perito Moreno Glacier, Estancia Cristina and the southern regions of the epic Los Glaciers National Park. 

El Calafate is a remote town but with its own airport, is one of the most accessible year round destinations in Patagonia. Most of the region becomes completely inaccessible during the winter (July and August), with the peak summer (December to February) being the most popular times to visit. But, El Calafate’s infrastructure means its winter wonders can still be explored. Just remember to add extra time to your vacation to allow for any weather-related flight delays if you travel in winter. 

The Argentine Lake District falls within the vast Patagonian region, with its own distinct landscapes, attractions and allure. There are seven enormous lakes, often visited as part of a scenic road trip, The Route of the Seven Lakes, which winds around the roads that hug the shorelines. There are several small, quiet towns such as Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes that cradle nature lovers and hikers in peaceful lodges and hotels with roaring fires and cosy nooks. San Carlos Bariloche is perhaps the most well known town, which buzzes with little cafes, restaurants and chocolate shops.

The region is distinctly alpine. Pine trees and snowy peaks look down over log cabins and in winter (which runs from around June to August) there’s typically a good snowfall in the Argentine Lake District, making it popular with winter sports enthusiasts. In the summer, temperatures can peak at a very warm 32°C (89°F), when swimming in the refreshing lakes is necessary to cool off.  

Geographically remote and with distinctive geographical features, there’s something special about visiting the Iberá Wetlands (Esteros del Iberá in Spanish). These wetlands are in the north east of Argentina and are part of an enormous interconnected wetland region that stretches into Brazil’s Pantanal, Paraguay and all the way south to Parana River Delta, close to Buenos Aires. 

The wetlands are made up of different ecosystems such as swamps, lagoons, rivers and lakes, all of which act as havens for a huge variation of wildlife. Animals to look out for are caimans, capybaras, crocodiles and marsh deer, not to mention over 350 species of birds. There’s even the chance to spot allusive giant ant eaters and incredibly, Jaguars, successfully re-introduced to the wetlands in 2021 and with populations predicted to increase in the coming years. 

Arakur and Los Cauquenes are also the perfect places to call home when you’re exploring the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of our best national parks to visit in Patagonia. With its breathtaking waterfalls, forests, glaciers and mountain peaks, the park was officially established in 1960 and expanded just a few years later. There are several ways to explore the park, one of the favourites being the Train to the End of the World. Once used to ferry prisoners into the national park to clear trees, the narrow-gauge track begins in Ushuaia and ends in the park.

If you’re feeling energetic, then a hike through the Tierra Mayo Valley to Laguna Esmeralda is a rewarding experience. The scenery and wildlife along the way are impressive. The hike itself is easy to moderate, but the terrain can be a bit rough at times. For a more leisurely experience, board a comfortable catamara in Ushuaia and take a cruise along the Beagle Channel. Watch historic estancias, towering mountain ranges, lighthouses and noisy communities of seals slip past.

The heart of Argentina‘s wine industry, Mendoza is a picturesque region blanketed in sweeping vineyards and dotted with inviting wineries and bodegas. Wine tours here can be completely tailored to your preferences, whether you’re keen on reds, whites or bubbles, and tours include a private, exclusive lunch. If you’re on a romantic getaway, then Cavas Wine Lodge is a private boutique hotel set in its own vineyard.

Head into the Andes for days filled with horse riding, biking, rafting and hiking, combining your activities with picnics or asados’ (Latin America bbq) at a private ranch. You could also choose to explore the vineyards by bicycle. Make time for a sightseeing tour into Parque Provincial Aconcagua where you’ll find Latin America’s largest mountain Aconcagua. While visits to this part of the country are great year round, the seasons can shape your trip, with snow possible in the higher altitudes from June to August, and February being the hottest month.

El Chalten is perfect for hikers and those looking for exclusive experiences in nature away from the crowds. El Chalten is the gateway to the epic Los Glaciares National Park, where the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier calves into Lake Argentino, featuring in our Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Patagonia. Besides this memorable landmark, the park is home to a wide array of birds like black-chested buzzard eagles and condors. Head out on a self-led hike, or we can pair you up with a knowledgeable guide.

El Chalten is also a great starting point for expeditions to Mount Fitzroy and Lago del Desierto, where you can go kayaking and boating. The best time to visit El Chalten is during Argentina’s spring, summer and autumn months (September to May) when the weather is not too cold. Visiting from June to August when it is very cold isn’t recommended because the snow makes hiking very difficult.

Built by Jesuits in 1610 San Ignacio Mini are among the best preserved ruins in Argentina, situated in the San Ignacio Valley and boasting a variety of highly-detailed carvings. The ruins include the priest’s home, the central square, a church and cemetery. Your expert guide will be able to explain the history of the ruins and also detail the culture and human history of the Guarani people, allowing for a deep dive into this slice of Argentina’s history.  

Trips to the ruins leave from Igazú Falls, so Awasi Iguazu is a good base accommodation. The 4×4 journey to reach them takes you through changing scenery, making for a wonderful excursion from start to finish. You can also take guided tours from Misiones Rainforest, as well as en route to the Ibera Wetlands. For the latter, which is an hour and a half away by road, we suggest staying at Puerto Valle Hotel de Esteros.