On this guide, you will be able to discover in pictures the main experiences not to be missed in Argentina , its must-see tourist sites and the lesser-known but worth a visit attractions (cities, national parks, etc.).
A short description will give you the information you need to make the most of each experience.
Although it is impossible to see everything at once, this selection can be useful for planning a travel itinerary if you are going to visit Argentina for the first time by giving you a taste of the best things to do and places. to visit.
The points are not in a specific order. Hoping that this selection is useful to you, do not hesitate to leave a comment if you think there are points to add.
Here are 16 things to do and see while traveling in Argentina:
1. Buenos Aires
There are several things to visit in the Argentine capital, starting with the charming district of San Telmo, the Cementerio de la Recoleta and the Puerto Madero district. For gourmets, try the restaurants of the capital to taste Argentinian beef, one of the best in the world.
2. Cruise the Paraná Delta
To get away from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, head to the town of Tigre from where you can take a boat trip on the Paraná Delta, a vast network of canals and river covered with small islets in the middle of dense vegetation rich in birds (watch out for mosquitoes).
3. Iguazú Falls
One of the wonders of the natural world, the spectacular Iguazú Falls are located on the border with Brazil. The surrounding jungle is home to more than 2000 species of plants and unique fauna in the region: caimans, tapirs, howler monkeys…
4. The Aconcagua Hill
The highest peak in the southern hemisphere (6960 m), Aconcagua offers an incredible panorama, and you can still enjoy it if you don’t plan to climb it. It is in the province of Mendoza, renowned for its wine.
5. Perito Moreno Glacier
It is located in Los Glaciares National Park (near the town of El Calafate). It can be admired thanks to a network of trails that allow you to get very close to it. It is 220 km south of El Chaltén.
6. National road 40 towards Fitz Roy / El Chaltén
Called ‘ Ruta 40 ‘ in Spanish, it is the longest road in the country (and one of the longest in the world), and goes from the border with Bolivia to Patagonia. It is 5000 km long and passes through a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It provides access to many national parks in the country. The photo below is taken from Route Provincial 23 which leads to El Chalten, from Route 40.
7. The North-West of the country: Salta and the Calchaquies valleys
The colonial city of Salta sits in a fertile valley and acts as the gateway to the Andes Mountains. There are majestic colonial buildings. A little further north, you can visit the Calchaquies valleys.
8. Esteros del Ibera Provincial Nature Reserve
The Esteros del Iberá are a vast network of swamps and ponds that extend over nearly 20,000 km² in northeastern Argentina. Its geographical location and difficult access mean that the area has a rich and varied fauna: caimans, birds, monkeys, deer and capybaras.
9. Wine tasting in Mendoza
For wine lovers, Mendoza is the wine region to visit in Argentina. Located at the foot of the Andes, tours are organized to visit estates (bodegas) or to explore the region by bike, horseback or hiking.
10. The cave of painted hands
The ‘ Cave of the Painted Hands ‘ is an archaeological site where you can admire one of the finest examples of cave paintings in South America, accessible by the impressive Cañón de Río Pinturas .
11. The Humahuaca Ravine
An ancient trade route used by the Incas for 10,000 years, the Quebrada de Humahuaca is an arid mountain valley known for its splendid landscapes as well as its pre-Columbian and colonial remains.
12. Ushuaia, the end of the world
The southernmost city in the world, in the Tierra del Fuego region. It is the last place of civilization before reaching Antarctica. Its isolated geographical location attracts many tourists.
13. Peninsula Valdés Reserve
From Puerto Madryn , the Peninsula Valdés Wildlife Reserve is the best place in Argentina to see whales, orcs, penguins and elephant seals.
14. Hike the Fitz Roy massif
With its wild beauty, the Fitz Roy massif is a must for hiking enthusiasts in Argentina. Surprisingly accessible thanks to many marked trails, it can be reached from the town of El Chaltén.
15. San Carlos de Bariloche
Surrounded by the Andes mountain range, San Carlos de Bariloche (or simply Bariloche) looks like a Swiss village. It is possible to ski there in winter and to go hiking and kayaking in the Nahuel Huapi National Park.
16. The Route of the Seven Lakes
A 107 km road trip not to be missed that connects Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes , and passes by several superb lakes. The route is part of Route 40 (formerly RN 231 and RN 234).
Article updated on 7 December 2022