10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Argentina

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In terms of geography, Argentina is a very diverse country, encompassing everything from harsh deserts to humid jungles. Stretching from the subtropical north to the subantarctic regions of beautiful Patagonia in the south, Argentina also has a rich cultural, artistic and architectural heritage that has drawn many influences from around the world. With its beautiful “barrios”, including colorful art districts like La Boca and trendy neighborhoods like Palermo, Buenos Aires has a distinctly European vibe and is the best place to start exploring (it’s also the best place to learn tango, which the most romantic of Argentine dances). Besides the many cultural attractions, the other big draws are the natural wonders of the country,

1 Falls of Iguazú

Falls of Iguazú

The breathtaking falls of Iguazú are located on Argentina’s border with Brazil, with Iguazu National Park on the Argentinian side and Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these massive waterfalls are undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sights in South America. Visitors can get fairly close to these thunderous falls thanks to a network of easily accessible walkways and viewing platforms designed to provide the best views possible, including some at the bottom of the falls, an area known as the Devil’s Throat. In fact, Iguazu consists of 150 to 300 individual waterfalls along its nearly two-mile rim, a number that varies depending on the season, ranging in height between 60 to 82 meters and each as spectacular as the next. Served by an international airport in Argentina (and one in neighboring Brazil), it’s relatively easy to visit, especially if you’re flying from Buenos Aires.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Iguazu National Park

2 Perito Moreno-gletsjer

The main hub for tourists visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Patagonia Los Glaciares National Park , the town of El Calafateoffers numerous accommodations and other amenities for visitors. It is here that most visitors join excursions to see the park’s popular glaciers, especially the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, a massive 30-kilometer ice formation (and the world’s third largest freshwater reserve) located just 78 kilometers from the city center. Named for a 19th-century explorer, it’s just a two-hour journey from El Calafate to the glacier’s large visitor center, and from here it’s just a short walk to the glacier along a fun walking circuit. For those wishing to climb the glacier, ice trekking tours are available, ranging from an hour walk across the ice formation to longer five-hour excursions. Another important feature of Los Glaciares National Park is the 3.Monte Fitz Roy , a stunningly beautiful mountain that straddles the border with Chile, which is likely to be more difficult to climb than Everest.

Official site: www.losglaciares.com/en/index.html

Accommodation: Where to Stay in El Calafate

3 Editor’s Pick Buenos Aires: De stad Barrios

One of South America’s most attractive cities (also one of its largest), Buenos Aires is often the first glimpse of Argentina most visitors will have before heading off to popular tourist destinations like Patagonia. But the smart ones will linger here and enjoy the many wonderful museums and art galleries housed in the beautiful old colonial buildings dotted around the city’s neighborhoods or ‘barrios’. Of the must-see barrios, be sure to visit La Boca , Buenos Aires’ most colorful neighborhood and home to the fun Caminito Street Museum , a beautiful pedestrianized and open-air museum popular for its brightly painted houses, quirky sculptures, and open-air tango classes. FashionableRecoleta is another must and is where you will find the Recoleta Cemetery with its elaborate mausoleums containing the remains of such famous Argentines as Eva (Evita) Perón, along with numerous public gardens, museums, art galleries, cafes and boutiques. Other neighborhoods to explore if time allows Palermo and Belgrano with their wide boulevards and palatial mansions, and, in the inner city, the delightful Plaza de Mayo .

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Buenos Aires

4 Ushuaia: The End of the World

On the southern side of Argentina, Patagonia is famous for its spectacular landscapes: a dramatic mix of the Andes and long stretches of plains and plateaus. Most adventures start here in Ushuaia , the world’s southernmost city. Established as a penal colony in the early 1900s and now a popular starting point for trips to Antarctica or around Cape Horn, this town on Beagle Channel is surrounded by a unique landscape of mountains, sea, glaciers and forests on the edge of the National Tierra del Fuego park , with its spectacular scenery and diverse flora and fauna. Popular points of interest include the San Juan de Salvamento Lighthouse– also known as the lighthouse at the end of the world – built in 1884 on the Isla de los Estados; the End of the World Museum with its exhibits related to the region’s natural history, aboriginal life, and early penal colonies; and the Ushuaia Maritime Museum , housed in the city’s infamous former military prison and worth a visit for its many maritime artifacts and scale models of famous ships such as Darwin Brak .

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Ushuaia

5 Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula

The town of Puerto Madryn is located on the shores of Golfo Nuevo in one of the most sheltered places on the Patagonian coast. Founded by Welsh settlers in 1886, the city’s deep-water harbor and abundant nature reserves make it one of Argentina’s most popular cruising destinations, while its rugged coastline also attracts water sports enthusiasts, especially windsurfers who enjoy braving the strong Patagonian winds. Highlights include the Natural Science and Oceanographic Museum , in a beautiful heritage building overlooking the harbor, with numerous exhibits on Patagonian flora and fauna, including a whale skeleton and a fascinating giant squid exhibit. For nature lovers, the big draw is itValdés Peninsula , an important natural reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its diverse flora and fauna. Guided tours of the reserve are a must, and visitors normally get to see everything from right whales (here to mate and calve), along with elephant seals, sea lions, and killer whales. It is also an important breeding ground for migrating shorebirds, especially Magellanic penguins.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Puerto Madryn

6 Nationaal park Tierra del Fuego

The lakes, rivers, peaks and glaciers of Tierra del Fuego National Park draw countless visitors and hikers to Argentina’s oldest coastal national park, a massive 156,000-hectare area stretching from Beagle Channel to the Chilean border and north to Lago Kami. Using the city of Ushuaia as a base, adventurers flock to the park’s hiking trails or along the coastline to explore the dramatic scenery, which includes everything from tall waterfalls, dense forests and mountains, along with beautiful glacier-fed lakes such as Roca and Fagnano . One of the most popular routes is Senda Costera, a coastal trail to Lake Roca from Ensenada Bay, offering a chance to see a rich diversity of wildlife, including Andean condors. For those who prefer to see the sights in comfort, take a ride on the magnificent Southern Fuegian Railway , an elegant antique steam train through the park to Canadon de Toro.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Ushuaia

7 Mar del Plata

sea of silver

Some of the best beaches in South America are in the relatively modern city of Mar del Plata, on the Atlantic coast 400 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Here, the beautiful beaches stretch for more than five miles, with the modern cruise ship port of Mar del Plata de Chica and Grande beaches (they’re also popular with sea lions, many of which hang out in the waters around the town’s fishing grounds). Once a playground for the wealthy, many old mansions mix with newer resorts along the city’s beautiful waterfront with its many parks, plazas and gardens. Besides the beaches, windswept dunes and dramatic cliffs, Mar del Plata is home to the excellent Juan Manuel Fangio Museum, a car museum dedicated to one of the world’s best Formula 1 drivers and with more than 100 cars and 500 trophies (a highlight is an exhibition dedicated to the first car, an 1886 Daimler). Another must see is the Mar del Plata Aquarium with its many marine attractions including dolphin and seal shows, penguins, turtles and flamingos.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Mar del Plata

8 Bariloche and the Lake District of Argentina

Commonly referred to as Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche has earned a well-deserved reputation as a place for the adventurous. The town is probably best known for nearby Cerro Catedral , the tallest of its peaks and a popular ski resort that draws visitors from far and wide. Cerro Catedral is one of the largest ski resorts in South America, boasting over 100 kilometers of ski area and is particularly popular for its stunning views of Nahuel Huapi, one of the many beautiful lakes that make up Nahuel Huapi National Park, The Lake District of Argentina. In fact, Bariloche is located within the park and serves as the main tour center for those looking to explore the area’s diverse natural beauty, which includes everything from volcanoes to waterfalls and glaciers and offers opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, rafting, and climbing.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bariloche

9 Mendoza

Mendoza

Arguably one of Argentina’s most beautiful cities, Mendoza is just as popular with outdoor enthusiasts in winter as it is in summer. When the snow flies, skiers from all over South America head out to experience some of the best skiing in the Andes at the popular resorts of Las Leñas , famous for its steep terrain, and Los Penitentes, just 25 kilometers from the border with Chile. Come summer, these same areas are popular with hikers and climbers, many centered on the summit of the 6,960-foot mountain Aconcagua. Other outdoor activities include white water rafting and trail riding, some offering overnight camping adventures under the stars. Mendoza is also famous for its olive oil production and has many other fun cultural attractions, including a number of museums and annual festivals, as well as a bustling Central Market (Mercado Central) where locals buy produce, meats and fish (it also has some excellent food stalls and restaurants).

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Mendoza

10 Historic Cathedral of Córdoba

Historic Cathedral of Cordoba

In central Argentina, just a five-hour drive from Buenos Aires, Córdoba is the country’s second-largest city and is often used as a stopover on trips to the Andes. Most of the city’s finest old buildings date back to the early colonial period of the 16th century and can be seen when exploring the historic part of the city around Plaza San Martin , now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of these, one of the most important is the beautiful Cathedral of Córdoba, a beautiful blend of baroque and neoclassical styles that can trace its roots back to the original Roman Catholic church built here in 1580. Highlights of the structure, much of which dates back to the 18th century, include a beautifully ornate interior with stunning 20th-century frescoes and murals painted by leading Argentine artists, a unique silver altar, and an important collection of gold votive offerings (see also the crypts, the final resting place of a number of important Argentines).