There’s so much to see and do in Argentina’s dynamic capital that it’s hard to tear yourself away. But you shouldn’t miss the surrounding landscape. Within easy reach you can visit charming old towns where local crafts are still practiced; spend a day in a lively seaside resort; meet gauchos and see their fantastic riding skills at an estancia in the pampas; learning to play polo; or visit a beautiful old town in Uruguay, just across the wide Rio de la Plata River. Or spend a day near the city on a boat trip through the meandering streams of the Tigre Delta. You will quickly notice that not all tourist attractions are located in busy Buenos Aires.
1 Tigre Delta
Tigre Delta
Before entering the sea, the Tigre River breaks out into a tangle of small streams that separate hundreds of small islands. The larger ones have small towns and are popular for summer homes for city folks, who ride back and forth on the sleek motorboats that serve as the delta’s bus system. Traversing these canals lined with tall pampas grass and stopping in small towns or riverside restaurants is a favorite weekend pastime. Or you can take a guided tour to visit this beautiful area.
Stop by Martin García, one of the larger islands, to admire the centuries-old buildings and handsome summer houses and to visit the local museum. Other favorite activities in the delta include swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing and exploring the many hiking trails. Local fish is a specialty of the restaurants, as are traditional grilled meats. Once you’ve finished lunch or dinner and are strolling the grounds, your waiter will flag down the next passing boat for your ride back to Buenos Aires.
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2 San Antonio de Areco
The city of San Antonio de Areco, just 110 kilometers from Buenos Aires, is located in the heart of the pampa, the vast grasslands where the home of Argentinian cattle ranches (or estancias) and the famous gauchos who look after them. The town dates back to 1730, although settlement began a century earlier. It still has a ranch town atmosphere, especially during the November gaucho festival, when it is filled with gauchos riding their Criollo horses, a local breed known for their intelligence. Opposite the traditional main square is the Church of San Antonio de Padua and you can walk through streets with carefully preserved original architecture.
More than 100 artisans work here, keeping alive traditions of silverwork, pottery, cordage, leather crafting, woodworking and hand weaving. This is the place to buy handmade ponchos, silver buckles, leather belts and wood carvings. Several local estancias – ranches – welcome visitors to ride horses, watch demonstrations gaucho horsemanship, or enjoy a meal of the traditional Asado – spit-roasted meat ribs. You can learn more about local history and traditions in the Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes.
Official site: www.caminopampa.com
3 Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
In less than an hour you can take the ferry across the wide Rio de la Plata to Uruguay and the beautiful colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento. You will need to take your passport, but there are few border formalities and customs officials from both countries share a single office, where you will only stop briefly. Walk (or drive an easy-to-rent golf cart) through the quiet cobblestone streets of Uruguay’s oldest city, founded by the Portuguese in 1680, to view the painted colonial buildings. The historic center of Colonia is a name UNESCO world heritage. The main attraction is the city itself, although there is the Basilica del Sanctísimo Sacramento and a number of small museums, all entered on a single ticket. From the top of the lighthouse, which rises from stone ruins of an early monastery, you can get a 360-degree view of the city and the peninsula that extends into the Rio de la Plata.
4 A day with Gauchos on an Estancia
A day with Gauchos on an Estancia
To really immerse yourself in traditional gaucho culture, spend a day with them at an estancia in the pampas. You can arrange this directly with some estancias or you can sign up for a tour with transport from the city. Day excursions usually include a variety of ranch activities including horse riding or a tour of the ranch in a horse-drawn carriage or transportation. There will be demonstrations of the gauchos’ skills such as cattle herding, races and traditional gaucho games on horseback. Some include shows of traditional folk music and tango dancing; a hearty meal of beef grilled over the fire is always a highlight.
5 La Plata
La Plata
South America’s first fully planned city, La Plata was designed as the provincial capital and began operations in 1882. Although the city follows a consistent geometric plan of a street grid with regular diagonal avenues, the government buildings reflect a number of different architectural styles . This variety, in addition to the parks that fill the seven blocks of plazas, makes La Plata an interesting city to tour. The neo-Gothic cathedral is known for its 37 French and German stained glass windows. The Museo de La Plata, a museum of natural sciences and archaeology, is considered the best in South America, with exhibits of Egyptian mummies and tomb remains; dinosaur skeletal reconstructions; pre-Columbian cultures; and mounted specimens of birds, animals, reptiles and insects. The 600-hectare Pereyra Iraola Park contains an observatory and a zoo. The beaches of Punta Lara, a short distance from the center, are popular for water sports such as windsurfing and sailing.
6 Learn to play Polo at Puesto Viejo Estancia
Argentina is almost as famous for polo as it is for tango, and you can learn both on a trip here. Buses run to Cañuelas, or you can take a day tour with transportation from Buenos Aires straight to Puesto Viejo Estancia. After touring the ranch and stables with a polo professional, you’ll mount a horse to learn the art of polo. The lessons are tailored to the experience level, from beginners to experts. Between the two lessons there is a traditional Argentinian lunch, and during the polo season, from September to May, before returning to the city, you will see polo club members and professionals play a match. All basic equipment is included.
Address: Cañuelas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Official site: https://puestoviejoestancia.com.ar
7 Tandil
Southeast of Buenos Aires, Tandil is located in the pampas, where the surrounding farms are backed by the mountains of El Tigre Range. The combination of grasslands, streams and eroded mountains makes it a good center for outdoor activities, especially mountain biking, hang gliding, kayaking, horse riding and rock climbing. Just south of town, the Reserve natural Sierra del Tigre is a natural area of rocky hills known for their spring wildflowers.
In the mid-19th century, Tandil attracted a number of immigrants from Europe, especially Italy, Spain and Denmark. Their influence is still evident today in the cuisines they brought with them. Local agriculture and these food traditions have combined to make the city its center specialty food manufacturers, especially cheeses and cured meats, which are known throughout Argentina. Learn about this rich immigrant heritage in the Museo Tradicionalista Fuerte Independencia.
8 Mar Del Plata
Mar Del Plata
An unashamedly working-class beach resort, Mar del Plata is busy in January and February, Argentina’s summer, but everything remains open throughout the off-season, which is the best time to go. Along with its large urban beaches, there are dunes and rock faces to discover and sports options such as cycling, paragliding, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, diving and fishing. You can do this from the jetties or during a day-long sport fishing excursion. With a large fleet of colorful fishing boats, Mardel – as locals call it – is the place to go for fresh seafood, served in harborside restaurants. Also look for the sea lions here and the beloved sea lion statue on the waterfront.
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