By Marina Veccia
Argentina is a country of wonders. No matter what region you are visiting, you will find spectacular highlights. And they could hardly be more different! Immensity is the word that describes the country to perfection. Discover the Best Places to Visit in Argentina.
The top destinations range from tropical rainforests in the north, snow-covered mountains and glaciers in the cold south, fertile wine growing in the middle of the country, a few kilometers of coastline in the east to barren but colorful mountain ranges on the border with Chile. Argentina is the ultimate place.You will experience all of this in Argentina paired with outstanding cuisine, unique culture, and Argentinian character. Choosing a favorite is not always easy with so many interesting places in Argentina, so this is a list of our Best Places to Visit Argentina.
Best Places to Visit in Argentina
1. Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are in the border triangle between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Iguazu means ‘big water’ in the Guarani language and that couldn´t be more accurate. They are a force of nature in the truest sense of the word because the largest waterfalls on Earth extend over a length of almost 3 km in a deafening roar.
2. Argentina Northwest
Province of Salta and Jujuy: the most colorful mountain ranges of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The north of Argentina around Salta is undoubtedly one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, the wild west of South America. The locals rightly call Salta ‘la Linda’, which means ‘beautiful’. This applies both to the colonial city of Salta and especially to the surrounding area.
Due to the colorful mountain ranges of the Andean highlands in the west and the fertile lowlands to the east, this diverse region has more than just a reason to travel in a small space. From Salta, you can also visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy Province, a UNESCO world heritage site, and its little villages, Purmamarca, Humahuaca and Tilcara.
3. Buenos Aires: the vibrant capital with the best steak
What is special about this city is its mixture. South American culture paired with numerous European influences. Italians and Spaniards, in particular, have shaped the city, which has certainly contributed to the attractiveness of Buenos Aires in terms of urban planning, culture, and cuisine. In addition, a pleasant climate and a fascinating blow to people.
4. Iberá Wetlands
The Esteros del Iberá (Iberá swamps) are the largest nature reserve in Argentina. For animal lovers, Iberá is a must as a travel destination because of the amount of wildlife you can see in this region. The Esteros del Iberá marsh has 13,000 km², making it the second largest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil. It consists of swamps, bogs, lakes, and lagoons. “Iberá” comes from the Guarani language and means “light water”.
The biodiversity of the Esteros del Iberá is very large. There are 350 bird species alone! You can often see capybaras and caimans. Alligators, maned wolves, swamp deers, howler monkeys, and pampas deer also live here. All this makes the Esteros del Iberá an insider tip for nature lovers who want to experience the very authentic Argentina in its natural beauty and who would like to put up with the somewhat arduous adventure.
5. Mendoza: the evergreen wine region
Mendoza is pretty much what you imagine a wine region in Argentina to be. The pretty city with the surrounding growing areas of fine wine varieties is enough for a visit. When you leave the artificially irrigated green oasis of the city, a unique landscape awaits you: the inhospitable, misanthropic and yet fascinating mountain world of the Andes. It is not uncommon that visitors in Mendoza end up staying significantly longer than the originally planned days.
6. Bariloche: skiing and hiking fun in Argentina
The traces of Central European immigrants are unmistakable in this place. The Patagonian lakes area is reminiscent of the Alpine foothills with buildings in the style of chalets.
Located at the foot of the Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche is famous as the largest ski area in South America at the Cerro Catedral. The beauty of the lake landscape particularly attracts extreme athletes in summer. Hiking and trekking tours, canoeing, rafting, hang gliding and paragliding, flight excursions, fishing and swimming are some of the many activities around Bariloche.
7. Península Valdés: the place for animal watching: whales, elephant seals and penguins
The Valdés peninsula is after the Esteros del Iberá in Corrientes, one of the most important nature reserves in Argentina. The Península Valdés is popular with tourists because of its numerous marine mammals.
Depending on the season, there are orcas, elephant seals, sea lions, penguins and dolphins to be seen on the coast. On the partially pink shimmering salt lakes, which are 42 m below sea level and are therefore the lowest points in South America, you will find numerous flamingos. So, if you are into wildlife, this is another destination you should not miss.
8. El Chaltén: Argentina’s most attractive hiking area around the Fitz Roy massif
El Chaltén is located about 200 km north of El Calafate and can be wonderfully combined with your tour to the Perito Moreno glacier. From the small mountain town of El Chaltén in the Los Glaciares National Park at the foot of the famous mountains Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy in Patagonia, there are numerous hiking trails and trekking tours with different levels of difficulty. Most of them are self-guided. With its demanding summit hikes on Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, El Chalten also attracts many climbers from around the world.
10. Perito Moreno Glacier: a colossal natural spectacle
The Perito Moreno Glacier is probably THE tourist ATTRACTION that you cannot miss during your trip to Argentina. A gigantic mass of glacier ice the size of the city of Buenos Aires, with walls of up to 80 meters of ice, is a hypnotizing spectacle.
The Perito Moreno is definitely one of the natural phenomena that you can just watch for hours. Observing the ice surface, its play of colors through different sunlight and its cracking and creaking background noise let you quickly forget the time. At the latest when you hear him calving, you will no longer look away and feel the fascination.
10. Ushuaia: the southernmost end of the world in Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego, the southern end of America. An archipelago separated from the mainland by the Magellan Strait. In the west, the last mountain ranges of the Andes rise before sinking into the sea on the southeastern tip of the main island, Isla Grande.
The natural beauty of the region can be seen on day tours from Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the planet that prides itself on being called Ciudad del Fin del Mundo. The Tierra del Fuego National Park, a must-see, has spectacular views of lakes and mountains. The city is sought after by skiers and snowboarders, as it has ski stations with great snow and the longest winter season in Argentina. For the big adventurers, Ushuaia is a well-known starting point for Antarctic expeditions.
Visit Argentina with us! We create taylor made travel itineraries in Argentina and Chile. We would love to help you plan your trip. Take a look to our itineraries in Argentina:
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 Argentina Northwest Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Argentina Wines Full Buenos Aires Mendoza Wine Tour Buenos Aires
