Top 9 Things to Do in Argentina with Family

One of the best ways to see Argentina as a family is to hike the trails that guide you through remote regions and their diverse landscapes.

From the snow-capped peaks of Patagonia to the rolling hills of Argentina’s wine country Mendoza, there are many places to explore on family hikes. Hiking in Argentina highlights the natural beauty of these territories, whether wandering through white ice fields or crossing grassy pastures where animals graze.

The hikes in Argentina for families range from casual walks to challenging routes, giving you choices to suit your family and demonstrating the wonderful places to visit, regardless of where you trek in the country.

Best Hiking Trails: Paseo Superior in Iguazu National Park • Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park • Fitz Roy Hike in El Chalten • Refugio Frey Hike in Bariloche • Cerro Arco in Mendoza

Argentina’s rainforests and untamed wildlands boast mighty waterfalls to chase as a family. There are all sorts to witness, from narrow waterfalls that fall hundreds of feet over mossy rocks to the world’s largest waterfalls in Iguazu National Park.

The Iguazu Falls is an iconic collection of waterfalls that plunge over the edge of the Parana Plateau. Devil’s Throat is one of the highlights of the feature, with a curtain of 14 waterfalls crashing into the river below. You and your family can view the impressive display and the rainbows that form in the spray on a boardwalk spanning the summit of the falls.

There are waterfalls in Argentine Patagonia that are distinctly special, flowing over icy surfaces and with sheets of water that tumble down jagged cliffs to feed the country’s magnificent Río Negro river. You can chase as many waterfalls as possible with your family.

Best Waterfalls to Visit: Devil’s Throat and the Iguazu Falls • Chorrillo del Salto in Los Glaciares National Park • Cascada Escondida in Río Negro • Fitz Roy Cascades in Los Glaciares National Park • Cascada del Toro Muerto in Córdoba

The towering, snow-covered peaks of Patagonia represent a natural border between Argentina and Chile, and feature remarkable glacial landscapes to explore as a family.

You and your family can explore the Argentine Patagonia glaciers within Los Glaciares National Park near El Chalten. The remote region boasts an impressive collection of ice formations, accessible on glacier hikes, glacier cruises, or helicopter tours. You can also enjoy kayaking, rafting, cycling, and mountaineering to explore the region’s icy expanse.

Walking across the glaciers lets you experience them up close as you feel the ice crunch beneath your feet. On cruises, you can see the frozen formations in style and enjoy a gourmet lunch with the glacial backdrop. To see Patagonia from a unique vantage point, you and your family can take to the skies in a helicopter to hover over Perito Moreno Glacier.

Best Glaciers to Visit: Perito Moreno Glacier • Torre Glacier • Glacier Grande • Upsala Glacier • Spegazzini Glacier

Argentina’s diverse landscapes, regions, and coastline teem with wildlife and marine life.

Families can travel to the Valdes Peninsula of Puerto Madryn to see elephant seals, sea lions, dolphins, and the southern right whales that arrive in the Golfo Nuevo bay for the M breeding season, staying from May to December. The Iguazu National Park is home to the endangered giant otter and other animals, including the South American tapir, howler monkeys, and jaguars. You can also spot capybaras, pampas deer, and caiman in the Iberá Wetlands.

The wildlife and marine life viewing opportunities are endless in Argentina, inviting families to discover its unique endemic creatures in protected paradises.

Where to See Wildlife: Puerto Madryn • Iguazú National Park • Iberá Wetlands • Puerto Deseado • Yacutinga Private Nature Reserve

The unspoiled countryside and cultural cities are the perfect places to cycle with your family. Many routes reveal natural beauty and customary traditions, from El Chalten to Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, and beyond.

Some trails lead travelers to the remote reaches of far-flung regions, while others weave through city streets. Each cycling experience is unique, whether it be a challenging pedal through dramatic landscapes or a cultural tour of the historic districts in Buenos Aires.

Cycling is an opportunity to experience Argentina closer than ever before, and you can hop on and off to explore every inch of your destination.

Best Places to Cycle: Buenos Aires • Argentine Patagonia • Calchaquí Valley • Ushuaia • Route of the Seven Lakes

Locals cherish horses and the tradition of horseback riding spans centuries of Argentina’s rural history. You and your family can experience the great outdoors while appreciating this heritage on horseback-riding adventures across remote regions.

You can trot from cattle ranches across the prolific pampas and follow your guide to rolling emerald hills beneath the jagged peaks of the Andes Mountains. Your guide will lead you from one breathtaking place to the next, escorting you through forests and across shallow streams, past towering summits and beneath rocky overhangs.

Exploring Argentina in the saddle shows off the natural spectacles in an intriguing and adventurous way. This experience is perfect for adventurous families.

Best Places for Horseback Riding: Bariloche • The Lake District • Córdoba • El Calafate • Las Pampas

Bring your family to Argentina to try the cultural cuisine and culinary highlights that showcase the tradition and reinvention of classic dishes.

Argentine asado is the perfect introduction to the local food, referring to a barbeque done the Argentine way. Chefs often smother the meat in chimichurri, a tangy green sauce made from parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and red wine vinegar. You can start your days with empanadas, a signature pastry stuffed with ground beef, spices, and other ingredients, or pair your coffee with a dulce de leche-filled alfajor, a confection containing caramelized milk.

Argentinian chocolate tasting is a favorite among families with young children, and Argentinian ice cream is a unique mix of gelato and traditional ice cream. You can take your tastebuds on a culinary adventure through Argentina with food tours, cooking classes, and more.

Best Food to Try: Asado • Chimichurri • Dulce de leche • Empanadas • Argentinian chocolate • Locally-sourced ice cream

Colonial charm riddles Argentina’s popular and remote regions, encouraging families to visit and experience the traditional architecture and splendor in various places.

Salta is one of the most significant colonial destinations in northwestern Argentina. It is a massive city, but features many pockets of colonial influence that trace origins to Spanish settlement and Andean heritage. The architecture is exquisite and a beautiful backdrop for family-friendly tours through the city. You can also visit the Swiss-inspired villages of Bariloche, where the architecture accentuates the sparkling lakes and lush landscape of Río Negro.

The colonial presence comes to life in the architectural marvels of Argentina’s colonial regions, such as Mendoza and Córdoba, and within the museums and exhibits that entertain children of all ages.

Best Colonial Places to Visit: Bariloche • Salta • Mendoza • Córdoba • Buenos Aires

An estancia, or cattle ranch, experience in Argentina captures the spirit of rural Argentine life and families can embrace the storied heritage on tours of these landmarks during the best times of the year to visit.

Estancias can be found in the Argentine countryside, built on the slopes of rolling hills or plateaus that unravel across the pampas. Gauchos, or South American cowboys, welcome visitors to their humble abodes and working cattle farms to experience what it was and is like to live in tune with Argentina’s natural surroundings and deep cultural roots.

You can tick off many activities during your stay at an estancia, from horseback riding across Patagonia to indulging in authentic Argentine asado.

Best Places for Estancias: Córdoba • Patagonia • Mendoza • Bariloche • Calchaquí Valley

Argentina is an ideal place to visit as a family, with many experiences suitable for children of all ages. The top things to do on your vacation include hikes across the cinematic countryside, enjoying the delicious flavors of Argentine desserts and classic dishes, experiencing the cultural traditions at estancias, and more.

To enjoy these activities in Argentina, you can create your custom trip using our Argentina tours & vacations as inspiration. If you want more insight into Argentina before you plan your trip, our Argentina travel guide shares everything you need to know.