10 Best Places to Visit in Argentina

The mixture of faded European grandeur and persistent South American passion is immediately apparent in Buenos Aires. The city is a warm embrace of history, cafes, cuisine, and art, and one of the best places to visit first.

It moves with elegance and pulses to its own strum, while effortlessly bringing you into its fold. The city truly is lovely and unique, with each of its 47 barrios possessing a distinctive personality. La Boca is a colorful neighborhood that sways to the rhythms of tango, Plaza de Mayo is a bustling square steeped in Argentinian history, and San Telmo is a vibrant district with a Bohemian atmosphere.

You can find luxurious flair, colorful streets, soccer fanaticism, or vintage grace spreading from boutique shops to the aromas of pastries.

Highlights: Plaza de Mayo • Recoleta Cemetery • La Boca • San Telmo • Teatro Colón • Bosques de Palermo

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Puerto Iguazu acts as Argentina’s end of the road, as the city rises out of the confluence of the Parana and Iguazu rivers that also serve as the borders between Brazil and Paraguay.

The subtropical climate sets the city apart from other places in Argentina, crowned with the thundering sounds of the world-renowned Iguazu Falls. The small town gives way to the fascinating display of water power and the stunning colors of the neighboring rainforest that showcases the wonders of the natural world, from rising mist to exotic wildlife.

By exploring Puerto Iguazu you can discover the pleasures of Argentina’s remote parts on a trip that beautifully combines culture with nature.

Highlights: Garganta del Diablo • Iguazu National Park • Casa Ecological de Botellas • Guira Oga

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Salta is an often-overlooked jewel set in the unique contours of the northwest. Old-world charm stems from colonial architecture, while the rugged scenery hosts a sea of vineyards and lush valleys.

Salta is a pleasant town, with views to the dramatic Andean slopes, and remains one of the few places in Argentina where you can experience Quechan and Andean culture, accentuated by plazas stuffed with cafes, clubs brimming with folk music, and access to the wilds of Argentina’s surrounding landscape.

The rugged desert landscape surrounding Salta is worth a visit as shifting colors cascade the rocky cliffs, cacti dot the Mars-like landscape, and pockets of green juxtapose the desert sands and the city’s concrete complexion.

Highlights: Archeological Museum of Alta Montana •  Church of San Francisco • Centro Cultural America • Salta Cathedral • Pajcha Museum of Ethnic American Art

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Bariloche is one of Argentina's most endearing towns, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by the crystalline lakes of Nahuel Huapi. It is a place perfect for adventure and delving into Argentina’s remote heritage.

Blue waters, green hills, and white mountain peaks dominate the scenery that surrounds Bariloche. Rustic wood chalets and the aromas of rich chocolate add to the decadent ambiance established by Swiss, German, and Austrian settlers in the early 20th century.

Bariloche is also one of the most pristine alpine settings you could imagine, which has made it the premier destination for Patagonia’s Lake District in winter, when it turns into a snowy wonderland, or summer, when hiking trails take center stage.

Highlights: The Patagonia Museum • Civic Center • Cerro Catedral • Nahuel Huapi National Park • Cerro Otto • Gutierrez Lake

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

El Calafate is an irresistible gateway to the Glaciers National Park and the famous frozen river of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentine Patagonia.

El Calafate immerses you in Argentina’s great outdoors, connecting you to fantastic, winding pursuits through the mountains or paddles on the lakes for the best views of icebergs, flowers, and surprising wildlife, like flamingos. Serving as a base within the postcard-perfect reaches of Patagonia, El Calafate is a dream place to visit for active adventures, scenic experiences, and thrilling trips.

The town has an unpretentious, quiet atmosphere, and famous chocolate that only brings to light the greater layers of Argentina’s culture and landscape.

Highlights: Glaciers National Park • Glaciarium Patagonia Ice Museum • Nimez Lagoon Reserve • Historical Interpretation Center • Gualicho Caves

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Mendoza is a city of pure charm, with shaded avenues, plazas that exude serenity, and cafes that offer a cosmopolitan vibe as they dish out sensational pastries and coffee.

Irrigation channels reveal the runoff from the Andean snowmelt, giving life to the streets and famous wineries outside its borders. These wine estates of Mendoza are some of the best in the country, inviting visitors to discover the exceptional qualities of Argentinian wine. Views of the green and gold valleys in the shadows of towering mountain summits elevate experiences in and around Mendoza.

In Mendoza city restaurants and cafes overflow onto the sidewalks and the scent of chocolate, ice cream, and meat grilling seem ever-present and seductive.

Highlights: Lago del Parque General San Martín • Cerro de la Gloria • Plaza Independencia • Wine Road • Central Market • Terraza Mirador

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

El Chalten is a vision of color that stands out beneath the drama of Glaciers National Park’s northern region, giving you stunning views of the peak of Mount Fitz Roy.

The town feels authentic, surrounded by unspoiled nature and fabulous panoramas. Whether you are looking for pristine mountain slopes in search of endemic deer or want to trek the famous circuits leading to Laguna Torre, El Chalten throws light on Argentina's natural spectacles.

During fall El Chalten turns fiery red as the leaves change color beneath the snowy Andean summits. At other times of the year it is dressed in emerald greenery. Boasting incredible scenery for hiking and horseback riding, El Chalten remains one of the best places to visit for active adventures.

Highlights: Chorrillo del Salto • El Mirador de los Cóndores • Sendero al Fitz Roy • Capilla de los Escaladores • Laguna Torre • Las Vueltas River

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Ushuaia sits at the “End of the World”, acting as a marker at the southernmost tip of South America and a gateway to Antarctica.

Just being in Ushuaia feels like an adventure, with streets wedged between the snowcapped slopes of the Martial Range and the frigid waters of the Beagle Channel. The gleaming white landscape is a remarkable juxtaposition against the blue waters and colorful resort town that lies far beyond the beaten path.

With access to kayaking and sailing, skiing and the trails of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is a surreal blend of wildlife, traditional cuisine, cultural history, and timeless natural wonder.

Highlights: Laguna Esmerelda • Maritime Museum and Presidio Museum • Museum at the End of the World • Beagle Channel • Tierra del Fuego National Park

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Puerto Madryn is the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, an amazing natural reserve and Patagonia's most significant animal hotspot in Argentina.

Southern right whales visit the peninsula's shore and are visible from Puerto Madryn between June and December. Large colonies of Magellanic penguins, on the other hand, may be observed from October to April, making this coastal location a favorite for nature lovers and those looking for a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime Argentine experience.

Puerto Madryn offers travelers a chance to slow down and absorb the wondrous wilderness and marine sanctuary of Argentina on tours of sandy beaches, glamorous promenades, and breathtaking peninsulas.

Highlights: Peninsula Valdes • Ecocentro • Oceanographic Museum • Historical Site of Punta Cuevas • Doradillo Beach • Parana Beach • Gaiman

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Cordoba is Argentina’s second-largest city, set within the geographical heart of the country. It is a spiritually and culturally significant place to visit, surrounded by three iconic mountain ranges rising above the Primero River.

Seventeenth-century Jesuit churches offer a glimpse into the origins of Cordoba and the rich heritage of Argentina’s famous city. Contemporary art galleries and modern exhibits serve as fascinating counterparts to these historic sites. Hikes and cave tours at the Cerro Colorado Reserve around the corner from Cordoba showcase the natural beauty that circles the city.

By exploring Cordoba, you can come to appreciate the laid-back atmosphere that envelops the massive city, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of Buenos Aires.

Highlights: Jesuit churches • Museo de la Memoria • Primero River • Cerro Colorado Reserve • Los Gigantes

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Argentina embodies diversity, from the famous pampas to thunderous waterfalls, icy glacial cliffs to the powerful allure of tango, with each highlighting only part of the country’s best places to visit on Argentina Tours & Vacations.

As you prepare to explore the picturesque places in the country, you can use insight from our Argentina Travel Guide to inspire your trip. We discuss the top things to do, the best time to visit, and provide more helpful information for your Argentina vacation.