10 Best Places to Visit in Argentina for the trip of a lifetime

Are you planning a trip to Argentina? Here you have the best places to visit in Argentina for a trip of a lifetime!

There are lots of cool things to do in Argentina, and there’s no lack of natural and cultural wonders there.

Stretching from the Andean altiplano down to the icy lakes of Patagonia and the famous Perito Moreno, with exuberant jungles, unique wetlands, extensive pampas and cosmopolitan cities, Argentina is a once-in-a-lifetime destination.

It’s the perfect country for a road trip with extensive roads and outstanding views everywhere.

There are car rental agencies almost everywhere and you can always rely on complete insurance coverage for a stress-free trip. 

Best Places to Visit in Argentina

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina any time soon, here are some bucket list Argentina destinations you can’t miss.

Feel The Power of Nature at the Iguazu Falls

Located in the NE of the country within the Iguazu National Park and shared with Brazil and Paraguay, the impressive Iguazu Falls are one of the top things to do in Argentina.

Made up of over 275 waterfalls, the highlight is probably the Devil’s Throat. It’s the tallest of the falls and stretches across Brazil and Argentina; it’s 80 meters high and 2700 meters in diameter! The roaring sound of the water is almost deafening and the visual spectacle is simply otherworldly.

The Iguazu Falls offer great opportunities for hiking too. The Jungle Train, which departs right from the entrance, takes you both to the Upper and Lower Circuits.

The former is an hour-long hike that leads you to the top of the falls. The views from there are spectacular as you can see around 200 waterfalls!

The latter has multiple inviting paths and lookouts and takes longer to explore. The different views are absolutely worthy and Instagrammable so don’t leave your camera behind!

The natural scene is astounding. Apart from the mesmerizing waterfalls, you can expect to admire thousands of butterflies, spiders and other bugs, toucans, colorful parrots, monkeys, rare animals as jaguars and lush flora including begonias and orchids!

The Iguazu National Park is definitely one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

Wade the Wetlands at Ibera

Located in the central NE part of Argentina and it’s surrounded by the rivers Parana, Iguazu and Uruguay, the Ibera Wetlands are some of the best places to see in Argentina.

They are one of the most important and largest freshwater reservoirs in South America, and one of the best wildlife holidays in Argentina. At the core, there’s a protected area almost 15 thousand square kilometers large.

The local Guarani people are warm and friendly and offer visitors plenty of activities and ways to explore this interesting area: longboat trips, horseback rides, walks along the raised boardwalk or through the forest, wildlife watching at night and so on.

Nature lovers can’t miss this attractive destination. It’s a great place to spot endangered or rare animal species such as the marsh deer, alligators or capybaras and various snake species unusual insects and plants. 

At water level, it’s easy to lose the ability to distinguish between solid ground and marshland and it is advisable to visit the area with an experienced guide.

Be a Porteño in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with iconic monuments, historic landmarks, lovely parks, great art and delicious steak dishes. It’s an European looking city with a famous Latin vibe.

Immense boulevards, fantastic shopping opportunities, state-of-the-art buildings next to examples of colonial architecture, gorgeous cafés and cobbled streets make Buenos Aires one of the best places to go in Argentina.

There are lots of things to do in Buenos Aires! You can book one of the following tours and monument entrances to visit the most important tourist attractions in Buenos Aires:

Plaza de Mayo deserves special attention. The Cathedral of Buenos Aires, the iconic Casa Rosada or House of Government and the Cabildo can be found there. It’s the political heart of the city, together with the Congress that is only a few blocks away.

Puerto Madero is probably the trendiest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, and a magnet for tourists. It just looks onto the Río de la Plata and hosts luxury apartment buildings and trendy restaurants. It’s the place to see and be seen and home to the famous Calatrava’s Puente de la Mujer, a work of art.

San Telmo and La Boca are also must places to see in Buenos Aires.

San Telmo, with its cobbled streets and colonial buildings, is where the rich used to live until the late 1870s when an epidemic of yellow fever hit the neighborhood.

Many bohemians and artists live here and the San Telmo Market is a cozy place where to grab something to eat and run errands. There’s an interesting antiques fair as well in Plaza Dorrego.

La Boca is where you have to go if you want to experience the real football passion: La Bombonera, Boca Junior’s football stadium, can be found there.

The vibrant and colorful houses of Caminito, the Paseo de la Ribera, the Benito Quinquela Martín’s Museum or the Proa Museum are another interesting highlights.

Recoleta is an elegant and upscale neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Alvear avenue, with its beautiful villas and lovely shops or the Recoleta Cemetery (where Eva Perón is buried) and expansive green areas and ample boulevards contribute to the excitement of exploring this area of the city.

The Botanical Gardens, the Japanese Garden or the Bosques de Palermo offer the perfect opportunities to immerse in nature and have a great time.

The Reserva Ecológica in Costanera is probably the best place to admire local fauna and flora only a minutes away from the busiest areas in town.

Buenos Aires is also world-famous for its rich and varied cultural attractions. The Museum of Fine Arts, the MALBA, the Fortabat Collection and the Museum of Decorative Art are some of the cultural venues you can’t miss.

And to crown it all, attending a concert, opera or ballet at the magnificent Colon Theater or simply booking a guided visit to it will satisfy your thirst for cultural experiences.

Explore Salta and the North West

The province of Salta is one of the most important ones in the North West Argentine region. Its capital city is also called Salta and it’s famous for its neoclassical cathedral and colonial buildings, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

Winter is the best time of the year to visit it as summers are usually rainy and hot.

The city is pleasant to amble around with its pedestrian streets and a center with a distinctive Hispanic character. It lays on a beautiful valley surrounded by the fantastic Andean peaks.

The central plaza is a great place to hang out and there many interesting places in town to visit such as the Cathedral or the Church of San Francisco.

For one the best panoramic views in Argentina, take the cable car to Cerro San Bernardo. If you ride it right before sunset, your pictures will be just AMAZING!

Salta is a lively provincial town with an active cultural life and a busy night scene, assured to keep any traveler entertained.

One of the most remarkable cultural attractions in Argentina is Salta’s Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (High Mountain Archaeological Museum), as it offers one of the best insights into the Inca civilization that lived in these lands centuries ago.

The most memorable part of your visit will be seeing the three Inca children who were left as a sacrifice on the Llullaillaco volcano.

At the chilly heights of almost 22 thousand feet their bodies were exceptionally preserved for more than 500 years; one of the mummies, a 6-year-old-girl, was struck by lightning while on the volcano leaving a scar down half of her face and upper body. 

Wine lovers can have a feast in Salta. It’s home of spectacular and extreme vineyards between the mountain and the desert around the town of Cafayate.

There are many wineries in the area that offer wine tasting experiences: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Merlot, Chardonnay or Torrontes are some of the varieties that develop deliciously in the area.

Unlike in Mendoza (the other big name in Argentina’s wine regions), here most wineries are within walking or biking distance so it’s really easy to visit many of them and talk to the winemakers.

Salta and the NW region are absolutely Instagram-worthy so don’t forget your camera or your well-charged mobile phone as you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take stunning pictures. One of the best things to do in Argentina!

Besides, the region offers plenty of opportunities for exciting adventure: hiking, rafting, trekking or horseback riding are just some of the outdoor activities you can try, not to mention spotting interesting animal species such as vicuñas, pumas or hawks.

The Calchaquíes Valley, SW of Salta, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Argentina: a charming combination of pretty adobe villages, dry landscapes, traditional crafts markets and some of the best wines you can ever taste.

The Quebrada de las Conchas is an outstandingly beautiful area between Salta and Cafayate and there are interesting and intriguing rock formations.

The Tren a las Nubes is definitely one of the things you must do on any trip to Salta. It’s one of the highest altitude train rides in the world at over 4200 m elevation and goes through colorful highlands and a magical viaduct.

As you’re exploring the North West, why don’t you plan a road trip to the Quebrada de Humahuaca? It’s famous for its breathtaking rocky landscapes, deep blue skies and small adobe villages scattered here and there.

Its unique color palette will inspire the artist within you and you’ll definitely fall in love with the local people.

Among the villages to visit in the Quebrada de Humahuaca there is the tiny yet lovely Purmamarca, which is just right at the foot of the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours) and its nice market where you can purchase local crafts.

You shouldn’t miss Tilcara either; the Pucará de Tilcara, an Inca archaeological site just outside the village, is an interesting place to visit. Purmamarca and Tilcara are absolutely highlights in any trip to the NW of Argentina.

Admire the Beautiful and Peaceful Córdoba

Located in the heart of Argentina, the province of Córdoba and its capital city, Córdoba are fascinating to explore; one of the less known tourist attractions in Argentina.

The city is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, which can be easily found in the Jesuitic Block _ a XVII century complex with cloisters, churches and the original campus of Cordoba National University. The Cathedral has a beautiful neoclassical and baroque architecture.

There are great shopping facilities as well and an active food and cultural scene to keep visitors entertained.

Staying in the city of Córdoba makes it really easy to reach by bus or rental car any of the beautiful locations nearby.

Surrounded by jaw-dropping hills, stunning lakes and the most peaceful atmosphere, there are plenty of towns that will definitely blow your mind.

Visit La Cumbrecita, Villa General Belgrano, Los Nonos o Villa Cura Brochero and Villa Carlos Paz.

Attend the musical festival of Cosquin, explore the Camino de las Altas Cumbres, Punilla Valley or the Calamuchita Hills.

Explore Mendoza: Wines, Landscapes and Plenty of Things to Do 

Mendoza is the capital city of the homonymous province. It’s a lively place all day long and a fun place to visit in Argentina.

Bustling yet laid-back, it’s the kind of place that you find instantly appealing and keeps you for longer than expected.

Wide avenues lined with sycamore trees, beautiful parks and a cosmopolitan atmosphere ensure visitors that they’ll have a great time in Mendoza city capital, one of the best places to visit in Argentina.

But there’s much more to see in such a fantastic province. The Parque Provincial Cerro Aconcagua, home to the highest peak of the western hemisphere _ the Cerro Aconcagua_, and the fact of being the most important wine region in Argentina and South America make it easy to understand why Mendoza is one of the top tourist destinations in Argentina.

About 75% of the country’s wine production comes from this province so make sure you take some time to explore the local vineyards and wine cellars that are mostly located in Guaymallen, Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo.

Malbec is the top wine variety produced here and it’s really irresistible but there’s also Semillon, Tempranillo, Torrontes and Syrah!

There are bike tours organized and some wine cellars even have accommodation facilities or spas for the best wine experience ever. You can book here a half-day wine tour with tastings or a full-day wine tour with 3 course lunch.

All year round, Mendoza is a great place for adventurous spirits. Skiing, horse riding, rafting and mountain climbing or trekking are just some of the fun activities that adrenaline seekers can try. Las Leñas, Los Penitentes, Los Molles are top skiing resorts.

Fall in Love With the Patagonia Region

Diverse, fascinating and with an otherworldly natural scenery, the Argentine Patagonia region is one of the bucket list destinations in Argentina you can’t miss.

Glacier-covered mountains, deep blue lakes, extensive arid areas, and the most fantastic animal species are some of the reasons why you should visit it.

The small town of Puerto Madryn is close to Valdes Peninsula and Punta Tombo: two of the best locations in the world where you can spot whales and penguins and other arctic wildlife species.

Peninsula Valdes, best whale watching in Argentina

Whale watching is the main reason why anyone visits Peninsula Valdes.

From June to December, whales and orcas come to mate and give birth in its waters.

They can be easily spotted from the shore and there are also excursions organized by experts that give you an up close and personal encounter with these huge creatures. You can book here the whale watching full-day nature tour.

Since the Peninsula de Valdes is a natural reserve, there’s also an interesting population of sea lions, elephant seals and guanacos. If you enjoy whale watching, Peninsula Valdes is one of the best places in Argentina to visit.

Punta Pombo, best place to see penguins in Argentina

Equally interesting is Punta Tombo, a natural reserve that year after year receives thousands of penguins that come to these shores to mate and give birth.

Tourists are invited to walk around the reserve and take pictures but the penguins and their nests and eggs shouldn’t be touched or disturbed.

Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the best places to visit in Argentina

Perito Moreno Glacier, just outside the town of El Calafate and within Los Glaciares National Park, is another must-see destination in Argentina.

During the summer months it’s possible to see huge chunks of ice falling into waters of Lake Argentino.

There are boardwalks that allow tourists to have impressive views of the Glacier but the most adventurous ones can board a helicopter flight and enjoy trekking over it.

For a closer look, you  can also ride a boat! Whichever way you choose, it’s an experience you won’t easily forget.

Check out the following tours to discover Perito Moreno:

Bariloche, one of the best things to do in Argentina

Hungry? Would you like to taste some delicious chocolate? Just as Mendoza or Salta are your go-to places for great wine, San Carlos de Bariloche or Bariloche is the destination for those who could live only on chocolate.

There are plenty of chocolate houses to choose from and if you visit the town in the freezing cold winter months you have no excuses at all to indulge in this tasty treat.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to do in Bariloche area: you can go skiing in Catedral Alta Patagonia ski resort with its 40 lifts and more than 100kmk of marked trails, rafting, sailing, mountain climbing, hiking and fantastic fishing opportunities in the nearby lake.

Road trippers can have an experience of a lifetime: the Road of the Seven Lakes.

It’s a popular name given to Route 234 that joins San Martin de los Andes and Villa La Angostura in Neuquen Province.

It’s a 107 km dirt road that crosses two national parks and offers beautiful views over several lakes. It’s easy to reach from Bariloche, in Rio Negro province and it’s simply astounding.

If you were looking for what to do in Argentina, Bariloche offers so much to choose from.

Visit the End of the World in Ushuaia

Known as the most southern city in the world and nicknamed “End of the world”, Ushuaia is one of the best tourist places in Argentina.

The city is most known for being an outdoor lover’s paradise due to its stunning and unique landscapes featuring mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and the sea.

Ushuaia has many places to visit from Tierra del Fuego National Park, San Juan de Salvamento Lighthouse, End of the world Museum, to Maritime Museum of Ushuaia which are great for history buffs.

Adventure seekers can participate in skiing, hiking, cruising the Beagle Channel or simply chill on the resort town and enjoy all that it offers.

And if you ever planned to travel to Antarctica, Ushuaia is a great getaway point! With a town so diverse yet remote, Ushuaia is one of the best Argentina tourist attractions not to miss.

Relax on the Beaches of Mar del Plata

Beaches, sand, the sea are what describe the beautiful city of Mar del Plata.

With beaches that stretch over 8 kilometers long, bustling hotels and restaurants, Mar del Plata is not only the most famous beach city but also one of the best vacation spots in Argentina.

Every summer thousands of tourists flock in to enjoy the spectacular beaches on the Atlantic coast, take in the cultural mix between the modern and historic buildings or simply have a relaxing vacation by sipping on cocktails in the various cocktail bars.

Some of the popular beaches to check out include Playa Iglesia, Playa Varese, and Playa Mogotes.

Beyond the beaches, there are other attractions to visit in Mar del Plata like the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum and Mar del Plata Aquarium.

If you were looking for where to go in Argentina to enjoy a mix of beaches and culture, Mar del Plata will not disappoint.

Learn about Dinosaurs at Talampaya National Park & Valle de La Luna

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Argentina is Talampaya National Park & Valle de La Luna. The two are just next to each other so it’s better to combine the visit.

Both enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000, Talampaya National Park will amaze you with its impressive red rock canyons and formations.

While the landscape is a sight to behold, the history it harbors is worth knowing too. Fossils dating back a million years ago were discovered here which shows that dinosaurs might have lived there plus there are petroglyphs of early settlers.

On the other hand, Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon lives up to its name with its moon-like appearance. Just like its counterpart, the landscape is equally impressive and the oldest known dinosaur remains were discovered here.

For paleontologists and landscape lovers, visiting Talampaya National Park & Valle de La Luna is one of the best things to do in Argentina.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance If Traveling to Argentina

I always travel with insurance, even if I travel inside my own country. 

No matter how well you plan and research a trip, there are always things that happen beyond your control. I had to use it several times and it saved my trip! 

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