23 Top Tourist Attractions in Argentina (Updated 2023)
Argentina is a dynamic and unique country and is considered the land of wonders be it natural or man-made. Many places will amaze you such as glaciers and sky-scraping peaks of the Andes, the bustle of Buenos Aires, and the vineyards of Mendoza.
To be on the list of some of the top tourist attractions in Argentina has some remarkable places to visit. There is the largest waterfall, the highest peak in the Americas and travelers can find beautiful sceneries anywhere. Argentina is quite variable when it comes to tourist attractions, therefore, the visitors keep on coming here again and again.
How to reach Argentina
Argentina is one of the most popular countries in South America. From football to travel destinations, from food to traditional culture, everything is in abundance in Argentina. Many travelers visit Argentina throughout the year for different purposes. So, reaching Argentina is almost a cakewalk.
Air travel
This is the most popular mode of transport to reach Argentina. Flight travel here in Argentina is a bit more expensive as compared to other South American countries. Even then, flights are the most availed mode of transport. Ezeiza is the most popular airport in the country based out of Buenos Aires. It is a prominent air hub with a direct flight connecting different countries. Direct flights operate daily from the United States of America. Many travelers travel from the United States to Argentina.
Bus Travel
The second most popular mode of transport after air travel is the bus journey. It provides a great experience of the natural beauty of South America. Moreover, it’s cheaper than air travel indeed. There are many bus services crafted for long-distance travel. They are comfortable and connect with most of the neighboring countries. International bus services are available from Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Make sure you have reserved the seats beforehand, otherwise it is will be a bit tough for you to get tickets on the spot.
Water Travel
Ferry or cruise is not that a preferred option to reach Argentina. However, if you are traveling from neighboring countries like Uruguay, a few ferry services will take you to Puerto Madero.
Top 5 cities to stay in Argentina
1. Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina. Undoubtedly most of the tourist attractions of Argentina are easily accessible from the capital city. Just lazing around in the city is also quite enjoyable. The European and Latin influence covers a lot of the old city of Buenos Aires. This is also the cultural capital of Argentina. If you are on a trip to cultivate the cultural heritage of the country, Buenos Aires is the best city to stay in. It has all the tourist attractions of Argentina concerning cultural heritage, within reach.
2. Mendoza
This city produces the best wines from Argentina. The city has a laid-back vibe. So, for a leisure trip with the family, Mendoza is quite a choice. Wander around the beautiful squares, walk down the tree-lined streets. The snow-capped mountains are also not that far away. You can arrange some adventure trips from here. No matter what you do, do not forget to taste a glass of wine before leaving wine.
3. Ushuaia
One of the most beautiful cities along the coastline, Ushuaia is as pretty as a city can get. The low-lying buildings along the coastline are a view to cherish forever. Kayaking is one of the popular tourist attractions of Argentina, especially in Ushuaia. If you want to engulf the beauty of Antarctica and the Andes, this is the best city to kick off the exploration.
4. Cordoba
Tradition and contemporary essence of art and culture meet each other at Cordoba. The colonial architecture is one of the best tourist attractions in Argentina. The students come to visit Cordoba, hence the pubs and restaurants are always beaming with vibrant colors. There are many galleries and museums which you can explore.
5. Rosario
Rosario is one of the most important port cities. The city is full of galleries, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The contemporary buildings and old buildings stand side by side. The nightlife is also very lively. It is often overlooked and is much underrated, but trust us, Rosario is one of the prettiest cities in South America
Popular Tourist Attractions in Argentina
Apart from the cities, here are a few popular tourist attractions in Argentina that you must also check out. Here are the popular tourist attractions that you must cover
1. Volcan Lanin
Often covered with the snow-capped route, Volcan Lanin between Argentina and Chile, is a volcano popular amongst hikers and rock climbers. Those who wish to visit must take permission from the Lanin national park office. They need to show proof of supplies and then trek to the peak. Visitors also sometimes take a short walk of about an hour to the Volcan Lanin’s Cara Norte. This has a view of the lake Lago Tromen and also the forest surrounding it.
2. Quebrada de Cafayate
In the Valles Calchaques region, a huge valley is established made up of unusual rock formations from Sandstone having bold colors. It is known as Quebrada de Cafayate. To create a picture-perfect, there are Sierras de Carahuasi as a backdrop, giving a bold contrast. El Obelisco (iconic monolith), Los Castillos (rock formation castles), and the chalk quarry are the landmarks that you can look for. The chalk quarry is also known as El Fraile is an unusual rock formation. The tours along the Rio de las Conchas are well organized, it takes you to the gorge and then to the heart of the valley.
3. Tigre Delta
Buenos Aires is the city of Tigre. It serves as a center for the surrounding estuary. The real tourist attraction of the city is to escape Tigre and exploring the river delta by boat. The city also has some all-embracing museums, lively markets and a variety of shops. You can choose to either book a guided tour or just go with the local water taxis. While on the floating means of transport you get the experience of watching some local homes along the canals and there are many floating vendors as well who trade in the river itself.
4. Recoleta Cemetery
Buenos Aires is also a popular destination for Recoleta Cemetery, which dates back to the early 18th century. It includes nearly 5,000 crypts. The flourished architectural features of the Recoleta Cemetery consist of Doric columns, mausoleums, and countless statues. The tombs are made in remembrance of people from the political or cultural note of the last two centuries.
5. Talampaya National Park
The most important archeological and paleontological site of the country is Talampaya National Park situated in La Rioja Province. Dinosaurs used to roam in this region around 250 years ago, confirmed by the fossil remains found there. The wonderful tourist attractions include the dry bed of the Talampaya River, the rich red of the valley, the splendid sceneries, and the extraordinarily shaped rocks.
6. Iglesia San Francisco
The most impressive colonial structure of Salta is the Iglesia San Francisco which is known for its white pillars and multi-tiered tower, lightened in the night. This popular attraction in Argentina is an architectural landmark for its church’s interior has a domed ceiling and archival library.
7. Cerro Catedral
Yet another popular attraction in Argentina is Cerro Catedral in South America, a well-established ski resort. It is situated in the Lake District near San Carlos de Bariloche. It is a tourist attraction full of adventurous sports like challenging terrain, snowboarding, and ski festivals. People also love to visit the resort during the offseason to tame the terrain and also take the amazing mountain views.
8. Mar del Plata Beaches
The country’s top beach resort is the Mar del Plata. It was once a retreat for Argentina’s aristocracy located on the Atlantic Coast. The lively culture and the sandy beaches make it a top tourist attraction. The city is much more relaxed in non-summer months than the summer weekends when it is fully packed.
9. Cueva de las Manos
It is a popular attraction for the ones who appreciate art or history, having a collection of prehistoric cave paintings which were made 9,000 years ago. It includes some iconic stenciled outlines of overlapping hands as well as painted hunting scenes and symbolic pictographs.
10. Aconcagua
One of the world’s Seven Summits, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Andes. It is an exceptional tourist attraction in Argentina for its immense height and accessible climb. The climbers reach the summit without using any ropes or technical equipment. It is surrounded by glaciers and Mendoza’s Aconcagua Provincial Park.
11. Quebrada de Humahuaca
Quebrada de Humahuaca is another tourist attraction in Argentina situated between the Andes and Valles Templados. It has a desert-like atmosphere consisting of cacti, lamas, and colorful sandstones.
12. Street Tango
Street Tango is amongst the popular tourist attractions in Argentina where someone is always performing Tango on the street. Many tourists find it fascinating as the crowd gathers, the dancers put on their show while the music is played.
13. Ushuaia
Ushuaia is now a major tourist attraction in Argentina while it has a missionary base. It is located on the Beagle Channel. It is mostly used for hiking and cruises to Antarctica.
14. Ibera Wetlands
After the Pantanal in Brazil, Ibera Wetlands are the second-largest wetlands. It is home to many animals such as anacondas, capybaras, and more than 350 rare and endangered bird species. It is mostly explored by foot or on horseback.
15. Mendoza Wine Regions
Mendoza Wine regions are located in the eastern foothills of the Andes. It is considered amongst some of the highest altitudes in the world. Being the heart of the winemaking industry, it’s a great place for skiing and adventures in the Andes.
16. Monte Fitz Roy
Monte Fitz Roy is a granite mountain which is situated in southern Patagonia. It is surrounded by glacial lakes and ice fields. The mountain was first climbed by French alpinists Guido Magnone and Lionel Terray in 1952. It is one of the iconic points as the terrain and rock faces are loved by the photographers for their beauty and the challenge for the mountain climbers.
17. Staying on an Estancia
Staying on an Estancia has become a popular attraction amongst the day-trippers. The visitors usually go for a horse ride after breakfast, come back for a barbecue, and then a quick hammock siesta before they get into their trails.
18. Beagle Channel
Along with the Straits of Magellan to the north and the open-ocean Drake Passage to the south, the Beagle Channel in the extreme south of Argentina is the third navigable passage. It is a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago. It is best visible via boat trip, with some other tourist attractions – the sea-lion colony and Isla de Pajaros.
19. Valdes Peninsula
One of the popular attractions is the Valdes Peninsula for viewing endemic wildlife. Visitors can see a variety of marine mammals, depending on the time of visit. Whales are usually seen between May and December and are located between the Valdes Peninsula and the Patagonian mainland.
20. Caminito
It is that tourist attraction that appeals to the photographers as it is filled with colorful cafes, shops, houses, and statues. It is located in La Boca and celebrates the arrival of Italian immigrants in the 1800s. The place feels alive where music fills the air, tango dancers give their performances and artists sell their paintings.
21. Route of the Seven Lakes
The best tourist attraction in Bariloche is the Route of the Seven Lakes, incredible for its beautiful sceneries. It is a drive of 105 km in total. One can also admire waterfalls and a walk to the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
22. Perito Moreno Glacier
Located in the Los Glaciares National Park, it is one of the most lovable tourist attractions because of its size and accessibility. Though it takes two hours by bus from El Calafate, the most popular way to visit Perito Moreno Glacier is by boat.
23. Iguazu Falls
Near the borders of Paraguay and Brazil, Iguazu Falls are situated in the northeastern corner of the country. It is the crown jewel of Iguazu National Park and amongst the largest waterfalls in the world.