From its spectacular sceneries to its friendly people and its superb city life, Argentina is without a doubt one of my absolute favorite travel destinations. And it looks like I’m not the only one. The country is becoming more and more popular among travelers around the world. Yet, the country manages to retains its charm. Here is your Argentina tourism top ten, with ten top attractions that you must scratch off your scratch map.
The Lake District
I’ve visited this place three times and still I want to go back… One of the highlights of Argentina tourism, the Argentinian Lake District is popular among Argentinians and international travelers alike, yet manages to retain its pleasant atmosphere. The main hub of Bariloche has a great vibe and functions as the transport center that can get you to any destination in the Lake District. Its famous Centro Cívico with the beautiful Alpine architecture and Saint Bernard dogs is fun to walk through. Beyond the city lies a spectacular natural backdrop that is waiting to be explored. You can rent a car and drive to charming nearby villages, such as Villa Traful. But the main attraction here is Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, with its gorgeous natural vistas and excellent hiking.
Iguazú Falls
No Argentina tourism top ten could be complete without the spectacular Iguazú waterfalls. Visit this place and it will be difficult for you to appreciate the waterfalls that you’ll visit afterwards. These falls are so powerful that they will astonish even the most hardened travelers. The waterfalls are located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, and to get the full experience, it is recommended to visit both sides. Beyond the falls, the national park around it includes gorgeous rainforests teeming with wildlife.
Salta
This surprising city in the north of Argentina has a pleasant vibe. The city is not famous by any means, but that may be why it’s so captivating. The laid back atmosphere and restaurants with excellent Argentinian food make sure that you can relax here and wind down a little from your travelling adventures. You can use this city to explore the surrounding area, too, which includes…
Valles Calchaquíes
These valleys are still off-the-beaten track and therefore offer a genuine travel experience. The area boasts fantastic and colorful natural landscapes plus a great number of cultural landmarks. The towns that dot the Valles Calchaquíes offer beautiful architecture and historical remnants that remind the visitor of the Indian rebellion against the colonists. If you’re into archaeological sites, Quilmes offers an excellent glimpse into pre-Colombian times. And the national parks of Jujuy and Salta provinces offer other-worldly landscapes that can be explored by car, by tour, or for the adventurous ones, by bike.
National Park Los Glaciares
This is one of the best known national parks of Argentina. It houses the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier, which is one of the few glaciers worldwide that are advancing. If you’re looking for adventure, there are lots of activities that can be done here, including for example ice trekking and boat trips. But the national park offers natural wonders beyond the glacier. For trekkers and mountaineers, the mountain area of the Fitz Roy Range offers spectacular vistas and is not to be missed.
The Plains of Patagonia
This is an attraction that is not often featured in Argentina tourism top ten lists, but it’s one of my personal favorites: the endless plains of Patagonia. Most travelers going to the south of Argentina will come to cross them at some point, going from one destination to the next. There’s not much to look at on these plains, except for the empty nothingness that stretches for miles and miles as far as the eye can see. Viewing the vastness of the planet from your car or while in a bus eating empanadas brings a sense of calm and wonder that few places can match.
The Jesuit Missions
The ruins of the Jesuit missions are impressive remainders of a time gone by. The best restored ones can be found at San Ignacio. The ruins here are impressive and offer beautiful carved ornamentations as well as a huge red sandstone church. The Jesuits established the missions at San Ignacio at the end of the 17th century and left them about seventy years later, leaving behind the red, baroque-style buildings that remain. This surprising Argentina tourism attraction offer an easy yet captivating experience.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the busy, sexy, and sophisticated capital of Argentina. During the week, businessmen and -women parade the streets in gorgeous suits. On the weekend, people play soccer and throw barbeques in the parks. All the while, of course, drinking the bitter national beverage: mate. This hot traveler’s destination offers plenty things to do, including watching a sensual tango show, cheering on the city’s soccer teams, eating steak, and walking around the European-style architecture of the city. And when your feet are tired, you can pick an old-style café and watch the people walk by while you indulge in croissants with dulce de leche…
Mendoza
A glass of wine, anyone? Mendoza is the absolute heart of the Argentinian wine country. There are plenty of wineries where you can sample wine here. But even if you’re not into wine, Mendoza is a place not to be missed. Thanks to its location close to the high peaks of the Andes, the scenery here is jaw-droppingly spectacular. Be sure to check out the beautiful Parque Provincial Ischigualasto where otherworldly rock formations make you wonder about the origins of this place. And to recover after your activities, Mendoza’s perfect climate invites you to kick back and spend all afternoon sitting in the sun.
Ushuaia
The last of this Argentina tourism top ten, Ushuaia is called “world’s end” in travelers’ communities, and not without reason. Many travelers come to the southernmost city in the world to board one of the ships that leave for the Antarctic Peninsula, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But this charming city has its own set of attractions that doesn’t require going aboard a vessel, including museums and historic buildings. Flying in will offer you jaw-dropping views of the glacial peaks that surround the city. One of the best attractions is the Tierra del Fuego national park, which offers beautiful forests, birdlife, and bays. Most of the park is off-bounds to the public, but the parts that are open offer easy trails and scenic hikes.
Interested in reading more about this fantastic country? Check out this comprehensive blog post by Nomadic Matt.