Argentina is a land full of breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant culture with interesting landscapes. This gorgeous destination provides a variety of opportunities for any traveller. The beauty of Argentina lies in its differing landscapes, be it the glaciers in southern Patagonia or the vineyards in Mendoza. Try the most notable and exciting things to do in Argentina that should definitely not be missed when you visit this place.This country is full of incredible experiences that will never be forgotten.
Top 10 Things To Do In Argentina
These top 10 things to do in Argentina combine history, spirituality and scenic beauty, elevating your experiences to a whole different level:
1. Discover The Fury Of The Iguazú Falls
Photo: מ-ב-צ / Wikimedia Commons
The Iguazu Falls is one of the natural features in the region shared by the two neighbouring countries, Argentina and Brazil. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. The falls are placed in two national parks, Puerto Iguazú in Argentina, and Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. The basin divides them, with the majority being on the Argentine side. Facilities for viewing the falls include walking trails, viewpoints or, in most cases, boat trips that take tourists close to where the mighty waterfalls are.
Location: Puerto Iguazú, Misiones
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: March to May, or September to November, for fewer crowds and pleasant weather
2. Savour The Wines Of Mendoza
Photo: Miguel / Wikimedia Commons
Mendoza is known as the capital of wine production in Argentina, as it contributes to more than 78 percent of the wine produced in the country. The good thing about Mendoza is the Malbec grapes, which are an important varietal grown in this region in its high-altitude terraced vineyards. The vineyards also feature Martha Argerich, the tango singer who ends the grape harvesting season with the National Grape Harvest Festival in March. This is marked by songs, the French, Chilean and Argentinian parades with wine tasting. Mendoza wine regions, Maipú Valley, Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley and others, are filled with many wineries where visitors can tour the cellars and taste the wine.
Location: Mendoza Province
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
3. Experience Art In Buenos Aires
Photo: Roberto Fiadone / Wikimedia Commons
As part of the South American continent, it is easier to state that Buenos Aires is a culturally attractive city. The heart of the city is the tango. With its rhythm beats it’s everywhere around the streets and within the clubs. Those who find it intriguing may even take tango lessons or prefer to watch the performances at milongas like La Viruta or La Catedral. In addition, in Buenos Aires, there are more than three hundred theatres with all kinds of dramatic, comedic and musical performances. Theatres are located along the main street, which is Corrientes Avenue, and one would later be able to have some tasty Argentine pizza and still run to the play.
Location: Buenos Aires
Best Time To Visit: Year-round, with Buenos Aires’ cultural calendar packed with events
4. Glaciers Calve On The Waterspace
Photo: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag) / Wikimedia Commons
Patagonia’s Perito Moreno Glacier is regarded to be one of Argentina’s great wonders. This huge glacier is always moving forward. Visitors can witness the great sight of a huge piece of ice breaking off and falling into the deeper waters. The blue ice of the glacier is spectacular when the sun rises in the east and reflects its beams on the glaciers with light. Visitors can perform various activities such as scaling the glacier with crampons or cruising close to the glacier. The crack of dense ice and the heavy fall are simply breathtaking.
Location: El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: November to March
5. Getting Splash From A Whale In Puerto Pirámides
Photo: LOA56 / Wikimedia Commons
Ideal for sea elephants or elephant seals, Peninsula Valdés is known for its incredibly diversified species of fauna. It offers extraordinary experiences for whale watching. Southern Right Whales use Golfo Nuevo as a mating and calving area between June and November. Visitors can take a boat excursion from Puerto Pirámides to see these leviathans. These are frequently spotted around the boats and even leap out of the water and splash about. Along with the whales, other animals include orcas, sea lions, penguins and seals. Thus, this location is a magnificent hub for wildlife enthusiasts.
Location: Puerto Pirámides, Península Valdés
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: June to November for whale watching
6. Tango It Up In San Telmo
Photo: Phillip Capper / Wikimedia Commons
San Telmo has its riches from ancient times. Cobblestone streets, antique artefacts, artistic persona surrounding the area, and many more make San Telmo quite famous. It would not be a surprise to have been drawn to watching tango in many places within the area, as it is part of the cultural fabric of Argentina. There are places like El Viejo Almacen and Bar Sur where many people go to learn or watch tango classes and performances. Apart from those, most Sundays feature tango shows at the Dorrego Plaza, where everything and everyone maintains a vibrant, positive image of the area.
Location: San Telmo, Buenos Aires
Best Time To Visit: December to March
7. Work With The Gauchos
Photo: Nestor Horacio Neyra / Wikimedia Commons
For those people who may not know, gauchos are just the Argentine cowboys. The gaucho’s culture is rich and is found all over Argentina. Though for the full experience, one needs to get on a horse and explore the estancias, which are roughly ranches. If you decide to partake in a gaucho tour, then expect horseback riding, barbecue bars and other fun exploration activities. In such parts of Argentina, gaucho’s expertise, like looking after livestock and riding horses, is celebrated in culture. Riding with gauchos allows you to experience Argentina in a richer context to what it really is, as this is an experience for every person looking to understand what Argentina represents.
Location: Mendoza, Salta, Cordoba, Patagonia, San Antonio de Areco
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
Best Time To Visit: October to March
8. Visit Mausoleums At Recoleta Cemetery
Photo: Raphael Henrique Figueira / Wikimedia Commons
Made famous by political figures such as Eva Peron (Evita), among others, the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires is the most gorgeously designed burial site. This is with the remains of the country’s richest, most celebrated, and most famous families within its bounds. These burial sites consist of beautiful sculptures, wrought iron, and intricate building designs, creating elaborate mausoleums that are characteristic of this cemetery. In addition to that, Recoleta has a number of other museums and cultural venues. This makes it an excellent one for those fascinated with history as well as architecture.
Location: Recoleta, Buenos Aires
Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
9. Visit A Lit Cafe And Read A Book In One Of The Halls
Photo: Ramon Corvera / Wikimedia Commons
Buenos Aires has always been a city fit for writers and thinkers. Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar and other famous Argentine authors spent most of their time in some of the beautiful cafes. To do it the right way, go to the literary cafes that include Cafe Tortoni or even El Ateneo, which is regarded as one of the most beautifully decorated bookstores in the globe. To really enjoy the atmosphere, drink a café con leche and eat some of the Argentine pastries while a book is in your hand.
Location: Buenos Aires
Timings: 9 AM – 10 PM
Best Time To Visit: Anytime, but quieter during weekdays
10. Experience The Solitude Of The Salinas Grandes Salt Flats
Photo: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Wikimedia Commons
Salinas Grandes, a flat island of salt in Argentina, provides a view from outer space. It covers the high desert areas of northern Argentina, dominating the landscape. It also creates an ideal setting for quirky photos such as holding a truck with one hand or standing next to an enormous friend. At night, the flat offers the second widest spot on Earth to observe the Milky Way as the flat vastness obscures any light from the orange city glow that surrounds it. You can also see petroglyphs and try to retrace the footsteps of llama caravans that came through this land a long time ago.
Location: Salinas Grandes, Jujuy
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to October
Turning to the south side, Argentina, there’s so much to excite you, from the charming Iguazú waterfalls to the upbeat city of Buenos Aires. Be it savouring exquisite wines or pursuing glaciers, getting soaked in local culture or enjoying numerous things to do in Argentina, an unforgettable trip is in the offing. Let TripXL assist you with where to go on this enjoyable journey so that every wonderful aspect of Argentina becomes a welcomed experience.
Cover Photo: Gastón Cuello / Wikimedia Commons