13 Places to Visit in Argentina

Yuri Kim
WRITTEN BY
Yuri Kim

In 2023, I spent three months exploring Argentina, the eighth largest country in the world. Located in the Southern Hemisphere and stretching to the southern tip of South America, this country in Latin America captivated me in full.

Let me share the 13 unforgettable places to visit when traveling to Argentina based on my firsthand experience in this country.

1. Patagonia

The Patagonia region tops my list of places to revisit in Argentina. It spans the southern tip of South America across Argentina and Chile and encompasses parts of both countries; the Andes serve as a natural divider between the two countries.

The glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and vast plains (called Pampas) with wild horses roaming made for unforgettable views but the friendly local people made the experience magical.

2. El Calafate

El Calafate is located in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina. While visiting the town, try local delicacies like Alfajores, a sweet cookie filled with dulce de leche and visit the Laguna Nimez, a popular bird watching area home to flamingos and other wildlife.

Flamingos at Laguna Nímez Reserve in El Calafate, Argentina.

Flamingos at Laguna Nímez Reserve in El Calafate, Argentina.

3. Buenos Aires

You’re probably going to fly into Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The city has world-class cultural attractions like Teatro Colón and the La Boca neighborhood (places to visit in Argentina #12.

Try visiting in November during your gap year program to see the jacaranda trees in bloom.

Jacaranda trees in bloom.

4. Los Glaciares National Park

I drove 48 miles from El Calafate to reach the Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate.

It is one of the world’s largest freshwater reserves. Unlike most glaciers worldwide, this is one of the few glaciers growing. I watched massive ice chunks crash into Lago Argentino on a glacier trek.

UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Los Glaciares National Park information for 2025:

Tickets:

  • Foreigners over 6 years of age: 45,000 pesos (40 USD)
  • Argentines over 6 years of age: 15,000 pesos (14 USD)
  • Residents of Santa Cruz Province: 5,000 pesos (5 USD)
  • Residents of El Calafate, Argentinean pensioners and retirees, children from 0 to 5 years old and disabled: free.

Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day (visitors can stay in the walkway area until 8:00 PM.)

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

5. Valdes Peninsula

The protected waters of the Valdes Peninsula in the Patagonia region are the best place to spy on sea lions, elephant seals, whales and adorable penguins. Inland, I encountered guanacos and massive penguin colonies in this nature reserve – 150,000 breeding pairs.

Magellanic penguin in Valdes Peninsula.

Magellanic penguin in Valdes Peninsula.

6. Iguazú Falls

I had never seen a real waterfall before visiting Iguazu National Park. Iguazu Falls is the world’s largest waterfall system located between Argentina and Brazil. It is one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

From the boardwalks, you can stand in the middle of the mist and the surrounding rainforest. The highlight was the boat ride through Devil’s Throat canyon. I used Iguazu Jungle, but there are many great tour companies.

The boat ride isn’t included in your admission ticket to the park, but it was amazing and totally worth it.

Panoramic view of Iguazu Falls, Misiones Province, Argentina

Panoramic view of Iguazu Falls, Misiones Province, Argentina

7. Talampaya National Park

We drove to Talampaya National Park from Villa Union. The open-top bus tour stopped in a dried riverbed for wine and snacks while I studied ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock. This UNESCO site was once home to dinosaurs 200 million years ago during the Triassic Period.

This is a more challenging spot that many of the rest of the places on the list. Make sure you’re prepared and in shape or go as part of a tourist group.

Talampaya National Park information:

Tickets:

  • Adults: 48,400 ARS (46,30 USD)
  • Minors (3 to 12 years old): 24,200 ARS (23,34 USD)

Opening hours: the Park is open 365 days a year from 8 AM to 6 PM.

8. Mendoza

Mendoza is the Napa Valley of Argentina. Alternate between wine tasting at pyramid-shaped vineyards by night and hiking in the Andes by day.

This is your spot to discover Michelin-starred meals with the Andes as your backdrop.

9. Bariloche

As much as I love Buenos Aires, Bariloche captured my heart. I’ll never forget galloping through the countryside on wild horses or suffering on a 25km Circuito Chico bike trail.

My most epic day was hiking three and a half hours to scale Cerro Campanario though Rapanui’s decadent desserts kept my sweet tooth satisfied. Between the Seven Lakes drive and vibrant backpacker scene, Bariloche is more than Buenos Aires’ lesser-known sibling.

10. Quebrada de Humahuaca

Quebrada de Humahuaca in the northwestern region of Argentina blew my mind. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for mountains that range from deep reds to bright yellows and greens.

Visitors can explore the local indigenous culture, visit ancient villages to admire the views. My highlight was sunset at Serranía del Hornocal, though the altitude was really hitting me. This city is a living museum of Argentine culture.

11. Valle de la Luna

The landscape and weather of Valle de la Luna in Ischigualasto Provincial Park is unlike anything you’ve seen. The climate is extreme: from 45°C during the day to a freezing -10°C at night with a strong afternoon wind.

It’s as close to the surface of the moon as you’re going to get.

12. La Boca

Is La Boca a tourist trap? Yes. Is it worth visiting? Yes.

There are tango dancers on street corners. Life-sized puppet displays depict soccer player Maradona and former First Lady Evita Peron.

Yes, it’s not the “real Argentina,” and Pier 39 is not the real San Francisco. It’s a piece of living cultural history that should absolutely be on your travel list.

Make sure to visit during daylight hours and maintain awareness of surroundings.

Foto di Marina Zvada: https://www.pexels.com/it-it/foto/graffiti-viaggiatore-street-art-arte-di-strada-27299638/ Foto di Ana Benet: https://www.pexels.com/it-it/foto/colorato-vibrante-zona-residenziale-residenziale-8242976/ Foto di Andre Moura: https://www.pexels.com/it-it/foto/uomo-in-piedi-colorato-mercato-18682908/

13. Ushuaia: the southernmost city in the world

After spending 35 days making our way through Patagonia, arriving in Ushuaia felt like reaching the edge of the world.

Here, you’re closer to Antarctica (just a short 1,000km boat trip away) than to Buenos Aires and you can watch a stream of cruise ships coming and going from the world’s southernmost port.

It’s pricy and while the tourist infrastructure is well-developed, there’s still something remote feeling about Ushuaia that I loved.

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About the Author
Yuri Kim
Associate

I’m Yuri Kim, a marketing professional with a strong foundation in digital strategy and campaign management. I have a passion for developing innovative marketing initiatives that drive growth and customer engagement. With experience in optimizing digital channels and a keen focus on analytics, I excel at transforming data insights into actionable strategies. My goal is to create impactful marketing campaigns that deliver results and foster brand loyalty.