In a nutshell
- Buenos Aires: Argentina’s capital has a totally unique energy and is an absolute must on any Argentina trip.
- Iguazú Falls: This massive complex of around 270 waterfalls on the border with Brazil is one of the most breathtaking sights in all of Argentina.
- Perito Moreno Glacier: A one-of-a-kind natural wonder set in the stunning mountain landscape of Patagonia — seriously not to be missed.
Our Argentina Highlights on a Map
To give you a quick overview of where the top things to do in Argentina are located, we’ve marked them on a map for you.
Things to See in Northern Argentina
A small part of the north consists of rainforest. Otherwise, northern Argentina is very dry and made up of desert or mountains. This region is also home to the country’s largest cities.
Here are the most beautiful places to visit in northern Argentina.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a must-see — not just because it’s the capital of Argentina, but because the city’s atmosphere is simply one of a kind.
The cheerful, fun-loving people, the electric nightlife, the delicious empanadas, the soccer culture — Buenos Aires lives by its cool lifestyle. Honestly, the energy here is unlike anywhere else in South America.
Top highlights include the Obelisk, Puerto Madero with the Puente de la Mujer, and the La Boca neighborhood with its famous alley, Caminito.
Read our tips on Buenos Aires:
Iguazú Falls
Iguazú is a massive complex of around 270 waterfalls — something truly unique in the entire world. It lies partly in Argentina and partly in Brazil. Which side is more beautiful is for you to decide — we find it absolutely breathtaking from both.
The Iguazú Falls are a standout attraction in both Argentina and Brazil. And as if that weren’t enough countries in South America, the falls are also located near the tri-border area with Paraguay.
The nearest town on the Argentine side is Puerto Iguazú. From there you can book a guided tour to the falls that includes entrance to the national park.
Guided waterfall tour from Puerto Iguazú
Salta
Salta is a colonial city in northwestern Argentina — and for us, one of the most beautiful in the country. We’re especially taken by the historic center and the view from the local mountain, Cerro San Bernardo.
The city is home to many lovely churches, interesting museums, and a particularly stunning city hall. Salta is also the perfect base for visiting the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina’s seven-colored mountains.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Salta
A lovely boutique hotel in the center of Salta is Villa Vicuña. The breakfast is delicious and the rooms are beautifully decorated.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge is about a four-hour drive from Salta. It’s best known for the Cerro de los 7 Colores — a mountain that glows in vivid colors. This phenomenon can otherwise only be seen in Peru and China.
The best view of the Rainbow Mountain is from the Paseo de los Colorados. The trail is located near the village of Purmamarca, where you can also spend the night.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Humahuaca
We recommend the hotel La Valentina. The location is unbeatable, the breakfast is great, and the rooms are really cozy.
Mendoza
Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina. The city is surrounded by vineyards, and it feels like half of life here revolves around wine.
In the city itself there are plenty of great restaurants and bars that really come alive in the evenings. And since Mendoza sits in the Andes, there are also fantastic hiking trails and beautiful vistas just outside the city.
Mendoza is also conveniently close to the border with Chile — Santiago de Chile is only about six hours away by car, making this an easy add-on to your trip.
Wine half-day tour in Mendoza with tastings
Córdoba
Córdoba is Argentina’s second-largest city and bursting with life. It’s known as a university city with a seriously good nightlife scene.
There’s also plenty to discover culturally. The top must-sees in Córdoba are the cathedral, the city hall, and the Paseo del Buen Pastor.
What we really love about Córdoba is that it’s far less touristy than Buenos Aires. Here you get a taste of real, authentic Argentina.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Córdoba
The Azur Real Hotel Boutique is a stylish hotel in the center of Córdoba. The breakfast is fantastic and the spa area is excellent too.
Rosario
Rosario is located between Córdoba and Buenos Aires — and this is where soccer legend Lionel Messi, who is worshipped like a god in Argentina, was born. The city also has a reputation for having the most beautiful women in South America.
Rosario has some seriously impressive sights too. Standouts include the Monumento a la Bandera and the Puente Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Rosario
Our pick for accommodation is the Roberta Rosa de Fontana Suites. Perfect central location and excellent value for money.
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is one of the most popular getaways for Buenos Aires residents. The beach town is not far from the capital and draws huge crowds in summer.
With gorgeous beaches and a great nightlife scene, Mar del Plata is Argentina’s answer to a proper beach holiday. Think of it as the Mallorca of Argentina — lively, fun, and perfect if you want sun, sand, and parties.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Mar del Plata
The Ribera Sur Hotel Mar del Plata is located almost right on the beach and close to the center. An affordable, lovely place to stay with cozy rooms.
Talampaya National Park
The impressive Talampaya National Park is located in the Andes in northwestern Argentina. The star of the show is the Talampaya Canyon — filled with extraordinary rock formations that look like giant sandstone pillars.
You can only visit the national park as part of organized excursions. The classic option is the Cañón de Talampaya tour. You can check what options are available and what they cost on the Talampaya National Park website.
There’s no accommodation inside the park itself. Your best base is the village of Villa Unión, located about 50 kilometers away.
Our Hotel Recommendation for Talampaya National Park
An affordable option nearby is the Hotel Cuesta de Miranda. Simple, cozy rooms and a lovely outdoor area.
Things to Do in Southern Argentina
Traveling from the north to the south of Argentina feels like entering a different country entirely. Vast pampas, towering mountains, glaciers, and cooler temperatures — here’s what southern Argentina has in store for you.
Perito Moreno Glacier
The Glaciar Perito Moreno is the undisputed number one highlight of southern Argentina. It’s located near the city of El Calafate in Patagonia — and it is seriously spectacular.
You can not only admire the glacier from multiple viewpoints, but also take a boat tour right up to it or join a glacier hike on the ice itself.
Glacier hike and boat ride at Perito Moreno
Tour to the viewpoints at Perito Moreno with optional boat ride
We’d recommend exploring Patagonia’s best places to visit — including the Perito Moreno Glacier — on a road trip. You can find out more in our Patagonia road trip article.
El Chaltén
The mountain village of El Chaltén is known as the hiking capital of Argentina — and it absolutely earns that title. Just a few hours’ drive from the Perito Moreno Glacier, it’s a true paradise for mountain lovers.
The most popular hike leads to Laguna de los Tres, with the dramatic Fitz Roy massif as a backdrop. But there are countless other trails winding to beautiful mountain lakes and panoramic overlooks.
Summers in El Chaltén are short. Between April and October there is a lot of snow in the mountains, which makes hiking difficult. We tell you more about this in our article on the best time to visit Patagonia.
Bariloche
Bariloche is a hugely popular vacation destination in the northern part of Patagonia. The city is known for its Centro Cívico, incredible chocolate and great beer, and a breathtaking natural setting.
Outdoor enthusiasts will be in their element here — think stunning blue lakes, towering mountains, and viewpoints galore. You can go hiking in summer or relax on a lakeshore beach, and in winter Bariloche becomes a full-on ski resort.
We’ll tell you everything there is to see and do in Bariloche in a separate article.
Ruta de los Siete Lagos
The Ruta de los Siete Lagos is a scenic driving route that winds past seven lakes in northern Patagonia.
The route is about 110 kilometers long and runs from Villa la Angostura to San Martín de los Andes. Many travelers extend it to include the stretch from Bariloche to Villa la Angostura.
These are the seven lakes along the route:
- Lago Espejo
- Lago Correntoso
- Lago Escondido
- Lago Villarino
- Lago Falkner
- Lago Machonico
- Lago Lácar
You can drive the route in a rental car found on Discovercars, by bicycle, or on a guided tour.
Guided Seven Lakes tour from Bariloche
Cajón del Azul
Just over an hour’s drive south of Bariloche lies El Bolsón — a small, laid-back town where many hippies have settled over the years.
The absolute standout here is the Cajón del Azul — a stunning gorge deep in the Patagonian mountains. What makes it so special is that the river running through the gorge glows a deep, vivid green — something we’d genuinely never seen before!
If you can handle the cold, you can also go for a swim in the crystal-clear green water. It’s ice cold year-round. But after the roughly seven-kilometer hike to reach it, that refreshing dip is absolutely welcome.
Our Hotel Recommendation for El Bolsón
The Sukal Apartments are situated in a quiet and beautiful location in El Bolsón. The value for money is excellent.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia sits at the very southern tip of Patagonia. It’s the largest city in Tierra del Fuego — the southernmost corner of Argentina and South America, famously known as the end of the world.
Near Ushuaia you can see penguins, take a ferry to the legendary Cape Horn, and go hiking in some seriously dramatic scenery. It’s also home to the southernmost train in the world.
Valdés
Our final Argentina highlight is on the other side of Patagonia — on the east coast. The Valdés Peninsula juts into the Atlantic Ocean, roughly at the same latitude as El Bolsón.
It’s known for its breathtaking cliffs and truly incredible wildlife. Here you can spot whales, sea lions, and penguins all in one place.
From Puerto Madryn: Day trip to the Valdés Peninsula with penguin tour
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Attractions in Argentina
When is the best time to travel to Argentina?
The best time to visit Argentina is during the months of March through May and October through December.
You can find out more in our article about the best time to visit Argentina.
Is Argentina an expensive country to travel to?
It’s somewhere in the middle. By South American standards, Argentina is on the pricier side — though the cost of living is still a little lower than in Western Europe.
Is sightseeing in Argentina safe?
Yes, most tourist destinations in Argentina are safe. That said, there are a few safety guidelines worth keeping in mind during your trip.
We share our safety tips for Argentina in a separate article.
How do you get around Argentina?
You have several options. For long distances, we recommend domestic flights or long-distance buses — both are well-established and affordable.
In some regions, such as Patagonia, renting a car is also really worth considering.
