5 Must-See Places In Argentina

Just shy of 2,800,000 square kilometres, Argentina’s a pretty big place. It’s got subtropical plains and jungles to the northwest, dry canyons and quebradas to the northeast, the central Sierras Pampeanas, the enormous grassy Pampas and to the south, Patagonia and the arid subantarctic steppes. That’s a lot of road time, but luckily BBM is here with our selection of Argentina’s top must-see destinations. Short and sweet.

Buenos Aires

The capital city and second-largest city in the Region, Buenos Aires is widely known as the ‘Paris of South America.’ Actually, Buenos Aires is nothing like Paris and that’s why you should go. It’s a massive metropolis with a trendy port scene and large parks running near the river. With a wild nightlife all through the week (no rest for the wicked) and unabashedly friendly residents, this is a place you’ll always wish you’d stayed longer. Visit the Pink House / setting of ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ in the landmark Evita biopic, then head downtown to a bar for a swig of fernet, or two.

Iguazu Falls

One of the new wonders of the natural world, this isn’t an experience you’re going to forget. The falls, or cataratas, sit on the intersection of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil – so feel free to nip across the border add those stamps to your passport. The falls are a short ride from the town of Puerto Iguazu, where you can find countless hostels with swimming pools and restaurants serving traditional asado. Once inside the national park, after wandering the subtropical trails and wooden bridges, take a cruise right under the falls on a small motorboat. Bring a swimsuit.

Bariloche

Officially San Carlos de Bariloche, unofficially ‘Brasiloche,’ due to the invasion of Brazilian holidaymakers who flood the region every ski season, this is one of Argentina’s top tourist destinations, and with good reason. The town itself, though filled with Alpine-style architecture, good restaurants and a high-street chock-full of chocolate shops (that means free samples…), acts more as a base for skiing, trekking, mountaineering, watersports, kayaking and cruising trips in the surrounding lakes and mountains. This is the Lake District of Argentina, but much cooler. Literally, so bring a coat.

El Calafate

Welcome to glacier-land. The place itself is a small, sparse tourist-trap, but shuttles and tour buses run from most (of the many) hotels and hostels through town, taking tourists from all over the world to the famous glaciers that surround the city. Besides visiting the pretty cool ice museum and taking cruises exhilaratingly close to the ice walls of Perito Moreno, you can also make guided treks onto the actual glaciers (with badass boot grips) and head even further south towards El Chalten and Ushuaia in the Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), from where you can find cruises to Antarctica. Definitely bring a coat.

Salta

The northwest town of Salta is utterly different from the cosmopolitan capital and the rugged South. Sitting at the foot of the Andes, there’s a distinctly more provincial feel in the subtropical highland city. Here you’ll find Inca ruins, traditional indigenous handicrafts, Pena folklore music and colourful pastel architecture that will vaguely remind you of Disneyland. You can buy coca leaves from street vendors, although you’ll probably not need them at this altitude. Most tour companies will take you to Cafayate, the stunning valley a stone’s throw away with famous wineries and an inspired ice-cream shop selling white and red wine flavours.

By Sarah Morland