Many of us have felt attracted to this peculiar country at some point in our lives, but really; what does Argentina have to offer? Is it just its bustling but fascinating Buenos Aires streets? We believe that it has a lot to offer and that it is not just its vibrant capital city, Buenos Aires.
Before you start planning your next trip to Argentina, we have prepared an overview of the main provinces and their spectacular tourist attractions that this passionate and intense country has in store for you.
- Iguazu Falls and its fierce Devil’s Throat
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- El Chaltén- Mount Fitz Roy
- Nahuel Huapi National Park
- The Route of the 7 lakes
- Wetlands of Iberá
- Train to the Clouds
- Salinas Grandes (Salt Flats)
- Colored mountains in Humahuaca
- Lighthouse at the end of the world – Beagle Channel
- The adventure is experienced in Bariloche
- Uco Valley
- Peninsula Valdes and whale watching
- Ice tunnel in Esquel
1. IGUAZU FALLS AND ITS FIERCE DEVIL’S THROAT
In 1984, UNESCO declared this place a Natural Heritage of Humanity due to the beauty of the landscape and the biological diversity in this subtropical forest. On November 11 th, 2011, the Iguazu Falls were chosen as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and due to these recognitions is that all travelers should include within their first visits to the country.
The visit to the Iguazu National Park can be done through 3 circuits and in footbridges, better known as the Lower Trail, Upper Trail and the Devil’s Throat Trail only seen closely from the Argentine side. Together with its homonymous Iguaçu National Park in Brazil, there is a protected area of more than 2,400 km².
2. PERITO MORENO GLACIER
There are several stops at panoramic points within Los Glaciares National Park, however, as it is one of the few glacier formations in the world that originate at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level and descends to 200 meters, the Perito Moreno Glacier provides enviable accessibility. There are several ways to admire its immense turquoise beauty either from its viewpoint, sailing or for the more adventurous and hiking on the ice.
3. EL CHALTÉN-MOUNT FITZ ROY
El Chaltén is the most popular area for trekking in Argentina as it offers the best landscapes in the whole country. During its demanding Laguna De los Tres trek, you can see the majestic Mount Fitz Roy up close, another iconic postcard that gifts the beautiful Argentine Patagonia.
4. NAHUEL HUAPI NATIONAL PARK
Located between the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro, it is a destination that must be traveled through from beginning to end. It is easily accessible and at an altitude of only 700 m.a.s.l. it invites the less experienced to admire all its beauty without much effort. The Nahuel Huapi Lake is its main focus and it is also very important and must be present in the itinerary of any tourist since it is part of the famous Andean Crossing that reaches Chile.
5. THE ROUTE OF THE 7 LAKES
Another spectacular journey is the Route 40 better known as the 7-Lake Route which covers 193 km between the cities of Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes in the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquén respectively. As its name indicates, it is a route in which there are 7 stops to enjoy wonderful destinations: Lake Nahuel Huapi, Lake Correntoso, Lake Espejo, Lake Escondido, Falkner, Villarino, Lake Machonico.
6. WETLANDS OF IBERÁ
With an area of more than 12,000 km2 this incredible wetland offers incomparable landscapes and diverse ways to explore it either by boat or kayak, horseback riding, canoe trips pulled by horses, yes by horse! It is also an interesting destination for bird watching enthusiasts as it has more than 400 species.
7. TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS
Although it is true that Salta is known for its picturesque landscapes and its exquisite Torrontés grape wine in Cafayate, however, what has caught our attention the most is learning about a tourist train service called Tren a las nubes (Train to the Clouds) at more than 4,220 meters above sea level. The route is 434 km (round trip) leaving from the train station in the center of Salta.
8. SALINAS GRANDES (SALT FLATS)
Known as the puna of northern Argentina, Jujuy (and Salta) holds a unique setting. It has the second largest salt flat in the world (the first is in Uyuni, Bolivia) and is perhaps a much quieter option for enjoying its wonderful mirages and magical sunsets.
9. COLORED MOUNTAINS IN HUMAHUACA
In the route of the Argentinean Andes you will find a massive of colors: mustard yellow, brown, pink, white, maroon and purple, red and green. It is definitely one of the least thought out destinations to find in Argentina but it is certainly one of the most incredible.
10. LIGHTHOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD-BEAGLE CHANNEL
While navigating along the channel you can appreciate all the landscape that combines mountains, native forest and sea that the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park offers just in front. In addition, it is an opportunity to observe the Olivia and Cinco Hermanos mountains, to know the Estancia Túnel and to arrive at Les Eclaireurs, a red and white lighthouse that, located in an islet, points out the confines of the Earth. There, it is possible to observe a small colony of cormorants and, on the way back, on the Island of the Seals you will see a colony of these curious marine mammals.
When visiting the Beagle Channel you can also take advantage and visit the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia and its surroundings such as, Fagnano Lake and Escondido Lake where they offer a formidable postcard.
11. THE ADRENALINE IS EXPERIENCED IN BARILOCHE
If you are one of those who enjoy adventure, there is no better destination in Argentina than Bariloche, whether it be trekking, kayaking, kitesurfing, diving, paragliding or skiing. Among the excursions that stand out the most are the visits to its Swiss colony, skiing in Cerro Catedral, Circuito Chico and the Andean Crossing. Bariloche is the ideal place to be outdoors in all 4 seasons.
12. UCO VALLEY
Mendoza is the wine area par excellence in Argentina and where you can find several farms and wineries where the majority of the wine is made as Malbec. Due to its geography and temperature, the Uco Valley favors the elaboration of good red wine with excellent body, soft and sweet tannin.
From Mendoza you can take very interesting routes, including a unique itinerary crossing the Andes Mountains to reach the wine region in Chile, but for this you must first take a flight to Santiago de Chile.
13. PENINSULA VALDES AND WHALE WATCHING
Located in the Patagonian region, it is the ideal scenario where you can find more marine life. The idyllic Puerto Pirámides, located 100 km from Puerto Madryn, is the only town on Peninsula Valdés (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the site from which boat trips are organized to see the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). The boat trip will give you an unforgettable experience in its natural habitat and with unusual closeness.