Argentina - 4 highlights you should not miss

dan
Mar 25, 2020
4 min read

From Iguazu Falls in the north, to Patagonia in the south, Argentina has a lot to offer.

Buenos Aires - Tango central. Often described as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is a full on cosmopolitan metropolis, with loads of things to do and see. Its various barrios all have a distinctive style and vibe to them. One popular attraction is in the barrio of Recoleta, one of the most upmarket parts of the city. Here you find the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried along with many other famous Argentinians, in huge impressive mausoleums.

La Boca is another barrio with a grittier edge to it. Home to the world renowned Boca Juniors football team, it is also the place where you find the brightly painted houses you see in many guidebooks on the El Caminito. And the perfect opportunity to witness live tango shows on the street.

San Telmo is the oldest barrio in the city and the place to go for shopping, with an outdoor market and lots of craft shops featuring products from local artisans. Palermo is the place to be in the evening for drinks and dinner, with lots of hip restaurants, bars and cafes. It is actually made up of two separate districts, Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood.

Iguazu Falls - powerful and majestic. In the far north of Argentina, bordering Paraguay and Brazil, the Iguacu Falls are a sight and a sound not to be missed when visiting the country. It is possible to visit the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentina sides, and worth doing as you get different perspectives from each. The sheer power and noise of the water is something you will never forget once you have seen and heard it in person. It's made up of 275 waterfalls, depending on the season and spans an area 2.7 kilometers wide. For those with a real sense of adventure, you can take a boat to get up close to the base of the falls, or you can walk out over the fast flowing water on walkways and stand directly at the point where the largest fall, known as the Devil's Throat, drops 80 meters to the floor below, creating a permanent cascade of spray and mist. It is enough to make the knees go weak. In 2011, it was selected as one of the winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition and once you have seen it, you will be sure to agree.

Mendoza - wine capital. The laid back city of Mendoza is the heart of Argentina's wine region and the scenery here, with rows of vines stretching forever below the backdrop of the nearby Andes mountain range is spectacular. You come to Mendoza for the wine and the food. Bodegas everywhere offer tasting and many have world class restaurants attached where you can enjoy a very long and leisurely lunch accompanied by a wine tasting. There are many tour operators offering wine tours so there is no need to drive, or alternatively you could hire bikes and cycle between vineyards. In the city itself, there are many restaurants and wine bars to choose between, as well as luxury spa hotels. The city streets are wide and tree lined and the whole place has an easy going and chilled atmosphere. Argentina is well known for asado, or traditional grilling, and you will find these all over Mendoza as well. There is no grilling with gas here. Locals burn wood early to create the embers that will be used to slow cook some of the finest cuts of meat you will taste anywhere.

Patagonia - spectacularly pure nature. Patagonia is a huge region, and within its boundaries there are many amazing sights, especially for those into hiking and outdoor life. Bariloche is famous for its lakeside setting and skiing in winter months, hiking and biking in summer. Swiss alpine-style architecture and chocolate, sold in shops lining Calle Mitre, are also part of the Bariloche experience.

Further south, Argentina's largest national park Los Glaciares, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which feeds an impressive 48 glaciers. Close to the town of El Calafate is one of Argentina's most popular attractions, Perito Moreno glacier. The glacier which covers an incredible 250km2 and runs for 30km is an awe-inspiring sight. It is also a stunning auditory experience when large chunks of the glacier wall break off and crash into the water below. As you stand and watch at a safe distance on the purpose built steel walkways, you hear constant creaking and groaning as the glacier shifts and moves. Moving further south again brings you to Ushuaia, famous for being the planet’s southernmost city. The gateway to Antarctica, the city is also a hot spot for cyclist and hikers with plenty of trails to explore and there are numerous horse treks for those who want to try their hand at being a gaucho.