Part of our Argentina guide.
Argentina packs colonial cities, Andean peaks, and Patagonian wilds into one country—here’s where to start. From Salta’s highland plazas to Bariloche’s lakefront trails, these six stops cover the essentials.
Related travel guides: Travel Highlights In Argentina, Hiking And The Outdoors In Argentina, Secrets Of Argentina's Patagonia Dinosaur Fossils, Hidden Culinary Gems: Top 10 Restaurants In El Calafate, Argentina, and Hidden Gems In Argentina.
Things To Do In Salta, Argentina
Salta sits in the northwest, a base for the arid Quebrada de Humahuaca and wine valleys. The historic center’s cobblestone grid holds colonial buildings like the salmon-pink Cabildo and the neoclassical Cathedral, where Pope Francis once celebrated Mass. Ride the cable car up Cerro San Bernardo—the 10-minute trip ends at a hilltop park with panoramic overlooks. Nearby, the MAAM museum houses the Llullaillaco mummies, three Inca children preserved at 6,700 meters. Day trips run to the Tren a las Nubes, which climbs to 4,200 meters on a viaduct route, and to the Cafayate wine region, known for its Torrontés whites.
9 Hidden Gems And Must-Do Activities In San Telmo, Buenos Aires
San Telmo’s Sunday street market on Defensa Street runs for blocks, with antique silver, leather goods, and live tango duos performing between stalls. On weekdays, the same street fills with secondhand bookshops and art galleries. The neighborhood’s cobblestone lanes hide the Pasaje de la Defensa, a mansion-turned-artisan arcade, and the Mafalda statue on Chile Street, a nod to cartoonist Quino. For tango, catch a show at the historic Café de los Angelos or the milonga at the San Telmo Market’s upper level. Lezama Park marks the border with La Boca, where Caminito’s painted houses and street performers draw crowds.
25 Hidden Gems And Must-Do Activities In Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba’s Jesuit Block, a UNESCO site, anchors the city center—the 17th-century university and church complex includes the original library and cloisters. Beyond the block, the Sierras de Córdoba offer hiking trails around the Punilla Valley, with waterfalls at La Onda and the Quebrada del Condorito National Park, where condors glide over a 600-meter gorge. In town, the Palacio Ferreyra houses fine art, and the Paseo del Buen Pastor hosts free evening performances. Try the regional dish of locro (a corn and meat stew) at a peña, a folk-music venue.
Hidden Gems: Native Animals You Must See In Argentina
Argentina’s wildlife spans the Andes to the Atlantic. In the northwest, the Andean condor—with a 3-meter wingspan—soars over the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The puma, South America’s largest cat, hunts in Patagonia’s foothills; the best chance to spot one is in the remote estancias near the Chile border. On the steppe, guanacos (wild llamas) graze in herds, while the Valdés Peninsula hosts southern right whales from June to December, plus Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo. In the northeast, the Iberá Wetlands shelter capybaras and marsh deer.
10 Must-See Wonders And Activities In Bariloche Argentina That Will Surprise You
Bariloche sits on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, with the Andes rising behind it. The Circuito Chico loop—a 60-kilometer drive—passes the Llao Llao Hotel, a timber-and-stone landmark, and the Punto Panorámico viewpoint. The Campanario Hill cable car runs to a 1,050-meter summit with views over the lake and the Cerro Catedral massif. In winter, Cerro Catedral offers skiing on 600 hectares of terrain; in summer, the same slopes become mountain-bike trails. The town’s chocolate shops, like Rapa Nui and Mamuschka, serve hand-made alfajores—a short walk from the civic center’s stone buildings.
Things To Do In Bariloche, Argentina's Gateway To Patagonia
Bariloche is the launch point for the Ruta de los Siete Lagos, a 110-kilometer drive through lakes and forests that crosses into the Neuquén province. The nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park has trails to the Arrayanes forest, a stand of rare cinnamon-colored myrtles, and to the Tronador volcano, whose ice cave is accessible by boat across the lake. For a gentler outing, the Base Catedral ski area runs a chairlift to a restaurant with lake views. The city’s brewery scene—including the Patagonia and Berlina brewpubs—pairs well with a plate of smoked wild boar or trout.
