Best Places to Visit in Argentina by Trip Type

Last checked: November 2026

The best places to visit in Argentina depend on what you want to see. Buenos Aires suits first-time visitors, Iguazú Falls and Perito Moreno Glacier are the headline nature sights, Mendoza is for wine, and Salta and Jujuy suit travellers who like canyons and mountain villages. Pick three or four places for a ten-day trip, because distances are long.

Best Places in Argentina at a Glance

Place	Best for	Suggested time	Base
Buenos Aires	Architecture, museums, tango, food	2 to 4 days	The city
Iguazú Falls	Waterfalls and rainforest	2 days	Puerto Iguazú
Perito Moreno Glacier	Glacier viewing	1 to 2 days	El Calafate
Fitz Roy area	Hiking	2 to 3 days	El Chaltén
Bariloche and lakes	Lakes, mountains, winter snow sports	3 days	Bariloche
Mendoza	Wine and Andes views	2 to 3 days	Mendoza city
Salta and Jujuy	Canyons and Andean villages	3 to 4 days	Salta
Península Valdés	Whales and coastal wildlife	2 days	Puerto Madryn or the peninsula
Ushuaia	Far-south scenery, Antarctic cruises	2 to 3 days	Ushuaia

UNESCO lists 12 World Heritage properties in Argentina, and several of them appear below. You can check the full list on the UNESCO page for Argentina. Because the places are far apart, read the guide to getting around Argentina before you fix your route.

Best Places for History and Culture

Buenos Aires

The capital is where most trips begin. Spend time in the historic centre, in museum areas such as Recoleta, and in neighbourhoods known for tango and cafés. Dinner starts late, so plan your evenings around that.

Córdoba

Córdoba is home to the Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba, inscribed by UNESCO in 2000. Allow a day to see the Jesuit buildings in the city and, if you have time, the rural estancias.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

This colourful valley in the northwest was listed by UNESCO in 2003. Most visitors use Salta or Jujuy as a base and travel by road. Altitude can affect you here, so go slowly on the first day.

Jesuit Missions and Cueva de las Manos

In the northeast, the 17th-century Jesuit mission ruins of the Guaraní, including San Ignacio Miní, are UNESCO listed and pair well with Iguazú. Cueva de las Manos in Santa Cruz province, listed in 1999, is a remote cave site with ancient hand paintings, so treat it as a dedicated trip.

Best Places for Nature

Iguazú Falls

The falls straddle the border with Brazil. The Argentine side lies in Iguazú National Park, UNESCO listed in 1984. Check hours and tickets on the official Iguazú National Park page. If you plan to cross to the Brazilian side, check Brazil’s entry rules for your passport first.

Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares

Los Glaciares National Park has been UNESCO listed since 1981. The glacier is about 80 km from El Calafate by provincial road 11, according to the national parks service. Its published hours are 8:00 to 18:00 from 1 September to 30 April and 9:00 to 16:00 from 1 May to 31 August, but confirm them on the Los Glaciares visitor page before you go.

El Chaltén and Fitz Roy

El Chaltén is the usual base for hikes toward Mount Fitz Roy. Trails range from short walks to long treks. Bring wind-proof layers, since conditions change fast.

Península Valdés

UNESCO listed this coastal reserve in 1999. The whale season runs from June to early December, with the peak in September and October, according to the Argentine tourism board. Our best time to visit Argentina guide shows how this fits with other seasons.

Other natural areas

Ischigualasto and Talampaya: Desert parks with rock formations, listed in 2000.
Los Alerces National Park: A Chubut province park with lakes and forest, listed in 2017.
Iberá Wetlands: A large wetland in the northeast for wildlife watching.

Best Places for Lakes and Mountains

Bariloche sits on Nahuel Huapi Lake in northern Patagonia. Come in summer for lake and mountain walks, or in winter for snow sports. In Mendoza province, the Andes also reach high altitude, and the FCDO warns that altitude sickness is a risk when hiking in parts of Argentina.

Best Places for Beaches

Argentina isn’t mainly a beach destination. Locals head to the Atlantic coast in January, to places such as Mar del Plata and Pinamar. If you want a beach break, plan for crowds in that month.

Best Places for Food and Wine

Mendoza is the best-known wine region and is famous for Malbec. Harvest is around March. Buenos Aires is the place for steakhouses, empanadas and long dinners. Book popular restaurants ahead on weekends.

Passes and Tickets

National park fees, hours and entry rules change, and we don’t list prices here. Use the official national parks pages linked above and the official Argentina tourism board for current details.

Which Place Should You Choose?

Choose Buenos Aires if it’s your first trip, or you have only three or four days.
Choose Iguazú if you want a short flight and an easy, high-impact stop.
Choose Patagonia if you want glaciers and hiking and can spare at least four days.
Choose Mendoza if wine and mountain views matter more than big sights.
Choose Salta and Jujuy if you like road trips and desert scenery.

Once you’ve picked, the Argentina itineraries show how to combine them, and where to stay in Argentina lists a base for each.

Common Mistakes

Adding Patagonia to a four-day trip.
Visiting Iguazú on a day trip with a late flight home.
Expecting Patagonian trekking trails to be open in winter.
Not checking park hours, which differ by season.

Best Places in Argentina FAQs

Which side of Iguazú Falls should I visit?

The falls lie on the Argentina-Brazil border. The Argentine side is inside UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park. Visiting the Brazilian side means entering Brazil, so check that country’s visa rules before you plan a crossing.

How far is Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate?

The national parks service gives about 80 km by provincial road 11. Most visitors go by tour or rental car, so ask your hotel about transport options.

When can I see whales at Península Valdés?

The season runs from June to early December. The tourism board says the peak is September and October. Dates can shift slightly each year, so check before booking.

How many UNESCO sites does Argentina have?

UNESCO lists 12 properties for Argentina, both cultural and natural. Some, such as the Jesuit Missions and the Qhapaq Ñan road system, are shared with other countries.

Best Places to Visit in Argentina