The 15 best places to visit in Argentina

The charming capital city of Argentina is both cosmopolitan and dynamic. Each district is in itself worth-seeing. San Telmo for its bohemian side, Palermo for its nightlife and trendy atmosphere, Puerto Madero for a stroll along the docks, the Micro Centro to see the main monuments such as Plaza de Mayo or the Obelisk, Recoleta for its cultural activities and its famous cemetery, and finally La Boca and its Caminito, a multicoloured and authentic district, which is without any doubt the most emblematic of Buenos Aires. The city bears witness to this cultural blending shared by its Italian and Spanish heritage. It can be found in the architecture, in the cuisine but also in the Argentinians very expressive way of speaking. Finally, it is here that you will have the most beautiful demonstrations of the Tango, this passionate dance typical of Argentina.

Hidden in the middle of the tropical forest, on the Argentine and Brazilian border, Iguazu Falls are a natural wonder. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these gigantic waterfalls are one of the largest and most impressive in the world. Thanks to its easy access, you can get as close as possible to the falls and enjoy the show: the water flowing with a deafening noise, the mists that make us come out all wet in less than a minute, all the rainbows forming in the falls, the palm trees, the luxuriant fauna and flora that make the setting even more magical. The site leaves us speechless for its splendour and beauty. It is a real wonder that reminds us of how exceptional nature can be.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valdes Peninsula is located off the coast of the city of Puerto Madryn. Bordered by cliffs, the peninsula is the ideal place to meet all kinds of marine animals. Penguins, elephant seals, guanacos, and birds all gather around the shores. But it is off the peninsula that you can watch the most impressive spectacle. Take the opportunity to observe killer whales and Astral right whales that are now considered an endangered species. Whales often approach the seaside and love to come and play with boats. It is quite easy to observe them in these conditions. To have even more emotion and thrills during this experience, you can also organize a dive or kayak trip to get as close as possible to these enormous and mighty animals.

From the city of El Calafate, you can discover a natural wonder made entirely of ice. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Perito Moreno is one of the most spectacular glaciers in the world. Located on the Lago Argentino, this 60m high ice wall, glacial blue colours and imposing size will amaze you. The most impressive thing is undoubtedly the fact that it is alive. The glacier is constantly in motion, advancing a little more every day. We can also see pieces of ice breaking off and falling into the water with a huge thumping noise Footbridges are installed all around the site and allow the observation of the Perito Moreno from different points of view, each one just as fabulous as the other.

El Chalten is a lovely little village lost among the mountains. The wooden houses, the flowered balconies, the warm welcoming inhabitants, the cafés which serve delicious hot chocolates, here you'll find both a peaceful and timeless atmosphere. In addition to inviting visitors to relax, El Chalten is the starting point for the Fitz Roy hike. The summit of this mountain offers treks of different levels and durations. You can enjoy a superb walk whatever your inclination for sports. The ideal programme: hike in the morning, picnic in front of the Fitz Roy, and enjoy a good hot chocolate on the way back to the village.

Argentina looks like Europe sometimes. San Carlos de Bariloche is a perfect example. The mountainous landscapes and the finely crafted wooden houses remind us of the Swiss Alps. Take your time and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city with a nice walk in the streets and admire its fine architecture. Bariloche offers superb walks. Surrounded by forests and lakes, it is very pleasant to leave the city for a bit and discover its nature on foot, by bike or by car. It is even said that these landscapes inspired Saint Exupéry to write "The Little Prince". Many excursions are available from the city, especially boat trips to discover the lakes, islands and waterfalls. Don't miss out on the Camino de Los Siete Lagos, a road that will take you to incredible landscapes and viewpoints.

Mendoza is known as Argentines wine capital. It is true that when it comes to wine, the Argentinians have nothing left to prove! We can taste some exquisite grape varieties. But in Mendoza, wine is not only served in restaurants, but the tradition is also to go directly to the cellars. Tours are organized all over the city. You can explore vineyards of all sizes, visit their cellars, discover how they produce their wine, and of course taste their best wine varieties. Vineyards and mountains offer breathtaking views. Enjoying a glass of wine in such grandiose settings is simply delicious.

The second largest city in Argentina, Cordoba is the home for 7 leading universities. The student population contributes to the freshness and energy of the city that is quite exceptional. As for cultural heritage, the city also has a lot to offer: don't miss out on the famous Jesuit quarter, Manzana Jesuita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also the cathedral, Cabildo, Paseo del Buen Pastor, the Caraffa Museum, and Barrio Gûemes. The best way to get to know each of these places is to stroll around at your own pace. You will be able to immerse yourself in this incredible atmosphere and you may even want to extend the duration of your stay! Around the city, you can also discover the adorable villages of la Cumbrecita or Alta Gracia, the hometown of Che Guevara.

A typical colonial city, both vibrant and surprising! The beauty of its squares, its churches and colours will astound you at every street corner. Look up to observe the emblematic balconies of Colonial architecture, and explore the city's nooks and crannies to discover the old houses once inhabited by the noble. A mixture of Spanish and Andean culture, there are museums dedicated to the history of the Incas such as the MAAM museum. Salta is also well known for being lively both by day and night. The inhabitants love to walk down the main street, stroll around the squares, and at night, music and life flow everywhere from the bars and clubs.

Northern Argentina is one of the most beautiful regions of the country. It's desert landscapes and Quechua culture are extremely charming. Change of scenery assured with its ochre-coloured earth, cactus forests, coloured fabrics, llamas, prepare yourself for a real change of scenery. Among all the adorable small villages, don't miss out on the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a natural wonder listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Overlooking the Humahuaca Valley, this mountain is a real rainbow formed of multi-coloured rocks. An incredible sight to see as you walk between both the hills and the vast extents of cactus'. The village is also worth seeing: the cobblestoned streets, the square and the handicraft stands make it a choice destination for strolling around.

Ushuaia is the most southern city of the world, it’s the gateway to Antarctica, which makes it pretty unique. Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaïa is essentially a port city, but it has developed several tourist attractions over the past years. Sports enthusiasts will have the chance to ski, trek or dive. For more relaxing activities, you can go horse riding or take a flight over the area by plane. Don't hesitate to take a boat trip to visit the surrounding islands and see the famous lighthouse at the end of the world. You can also observe several marine animals such as cormorants, penguins and sea lions. Finally, if you are interested in local heritage and history, visit the end of the world museum.

Aconcagua is the highest peak on the American continent. Located in the middle of the Andes Cordillera, between Argentina and Chile, it reaches an altitude of nearly 6962m. The most experienced climbers in the world try to conquer it each year. A thrilling adventure but accessible only to experienced hikers. Even if you don't make it to the top, it’s also beautiful from below! Various hikes are organized and adapted to all levels. Put on your best walking shoes and discover these postcard-like landscapes. The mountains of exceptional beauty are home to a rich fauna and flora. Take your time to observe them, and admire the "Roof of the Americas" wherever you are.

Welcome to the paradise of Palaeontologists. Without mentioning the beauty of its desert landscapes, Ischigualasto and Talampaya National Parks which are particularly famous for sheltering Scientific treasures. Here, you can admire particularly rich collections of animal and plant fossils dating back more than 200 million years. These unique sites have helped us to understand both the Environmental and Animals evolution over that time, as well as the end of the "Age of the Dinosaurs" or Mesozoic era. These findings are therefore of inestimable value to Science. As a traveller, you can visit these parks either by car or bicycle. With an area of 63ha, the best thing to do is to be guided by a local expert who will show you the most interesting places, from ancient rock formations to discovery areas.

The Argentine countryside occupies a large part of the southern area. The Pampa is specific to Argentina for several reasons. First of all for its extraordinary landscapes and its wild and indomitable nature. But it is also the ideal place to discover the "Gaucho" culture, the famous Argentine cowboys. Immerse yourself in this region to discover how these communities live and all the folklore around it. Ride to explore the wildest hills and share the love of the inhabitants for their region. Discover their customs, their dances, their gastronomy, far away from the big cities and their European influences, this other perspective of Argentine culture will both surprise and delight you.

Located in the rainforests of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, you can see the most beautiful Jesuit missions in the Argentine towns of San Ignacio, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreta and Santa Maria la Mayor. These towns built between the 17th and 18th centuries are both architectural and cultural wonders. Originally, this region was inhabited by Guaraní indigenous communities villages. The Jesuits then built towns in the area to help these communities. You can still see through these ruins how the village was organized: church, priests' residence, schools, handicraft workshops, prisons, cemeteries and dwellings. Today, these missions are the testimony of an important era in the history of Argentina.