The 15 best things you can do when you visit Argentina

ArabiaWeather - From horseback riding in the Pampas and whale watching in Patagonia to passionate tangos in Buenos Aires and hiking trips through the Andes, Argentina offers an incredible array of activities and adventures for those who want to explore this exciting South American country.

Whether you're an outdoor junkie or a city lover, this gorgeous country has you covered. You can live like a gaucho in undulating grassy fields, climb on the shoulders of towering mountain peaks, negotiate with penguins, watch a water symphony as the Iguazu Falls cascade powerfully into the valley below, or feel the roar of the crowds hitting you like a huge train in... Football match in Buenos Aires.

With so many options in a country this size, it can be hard to know where to start – and whether you're a first-time or second-time visitor, there's always more to see. To get you started, here is our guide to some of the best things to do in Argentina.

Watch a football match in Buenos Aires

Few experiences offer a deeper insight into the Argentine psyche than attending a soccer match.

At these events, Buenos Aires stadiums such as Boca Juniors' "La Bombonera" and River Plate's "Monumental" are transformed into sites of joyful noise as tens of thousands of fans sing, cheer, scream, moan and celebrate in harmony. Sometimes, the match feels less like a sport and more like a religion.

Tickets to attend are relatively easy to obtain in the capital, where most teams are based, and seating is cheaper than for similar sporting events in North America or Europe. If you can separate yourself from the action on the terraces, you might even watch the upcoming Argentine rising star make his debut on the pitch.

• Planning tip: Although you can go to the match independently, local travel agencies offer guided tours for beginners. Inquire about options during the Premier Division season, from January or February through May, and from August through December.

Experience the spectacle of Iguazu Falls

A UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Argentina and Brazil, this powerful system of waterfalls is one of the top tourist attractions for visitors in both countries – and for good reason.

Despite the crowds, it's impossible not to be amazed by the size and power of the Rio Iguazu as it splits into numerous waterfalls that cascade across a plateau surrounded by patches of emerald green rainforest brimming with life.

A series of trails, boardwalks, viewpoints and boat trips allow you to get remarkably close to the action. Expect to get wet at some point – an essential part of the fun.

• Planning Tip : With border crossings conveniently close to the falls, it's easy to see this stunning spectacle from both sides in one visit. Check in advance whether you need a tourist visa for Brazil.

Ride like a gaucho across the pampas

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Argentine cattle ranching transformed the economy and landscape. The heart of the industry remains in the Pampas, a vast, flat area of coral land that covers much of the center of the country. Today, many operating farms in the area open their doors to visitors.

Stay in beautiful – and sometimes luxurious – farms where you can enjoy delicious Argentine food and try everything from milking to polo.

Horseback riding with the gauchos (shepherds) is the highlight of any trip here, as they occupy a romantic, almost mythical place in Argentina's national history and identity.

Eat a meal at an Argentinian barbecue (asado)

As one of the largest cattle-farming nations on the planet, Argentina is closely associated with high-quality beef, and you can enjoy juicy, fatty, perfectly cooked steaks at many barbecue restaurants (parillas) across the country.
The red meat here comes in a surprising variety of cuts, and you'll soon learn how to tell the difference between beef ancho (rib-eye) and beef angusto (striploin).

The best way to experience the best Argentinian meat is basically at one of the traditional asado gatherings, especially at an estancia, or (even better) at the home of an Argentinean family on a Sunday afternoon – if you can get an invite, that is. You'll quickly understand why Argentines are some of the world's largest meat consumers.

Watch icebergs break off glaciers in Patagonia

Near the border with Chile in southwestern Patagonia, the magnificent Los Glaciares National Park protects a vast expanse of the continent's largest ice field, Campo de Helo Patagonico Sur. As might be expected, this is one of the best places in the world for acercarse to snowboard.

A haven for hikers and climbers, the park features the massive Perito Moreno Glacier, a wall of snow that stretches 30 km (18.6 mi) and juts out into the iceberg-filled Lake Argentino.

Periodically, large chunks of ice break off the edge with a roar and fall into the water below, creating a new set of icebergs.

• Planning Tip : You can watch the icebergs breaking off the rim from a series of viewing points connected to the steel walkway. The best period to visit is from November to March; In the afternoon, audible cracks echo throughout the ice.

Go whale watching on the Valdes Peninsula

The Reserva Faunistica Peninsula Valdes reserve in northeastern Patagonia is teeming with life. The waters of the village are an important breeding place for southern desert whales, which migrate here in their thousands every year. These elegant marine mammals - which live up to 100 years - can be seen up close on whale spotting cruises and even from shore.

On the wild shore, groups of slow-moving elephants and playful sea lions live on the shores of the Valdés Peninsula, and are sometimes threatened by killer whales that swim surprisingly close to shore in search of their prey. Getting up close - but not too close - is part of the fun of visiting this rugged peninsula.

• Planning tip : The best months for whale watching are August to October – although this is also the busiest season for tourism, with prices to match. Whales can be seen from June to December, so visiting during the shoulder season is recommended.

Climb the snow-capped peak of Cerro Aconcagua

Rising 6,962 meters (22,841 ft) above Argentina, Cerro Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Southern and Western Hemisphere. Located near the city of Mendoza and surrounded by the Provencal Aconcagua Park, this snow-capped volcanic peak was sacred to the Incas and pre-Incan cultures, who used it as a burial site for centuries.

Today, the ice-capped summit of Mount Aconcajo attracts climbers and hikers from all over the world. Even if you don't have technical climbing skills, you can still participate in a challenging but rewarding guided trek to the top of the Northwest Route (or "Regular Route").

Visit the winding waterways of the Parana Delta

A short ride on the Tren de la Costa (coastal train) takes you from the heart of Buenos Aires to the sleepy town of Tigre, gateway to the Parana Delta.

This maze of winding brown waterway and forest-covered islands is the third largest river delta in the world, and holds the promise of exciting trips by canoe, canoe or kayak.

Before long, you'll leave Tigre and enter a riverine wilderness, dotted with tranquil guesthouses and resorts offering swimming, hiking and trekking to see the delta's abundant wildlife, including capybaras, crab-eating otters and abundant birds. There aren't many better places in Argentina to enjoy peace and get away from it all.

• Planning Tip : If you don't feel like going alone, day trips to the Paraná Delta are easy to arrange through travel agencies in Buenos Aires.

Head to the Andes

From high-altitude deserts in the north to subarctic tundra in the south, Argentina's part of the Andes mountain range offers some of the best hiking on Earth.

The national parks of Argentina's Lake District, Patagonia and farther south – Nahuel Huapi, Los Glaciares and Tierra del Fuego – are fun places to explore on foot.

These gorgeous wilderness areas have trails suitable for day hikes, treks, and multi-day adventures, many of which can be tackled without a guide.

There are also many campsites and preserved structures known as shelters, meaning there are many options for independent travellers. The cities of El Calafate and El Chalten in Patagonia are the most popular trekking centers.

• Planning Tip : Note that shelters and campsites in Argentina can be crowded in the Argentine summer. Book in advance – or come in the cool, beautiful fall months or windy spring for quieter trails and easier reservations.

Relax in the historic city of Salta

Known for its historic architecture, thriving folk music life, and interesting museums, galleries, and cultural centers, Salta has long been a favorite destination for travelers to Argentina.

Salta center can be easily explored on foot, with a relaxed atmosphere and a wide range of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars and quiet accommodation.

Located in the northern Andes, the city is also the starting point for excursions into the stunning mountain landscapes of the surrounding Salta and Jujuy provinces. When planning a long trip to Argentina, it is advisable to spend a few days here to reenergize after other strenuous adventures.

Learn to dance tango in Buenos Aires

Originating in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century and blending European, African and South American influences, tango is an exciting, romantic and dramatic dance that is considered quintessentially Argentine. Watching a local tango gathering at a place like Villa Malcolm or Milonga La Glorieta is a powerful experience.

However, it is highly recommended to learn the basics before you throw yourself on the dance floor. Fortunately, Buenos Aires offers many classes with English instruction geared toward travelers.

Once you've learned a few key steps you can head to a 'milonga', a public tango dancing event held in a range of venues, from converted warehouses to wet basement bars.

Go bird watching in the Iberian Wetlands

Spanning over 1,950 square km (753 sq mi) in the Corrientes province, Parque Esteros del Ibera protects one of the largest freshwater wetlands on the planet.

Recently expanded thanks to a large donation of land from a nature conservation foundation, this maze of canals, lagoons, and islands is home to more than 360 species of birds, including rose-bellied collars, flamingos, kingfishers, jays, and wild turkeys.

Lazy boat trips along the grass-lined waterways allow you to see the park's abundant birdlife up close, as well as its multitude of mammals, from capybaras to capuchin monkeys.

• Planning Tip: You can get to Parque Esteros del Ibera from the village of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini. You can get here via Posadas or Mercedes; If you book a local tour, it is usual for them to pick you up from one of the two cities.

Sail through the Beagle Channel

Named after the ship that carried naturalist Charles Darwin on his voyage around South America, the Beagle Channel traverses the island of Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost island of the continent and one of the most dramatic places on Earth.

Boat trips along this scenic waterway depart from the remote city of Ushuaia, which lies on its northern shore. These trips offer great wildlife viewing opportunities – expect to see whales, dolphins, sea lions and penguins – as well as stunning mountain views.

Along the way, you'll stop at lighthouses and islands dotted with ancient crustal detritus left by the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego — a reminder that Argentina was home to diverse tribal groups before the Spanish arrived.

Ski on powder in the Lake District

Between June and September, Nahuel Huapi - Argentina's largest national park - turns into a playground for winter sports enthusiasts. The towering peaks overlooking the lakeside town of Bariloche attract skiers and snowboarders from all over South America and further afield.

Here, there are slopes for beginners and experts alike – with equipment rentals, lift tickets and lessons available at much lower prices than in the US or Europe. In addition, Bariloche's cozy mountain restaurants and bars are ideal for après-ski entertainment.

• Planning Tip: It's easy (if remote) to get to Bariloche from Buenos Aires. Flying will save you time, but braving the 23-hour bus trip will leave you with more money for skiing and relaxing after a day on the slopes.

Discover indigenous cultures in Quebrada de Humuaca

Quebrada de Humuaca, a winding valley that extends 155 kilometers (96 mi) toward the Bolivian border, is an epic landscape characterized by sharp, clay-yellow rock formations, high plateaus, winding rivers and multi-colored mountain slopes.

Beyond its geological features, this UNESCO World Heritage site in Jujuy Province offers a look at the indigenous cultures that have inhabited this part of the Americas for thousands of years, through traditional villages, archaeological sites and trails laid by the Incas and their ancestors centuries ago. You'll get to know a different side of Argentina when you explore it by bus.

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Source: Lonely Planet blog