A poker-straight highway stretching for almost 11 miles (18 km through the Calchaquí Valleys and flanked by cacti-dotted plains; the Tin Tin Straight Line (Recta de Tin Tin is a highlight of any Salta road trip. Laid out by the Incas and now part of the Route 33 highway, it serves as the dramatic entryway to Los Cardones National Park.
The San Telmo Market (Mercado de San Telmo) is a historical indoor market in the eponymous neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Every Sunday, the area around the market hosts the city’s most famous street fair, the Feria de San Telmo, when hundreds of vendors line the streets surrounding Plaza Dorrego, most of them dealing in one-of-a-kind antiques.
Capilla de San Eduardo (San Eduardo Chapel) is one of Bariloche’s most-loved buildings. Established in 1938, the neo-Gothic chapel was built from local stone and cypress logs, and designed by Alejandro Bustillo, the same architect behind the Hotel Llao Llao next door. The chapel lies within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and offers excellent views inside and out.
Go white-water rafting along the Atuel Canyon (Cañón del Atuel), a 37-mile (60-kilometer) gorge in the Mendoza Province. This stretch of water attracts all kinds of adventurers, including those looking to kayak, jet-ski, raft, and cycle, and to admire the steep cliffs and dramatic rock formations along the river.
In the foothills of the Andes and just an hour’s drive from Mendoza, the wild landscapes of Villavicencio Natural Reserve(Reserva Natural Villavicencio) offer scenic hikes through ravines and mountain valleys. A wildlife hot spot, the reserve is also known for its natural springs, the source of much of Argentina’s bottled mineral water.
In 1959, the French Champagne house Moet & Chandon established its first overseas subsidiary, Bodega Chandon. Learn how it pioneered the production of sparkling wines in Argentina by combining traditional French savoir-faire with the diversity of Argentine high altitude terroirs on a visit and tasting.
Rising up from San Martin Park, the Hill of Glory (Cerro de la Gloria) is one of Mendoza’s most recognizable landmarks. Perched on a small hill, the 14-ton bronze monument was designed by Juan Manual Ferrari to honor the Army of the Andres, who fought during the 19th-century Battle of Independence.
At the meeting point of two countries and two national parks—Argentina’s Lanin National Park and Chile’s Villarrica National Park—Lanin Volcano is one of Patagonia’s highest mountains. A popular side trip from Bariloche or San Martin de Los Andes, the snow-covered volcano is known for its perfectly conical peak and challenging summit hike.
Covering 18 acres (7 hectares) and housing 5,500 plant species from six continents, the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays) offers an idyllic escape from the city's busy streets. Highlights include a Roman garden, a formal French park inspired by the Palace of Versailles, and an art nouveau greenhouse that was designed for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair.
One hundred million years ago, before Patagonia was peppered with glaciers and snow-capped peaks, it was a vast plain of lush forests where dinosaurs roamed. La Leona Petrified Forest—a 2,000-acre (810-hectare) depression in the Earth that’s amazingly frozen in time—pays testament to this epoch, giving you the chance to walk through prehistoric Patagonia, complete with huge trees and dinosaur bones.
Amid the wild landscapes of the Andes mountains and at an altitude of 9,186 feet (2,800 meters), the tiny village of El Alfarcito feels like a forgotten outpost of Argentina’s Wild West. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in character, with a vibrant indigenous community and a daily handicrafts market.
Largely regarded as one of Argentina’s most important museums, the Historical Museum of the North chronicles Argentinean history from its indigenous roots through the colonial era. Housed in the former Town Hall of Salta, the 18th-century building was repurposed as a museum in 1949 and is now protected as a National Historic Landmark.
Less than one hour from Buenos Aires, Parque de la Costa is one of Argentina’s leading amusement parks. With more than 50 attractions—which range from gravity-defying rollercoasters to classic carousels—there’s something to appeal to both thrill seekers and toddlers.
The single-story winery building seems dwarfed by the majesty of South America’s highest mountain chain, the Andes, towering behind it, but that was the idea. It was designed to be minimalistic—Andeluna Cellars is proud to grow their wines at altitude, and they want you to drink in the view, not just their produce.
Celebrate your visit to the world’s southernmost city by exploring the End of the World Museum (Museo del Fin del Mundo). The museum focuses on Ushuaia’s natural and Indigenous history, with collections of taxidermy, weaponry, furniture, and various mementos from travelers throughout history.
Old Palermo (Palermo Viejo), the old quarter of Buenos Aires’ largest barrio, is a popular destination where you’ll stroll past grand buildings and gardens. Drop into trendy cafés and fashion boutiques on Plaza Serrano, or unwind in the area’s many parks clustered around Avenue del Libertador.
Created in the 1890s following English and French landscaping traditions, the expansive setting of General San Martín Park in Mendoza is home to ornamental fountains, classical statues, a lake, and a rose garden lined with walkways. Go hiking or biking, or stroll along the winding pathways and see dozens of sculptures along the way.
Plaza Independencia is one of Mendoza's most popular public spaces. It also happens to be the perfect place to relax, have something to eat, and spend a couple of hours people-watching, listening to live music, or browsing through craft stalls. Locals gather here to soak up the sun, go skateboarding, or watch live street theater performances.
Glacial Mascardi Lake lies within sprawling Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina’s oldest national park. On land, visitors can admire several peaks of the Andes Mountain range, hike along trails, and soak up the sun on one of the beaches that lie along its shore, while water activities include swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing.
Sitting on the Lujan River at the mouth of the Tigre Delta, this waterside museum boasts the ideal setting for Argentina’s National Naval Museum. The museum is devoted to the country’s naval history and rich maritime heritage and is packed with seafaring memorabilia—from ancient maps and naval weaponry to large-scale models of ships and cabins.
This smallish ecological theme park just outside Puerto Iguazú offers insight into the history, traditions, and natural environment of the indigenous Guarani people, many of whom still speak their native tongue while living in equilibrium with nature. The site includes craft and produce shops, a restaurant, and a juice and ice cream bar.
San Ignacio Miní, one of five Jesuit missions that comprise the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most complete and impressive ruins site in Argentina. Founded in 1611 to convert indigenous Guaranis to Catholicism, the mission was left to the elements when the Jesuits departed in 1767.
A relatively new kid in the wine game, Finca Decero (“from scratch”) sold their first wines in 2004. Sustainability is at the heart of the operation, and location is everything—the water is fed by glacial melts, and the high altitude means the grapes preserve their natural acidity and absorb more UV light. Almost as delicious as the wines is the view, a panoramic vista over the surrounding Andes mountains. Operating with a strong respect for nature, the biodiversity of the vineyards has been preserved, and local birdlife flourishes here.
The 17th-century San Ignacio de Loyola Church is nestled in the heart of Monserrate, one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods. Visually, the church makes an impression with its two towers and marble-white facade. Inside, it's awash with golden grandeur. Its temples, tunnels, and cloisters testify to centuries of history.
Discover the intellectual heart of Buenos Aires at the National Library. From its brutalist architecture to its extensive collection, it offers a window into Argentina's history and literature. Whether you're a history buff, a literature lover, or seeking a serene space, this library promises a captivating experience.
Discover sandstone sculptures in the middle of the desert during a visit to Ischigualasto Provincial Park. Resembling something out of a surrealist painting, the wind-eroded sculptures stand up from the arid desert floor and are surrounded by cacti and red rock cliffs. In addition, some of the oldest known dinosaur remains and fossils have been found in this park.
With exhibits spanning more than 14,000 years of human history, El Calafate Historical Interpretation Center gives you a glimpse into the rich anthropological heritage of Patagonia. Highlights include fossilized skeletons of dinosaurs discovered in the area and recreations of prehistoric cave paintings.
Named after the Argentine tango lyricist Homero Manzi—who wrote the tango classic Sur within its walls—this protected building is hailed as one of the best places to watch tango in Buenos Aires. Performances showcase the energy and flair for which Argentina’s national dance is renowned, in a setting redolent of 1920s glamor.
The star attraction of Argentina’s famous Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) is the mighty Polvorilla Viaduct (Viaducto de la polvorilla). At an altitude of 13,842 feet (4,220 meters), the 20th-century viaduct is the highest point of the railway route and affords spectacular views over the surrounding Andes.
Founded in the 1500s by a Spanish conquistador, Salta looks distinctly European. Designed as an outpost between Lima and Buenos Aires, Spanish settlers built Catholic churches, many of which still stand. The city’s 660-foot (200-meter) vantage point, Cerro San Bernardo, looks down over church spires and the majestic peaks of the surrounding Andes.
