Argentina offers a wide range of activities and adventures, from horseback riding across the Pampas to whale watching in the Patagonian region.
Argentina has everything from a city slicker to an outdoors junkie. You can take a ride like a gaucho in the grassland, hike on the shoulders of towering mountain peaks, watch a symphony in water, or feel the roar of the crowd.
Whether you're a first timer or a repeat visitor, there's always more to see, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Our guide to some of the best things to do in Argentina is the first thing you should do.
Get trusted guidance to the world's most breathtaking experiences delivered to your inbox weekly with our email newsletter.There is no better way to understand the Argentine mindset than to attend a soccer match. Boca Juniors' La Bombonera is transformed into a cacophonous arena as tens of thousands of supporters sing, chant, groan and celebrate in unison. It is more like a religion at times.
In Buenos Aires, where most teams are based, tickets are easy to come by and seats are cheaper than in other parts of the world. If you can tear yourself away from the action on the terraces, you can spot the next up-and-coming Argentinian star.
Local travel agencies offer guided tours for the uninitiated, which is a planning tip. There are options during the season from January to December.
One of the top tourist attractions in both Argentina and Brazil is the mighty system of waterfalls. Despite the crowds, it's impossible not to be awed by the sheer scale and power of the Ro Iguaz, as it splits into multiple cascades that charge over a patch of emerald-green rainforest.
You can get close to the action with a series of trails, boardwalks and viewpoints. It is possible to get wet at some point, but that is part of the fun.
It is easy to see the spectacle from both sides on the same trip. Travelers from the US need to get a visa before entering Brazil.
Argentina's economy and landscape changed in the 19th and early 20th century due to cattle ranching. The heartland of the industry is the Pampas, a vast, flat area of grassland that covers much of the center of the country, and many working estancias are open to visitors.
You can stay in beautiful farmhouses that are sometimes luxurious and you can try your hand at everything from milk to polo. There is a chance to ride a horse with the gauchos, who have a romantic place in Argentina's history.
The Campo de Hielo Patagnico sur is the biggest ice field in the world and is located close to the border with Chile. This is a great place to get close to a glacier.
The largest wall of ice in the world is located in the center of the park. Large chunks of the glacier calve off the edge with a roar and plunge into the waters below.
There are steel catwalks that link viewpoints and you can see calving Icebergs from them. The best time to visit is in the autumn and spring.
As one of the largest cattle-farming nations, Argentina is synonymous with world-class beef, and juicy, well-marbled and full-flavor steaks are cooked by countless parrillas. You'll soon learn to tell your bife ancho from your bife angosto if you buy steaks here.
If you can score an invite to a family home on a Sunday afternoon, you can sample Argentinian choice cuts at a traditional asado. The Argentines are some of the largest consumers of beef in the world.
The Reserva Faunstica Pennsula Valdés is located in northeastern Argentina. Thousands of southern right whales migrate each year to the waters offshore. These graceful cetaceans can be seen close up on whale-spotting expeditions, diving and snorkeling trips, and from the shoreline.
There are colonies of elephant seals and playful sea lions on the beaches, which are often menaced by orcas who swim close to the shore. The thrill of visiting this rugged peninsula comes from getting close but not too close.
August to October is the best months for whale-watching, but this is also the busiest season for tourism. You can see whales from June to December.
The tallest mountain in the southern and western hemispheres is the Aconcagua. The pre-Inca cultures used it as a funerary site for hundreds of years.
The summit of Aconcagua attracts mountaineers from all over the world. You can still go on a guided expedition up the Northwest if you don't have technical climbing skills.
Tigre is the gateway to the Paran Delta and you can take a ride on the scenic Tren de la Costa to get there. The third-largest river delta in the world is home to a maze of meandering, coffee-colored waterways and rainforest-covered islands.
The riverine wilderness is dotted with tranquil guesthouses and resorts that offer swimming, hiking, and trips to spot the abundant wildlife of the delta. There are many places in Argentina where you can go for a break.
It's easy to arrange a day trip to the Paran Delta if you don't want to be alone.
Some of the best hiking on the planet can be found in the Argentinian section of the mountains. The national parks in the Argentinian Lake District, Patagonia and the far south are some of the best places to visit on foot.
Many of the trails in the wild areas can be tackled without a guide. There are many well-tended campsites and lodges that can be used by independent travelers. The most popular trekking destinations are El Calafate and El Chaltén.
In the Argentine summer, the refugios and campsites can get busy, so plan ahead or come in the cool but beautiful fall months for quieter trails and easier booking.
Salta is known for its historic architecture, thriving folk-music scene and interesting museums, galleries and cultural centers. There is a wide choice of excellent restaurants, cafes, bars and laid-back places to stay in the center of Salta.
The city is located in the northwest part of the country and is the jumping off point for wine-quaffing trips to Cafayate. If you're on a long trip to Argentina, you might want to take a few days here to recuperate.
The largest wine-production area in the country is located in the cosmopolitan city of Mendoza. Many of the vineyards in the region are famous for their rich and fruity Malbecs.
The annual grape harvest in the city of Mendoza is celebrated in March with a week-long carnival-like event called the Fiesta Nacional de Vendimia.
The Maipu Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, and Uco Valley are actually sub-regions of the Mendoza wine region. You can base yourself in the city.
You know you want to go on. The tango is a fusion of European, African and South American influences. Watching a tango gathering at a venue is powerful.
It is highly recommended that you learn the basics before you start dancing. English-language classes for travelers are available in Buenos Argentina. A milonga is a public tango dance event held in a variety of venues.
One of the largest freshwater wetlands on the planet is protected by Parque Esteros del Iber. Thanks to a large donation of land, this labyrinth of channels, lagoons and islands is now home to more than 300 species of birds.
Slow boat trips along the reed-lined waterways allow you to get a close up look at the park's many mammals and birds.
You can reach Parque Esteros del Iber from the village. If you book a local tour, they will pick you up from either of the two cities.
The Beagle Channel is named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his voyage around South America and is one of the most dramatic places in the world.
The city of Ushuaia is located on the north shore of the waterway. You can see whales, dolphins, sea lions and penguins on these cruises.
The lighthouses and islets dotted with ancient middens are a reminder that Argentina was home to diverse tribal groups before the Spanish arrived.
The largest national park in Argentina transforms into a playground during the summer months. The ski slopes that overlook the lakeside city of Bariloche are popular with skiers and snowboarders from all over the world.
Equipment hire, lift passes, and classes are all cheaper in Europe than in the US. Adding to the fun, Bariloche has cozy, Alpine-style restaurants and pubs.
It's easy to get to Bariloche from Buenos Aires, but braving the 23 hour bus ride will leave you with more money for skiing and other activities.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a 95-mile valley that spans towards the Bolivian border.
Beyond its geological features, this Unesco World Heritage site in Jujuy province also offers a glimpse of the indigenous cultures that have occupied this part of the Americas for thousands of years. You can explore by bus to a different part of Argentina.
The article was last updated 17 hours ago.
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