What to see in Argentina

Argentinian Patagonia

An adventurers dream, a trip to Argentinian Patagonia is a journey through vast pristine landscapes. Stretching across 1,000 miles of South America’s southern frontier, Patagonia is a region shared by both Chile and Argentina. The Argentinian side is much large and therefore has more diverse natural sights to explore. 

The region is composed of five provinces: Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Chubut, Rio Negro and Neuquen. The lakeside city of Bariloche, with its alpine architecture, is considered the gateway to Argentinian Patagonia and is well-connected to the capital of Buenos Aires. 

If you travel to Argentinan Patagonia, you’ll find that there are three main areas; the Lake District, the Atlantic and Southern Patagonia. 

The Lake District is known for its glistening bodies of water and charming lakeside towns, whilst the Atlantic section is the best place to visit to see amazing marine wildlife and experience the regions rich Welsh heritage. Here, you can see Magellanic Penguins in Punta Tombo, go whale watching from Puerto Madryn and visit the Welsh town of Trelew. On the other hand, Southern Patagonia attracts visitors with its mighty glaciers, snow-capped mountains and jaw-dropping rugged landscapes.

With cobalt lakes, emerald forests and untouched wildernesses, you’d think that it might be a challenge to travel to Argentinian Patagonia, but there is actually great infrastructure to accommodate the growing demands of tourism. The best time to visit Argentinian Patagonia is in the spring or summer, roughly between October and February. At this time of year, the weather is mild, the perfect conditions for hiking excursions. 

Things to see in Argentinian Patagonia

There are an array of things to see in Argentinian Patagonia, including some of the most pristine landscapes and impressive natural wonders on earth! Whether you love hiking, skiing, mountain biking or wildlife watching, the things to do in Patagonia are endless!

Of all the impressive natural landmarks, the Perito Moreno Glacier stands out as the best thing to see. Located within the Los Glaciares National Park, one of the most impressive ice fields on earth, this giant glacier is one of the top sights in the country. Los Glaciares is situated in the southwest of Argentina, close to the Chilean border. Here, the Perito Moreno draws visitors from across the world to see its dramatic ice falls as it constantly creeps forward by an average of 2 meters per day. 30 kilometers long, 5 kilometers wide and 60 meters high, this mega glacier is an unmissable highlight of any Patagonia tour. Within the Los Glaciares National Park, you’ll also find amazing birdlife, such as the Andean Condor, sub-polar forests and massive Lake Argentino.

Nearby, the town of El Calafate acts as the gateway to the ice fields of Los Glaciares. Sat on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in Argentinian Patagonia. If you visit El Calafate, be sure to explore the Glaciarium Museum to learn more about the fascinating science behind glaciers such as the Perito Moreno.

Although Los Glaciares might be the most famous national park in Argentinian Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego is no less impressive. Located in Southern Patagonia, it is the go-to destination for hiking in Argentina. At the edge of the Andes mountain range, this UNESCO protected national park is home to diverse landscapes of mountains, glaciers, lakes, peat bogs and forests, stretching across an area of 170,000 acres. The dramatic landscapes and unpredictable weather of Tierra del Fuego National Park make it one of the most spectacular wildernesses on earth and one of the best things to see in Argentinian Patagonia. 

Nearby Ushuaia is another must-visit destination. Situated on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia is nicknamed ‘The End of the World’ due to its location on the extreme southerly tip of South America. Surrounded by the Martial Mountains, it’s the jumping-off point for excursions into Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Beagle Channel.

The Beagle Channel is a strait between Chile and Argentina and a cruise on the channel is one of the best things to do in Argentinian Patagonia. On a cruise, you can witness the immense wildlife diversity of this remote region. Expect frequent sightings of penguins, sea lions and dolphins.