Sip and cycle between high-altitude wineries and bodegas, visit might Iguazu Falls and catch some live tango in Buenos Aires.
Imagine the smell of asado (barbecued meats) wafting through the streets of Buenos Aires, or tucking into a juicy steak and washing it down with a local malbec wine.
I’m already salivating at the thought, but it sounds pretty good, right? Travelling through Argentina offers just as much in hearty food as it does in dreamy landscapes — so strap in for a sensory adventure with our destination guide to experiencing it all.
Argentina’s capital combines the aesthetic of a European city, with its colonial and gothic architecture, and the pulsating energy of a Latin city. So, if you’re only able to experience one thing, let it be Fuerza Bruta – a Latin American twist on Cirque du Soleil — combining artistic dance, acrobatics and dazzling lights.
While in town, head over to La Boca, a lively, blue-collar neighbourhood known for its passionate football culture. Wander through El Caminito Street, catch a live tango performance, and enjoy some meaty goodness at one of the many outdoor restaurants.
Of course, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without dining at Don Julio Parrilla, a beloved institution serving perfectly cooked steaks paired with exceptional local wines. This intimate eatery is renowned for its quality and charm, all at a surprisingly reasonable price.
Interestingly, one of the city’s prized sightseeing activities is a visit to La Recoleta Cemetery. With over 4,800 graves raised above the ground, it feels more like a museum than a cemetery, filled with intricate scrollwork and stunning pillars.
The surrounding Recoleta area is littered with bars and restaurants making it perfect for a post-visit meal or drink.
If you’re in Buenos Aires on a Sunday, be sure to visit the San Telmo Sunday Fair. This flea market offers an incredible mix of artisanal shops, tapas, and outdoor bars. The market only comes alive in the afternoon, so you can take your time (especially if you’ve just returned home from a long evening of partying the night before).
Stroll along Avenida Libertador and Avenida 9 de Julio and stop by the iconic Plaza de Mayo. Every Thursday, mothers gather here to protest the disappearance of their loved ones during Argentina’s dictatorship era.
If you’re curious, the novel The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers presents a particularly informative insight into this period of Argentina’s history.
If your schedule allows, consider extending your stay. There is no shortage of things to see and do in this captivating city.
If you love wine, sunshine, and cycling, head to the west of Argentina. Nestled at the foothills of the Andes, Maipú is a breathtaking wine-growing region known for its high-altitude vineyards and bodegas.
A day of cycling here gives visitors an opportunity to dive into Argentinean viticulture while tasting some of the country’s finest wines.
Our favourite winery in the region is Bodega Domiciano. Here, grapes are harvested at night to preserve their aroma and flavour profiles. This family-owned vineyard, located in Barrancas south of the Mendoza River, also offers free tastings.
There’s also Bodega Familia Di Tommaso, with an especially amazing vineyard courtyard for a relaxed lunch or a sunny wine-tasting session.
There are several bike rental options in Maipú, but we highly recommend Maipú Bikes.
For around $15 AUD (9,500 Argentine Pesos), you get an all-day bike rental (10am - 6pm, Monday to Saturday), a helmet, a detailed map of the area’s wineries, and as an additional sweetener, after dropping your bikes back, a long happy hour complete with empanadas and wine.
With some 275 stunning waterfalls, Iguazu National Park is a breathtaking natural wonder and a major highlight of any Argentinian adventure. An optional boat ride into the heart of the falls is highly encouraged and the best way to experience the sheer ferocity and scale of the waterfalls.
Iguazu lies between Puerto Iguazu in Argentina and Foz de Iguazu in Brazil. On the Argentinian side, you can explore six distinct circuits of the falls. Each boardwalk offers a unique perspective, with occasional sprays of water providing a natural way to cool off.
The most memorable experience comes from the Devil’s Throat viewpoint on the Argentine side. Here, you’re met with a surreal spectacle: an 80-metre waterfall cascading into a roaring and seemingly bottomless pit below.
If you’re planning a visit to the Brazilian side of the falls, remember to bring your passport, as you’ll need it to pass through border control.
Trek through the majestic Patagonian mountains
Cruising down Argentina’s famous RN-40 highway brings you to El Chaltén, a dream destination for hikers. Patagonia, split between Argentina and Chile by the Andes Mountains, is absolutely rewarding with stunning landscapes of lakes, fjords, glaciers and multiple treks to keep you occupied.
El Chalten is the perfect base for day hikes. The town is a trekking hub, with affordable accommodation options ranging from hostels to lodges. It’s a social place where hikers gather in bars and restaurants in the evenings, sharing stories and enjoying a well-earned drink after a day on the trails.
The hike to Laguna de los Tres is the highlight of the region’s treks, featuring a challenging 26-kilometre round trip, with the final hour involving a steep 400-metre ascent.
The reward? Breathtaking views of crystal-clear waters and the unforgettable sight of the Fitz Roy peaks.
Another fantastic trek is Laguna Torre, a six- to eight-hour roundtrip following the Fitz Roy River and up to the glacial lake. The view of floating icebergs and the towering Glacier Grande makes this hike particularly special.
While you’re in the region, it’s worth visiting Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park to experience the 18,000-year-old Perito Moreno Glacier – the third-largest freshwater reserve in the world. It's a stunning sight, stretching 30km long and 5km wide, and rising 60 metres high.
From the viewing platform, there are plenty of opportunities to witness ice blocks periodically calving, and for an even more memorable experience, you can trek the glacier on an organised excursion or take a boat tour to get up close to the towering ice wall.
Flying into Buenos Aires is the easiest way to begin your Argentine adventure, with direct international and domestic connections. From the capital, there are plenty of affordable domestic flights and overnight buses to explore the rest of the country and its surrounding areas.
On a personal note, we definitely enjoyed the overnight bus rides through Argentina, particularly the journey from Buenos Aires to El Chaltén, where we were served a medium-rare steak and a glass of Malbec – truly travelling in style!
Whether you're trekking through breathtaking landscapes, sampling world-class wines, or enjoying a delicious meal, Argentina has something for every traveller. With the strength of the Aussie dollar, now is the perfect time to explore – there's no better moment to plan your next South American adventure.
Hero image 📸 Matt Cheok
