3-week itinerary in the heart of Argentina

❤️ You love Latin America‘s history and culture ? You are curious and want to learn more about the country of Gauchos ? Backpack on the shoulders and gym shoes on your feet, we’re taking you on a 3 week Argentinian trip !
Discover the country of tango and get to know every detail about it. By the end of the trip, you will know all about Argentina !

Itinerary of this three weeks in the heart of Argentina

San Miguel de Tucumán > Córdoba > Buenos Aires > San Carlos de Bariloche > El Calafate > Ushuaïa

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in San Miguel de Tucumán ?

San Miguel de Tucumán – or just Tucumán, is the symbol of Argentina’s independence. 

• Explore Argentina’s government house, La Casa de Gobierno, and admire the architecture of this important historic monument.
• History lovers, stop at la Casa Historia de Tucumán and go through an exhibition telling the country and more specifically the Tucumán region’s history.
• Take a break at 9 de julio Park, enjoy the colorful flowers.
• Admire the Plaza Independencia and its Libertad statue surrounded by palm and orange trees.
• Tatse the quesillos (cheese) in one of the city’s restaurants.
• Step in la Basilica de San Franscico and appreciate the inside.

What to do in Córdoba ?

Second largest city of Argentina, Córdoba is at the heart of Argentina. This city is not visited by many tourists because it is mainly a student city. 

• Walk around the city and make sure to see the Jesuit churches, go inside the Manzana Jesuitica, UNESCO Wolrd heritage since 2000.
• Take part in a Free walking tour of Córdoba. Bonus point : the guides do the tours in english !
• Tip : All the museums are free on Wednesdays.
• Walk around the famous University of Córdoba and learn about its interesting history.
• Do not miss the Cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción or the Cabildo (town hall) where you’ll find the museum of the city.
• Walk along the Avenida Yrigoyen up to Plaza España and discover 2 museums : the Museo de Bellas Artes Evita – Palacio Ferreya and the Museo Emilio Caraffa. Art lovers, these are for you !
• Stroll through of the best craft and antiquity market of Argentina, called Feria Artesanal it takes place every weekend in the Barrio Güemes.
• Go discover the Jesuits estancias across the city.
• Enjoy the busy streets of Córdoba, have a drink on one of the rooftops and get some fresh air !

What to do in Buenos Aires ?

Buenos Aires is a very lively city, mainly because of its young population. You can not miss out on this city when going to Argentina. 

• Get a coffee in the famous Café Tortoni, one of the oldest coffee shops in the city.
• Explore San Telmo neighbourhood and go back in time when visiting Pasaje de la Defensa, a 19th century house.
• Dancers, learn a few Tango steps in the streets of San Telmo during one of the many streets shows.
• Enjoy a Bife de Chorizo or Lomo in El Establo Parrilla.
• Taste delicious ice creams at Freddo, Persicco or Volta.
• Go explore Recoleta cemetery (yes, a cemetery) and get right into Argentina’s history where lie former presidents and war heroes. Kind of like Père Lachaise cemetery if you’ve already been to Paris (you lucky traveler !).
• Stroll around the streets of La Boca. Football fans, stop at La Bombonera stadium, Boca Juniors‘ famous club. Others, attend one of the street Tango shows.

Continue your visit of Buenos Aires by :

• Do not miss Palermo neighbourhood, flower heaven. Stop for a moment and have a coffee or an empanada (or both) while watching locals dancing.
• Go to Teatro Colón to admire its beautiful architecture and go see a ballet or opera show.
• Take the time to go to Plaza de Mayo (nothing to do with your favorite condiment) and admire the huge Casa Rosada, the president’s palatial mansion !
• Enjoy the regional specialities like locro (hearty stew made of corn and meat) or l’humita (a corn dish) in the folkloric district of Mataderos.
• Visit an Argentinian ranch with Gauchos in San Antonio de Areco thanks to the many day-trips organized by the city.
• You’ve seen enough of the city and want to go on an adventure ? Go for a 2-day trip in Puerto Iguazú and explore the famous Iguazú falls. A unique and unforgettable experience !
• Go on an excursion to Delta el Tigre.
• Feel like a movie star at Avenida Corrientes and enjoy a Broadway atmosphere.
• Party people, this is the perfect city for you ! Argentina‘s city that never sleeps ?

What to do in San Carlos de Bariloche ?

The city is inside Nahuel Huapi National Park, right on the lake of the same name. More often called Bariloche, this city is heaven to any hiker … or chocolate lover. 

• Go trekking on one of the many trails in the park.
• Go through Llao Llao park (pronounced Chao Chao). There are many different hiking trails. You’ll get to see typical flora. The trail called Tacul will let you enjoy a beautiful view over lake Nahuel Huapi. Stop on a gorgeous beach and relax.
• Enjoy some marroc, a chocolate candy with peanut cream and milk chocolate.
• Take bus 20 or your car and go to Cerro Campanario, you’ll get a 360 view of the surrounding lakes. To get there you can either get on a chairlift (not free) or hike up there !
• On Sundays, have lunch in the village of Colonia Suiza, it has a nice marketplace. You’ll find everything you need to have a lovely lunch break.
• In the winter, get on your skies and show your skills off on the slopes from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral.
• Discover Bariloche city center’s architecture.

What to do in El Calafate ?

Besides being a tree from South Patagonia, El Calafate is also a city. It is the front door to Los Glaciares National Park (or Glaciers National Park), a UNESCO World heritage site with around 50 glaciers. 

• Explore Perito Moreno glacier, go trekking and admire the ice falls.
• Wait until 6pm and go to La Zorra pub, have a local beer and enjoy Happy Hour until 7pm.
• Drink some maté, the local tea, in Cambalache‘s city center.
• Enjoy some delicious sheep meat, a Patagonia speciality.
• Observe flamingos in the swamps along Paseo Kirchner.
• Tip : if you came here driving, be careful ! There are no traffic lights !

What to do in Ushuaïa ?

Let’s start with a short pronunciation class, it’s pronounced “U-su (not shu)-a-ya”. So Ushuaïa, the southernmost city of the world, is the Argentinian capital of the Tierra del Fuego (which means Land of fire, in case you skipped Spanish classes). It quickly became a touristic destination but managed to keep its charming and authentic nature. 

• Explore the Museo del Fin del Mundo (guessing you haven’t learned more spanish since last sentence, this means Museum of the end of the world) and learn about the city’s history surrounded by stuffed animals (not the teddy bear type … but don’t be scared !).
• Visit the Maritime Museum, located in the oldest prison of Ushuaia. You’ll get out of it knowing everything about Antarctica and the prison’s history.
• Go on the Laguna Esmeralda hike and live a unique experience, building amazing memories. It is a 4 hour round trip, and is really worth the walk once you get to see the gorgeous sceneries !
• Go for a hike in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, you can even camp there !
• Sip on a cocktail at the Dublin pub and make friends with the locals.
• Take a seat on a bench in the port and admire the lovely sunset.
• If you have time, go to Antarctica. The most memorable trip of your life !

Learn more…

• • Check out all the practical informations you need to know about the country, by clicking here.
  • Book a car rental at the best price, by this website, we recommend.
  • To book a flight at the best price, we recommend you this website.

If you have more information, good deals, or any advice to share about this itinerary, leave a comment bellow ! Our team will be happy to hear about your experiences !