Tango in the capital, wine in the west, glaciers in the far south.
Argentina's length means most trips choose a slice: Buenos Aires and Mendoza's wine country pair well with a flight south to Patagonia.
Asado
An Argentine barbecue tradition, slow-grilling various cuts of beef over open flame.
Empanadas
Baked or fried pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
Dulce de leche
A thick, caramelized milk spread used in desserts and pastries nationwide.
Malbec wine
Argentina's signature red wine, grown at high altitude around Mendoza.
La Boca & tango, Buenos Aires
The colorful port neighborhood's corrugated metal houses, painted in bright leftover ship paint by immigrant dock workers, now house tango dancers performing for tips along the pedestrian Caminito street. San Telmo's more traditional tango halls and Sunday antique market offer a less touristy counterpoint nearby. An evening tango show, whether staged or in a more informal milonga, remains an essential Buenos Aires experience.
Perito Moreno Glacier
A glacier near El Calafate that's one of the few in the world still advancing rather than retreating, its face regularly calving massive chunks of ice into the lake below with a thunderous crack. Extensive viewing walkways allow visitors to watch from a safe distance without a boat tour, unusual for a glacier of this scale. Ice trekking directly on the glacier's surface is also available for a more immersive experience.
Iguazu Falls, Argentine side
Closer walkways than the Brazilian side allow visitors to approach individual cascades directly, including a path leading right to the edge of the thunderous Devil's Throat. A small train connects the different walking circuits within the Argentine national park. The surrounding subtropical rainforest adds coatis, toucans, and butterflies to the waterfall spectacle.
Mendoza wine country
Malbec vineyards spread across the high desert at the foot of the Andes, their altitude and dry climate producing some of Argentina's most acclaimed wines. Many wineries offer tastings paired with views of Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Americas, on clear days. Bike tours between wineries are a popular and relaxed way to sample several in a single day.
Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego
The southernmost city in the world, often called the 'End of the World', serves as the main departure point for Antarctic cruises as well as hikes through Tierra del Fuego National Park's subantarctic forest. A historic narrow-gauge railway, once used to transport prisoners and timber, now carries tourists through the park. Its remote, dramatic setting at the tip of South America draws travelers well beyond those continuing to Antarctica.
Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires
An elaborate cemetery of ornate mausoleums built like miniature buildings, home to the tomb of Eva Perón among numerous other notable Argentine figures. Its labyrinth of narrow lanes between family crypts, some centuries old, gives it a monumental, almost city-like atmosphere. Guided tours help make sense of the cemetery's dense history and notable residents.
10 days covers Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Patagonia, and Iguazu Falls — a broad sampler given Argentina's length. 6–7 works if you drop one region; 14+ lets you slow the Patagonia leg down considerably, which rewards more time.
1. Days 1–3
Buenos Aires
La Boca, Recoleta, and an evening tango show.
2. Days 4–5
Mendoza
Vineyard tours in the shadow of the Andes.
~2h flight from Buenos Aires
3. Days 6–8
Patagonia
El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier's viewing platforms.
~3.5h flight from Mendoza
4. Days 9–10
Iguazu Falls
Close the trip with the falls' Argentine-side walkways.
~3.5h flight from El Calafate via Buenos Aires
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Argentina?
Not for most Western passport holders (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia) for short stays.
Which airport should I fly into?
Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International (EZE), the country's main gateway.
Is Argentina expensive to visit?
Prices have been volatile due to inflation and currency fluctuations — check current exchange rates close to your trip, since the effective cost for foreign visitors can shift quickly.
Do I need to book Patagonia glacier viewing in advance?
Recommended in peak season (November–March) for boat trips and popular walking trails near Perito Moreno, though the main viewing platforms themselves don't require advance booking.