Our picks in Argentina

Where to Stay
Design Suites in Bariloche (Patagonia) is a hip boutique hotel that provides luxurious suites for the fashionable crowd with outstanding views of the mountains. The modern décor—such as art enclosed in glass boxes and contemporary furnishings—is balanced by home-like accents such as a fireplace and wooden beams. The phenomenal list of amenities includes a pool, spa, gym, and great dining.

In the heart of Mendoza—known for its wine trail—lies Club Tapiz, a small luxury hotel with only seven high-tech, opulently decorated rooms and, despite its intimate number of guestrooms, a host of astonishing amenities. Adjoining the main building is Casa Sol, a former governor’s mansion that serves as a private estate that you can rent out as well.

Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa in Salta is an indulgent escape in the northern region of the country. This classic luxury hotel pampers guests thoroughly with antique-decorated rooms and Jacuzzi-equipped suite bathrooms, an incredible spa, gourmet dining, and a list of activities that includes winery tours and active pursuits like trekking and biking. 

For more hotels, visit our Buenos Aires Hotels page »

Where to Eat
Diners who favor an artistic yet classic setting will feel right at home at Doc Vinos y Cocina in Cordoba, where the dazzling white tablecloths and sophisticated dinnerware create a timeless ambience made a touch more modern through the artwork adorning the pinkish walls. Upscale cuisine and delightful wines are the real stars here, though.

Get a taste of Andean cuisine at Jose Balcance, one of the top restaurants in Salta. If you like a touch of the unusual, this is the destination for you. Amidst an elegant setting, you’ll dine on unique specialties like llama in pear sauce and other dishes that may at first seem daunting, but are all exceptionally good.

From the northern section of the country, head all the way south to Kaupe Restaurant in Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) to dine on chilly delicacies such as king crab, a menu staple. The gourmet fare at this haute spot could go up against the finest restaurants anywhere in the world, a testament to the magic conjured by the family who runs it. The fabulous wine bar is definitely one of the highlights and shouldn’t be missed.

Visit the Dining page for more ideas and advice on the best restaurants in Buenos Aires »

Where to go
Iguazu Falls nearly made the list of the seven modern wonders of the world. Amongst the top destinations in South America, these falls—taller than Niagara Falls—are located at the Iguazu River, which is on the border of the Misiones province and Brazil. Legend says that the unrequited love of a mortal caused a jealous god to divide the river into these 275 different falls, but whatever its origin, you won’t soon forget the sight and sound of an unfathomable amount of water crashing down Iguaza Falls. 

Mendoza is synonymous with wine in Argentina. This central region is lined with about 1,000 wineries that produce some of the most important wines in the country. The best part is that you can tour and taste at almost all of them. Malbec is Argentina’s signature grape, but you’ll also sample Syrah, Torrontes, Semillon, and Tempranillo.

Mar del Plata in the Buenos Aires province is Argentina’s beach paradise, with 17 kilometres of beaches for surfing, fishing, and soaking up the sun. Some of the top beaches include Balneario La Perla, Playa Grande, and Miramar. The area also has a fantastic aquarium, cathedrals and museums worth touring, and a vibrant nightlife.

For a comprehensive guide to 'must-see' places in Buenos Aires, visit our Explore page »

Where to shop
As the name implies, Grand Cru is all about wine—Argentina’s wines, to be exact. This small storefront in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of La Recoleta hides a cellar that’s packed with fabulous wines. Most notably, Grand Cru is the only shop that sells bottles from the Noemia vineyard in Patagonia.

For a superior selection of hand-crafted works by local artisans, check out the Paseo de las Artes in Cordoba. This feria (market) has the usual suspects—frames, candles, and glass products—but it also offers lots of surprises in the labyrinthine maze of stalls, including tea sets, wind chimes, and kitchenware.

With cows being such an important component in the country’s dining habits and occupations, perhaps it’s no surprise that Argentina is renowned for its leather goods. In Buenos Aires, quality leather stores abound; some of the best are Juan Lopez for handbags, Silvia y Mario for coats (and cashmere), and Prüne for bags and accessories.

Our Shopping page has lots more advice on the best places to shop in Buenos Aires »

What to Do
People in Buenos Aires are passionate about their ice cream, and visitors generally agree that the city boasts some of the most incredible ice cream you can buy anywhere in the world. The reason is that they’re committed to all-natural ingredients—plus, the huge population of Italian immigrants has infused their luscious gelato secrets into the delicious frozen confections in Argentina.

Horses are a vital part of Argentine culture, thanks to the gaucho tradition and near-universal love of polo. If you, too, are taken with the animals, it’s a rare treat to go riding in Patagonia, where many estancias offer day-long or even multi-day horseback riding adventures.

If you’re a bird watcher (and even if you’re not), here’s one group that you probably haven’t seen except in captivity: penguins. In Patagonia, you can get a private viewing of a Magellan penguin colony that boasts 200,000 members, courtesy of the secluded Estancia San Lorenzo. Another feathery treat awaits at nearby Cerro Frías, where you’ll likely see a condor or two.

Check out the Events page for what's coming up over the next couple of months »