Argentina holidays

Argentina’s capital city is sultry, expressive and radiant with style. Come for the world-class cuisine and colourful architecture. Stay for the cosmopolitan way of life.

Admire Gothic-style churches, wander through colonial squares or sample craft beers and cocktails at rooftop bars. It all happens in Cordoba, Argentina’s second city.

In the foothills of the Argentine Andes, Mendoza is a gateway to epic outdoor adventures. But don’t miss its Art Deco buildings, fabulous wine and flame-grilled feasts.

Tango is the romantic heartbeat of the country and one of the top things to see in Argentina. The dance expresses the nation’s struggles and triumphs with rhythms from the ‘bandoneon’ (a concertina-like instrument) and melancholy lyrics. Watch it spill onto the cobbled streets of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Or witness it under the bright lights at a classic dinner show or ‘milonga’ (dance hall).

Argentines love their steak. Take part in a traditional ‘asado’, a gathering where delicious cuts of (mostly grass-fed) meat are grilled, local wine is served and stories are shared around the fire. You’ll find the best celebrations at countryside ‘estancias’ (ranches), Mendoza wineries or one of the hundreds of ‘parrillas’ (steakhouses or food carts) that dot the cities.

Whether played on the streets or in the stadiums, football is a force that unites the nation. The sport is a universal language spoken around cafes, offices and school playgrounds. Argentina is the birthplace of such legendary players as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, whose statues and shrines appear everywhere. Feel the passion firsthand at the grand arenas of Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Argentines flock to Mar del Plata’s sweeping Playa Bristol in summer for beach sports, festivals and concerts. Playa Grande, Cruz del Sur and Chapadmalal are popular beaches in Argentina for surfing. Spot southern right whales at Playa Doradillo, near Puerto Madryn, from June to December. Or swim and sunbathe in the shadow of snow-capped peaks at Villa la Angostura’s Correntoso Lake Beach.

From glaciers to rocky canyons, Argentina has a wide variety of landscapes to explore. Hear the deafening roar of 275 waterfalls at Iguazú Falls, or hike the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. In the northwest corner of the country, the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley dazzles with its multicoloured canyons, while the Salinas Grandes is one of the world’s largest salt flats.

With parrillas on just about every corner, meat takes centre stage at the restaurants in Argentina. But you’ll find culinary influences from Italy, Spain and Andean cultures too. Try bite-sized empanadas, roasted lamb from Patagonia and traditional ‘locro’ (hearty squash stew) from the northwest. Have a sweet tooth? ‘Dulce de leche’ (caramelised milk sauce) is a key ingredient in biscuits, ‘facturas’ (pastries), ice cream and more.

You’ll find important landmarks like the Casa Rosada presidential office and Cabildo town hall in Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires’ oldest square. Home to Andean mummies, the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM) is among the must-see museums in Argentina. Explore the ruins of the Jesuit-built San Ignacio Miní in Misiones province. And don’t miss the Pucará de Tilcara pre-Incan fortress in Jujuy province.

For warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, spring (September to December) and autumn (March to June) are ideal times to visit. Summer is the peak season for coastal breaks and hiking adventures in Patagonia, although it can still get cold in the deep south. Planning to hit the slopes? July to October is the best time to visit Argentina for snow sports in Bariloche and Ushuaia.

With some careful planning, you can have a cheap holiday in Argentina. Sip on a local beer for under 1,700 Argentine pesos ($), and a coffee for about the same. A short taxi ride will cost you less than $5,000. Public transportation is among the most affordable in the Americas.