⛰️ 10 Days in Argentina: A Unique & Active Itinerary

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📍 Itinerary Map

This itinerary takes you to most of Argentina’s top destinations:

• Buenos Aires – Argentina’s capital, known for its European-style architecture, tango, and food scene
• Bariloche – a picturesque region with alpine-style villages, lakes, and mountains
• El Chaltén – Argentina’s trekking capital, famous for the hike to Mount Fitz Roy
• El Calafate – gateway to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier

🇦🇷 Planning a Trip to Argentina: 12 Practical Things To Know

🗓️ Itinerary Overview

Below is a great way to spend 10 days in Argentina (see how to extend or shorten your trip). This itinerary is well-researched, highlights major attractions, and reflects lessons from my travel experience.

My Argentina trip planner has this itinerary prefilled with more details and tips.

All prices mentioned here are in USD 💵 .

Buenos Aires (Days 1-3)

Start in Buenos Aires; its airport is the main international gateway to Argentina and has great flight connections.

• Buenos Aires is the vibrant capital of Argentina, known for its European architecture, tango culture, world-class steak, and lively nightlife.

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  • Explore the world-famous Recoleta Cemetery (💰 $16 entry fee + $10 guides)
  • See all 10+ blocks of San Telmo Market on Sundays (💰 free entry)
  • Watch a tango show or catch locals dancing it at a milonga (💰 $5–$100+)
  • Visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a bookstore built inside a theater (💰 free)
  • See the Casa Rosada in the historical Plaza de Mayo (💰 free / $20 guides)
  • Eat asado at a parrilla (steakhouse) or an asado tasting (💰 $40+)
  • Experience a rowdy and legendary soccer match at the Boca Juniors stadium (💰 $200 tickets)
  • See a Patagonia hare in Palermo’s Ecopark (💰 free)
  • Check out Floralis Generica, which opens and closes with the sun (💰 free)
  • See the colorful streets of Caminito in La Boca (💰 free)
  • Check out the waterfront at Puerto Madero (💰 free)

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  • BLANCA Studio – an amazing coffee place with delicious pastries
  • Cafestore”Bien Porteño” – serves organic mate (a must-try in Argentina)
  • Don Julio – one of the most well-known parillas in the city (reservations required)

My Argentina trip planner has reviews of the 20+ places I ate at and how much I spent at each.

• Fly into Buenos Aires’s main international airport, Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), and then take a taxi or Uber into the city’s center.

When leaving Buenos Aires and taking a domestic flight, consider flying out of Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) since it’s closer to the city.

• Buenos Aires is a sprawling, but pedestrian-friendly city with many neighborhoods to stay at:
  • Palermo – a trendy neighborhood, known for its parks, bars, and boutique hotels. This is where I stayed. I liked that it’s lively, safe, and well-maintained, but it lacks cheaper and more local dining options.
  • Recoleta – a historic neighborhood with upscale hotels and cultural sites like the famous Recoleta Cemetery. I was able to walk to this neighborhood from Palermo, but it took almost an hour.
  • San Telmo – A charming, bohemian area with cobblestone streets, tango bars, and a local feel. Some areas can feel a bit more run-down.
  • Puerto Madero– Popular for more luxury and waterfront views of the city, but it doesn’t feel as local.

Bariloche (Days 4-6)

On the fourth day, head to Bariloche for a change of scenery.

• Bariloche is a Patagonian town known for its alpine scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and Swiss-style chocolate.

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  • Hike or chairlift to Cerro Campanario, which National Geographic has called “one of the best views in the world” (💰 $10 chairlift / free if hiking)
  • Bike the Circuito Chico for stunning views and a workout (💰 $30 bike rentals)
  • Lounge and enjoy the lake scenery at Playa Bonita or Serena (💰 free)
  • Eat artisanal ice cream and chocolate at Rapa Nui or Mamaschka (💰 varies)
  • Grab a beer in the Swiss-style town of Colonia Suiza (💰 $5+ per pint)
  • Hike up Cerro Lopez for a spectacular, panoramic view of the area (💰 free)
  • Take the cable car up Cerro Otto and eat at the rotating cafe (💰 $20)
  • Kayak on Lago Nahuel Huapi during a half-day tour (💰 $100+ tour)

• To get to Bariloche from Buenos Aires, take a domestic flight. I recommend flying out of the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, which is closer to the city center, to San Carlos de Bariloche Airport.

Once you’re in Bariloche, the easiest way to get around is by car rental. I relied on the bus system and Uber, which was sometimes inconvenient but can be cheaper.

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  • Alto El Fuego – serves high-quality steaks and is one of my favorite restaurants in town
  • Punto Empanada Gallardo – sells my favorite empanadas in Argentina for cheap
  • Rapa Nui or Mamaschka – eat all the artisanal ice cream and chocolate

• You can generally stay in several areas around Bariloche:
  • Town center – This is the best for first-time visitors with easy access to restaurants, shops, and public transport. I stayed a 10-minute walk south of it to save some money.
  • Llao Llao – Great for a luxury stay surrounded by nature and lake views. You’ll likely need a car if staying here.
  • Playa Bonita – A quieter area along the lake, great for relaxation and water activities. You’ll likely need a car if staying here.

El Chaltén (Day 7-9)

Travel to the hiking capital on your seventh day.

• Known as Argentina’s hiking capital, El Chaltén is a small mountain town offering breathtaking trails with views of iconic peaks like Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

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  • Hike the iconic Laguna de los Tres to Mount Fitz Roy (💰 $42 entry fee)
  • Do an easy hike to the pretty waterfall of Chorrillo del Salto (💰 free)
  • Catch the sunset at one of the many viewpoints: Sendero Mirador del Paredón, Mirador Los Cóndores, or Mirador de las Águilas (💰 free)
  • Hike Laguna Torre to see some glaciers and a pretty lake (💰 free)

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  • Laborum – my favorite restaurant in town, serving cheesy pizza
  • Heladería Domo Blanco – try their calafate (local berry) ice cream
  • Restaurante Ahonikenk – serves a great lentil and chorizo stew

• The best way to get to El Chaltén is to fly into El Calafate and then take a 2.5-hour bus to El Chaltén. You don’t need a rental car to get around since most trailheads are within walking distance of the town.

• The town is tiny, so the most convenient place to stay is within the town center.

My Argentina trip planner has more tips on hiking the trails.

El Calafate (Day 10)

End your trip with a natural wonder.

• El Calafate is known as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, which is famous for the Perito Moreno Glacier.

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  • The main draw is spending a half or full day checking out Perito Moreno Glacier.
    • The entrance fee to the park is $42, which will give you access to the walkways.
    • You can also take a boat ride, which will be between $50–$150.
    • To get closer to the glacier, you’ll have to book an expensive trek.

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  • Calafate Coffee Roasters – an excellent coffee place that opens up early to grab breakfast before going to the glacier

• From El Chaltén, take a tour bus or drive to the glacier. The drive took me 90 minutes on a weekday morning, but I can see it taking longer depending on when you leave.

• Stay in El Calafate the night of day 9 to wake up early to get to the glacier in the morning.

💰 My Argentina Trip Cost: Budget Breakdown (2025)

Itinerary Modifications

Here are some ways you can adjust the itinerary:

• Two other popular places are Mendoza and Iguazú Falls. Mendoza is Argentina’s wine capital and Iguazú Falls is a stunning waterfall.
• If you’re staying closer to 2 weeks, I recommend making a stop at either Mendoza or Iguazú Falls. Note that the easiest way to get to the waterfall is by flying, so you have to take a domestic flight just for it.
• If you’re staying closer to a week, I recommend focusing on Buenos Aires and El Chaltén (i.e., skip Bariloche).