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Destinations in Argentina — where to go

Where to go, how many days each place needs, and how they connect — Argentina is roughly the size of India, so 'wing it' can cost you a week in transit.

Argentina is roughly the size of India, so 'seeing the country' really means picking two or three regions and flying between them, not driving. The core combination: Buenos Aires for tango and steak (3–4 days), El Calafate in Patagonia for the Perito Moreno Glacier (3–4 days), Bariloche for lakes and mountains (3–4 days), and Mendoza's wine country (2–3 days). Iguazu Falls, shared with Brazil, is a strong add-on with its own direct flight from Buenos Aires.

Here's the thing nobody tells you about Argentina before you land: it is enormous. Buenos Aires to Patagonia is a longer flight than London to Rome. This isn't a country you road-trip end to end in two weeks — it's a country you pick a few pieces of and fly between, the same way you'd approach the US or Australia. Here's every major destination, with an honest read on how many days it actually needs and who it's for.

Buenos Aires
Destinations

Buenos Aires

3–4 nights, stay in Palermo or Recoleta — Argentina's most European city.

El Calafate
Destinations

El Calafate

3–4 days, a small town built entirely around one glacier — and it's worth it.

Bariloche
Destinations

Bariloche

3–4 days, Swiss-looking lake town, skiing in winter, hiking in summer.

Mendoza
Destinations

Mendoza

2–3 days, world-class Malbec, at the foot of the Andes.

Questions people actually ask

What's the best first-time Argentina itinerary?
Buenos Aires (3–4 days) + El Calafate for the Perito Moreno Glacier (3–4 days) + either Bariloche or Mendoza (2–3 days), all connected by short domestic flights. Over 10–12 days it flows well without feeling rushed. Add Iguazu Falls if you have 14+ days.
How do I get around Argentina — bus or plane?
Fly for anything beyond a few hours. Argentina's long-distance buses are genuinely excellent (reclining 'cama' seats, meals on board) and cheaper than flying, but Buenos Aires to El Calafate is a 36+ hour bus ride versus a 3.5-hour flight. Use buses for shorter regional hops, planes for crossing the country.
Which region is cheapest?
Mendoza and the north tend to run cheaper than Buenos Aires or Patagonia — lower hotel and restaurant prices outside the capital and the Patagonian tourist towns, where accommodation books up and prices climb in peak season (December–February).