Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Argentina

A photograph of Argentina
Photograph · Martin St-Amant (S23678) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Argentina is 2,780,400 km², the eighth-largest country on earth, and the practical consequence is that its regions do not substitute for one another. Twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city take in subtropical forest and the Iguazú falls in the northeast, the flat cattle country of the Pampas around Buenos Aires, the Andean front of Cuyo where Aconcagua reaches 6,960 m, and then Patagonia, where the glaciers are and where the ground falls to 105 m below sea level at Laguna del Carbón. Choosing a city here is mostly a question of latitude and season.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+54
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Argentine peso (ARS)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
911 where available; local numbers vary
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and I · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Caminito Caminito
    02 45 min

    Caminito

    Caminito is a short pedestrian street and open-air museum in the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It occupies a roughly 100-metre stretch of cobblestones between Garibaldi and Lamadrid streets.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  2. Obelisk of Buenos Aires Obelisk of Buenos Aires
    03 45 min

    Obelisk of Buenos Aires

    The Obelisk of Buenos Aires is a prominent monument standing at the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Corrientes. Erected in 1936, it commemorates the quadricentennial of the city's founding.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  3. Barolo Palace Barolo Palace
    04 45 min

    Barolo Palace

    Palacio Barolo is a landmark office building in Buenos Aires designed by Italian architect Mario Palanti and completed in 1923.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  4. Cabildo of Buenos Aires Cabildo of Buenos Aires
    05 45 min

    Cabildo of Buenos Aires

    The Cabildo of Buenos Aires is a historic public building located on Plaza de Mayo, facing the Casa Rosada. It served as the seat of the colonial city council during Spanish rule and witnessed pivotal moments in Argentine independence.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  5. Argentine National Congress Argentine National Congress
    06 45 min

    Argentine National Congress

    The Palacio del Congreso de la Nación Argentina stands as the seat of Argentina's bicameral legislature in Buenos Aires. This monumental Neoclassical building dominates the Plaza del Congreso with its distinctive green copper dome, among the world's largest.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  6. Kavanagh Building Kavanagh Building
    07 45 min

    Kavanagh Building

    The Kavanagh Building, known locally as Edificio Kavanagh, stands as a landmark 1930s skyscraper in Buenos Aires. It ranks among Latin America's most important early modern high-rise buildings.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  7. Torre Monumental Torre Monumental
    08 45 min

    Torre Monumental

    Torre Monumental is a historic clock tower located in the Retiro neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. Originally known as Torre de los Ingleses, it was erected as a gift from the local British community.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  8. Colon Theatre Factory Colon Theatre Factory
    09 45 min

    Colon Theatre Factory

    The Colon Theatre Factory, known locally as Colón Fábrica, is the production workshop facility of the renowned Teatro Colón opera house.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  9. Galileo Galilei Planetarium Galileo Galilei Planetarium
    10 45 min

    Galileo Galilei Planetarium

    The Galileo Galilei Planetarium is a distinctive domed science venue in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Located in the Palermo neighborhood, it serves as both a family attraction and a recognized architectural icon of the area.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  10. Mariano Moreno National Library building Mariano Moreno National Library building
    11 45 min

    Mariano Moreno National Library building

    The Biblioteca Nacional Mariano Moreno is Argentina's national library, housed in a landmark Brutalist building designed by Clorindo Testa.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  11. Nicolás Avellaneda Transporter Bridge Nicolás Avellaneda Transporter Bridge
    12 45 min

    Nicolás Avellaneda Transporter Bridge

    The Nicolás Avellaneda Transporter Bridge, known locally as Puente Transbordador Nicolás Avellaneda, is a historic transporter bridge in Buenos Aires.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  12. Confitería del Molino Confitería del Molino
    14 45 min

    Confitería del Molino

    Confitería del Molino is a historic Art Nouveau café and confectionery located directly opposite the Argentine National Congress building in Buenos Aires.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  13. La casa mínima La casa mínima
    15 45 min

    La casa mínima

    Casa Mínima is a notably narrow historic house in Buenos Aires, recognised as one of the city's slimmest preserved residences. Located in the San Telmo neighbourhood, this compact dwelling forms part of the area's colonial heritage circuit.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  14. Feria de Mataderos Feria de Mataderos
    20 45 min

    Feria de Mataderos

    Feria de Mataderos is a traditional fair in Buenos Aires that celebrates Argentine folk culture. Located in the western Mataderos neighbourhood, historically associated with livestock markets, the fair brings together elements of rural tradition within an urban setting.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  15. Cemento
    39 45 min

    Cemento

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  16. Vertigorama
    55 45 min

    Vertigorama

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  17. Adolfo Alsina
    62 45 min

    Adolfo Alsina

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  18. Adolfo Alsina
    63 45 min

    Adolfo Alsina

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  19. Adolfo Mitre
    66 45 min

    Adolfo Mitre

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  20. Alcorta
    78 45 min

    Alcorta

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  21. Alfonso Lambe
    86 45 min

    Alfonso Lambe

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  22. Alfonso Reyes
    87 45 min

    Alfonso Reyes

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires
  23. Amado Nervo
    95 45 min

    Amado Nervo

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Buenos Aires

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Argentina be?

A 10–16 day Argentina trip can give Buenos Aires four or five days and use the remaining time for one distant region. Patagonia, the northwest and the Iguazú area should be treated as separate journeys because their transfers consume full travel days.

What entry documents are needed for Argentina?

Argentina’s Dirección Nacional de Migraciones is the authority for admission rules. Passport, visa and permitted-stay conditions vary by nationality and purpose, so verify the current requirement there before purchasing non-refundable travel.

What is the best way to travel around Argentina?

Buenos Aires uses Aeroparque and Ezeiza for different route mixes, while domestic flights and long-distance coaches carry most interregional journeys. Passenger rail serves limited corridors, and each city sets its own local transport payment rules.

When is a practical time to visit Argentina?

March to May and September to November are useful broad windows for Buenos Aires and several central routes. Patagonia, Iguazú and the Andean northwest follow different weather patterns, so choose dates around the region that anchors the trip.

What money and payment basics apply in Argentina?

Argentina uses the Argentine peso (ARS). Exchange rates and payment conditions are not recorded here; confirm the amount at a bank or authorised exchange counter before accepting a conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Argentina?

Police assistance is generally reached on 911, although local emergency numbers vary. Argentina uses Type C and I plugs at 220 V; nationwide tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so ask the local water authority or accommodation.