Argentina is one of the most captivating and varied destinations in Latin America. It is a nation enriched with centuries of fascinating history and indescribable natural beauty. Luckily, even in its remotest and most breathtaking regions, like Patagonia in the far south and Salta in the far north, history highlights abound. Argentina is an absolute gem of a place to discover for lovers of history, culture, and pristine nature. Kickstart your tour in the capital, Buenos Aires, and embark on a journey of discovery.
1. Buenos Aires: A City of Contrasts and Cultural Riches
Buenos Aires might just be the most enchanting capital in South America. It has a bustling art scene, titillating cuisine, and enough cultural and historical highlights to keep you hooked for days if not weeks. It is by far, the very best place to visit in Argentina to get your bearings.
Start your journey in the historic neighborhood of San Telmo, one of the city’s oldest districts. Cobblestone streets, colonial houses, and antique shops make this area a haven for history buffs, architecture lovers, and even shopaholics. Don’t miss the Plaza Dorrego, where tango dancers perform daily, bringing to life the dance that originated in these very streets over a century ago.
A visit to the Cemeterio de la Recoleta is a must. Far more than merely a burial ground, Recoleta is an architectural jewel and a cultural icon. The cemetery is the final resting place of many of Argentina’s most prominent figures, including revered First Lady Eva Perón, whose tomb is now a national shrine. Surprisingly, the cemetery’s maze of ornate and intricately decorated mausoleums is an incredibly photogenic place to visit.
The most significant historical site in Buenos Aires is the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace in the microcentro (downtown). This iconic pink building has been at the heart of Argentina’s political life for centuries. It was in this square, Plaza de Mayo, that the revolution for independence began in 1810 and where the Museo Nacional del Cabildo now stands. The plaza is also where mothers of the desaparecidos gathered every week for nearly 30 years. The “disappeared” were political dissidents who resisted the brutal military dictatorship of Argentina (1974-1983). An estimated 30,000 people were allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by the junta in an event known as the Dirty War.
2. Mendoza: Wine, War, and Revolutionary Struggles
Mendoza might be synonymous with world-class wines nowadays, but it also played a pivotal role in Argentina’s fight for independence. It is one of the best places to visit in Argentina if you wish to experience three of the country’s most celebrated enticements: outstanding mountainous landscapes, wine, and history. A triple-win in our books!
The Museo del Área Fundacional is a great starting point for understanding the city’s early history. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into colonial life. It is built on the ruins of the 16th-century original town, destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 1861 that decimated the city and population.
One of Mendoza’s most significant historical sites is the Cerro de la Gloria, where you’ll find an imposing monument dedicated to the Army of the Andes. This army, led by General José de San Martín, crossed the Andes in 1817 to liberate Chile from Spanish rule. The monument is a tribute to this epic military campaign and offers sensational panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Andes mountains.
3. Córdoba: A Colonial Gem With a Jesuit Legacy
Córdoba is Argentina’s second-largest city and an absolute gold mine of colonial architecture and revolutionary history. If you’re tight for time and must choose to visit either Mendoza or Córdoba, know that the choice is ultimately between wine and Jesuit missionary history. Mendoza has the former, and Córdoba has the latter, so the choice of the best place to visit in Argentina will come down to personal preference.
The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba has been UNESCO-listed since 2000. It is a vast complex dating back to the 1600s, comprising five farming estates, churches, and numerous other prominent buildings, including the University of Córdoba, one of the oldest in the Americas. The Jesuit mission is nowadays a nod to the city’s role as an avant-garde center of education and culture during colonial times.
Córdoba also played a significant role in Argentina’s push for independence. The city’s Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte offers an in-depth look at the colonial period and the Revolutionary Wars. The museum is housed in one of the city’s oldest colonial buildings, adding to its historical charm.
4. San Miguel de Tucumán: The Birthplace of Argentine Independence
Tourists often overlook Tucumán, but it is one of the best places to visit in Argentina for history lovers. On July 9, 1816, the Argentine Declaration of Independence was signed in the city’s Casa Histórica de la Independencia. The modest white building where this pivotal event took place has been preserved as a national monument, and you can explore the rooms where the country’s founding fathers deliberated and declared Argentina a free nation. Architecturally, it is easily overshadowed by the stunning early 20th-century Government House, pictured above.
Aside from its central yet humble historical highlights, Tucumán is revered by nature enthusiasts. If you’re into horseback riding, hiking, or mountain climbing, you will find plenty of reasons for a more extended sojourn. Tucumán is also a vibrant and young university city with a nightlife that rivals Buenos Aires despite being much smaller.
5. Salta: A Blend of Ancient and Colonial Heritage
Since we’ve enticed you to head northwest to visit Tucumán, you could not possibly travel past Salta, a destination drenched in history and tradition. The city’s well-preserved colonial architecture has earned it the nickname Salta la Linda (Salta the Beautiful), and it sure is all that. The Catedral Basílica de Salta, with its pink façade and intricate interiors, is a prime example of the city’s colonial legacy.
Yet what truly sets Salta apart is its connection to the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andes. The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (Museum of High-Altitude Archaeology in Salta or MAAM) was purposely built to house the “Llullaillaco Children,” some of the best-preserved Inca mummies ever discovered. These mummies, found on the summit of the Llullaillaco volcano, offer unique insights into the rituals and beliefs of the Inca civilization. Initially discovered in 1999 at an altitude of over 22,000 feet, the three remarkably preserved mummies are believed to have been part of the Inca ritual of Capacocha — a way to honor the gods with the human sacrifice of children. Scientific studies have revealed that the children, aged between six and 15, were likely sedated with a mix of coca leaves and alcohol. Their lives could have been taken by one of four ritualistic methods: strangulation, suffocation, blunt force to the head, or live burial. Researchers discovered the Llullaillaco children were all buried alive, some 500 years ago.
The decision to display the findings—which include almost 150 objects found buried alongside the children—raised both scientific interest and, for obvious reasons, ethical concerns at the time that are still ongoing. A particularly vocal opposition was and is still raised by local indigenous groups who believe the remains should be treated with respect and buried as per Incan traditions and not showcased as artifacts.
6. Jujuy: The Heartland of Indigenous Resistance
Jujuy, in Argentina’s far northwest, is a region steeped in indigenous history and culture. The Pucará de Tilcara, an ancient hilltop fortress built by the Omaguaca people, offers stunning views of the surrounding valley and a deep dive into pre-Columbian history. The site includes reconstructed buildings and a small museum showcasing artifacts from the region’s indigenous cultures.
Jujuy also played a critical role in Argentina’s War of Independence. The Casa de Gobierno in San Salvador de Jujuy is where the Exodus of Jujuy was planned — a strategic retreat and forced displacement of people that helped the Argentine forces win a decisive victory against the Spanish.
7. San Ignacio Miní: The Echoes of the Jesuit Missions
Another UNESCO-listed Jesuit mission, this one set deep in the subtropical forests of Misiones province, is San Ignacio Miní. The red sandstone ruins, including the church, cloisters, and communal buildings, show the Jesuits’ efforts to evangelize, educate, and protect the Indigenous Guaraní people. As with all missions the Jesuits set up in Latin America, the San Ignacio experiment turned out to be a bit of a double-edged sword.
Jesuit missionaries were intent on “educating” and “protecting” the natives of every region they (technically) conquered, going as far as including Indigenous artisans in the building of the missions. Yet by doing so, they subjected native communities to a European way of life — namely, to live in close quarters within walled buildings. This had disastrous consequences, aiding in the spread of communal Old-World diseases like smallpox, measles, tuberculosis, and influenza, for which the Indigenous population had no immunity. So, ironically enough, the desire to help modernize traditional Indigenous communities turned out to be the biggest contributor to their devastation.
Walking through the ruins at San Ignacio, it’s easy to imagine the daily life of the mission’s inhabitants, with the sounds of the forest providing a rather evocative backdrop. The site also features a museum that offers insights into the history and cultural impact of the Jesuit missions in the region.
8. Rosario: Home of the Argentine Flag
Rosario is a sprawling city on the western banks of the Paraná River, about 180 miles north of Buenos Aires. It is a city drenched in history and the birthplace of Argentina’s national flag and one of its most controversial heroes, Che Guevara.
The Monumento a la Bandera (National Flag Memorial) is an iconic landmark dedicated to General Manuel Belgrano, who raised the Argentine flag for the very first time in 1812. The monument is a massive structure with an eternal flame burning to honor those who fought for Argentina’s independence.
Rosario also boasts several museums that delve into the city’s rich history, from colonial times to the repressive dictatorship. The Museo Histórico Provincial de Rosario Dr. Julio Marc is an unmissable comprehensive highlight as it exhibits the indigenous cultures of the region, the colonial period, and the struggle for freedom.
In an altogether different historical context, Rosario is also famous for being the birthplace of renowned footballer Lionel Messi, and that is reason enough to declare it a “venerable” historical highlight for soccer fans.
9. Patagonia: Retracing the Footsteps of Explorers
Patagonia is the southernmost region of South America, an area of exceptional natural wonders shared by Chile and Argentina. It is, without a doubt, one of the wildest and most beautiful places on earth, enriched by centuries of fascinating explorations. There’s an abundance of fantastic history to discover in this outstanding part of Argentina.
Like a little slice of Switzerland in Latin America, the immensely charming town of San Carlos de Bariloche offers a fantastic blend of history and breathtaking nature. Visit the Museo de la Patagonia Francisco P. Moreno, named for the explorer who played a key role in mapping the region. The museum’s exhibits cover everything from indigenous cultures to the European settlers who followed. The town also boasts a German quarter and an equally enthralling history of German immigration; from the first wave in the mid-1800s to the third wave, just after WWII, that included not only economic immigrants but also former Nazis intent on escaping prosecution in Europe.
Everything about Bariloche has been heavily influenced by the influx of German, Austrian, and Swiss immigrants, as evident in the city’s distinctive architecture, obsession with fluffy San Bernards, and tradition for delectable, hand-made chocolates.
Just a bit further south, in Puerto San Julián, you can visit the site where Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition landed in 1520. The Nao Victoria Museum features a replica of the ship that circumnavigated the globe, offering an enlightened albeit sobering lesson on the hardships and triumphs of one of history’s most remarkable explorations.
10. El Calafate: Glaciers & Pioneers
In this jaw-dropping southern reaches of Argentina lies El Calafate, the most popular gateway to the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Beyond its natural wonders, the town also has a rich history connected to the early pioneers who settled in this remote and inhospitable region. Head to the Centro de Interpretación Histórica to gain a comprehensive and astonishing overview of the area’s natural and human history, dating back millions of years.
One of the best places to visit in Argentina for fans of natural history, El Calafate is the springboard for a visit to Perito Moreno, the world’s most famous glacier, set within Los Glaciares National Park. Before you cast your eyes on the frozen beauties, head to the informative Glaciarium — one of just a handful of glacier museums worldwide. Here, you can learn all about the formation of the glaciers that have shaped Patagonia’s dramatic landscape.
