Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Iguazú

Destination 01

Buenos Aires

10 places

Argentina's grand capital of cafes, parrillas and tango. Stay 3 to 4 days.

• Photo: Deensel · CC BY 2.0

  Recoleta Cemetery

  Walled city of ornate mausoleums, including Eva Perón's family tomb.

  Tip Take a guided tour or grab a map to find key tombs.

  SeeRecoleta$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: EEJCC · CC0

  Teatro Colón

  One of the world's great opera houses, with daily guided tours and a full performance season.

  Tip Even a cheap upper-tier ticket is worth it for the acoustics.

  SeeSan Nicolás$$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Feria de San Telmo

  Sunday antiques and street fair along Calle Defensa, with tango dancers in Plaza Dorrego.

  Tip Go on Sunday; the indoor San Telmo Market is open daily.

  ShopSan Telmo$2.5 hrSunday
• Photo: Hernán Piñera · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Caminito

  Painted tin-walled street in La Boca, near La Bombonera stadium.

  Tip Visit by day and stay on the main streets.

  SeeLa BocaFree60 minMorning
• Photo: Galio · Public domain

  MALBA

  Museum of Latin American art with works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Xul Solar.

  SeePalermo$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Roberto Fiadone · CC BY-SA 3.0

  El Ateneo Grand Splendid

  Bookstore inside a 1919 theater, with a cafe on the former stage.

  ShopRecoleta$45 minEvening
• Photo: Don Julio · Google

  Don Julio

  Palermo parrilla known for dry-aged beef and a deep list of Argentine wines.

  Tip Book weeks ahead or queue at opening; free sparkling wine is offered while you wait.

  EatPalermo Soho$$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Andres. bal · Google

  El Cuartito

  Classic 1934 pizzeria serving thick, cheesy porteño pizza and fainá under sports posters.

  Tip Eat standing at the counter for the true local style.

  EatRetiro$45 minLate night
• Photo: Gustavo Mendez · Google

  Café Tortoni

  Ornate cafe on Avenida de Mayo open since 1858, with evening tango shows.

  DrinkMonserrat$$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Lucy Villegas · Google

  Florería Atlántico

  Cocktail bar hidden behind a flower shop, with drinks built on immigrant traditions.

  Tip Walk through the flower shop and down the stairs.

  DrinkRetiro$$$1.5 hrNight

Destination 02

Mendoza

9 places

Leafy wine capital at the foot of the Andes, close to Luján de Cuyo and Maipú estates. Stay 3 days.

• Photo: MacAllenBrothers · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Parque General San Martín

  Huge park west of downtown with a lake, rose garden and Cerro de la Gloria monument.

  Tip Rent a bike at the gates and ride up to the lookout.

  OutdoorsParqueFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Franco Vicente · Google

  Plaza Independencia

  Main square anchoring four smaller plazas; Plaza España has bright Spanish tilework.

  SeeCentroFree60 minEvening
• Photo: ArgentinaWineTourism… · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Catena Zapata

  Pyramid-shaped winery in Agrelo that helped put Argentine Malbec on the world map.

  Tip Book tastings in advance.

  DrinkAgrelo$$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Junior Geiger · Google

  Bodega Norton

  Historic Perdriel winery founded in 1895, with cellar tours and the La Vid restaurant.

  DrinkPerdriel$$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Ariel Pique · Google

  Trapiche

  Large Maipú estate in a restored 1912 building, with tours and a garden restaurant.

  DrinkMaipú$$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Mr. Hugo wineries and bikes · Google

  Mr Hugo Bikes

  Long-running bike rental in Maipú for self-guided rides between wineries and olive oil makers.

  Tip Ride early and ease off the tastings before cycling back.

  DoMaipú$5 hrMorning
• Photo: Kike Silvera · Google

  Termas Cacheuta

  Thermal pools in the Mendoza River canyon on the road to the Andes.

  Tip Book the water park or spa ahead on weekends.

  OutdoorsCacheuta$$4 hrWeekday
• Photo: Shawna Dodds · Google

  Francis Mallmann 1884

  Francis Mallmann's wood-fired restaurant in the Escorihuela Gascón winery.

  Tip Ask for a table on the patio by the fires.

  EatGodoy Cruz$$$$2.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Azafrán Restó · Google

  Azafrán

  Downtown restaurant with modern Argentine cooking and a wine cellar you browse in person.

  EatCentro$$$2 hrDinner

Destination 03

Valle de Uco

7 places

High-altitude wine valley under the snowcapped Andes. Stay 2 nights.

• Photo: Zuccardi - Valle de Uco · Google

  Zuccardi Valle de Uco

  Stone winery in Paraje Altamira built from local rock, with tastings and the Piedra Infinita restaurant.

  Tip Book lunch at Piedra Infinita Cocina weeks ahead.

  DrinkParaje Altamira$$$$3 hrLunch
• Photo: Paige Schmitz · Google

  Bodegas Salentein

  Cross-shaped winery with the Killka cultural center and art gallery, set against the Andes.

  SeeLos Árboles$$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: The Vines Resort & Spa · Google

  The Vines of Mendoza

  Vineyard estate with Francis Mallmann's Siete Fuegos restaurant and a tasting room.

  EatLos Chacayes$$$$2.5 hrLunch
• Photo: Simone Almeida · Google

  Bodega Andeluna

  Gualtallary-area winery with tastings in a modern lodge facing the mountains.

  DrinkGualtallary$$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Bodega DiamAndes · Google

  Bodega DiamAndes

  Winery in the Clos de los Siete project known for Malbec blends and a diamond-shaped facade.

  DrinkVista Flores$$$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Leandro Miano · Google

  Manzano Histórico

  Historic reserve in the Andes foothills marking San Martín's 1823 return, with streams and trails.

  OutdoorsLos ChacayesFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Julio FERNANDEZ CASANOVA · Google

  Ruta del Vino del Valle de Uco

  Scenic drive along Ruta 89 and Ruta 94 between vineyards, poplar rows and Andean peaks.

  Tip Hire a driver if you plan more than two tastings.

  Do$4 hrAfternoon

Destination 04

Iguazú

10 places

Hundreds of waterfalls on the Argentina–Brazil border, set in subtropical rainforest. Stay 2 to 3 days.

• Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Iguazú National Park

  Argentine side of the falls with upper and lower circuits on catwalks through the jungle.

  Tip Arrive at opening and do the Devil's Throat first.

  OutdoorsArgentine side$$6 hrOpening time
• Photo: Rolex Patil · Google

  Garganta del Diablo

  U-shaped chasm where half the river plunges 80 m, reached by train and a long catwalk.

  Tip Bring a rain jacket for the spray.

  OutdoorsArgentine side1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Sebas Martín · Google

  Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

  Brazilian side with a panoramic trail facing the main falls and a walkway into the spray.

  Tip Half a day is enough here.

  OutdoorsBrazilian side$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Iguazu Jungle · Google

  Gran Aventura

  Jeep through the jungle then a speedboat ride straight into the base of the falls.

  Tip You will be soaked; bring a dry bag.

  DoArgentine side$$$2 hrMidday
• Photo: rigo diaz · Google

  Parque das Aves

  Bird park beside the Brazilian park entrance with walk-in aviaries of toucans and macaws.

  SeeBrazilian side$$2 hrAfternoon

• Itaipu Dam

  Huge hydroelectric dam on the Brazil–Paraguay border with panoramic and technical tours.

  SeeFoz do Iguaçu$$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Hito Tres Fronteras Puerto Iguazú · Google

  Hito Tres Fronteras

  Lookout where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet at the river junction.

  Tip Come for sunset and the evening craft market.

  SeePuerto IguazúFree45 minSunset
• Photo: Aqva Restaurante Iguazú · Google

  Aqva Restaurant

  Puerto Iguazú restaurant serving river fish like surubí and regional dishes.

  Tip Book ahead in high season.

  EatPuerto Iguazú$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Issa Khorrassany · Google

  El Quincho del Tío Querido

  Busy parrilla in Puerto Iguazú with grilled meats and live music most nights.

  EatPuerto Iguazú$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Philip Choi · CC BY 2.0

  Gran Meliá Iguazú

  Hotel inside the Argentine park whose bar and terrace look straight at the falls.

  DrinkArgentine side$$$$60 minSunset