If it’s your first time in Argentina, in this post I suggest a complete itinerary to see the best of the country, with alternative options to modify it according to your preference.
In this post you will find:
If there’s a reason why it took me so long to write this article, it’s because Argentina is such a large and diverse country that it’s very hard for me to choose just a few places to visit. As an Argentine, I feel like recommending so many destinations from my incredible country that it’s difficult to select only a few for a 15-day itinerary.
Distances between regions and provinces are huge, and sometimes planning a trip to Argentina can be frustrating because logistics can be complicated. So I put together a main itinerary, with different variations you can adjust depending on your interests and travel style.
Regions of Argentina
Before starting, it’s important to understand the different regions and provinces of Argentina. The country is enormous and each region has very different landscapes, culture, and activities.
- Buenos Aires: The capital city of Argentina and where you’ll most likely start your itinerary, as all international flights arrive here. It’s a very large, complex city with many activities, so it’s best to spend at least 3 days.
- Cuyo: Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis. A mountainous region with a mild, dry climate. Mendoza is the wine capital and is famous for its wineries, as well as its unique landscape with the Andes Mountains and Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
- Northwest: Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero. More colorful landscapes, valleys and traditional towns. The climate is warmer. The most touristic places are in Salta and Jujuy.
- Litoral: Formosa, Chaco, Misiones, Corrientes, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos. A region with rivers, jungle and wetlands. The climate is quite tropical and humid. Iguazú Falls (Misiones) are one of the natural wonders of the world and, in my opinion, a must on a first trip to Argentina.
- Patagonia: Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. The southern region has incredible mountain landscapes, glaciers, lakes, trekking and skiing. The climate is cold and dry. Some of the most popular places to visit are Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Bariloche (Río Negro), Puerto Madryn (Chubut), El Chaltén (Santa Cruz), and El Calafate (Santa Cruz).
- Central Region: Córdoba, Santa Fe, La Pampa and Buenos Aires (province). A region with plains, historic cities, mountain ranges in Córdoba and important urban centers.
As you can see, there are so many regions and provinces that it’s impossible to see everything in 15 days. I recommend choosing destinations carefully based on your preferred activities and time of year.
What is the best time to travel to Argentina??
Argentina is huge and the climate varies greatly from north to south.
- Summer (December – February): very hot in areas like Buenos Aires, the north, and Iguazú Falls. It’s the ideal season to visit Patagonia to enjoy warmer weather and go trekking. It’s also peak holiday season, so there’s more tourism overall. Longer days to make the most of.
- Autumn (March – May): generally mild weather throughout the country. A great time to visit as it’s low season with fewer tourists. Avoid Easter week, as there is a lot of domestic tourism. The best time to visit the north and Iguazú (to avoid extreme heat and rain).
- Winter (June – August): ideal for visiting Patagonia to ski and see snowy landscapes. The downside is that snowfall can lead to flight cancellations or road closures. Quite cold throughout the country in general.
- Spring (September – November): one of the best times to visit Argentina. Mild weather in most regions, landscapes start to bloom, and days are longer.
The truth is that it’s always a good time to visit Argentina, but if I had to choose, I’d go for spring or autumn, as they are the most balanced seasons to visit any part of the country.
15-day Argentina itinerary
Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls and Patagonia
- Day 1 and 2: Buenos Aires
- Day 3 and 4: Iguazú Falls
- Day 5: flight Iguazú–Buenos Aires–Ushuaia
- Day 6 and 7: Ushuaia
- Day 8: Ushuaia to El Calafate
- Day 9: El Calafate
- Day 10: flight El Calafate–Bariloche
- Day 11, 12, 13: Bariloche
- Day 14: flight Bariloche–Buenos Aires
- Day 15: Buenos Aires
🔁 Alternative: replace Bariloche with El Chaltén
If you prefer wilder nature and hiking, you can replace Bariloche with El Chaltén. From El Calafate you would travel to El Chaltén (about 2h 30min by car), spend a few days based there, and on day 14 take a flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires.
Days 1 & 2: Buenos Aires
When you arrive in Argentina, I recommend staying in a centrally located accommodation in Buenos Aires, either in Palermo, Recoleta or near Puerto Madero, so everything is within reach and you can make the most of your time.
During these two days, you can dedicate one day to exploring the historic center, including the Obelisk and Plaza de Mayo, combining it with Puerto Madero and San Telmo. Then spend the next day visiting the neighborhoods of Recoleta and Palermo. If you want a more detailed plan, you can check my article Buenos Aires in 3 days with a complete itinerary to make the most of the city.
Days 3 & 4: Iguazú Falls
Start day 3 by taking a morning flight to Iguazú (or the night before). You can use the first day to visit the Brazilian side of the falls, which is smaller but offers stunning panoramic views. Dedicate all of day 4 to visiting the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls, where you can truly feel the power of nature on the boat ride “La Gran Aventura”
Day 5: Flight Iguazú → Buenos Aires → Ushuaia
This day involves a lot of travel time, but it’s the only way to do it, as unfortunately there are no direct flights between Iguazú and Ushuaia. So you will have to go via Buenos Aires and from there take a flight to Ushuaia.
Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Upon arrival, you can take a walk around the port and city center, visit the Presidio Museum, or simply enjoy the views of the mountains and the Beagle Channel.
Days 6 & 7: Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a destination that can easily be explored in 2 or 3 days. Must-do experiences include sailing the Beagle Channel and seeing the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, and visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park, with trails surrounded by forests, lakes and unique landscapes.
For the more adventurous, there are several trekking options such as the Martial Glacier, Laguna Esmeralda, or Estancia Túnel. You can also take the End of the World Train, a historic route that follows the old railway used by prisoners from the penal colony known as the “End of the World Prison,” which operated between 1902 and 1947.
Day 8: Flight Ushuaia → El Calafate
Take a direct flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate (1h 20 min). Upon arrival, you can walk around the town and prepare for the glacier excursion the next day.
Day 9: Perito Moreno Glacier
Spend the full day at Perito Moreno Glacier. There are several popular excursions such as walking on the glacier or taking a boat tour through Los Glaciares National Park.
Days 10, 11, 12 & 13: Bariloche
Fly to the city of San Carlos de Bariloche and spend the first day exploring the town center, full of artisanal chocolate shops (my favorite is Rapanui!). The best part of Bariloche is not the city itself, but the surrounding landscapes. There are many things to do in Bariloche, here are just a few:
- Circuito Chico: a route through Nahuel Huapi National Park and Llao Llao Municipal Park with spectacular views.
Cerro Campanario: in my opinion, one of the best views of Bariloche is from this hill. You can hike up (about 30 minutes) or take a chairlift. - Cerro Otto: this hill has a rotating café offering 360° panoramic views.
- Day trip to Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest
- Cerro Catedral: if you travel in winter, this is the most important ski resort in South America.
- Day trips to San Martín de los Andes or Villa La Angostura, nearby destinations with more incredible landscapes.
Depending on the time of year, there are many more activities available in Bariloche.
Day 14: Flight Bariloche → Buenos Aires
Once back in Buenos Aires, you can enjoy an afternoon walk in the city center and have dinner at a typical Argentine parrilla or pizzeria (Güerin is great!).
Day 15: last day in Buenos Aires
Final day in the city to visit any neighborhood you may have missed and take your return flight.
Alternative itinerary: Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, North and Mendoza
In my opinion, the previous itinerary covers some of the most incredible destinations in the country, but Argentina is so vast and diverse that this is another possible variation, including the northern region instead of Patagonia. These landscapes are more desert-like, but full of color and culture. It also includes a few days in Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina, which you shouldn’t miss if you’re a wine tourism enthusiast.
If you’re interested in this itinerary, I recommend reading: Wineries in Mendoza and the route from Salta to Cafayate via Quebrada de las Conchas.
- Day 1: arrival in Buenos Aires
- Day 2: Buenos Aires
- Day 3: flight to Iguazú Falls
- Day 4: Iguazú Falls
- Day 5: Flight Iguazú → Salta
- Day 6: excursion to Quebrada de Humahuaca
- Day 7: Purmamarca / Cerro de los Siete Colores / Tilcara
- Day 8: Humahuaca + Serranía de Hornocal
- Day 9: return to Salta – Quebrada de las Conchas / Cafayate
- Day 10: Quebrada de las Conchas / Cafayate
- Day 11: flight to Mendoza. Explore the city.
- Day 12: Mendoza – winery visits
- Day 13: Mendoza – winery visits
- Day 14: Flight Mendoza → Buenos Aires
- Day 15: Buenos Aires / return
How to get around in Argentina
Getting around Argentina requires some planning, as distances are very long. Traveling overland between destinations can take many hours, so it’s not the most convenient option if you have limited time.
That’s why, for 2–3 week itineraries, the best option is to combine destinations with domestic flights. This allows you to optimize your time and avoid very long bus or car journeys.
In Buenos Aires there are two main airports you should be aware of:
- Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP): where most domestic flights depart from.
- Ezeiza International Airport (EZE): where international flights arrive and depart. Sometimes there are also domestic flights from this airport, but I recommend avoiding them as it is far from the city center.
The main airlines operating within the country are Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSMART. It’s recommended to book flights in advance, especially during high season (December to March and July).
Are you planning your trip to Argentina? On the blog you’ll find detailed guides for each destination, recommended accommodations, and tips to organize your itinerary step by step.
