Buenos Aires is a big city with plenty of things to do. However sometimes we all need to get out to the countryside. There are many little towns in the province of Buenos Aires which are perfect for day trips. Nature, history, tradition and local gastronomy: 10 best day trips from Buenos Aires.
In this post you will find:
As a Buenos Aires local, I looove my city and you definitely can’t get bored in BA with so many activities to do. But from time to time we all get a bit overwhelmed in such a big city and need to get away to little towns in the countryside. Buenos Aires is the capital city of the province, but there are many other cities and towns in “Provincia de Buenos Aires”.
Also read: Buenos Aires complete guide by a local
If you’re planning a trip to Buenos Aires and want to know what’s beyond the city, see the suburbs and maybe visit ranches in the countryside, here’s a list of my favorite day trips to plan your itinerary.
10 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BUENOS AIRES:
1. Campana
Official photo of Sofitel La Reserva Cardales
Location: Campana is in the northeast of the province, about 80 km from the city of Buenos Aires. You can get there by bus or train.
The city of Campana is located on the banks of the Paraná de las Palmas River and is part of the important industrial sector of the province. One of the places that you can visit on a trip to Campana is the Otamendi Natural Reserve, considered one of the last natural reserves in the province of Buenos Aires.
But the real reason why I’ve added Campana to this list is because you will find many hotels to escape the city. Sofitel La Reserva Cardales is a luxury hotel perfect for a relaxing weekend. It has a spa, outdoor pools, restaurants and different activities so that you can enjoy a weekend outside the city surrounded by beautiful scenery.
↣Check out all available hotels in Campana.
2. Carlos Keen
Location: Carlos Keen is a town in the Luján district, located about 90 km from the city of Buenos Aires.
Carlos Keen is a small town that was at its maximum splendor around 1880 when the railway was active. In Argentina, many trains died in the 90s and the towns gradually died too.
Today the old Carlos Keen Station doesn’t receive trains but comes to life every weekend with an artisans fair where regional products are sold. Around the main square at Carlos Keen you can find several restaurants to have lunch. Another important point in the city is the San Carlos Borromeo Chapel with its exposed brick facade, built in 1906.
3. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
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Colonia is a beautiful city in Uruguay which makes it the perfect day trip from Buenos Aires because it’s located just a 1-hour ferry ride away.
Colonia was a portuguese colony and as a spanish colony later. Its cobbled streets, pastel-colored colonial houses, the lighthouse and the sunsets on the river makes Colonia a unique and picturesque destination, full of corners you’ll fall in love with.
If you’re interested in visiting Colonia read my complete guide: Best things to do in Colonia del Sacramento.
I really recommend staying at least 1 night in Colonia del Sacramento as the nights in this small city are beautiful and you will be able to enjoy your day without rushing from one place to another.
↣Check out all available hotels in Colonia del Sacramento.
4. Estancias of Buenos Aires
A great day trip to take from Buenos Aires is to spend a day at a estancia. Estancias are basically establishments located in rural areas that offer full day packages including food, activities like traditional dancing, music and shows.
Most estancias also have rooms for people to spend the night. Some estancias are really fancy with castles as the main building and other are more ranch-style.
Some of the best estancias in the province of Buenos Aires are:
- Estancia El Ombu: a beautiful estancia located in San Antonio de Areco (I will tell you more about this town later in the article), which offers a gaucho day trip from Buenos Aires, including the transportation.
- Estancia La Fortuna: A fancy estancia founded in 1873 located in Salto, about 200 km from the City of Buenos Aires. The main building is a beautiful palace.
- Estancia Villa María: a ranch located in Máximo Paz, about 80 km from Buenos Aires. The main house has 11 rooms for guests. It also has a 74 hectare park with a lake, it is paradise.
There are also organized tours from Buenos Aires to some estancias that include transportation, meals, traditional dances, horseback riding and more:
5. La Plata
Photo by Marisali https://www.flickr.com/photos/marisali/
Location: La Plata is the capital city of the Province of Buenos Aires. It is located 56 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires. It can be reached by train and bus.
La Plata is one of the most important cities in Argentina, being the fourth most populous city in the country. It’s the capital of the province of Buenos Aires.
It’s a very interesting city because it was planned from scratch. Its layout is a perfect square which axes, diagonals, plazas and boulevards perfectly inserted.
Some of the most important attractions in La Plata are: the Cathedral of La Plata, the Children’s Republic, Saavedra Park, Ciudad de La Plata Stadium, Casa Curutchet (Le Corbusier’s only building in Latin America), Pasaje Dardo Rocha Cultural Center, the Museum of Natural Sciences and many more. Being such a large city there are many places to visit and activities for everyone.
↣Check out all available hotels in La Plata.
6. Luján
Location: Luján is a city located 68 km west of Buenos Aires. It can be reached by bus from BA.
Luján is characterized for being one of the main Catholic centers in Argentina. The Basilica of Our Lady of Luján receives thousands of pilgrims who arrive from all the provinces of Argentina and also from the neighboring countries Uruguay and Paraguay. Beyond religion, the Basilica building is a great place to visit in Luján for being one of the examples of neo-gothic architecture in Argentina. It really is imposing with its two 106 m high towers.
In addition to touring the city, you can visit the coast of the Luján River that runs through the city.
↣Check out all available hotels in Luján.
7. Montevideo, Uruguay.
Another uruguayan city that can be easily reached from Buenos Aires is Montevideo, its capital city. There are many tour companies offering day trips from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, and there are ferries that connect the two capital cities in about 2 hours.
Montevideo is a much smaller capital city than Buenos Aires. Some of the best things to do in Montevideo include relaxing on the beach, exploring the historic ciudad vieja, visiting the beautiful Palacio Salvo and eating at Mercado del Puerto.
If you’re interested in visiting Montevideo read: Best things to do in Montevideo.
↣Check out all available hotels in Montevideo.
8. San Antonio de Areco
Location: San Antonio de Areco is a city located about 113 km from the city of Buenos Aires.
San Antonio de Areco is one of the most popular day places for day trips from Buenos Aires. It’s a rural town where time seems to stand still. This city is the national capital of tradition and every November the Festival de la Tradición (Tradition Festival) takes place, a celebration with gauchos, horses, music and traditional dances.
Beyond the party, San Antonio de Areco is a great place to visit any time of the year. Some of the most important attractions in the city are: the San Antonio de Padua church, Puente Viejo, the Pulpería “La Blanqueada” and the Ricardo Güiraldes Museum.
San Antonio de Areco is a nice place to visit for a day. You can get there with your own car or take a guided tour to an estancia that includes a stop in San Antonio de Areco, like this one.
↣Check out all the accommodation options available in San Antonio de Areco.
9. San Isidro
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Location: San Isidro is a city within Greater Buenos Aires, 25 km north of Buenos Aires. It can be easily reached by train and bus.
San Isidro is the closest place to the city of Buenos Aires in this list. I grew up near this city (just next to it in Vicente López).
What I like most about San Isidro is the connection with the Río de la Plata. The waterfront is a nice place to walk or have a drink in one of the bars and restaurants.One of my favorite places is Peru Beach, a bar just in front of the river.
If you like antiques make sure to stop by Las Barrancas train station where an amazing flea market takes place every weekend. The center of San Isidro is the Cathedral of San Isidro, a neo-gothic building with its 68 m high main tower.
In San Isidro you can also visit Villa Ocampo, the mansion that was the home of writer Victoria Ocampo. Today the house is a museum that can be visited. More information here.
10. Tigre
Location: Tigre is a city within Greater Buenos Aires, 35 km north of Buenos Aires. It can be easily reached by train and bus from the city.
Tigre is one of my favorite places for day trips, there plenty of activities to do. One of the best places to visit in Tigre is Puerto de Frutos, an open-air market by the river where you will find stalls and shops of all kinds.
Paseo Victorica, bordering the Luján River, is a very nice street to sit down for lunch. Right at the end of this street you will find the Tigre Art Museum, an imposing building where works of art by important Argentine artists are exhibited. See all information on the museum’s website. If you have kids, there are two fun options in Tigre: Parque de la Costa and Aquafan (a water park that opens during summer).
But the real highlight in Tigre are the Delta Islands, where you can enjoy nature and nautical activities such as rowing and kayaking. In these islands you can find campsites and cabins to spend the night. I definitely recommend doing it, it’s beautiful!
See all the accommodation options available in Delta.
You can get to Tigre on your own or take an organized tour from the city of Buenos Aires:
I hope this post about the best day trips from Buenos Aires has been useful for planning your visit to the city! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
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