Argentina is such a beautiful and diverse country, that you can explore it for months. A trip from the north all the way down to the south is almost 2,300 miles long. But what if you have 10 days in Argentina and want to get the most out of your travels? What should you see and do? This is my personal 10 days in Argentina itinerary, where I focus on some of the highlights, showing you Buenos Aires, a bit of Patagonia, the Iguazú waterfalls and wine region. I will give you tips for destinations, hikes, national parks, tours, things to do and restaurants to include in your trip. Enjoy and get inspired to visit Argentina!
Argentina is the country of Buenos Aires, football, tango, wine but also fascinating nature such as glaciers, endless steppes, lakes, mountains, penguins, whales and waterfalls. There is so much to see and to discover. Enjoy this article with my personal recommendations for the best 10 days in Argentina itinerary.
Kick off your 10 days in Argentina itinerary in Buenos Aires, a cosmopolitan city full of charm. With so much to explore, It is easy to spend days here discovering new neighborhoods and landmarks. During this 10 days in Argentina itinerary you have two days to visit iconic places such as Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada, and the lively San Telmo district, La Boca famous for its vibrant houses and La Bombonera football stadium. Make sure to explore La Recoleta, with its Parisian-like ambiance and visit the Recoleta Cemetery, followed by a scenic walk along Puerto Madero’s waterfront. As the sun sets, head to Palermo for delicious food and drinks at stylish restaurants, and for tango enthusiasts, a night at El Viejo Almacén is a must.
One of the best ways to see a lot of Buenos Aires in a short amount of time is by going on a tour. This is an overview of my favorite tours in Buenos Aires.
You want to spend at least one day during your 10 days in Argentina at the countyside and learn about the gaucho life. During a day trip you can visit a typical ranch, or estancia, in the Buenos Aires area. These Dias del Campo, as they are called, are fully arranged including transportation, snacks consisting of empanadas, cakes and wine, horse riding trips, a complete asado (BBQ) lunch, folklore music and tea to end the day. It is nice to combine your visit to an estancia with one of the towns such as San Antonio de Areco. You can book this tour here.
A trip to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay is a must for history and culture lovers. It is located just at the other side at the river, Río de la Plata. Colonia is a UNESCO World Heritage site offering cobbled streets, charming colonial architecture, and a relaxed atmosphere. You can visit the historic quarter, the Portón de Campo, the lighthouse for views over the Río de la Plata and enjoy the lovely cafes. Colonia is just a short ferry ride of 45 minues from Buenos Aires and can be easily visited in a day. You can book a tour here.
From here, I am giving you several options to continue your 10 days in Argentina, very much depending on the season and your own interests. You will find more details below.
Today you can take a plane to the south of Argentina, to El Calafate, a small town that forms the base to one of the most beautiful places that Argentina has to offer: The Perito Moreno glacier, located in the Los Glaciares national park. For sure, this would be one of the highlights during your 10 days in Argentina itinerary. Thousands of people travel to this desolate area every year to admire the beauty of the mighty glacier.
Depending on your arrival time this first day you can enjoy the afternoon by exploring the Balcones del Calafate tour. During a 2-hour tour by a four-wheel drive, you will discover the rugged mountainous area of El Calafate. From the balconies, high cliffs of about 1000 meters, you look out over the vast and fascinating landscape. Here you can see how blue the surrounding lakes are and how unique the Patagonian vegetation is. Along the way, the guide explains about the whimsical rock formation that formed here millions of years ago and there is a great chance of finding fossils.
If you don’t feel like going on a tour, visit the Laguna Nimez Natural Reserve to look for birds. You can walk around the lagoons through the Patagonian steppe and wetlands for approximately one hour. Along the way you will spot several species of water birds, lands birds, birds of prey, passerines and shorebirds. And if you are lucky, you will even see flamingos. There are plenty good restaurants along the boulevard in El Calafate for a great dinner.
El Calafate is a 3-hour and 15-minute flight from Buenos Aires. You might need to stop in Buenos Aires when traveling from Puerto Madryn. There are direct flights from Bariloche (1 hour and 45 minutes). Use Skyscanner, when it comes to searching for cheap flights across Argentina. Want to know more about El Calafate? Check out my El Calafate travel guide.
The absolute highlight of this 10 days in Argentina itinerary is the Perito Moreno glacier. And you need a full day to explore. The Perito Moreno is part of the Los Glaciares national park and is Argentina’s most famous glacier. What is special is that you can get all the way to the glacier front without too much effort. Footbridges have been constructed and ensure that you can observe the glacier from different sides. There are several short and easy trails and they all are worth exploring.
The Perito Moreno glacier is about a 1.5-hour drive from El Calafate. There are several ways to visit the glacier. The easiest and cheapest way is to book a tour to the Perito Mreno glacier. but you can also go by taxi or rent a car and drive yourself. Don’t forget to take a boat tour along the glacier and drink a whisky with ice cubes, coming from the glacier.
It is also possible to continue your 10 days in Argentina itinerary traveling to Iguazu, located in the northeast, on the border with Brazil. Here you will find the waterfalls of Iguazú. 275 waterfalls, surrounded by a tropical vegetation, are plunging into the Iguazú river. You will encounter bromeliads, orchids and iguanas. Colored butterflies will follow you for minutes while coatis run curiously around in search of food. It is one of those places that can give you a sense of how truly astounding nature can be.
You have one day to visit the Argentinian side of the falls and one day the Brazilian side. Both sides make you experience the falls in a completely different way. On the Argentine side, you can cross several bridges and make a boat trip along the waterfalls. The Brazilian side offers a nice overview, where you’ll see the waterfalls from a distance. Here it is also possible to book a helicopter flight and fly over the waterfalls. Tour packages from Buenos Aires are offered, including airfare, hotels and tours, wich can be very convenient. Have a look here.
Iguazu is a 1 hour and 50 minutes flight from Buenos Aires. Use Skyscanner, when it comes to searching for cheap flights across Argentina or book a tourpackage. Curious about how to visit Iguazu and what other things to do here? Have a look in my Iguazu travel guide with many tips for your visit and stay.
Are you into wines? Then you can’t miss Mendoza during your Argentina itinerary for 10 days. Mendoza is one of the most famous wine regions of the country. You can spend days here and travel from vineyard to wine tasting, while enjoying the surroundings. Tour packages from Buenos Aires are offered, including airfare, hotels and winetastings, wich can be very convenient. Have a look here.
Mendoza is a 1 hour and 50 minutes flight from Buenos Aires. Use Skyscanner, when it comes to searching for cheap flights across Argentina or book a tourpackage.
This is the end of your 10 days in Argentina itinerary. From El Calafate, Iguazu or Mendoza e you can fly back to Buenos Aires and enjoy a last afternoon in this incredible city.
I hope this guide answered most of your questions about how to spend 10 days in Argentina. I did my best to highlights the best destinations, tours and activities to include. By doing all the above in this Argentina itinerary for 10 days, I am sure you’ll get the maximum out of your stay.
Looking for tours to include in your 3 weeks in Argentina itinerary? Have a look here.
Distances in Argentina are long: A trip from the North all the way down to the South is almost 3700 kilometer. If you want to see a lot of the country in a short amount of time, you will need to travel by plane, especially in Patagonia. But there are also great bus connections and long distance buses, making you travel very comfortable. Seats can be reclined far back, movies are played and there are on-board toilets. It is also possible to rent a car but I only recommend this if you have more time in the region and can make a road trip.
Looking for flights within Argentina? Use Skyscanner, when it comes to searching for cheap flights across Argentina. An easy way to compare and book your flight ticket, as it searches websites and airlines around the world with one click.
Looking for a way to get around in Argentina by bus or minivan? Use Bookaway, to find and book the best connection for you.
Need a rental car for your 10 days in Argentina itinerary roadtrip? Use Rental Cars to search and compare your car rental options. A quick and easy tool and no need to have up multiple tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. They also have great discounts and cancellation policies.
Looking for a travel insurance? World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Did you enjoy this 10 days in Argentina itinerary? Have a look at the other Argentina travel itineraries such as:
Did you enjoy reading this 10 days in Argentina itinerary? And do you want to learn more about beautiful Argentina? With Passport the World I am taking you on a journey to discover this amazing country. Discover more tips in my next articles.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this blog alive. Thank you for your support! Please see our disclosures for more information.
Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
