Argentina is such a beautiful and diverse country, that you can explore 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 3 weeks in Argentina and want to get the most out of your travels?  What should you see and do? This is my personal Argentina itinerary for 3 weeks, bringing you from Buenos Aires all the way to Patagonia in the South and back, including options to visit Iguazú and the 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 itinerary 3 weeks

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 3 weeks in Argentina Itinerary.

Kick off your Argentina itinerary 3 weeks in: Buenos Aires (2 days)

Start your Argentina itinerary 3 weeks in Buenos Aires, the bustling and cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. It is easy to stay in Buenos Aires for weeks and not get bored. In this 3 weeks in Argentina itinerary you have two full days to explore the city and its many neighborhoods. Make sure to visit the Plaza de Mayo and famous Casa Rosada, walk around in San Telmo neighborhood and visit La Boca to watch the colorful houses and football stadium, La Bombonera. You also want to go to La Recoleta to feel the Paris vibes and visit the cementery and stroll along the boulevard of Puerto Madero. Moreover the city has many great museums and I am sure there is going to be something you like.

In the evening you can go to trendy Palermo and enjoy amazing food and drinks in fancy restaurants. And if you are into tango, make sure to buy your tickets for La..

Puerto Madryn (3 days)

It is best to travel to Puerto Madryn by plane (2 hours). Puerto Madryn, located on the East Coast of Argentina, is one of the best places in the world to observe penguins, whales and sea lions. It is the gateway to natural reserves such as Peninsula Valdes, Punta Tombo and Punta Ninfas. Numerous animals gather annually, to mate and raise their young here, due to the favorable climatic conditions.

Peninsula Valdes and whale watching

You have one full day in this Argentina itinerary for 3 weeks, to visit Peninsula Valdes, a natural reserve where animals, such as nandus, a kind of ostrich, armadillos, vicuñas and condors live. Depending on the season, you can observe sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, whales, and if you are lucky even orcas.  During a tour you will stop at different viewpoints to observe animals and go for short walks.

In the whale season you can combine a visit to Peninsula Valdes with one of the best whale watching tour I’ve ever experienced. Since the mother whales often swim with their young on the surface, you will actually have a real good chance of seeing them. And believe me, their tail sticking out of the ocean and the sound they make when they spray up the water, are moments that you will never forget your life. The season to see whales is between May and December. In December, when the young are strong enough, the whales return towards the waters of Antarctica

Want to book your whale watching and Peninsula Valdes tour in advance and secure your spot? Check out prices and availability and book your tours here.

Walk among the penguins

Another highlight is Punta Tombo, a peninsula, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Every year, in Argentine spring, more than one and a half million penguins arrive here to breed! It is the largest Magellanic penguin colony in the continent. Between September and March, you can visit this place to literally walk by their side. Such a unique experience.

Do you want to read more about this special place on earth? Discover everything you want to know about Puerto Madryn and surroundings in my travel guide, including the best things to do, tours, hotels, restaurants, best time to visit and how to get there.

Hotels Puerto Madryn

• Shai Shai Hue 
• Hotel Territorio.  
• Estancia El Pedral
• Puerto Palos – Puerto Pirámides
• More hotels in Puerto Madryn
• Hotels in Puerto Pirámides

Bariloche ( 3 days)

Your next stop during this Argentina itinerary for 3 weeks is Bariloche, located on Lake Nahuel Huapi. This area is also known as Little Switzerland because of the lakes, forests, mountains and specialities such as chocolate and cheese fondue. In winter, Bariloche is the skiing paradise for the Argentinians and in summer for outdoor activities.

Sail on the Nahuel Huapi Lake – day 1

One of the most popular things to do in Bariloche is to sail on the Nahuel Huapi lake. With a large boat you sail from the port of Puerto Pañuelo in an hour to Puerto Blest. The light and shimmer over the lake with the Andes peaks in the background make for stunning pictures. Once you arrive in Puerto Blest, there are several short hikes you can take easily on your own. This is a full day tour where you will be picked up in the morning and be back in town at the end of the day.

Do you want to book your tour in advance and secure your spot? Check out prices and availability for a Puerto Blest tour here.

In the late afternoon you can stroll around town, visit the Centro Civico, the central square of Bariloche to observe the chalet-like architectural style, have ice cream in one of the many chocolate shops and enjoy a dinner in Suisse style.

Circuito Chico, hikes and viewpoints

Today you have different options. If you are into cycling, rent a bike and cycle the Circuit Chico, a route that gives a nice impression of the surroundings. Viewpoints are interspersed with forests and lakes, where you can stop for a photo or a hike. Stop at the famous Cerro Campanario and take the cable car up, then continue the trail past Laguna El Trebol, Lago Moreno, the Swiss colony of Colonia Suiza, Bahia López and Hotel Llao Llao Bariloche. Click here for the full route. Another option is to travel by bus or taxi to one of the many ski slopes and take the cable car. Not to ski but to enjoy amazing views. Bariloche offers different ski slope options.

In the afternoon you could go for a nice and easy walk. One of my favorite hikes in Bariloche is the one to the Cerro Llao Llao. In about an hour, you walk through a green and fresh forests to a viewpoint where you have an amazing view over the lakes and surroundings. Bring some food and drinks for a picnic and take in the surroundings. You don’t want to leave anymore. The trail starts between the Hotel Llao Llao and the port of Puerto Pañuelo.

Discover the best things to do in this Bariloche Argentina travel guide, including tips for hikes, tours, restaurants, best travel time and where to stay.

Hotels Bariloche

• Hotel Llao Llao 
• More Bariloche hotels

El Calafate (2 days)

Today you can take a plane 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, one of the highlights in this Argentina itinerary in 3 weeks. Thousands of people travel to this desolate area every year to admire the beauty of the mighty glacier.

El Calafate surroundings

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, Bariloche (1 hour and 45 minutes) and Ushuaia (1 hour and 20 minutes). Want to know more about El Calafate? Check out my El Calafate travel guide with tips for many things to do.

The Perito Moreno glacier – day 2

The absolute highlight is obviously the Perito Moreno glacier. And you need a full day to explore. The Perito Moreno glacier 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. You can book a tour to the Perito Moreno glacier, 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.

Hotels El Calafate

• Lar Aike 
• Design Suites
• More hotels in El Calafate

Option 1 – El Chaltén (3 days)

If you are into hiking continue reading and if you don’t like to hike, continue to option 2. El Chaltén is the hiking and trekking paradise of Argentina. The town is located at the foot of the Fitz Roy, an impressive mountain range in the Los Glaciares national park. You can go for amazing day hikes, walking straight from your hotel into the mountains.

El Chaltén is approximately a-3 hour drive from El Calafate. And there are many tour and transportation options to El Chaltén.

Do you want to read more about the different hiking options in El Chaltén?  In my El Chaltén travel guide I’ll tell you everything you want to know about a stay in El Chaltén, including the most beautiful hikes, activities, best time to visit and how to get there.

Hotels El Chaltén

• Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel.
• Hostería El Pilar  
• Patagonia Eco Domes
• More hotels in El Chaltén

Option 2 – Torres del Paine, Chile

Don’t feel like spending your days with hiking? Another option from El Calafate is a tour to Torres del Paine in Chile. This national park is one of the most beautiful places in Chilean Patagonia with lakes, mountains and waterfalls. It is also the natural habitat of the puma and condor.  You will travel by bus from El Calafate and visit different highlights in the park where you stop for a picture and walk. There are day tours from El Calafate or tours including overnights stays.

Ushuaia (3 days)– Last days of your Patagonia Argentina itinerary 3 weeks

From El Chaltén, you have to travel by bus or car back to El Calafate to continue your 3 weeks in Argentina itinerary. From El Calafate you can fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, also called the end of the world. Ushuaia is located between the Beagle Channel, glaciers and eternally snow-capped peaks. A unique destination.

Sail the beagle channel – day 1

One of the top things to do in Ushuaia is a trip on the Beagle Channel. It is a special feeling to sail at the end of the world, knowing that you are sailing the same route as the ships to Antarctica. With Chile on one side and Argentina on the other, you can enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks.

There are different tours to choose from. The short trip sails past the bird and seal island: Places where you can take great pictures. This tour also includes a picture spot at Les Eclaires, the end of the world lighthouse, that is depicted in many photos. Optionally you can extend your tour with a visit to penguin island, Estancia Haberton, known for the book, Uttermost Part of the Earth and a little walk on one of the islands?

Ushuaia is a 1 hour and 20 minutes flight from El Calafate. Do you want to know more about tours and things to do in Ushuaia? Have a look in my Ushuaia travel guide.

Depending on the tour you choose, you will arrive in the (late) afternoon back to Ushuaia. Stroll around the town and watch some interesting street art. And take a seat in one of the famous restaurants and try the local centolla dish, Patagonian king crab. The best restaurants to try the centolla are Volver, Tia Elvira or Mi Viejo Marinero, one of the oldest restaurants in Ushuaia.

Tierra del Fuego  – day 2

The second day of your Argentina itinerary in 3 weeks could be spend in the famous Tierra del Fuego, the land of fire. The main reason to visit this southernmost national park in Ushuaia is to go for some beautiful hikes. There are several trails, including short distance hikes of 45 minutes or long walks of a few hours.

Costera trail

The most beautiful walk is the Costera, a trail of about 3 to 4 hours (8 km). You walk partly through the woods but most of the time along the Beagle Channel. All places and corners offer a different view of the canal, because of the trees and the special light. Along the way you will encounter vegetation consisting of beech forests, marshes and peat. Numerous waterfowl, geese, beavers, birds of prey also live here and if you’re lucky, you’ll even bump into a red fox.

Don’t feel like walking? You can also go on an organized tour from Ushuaia. Where you get off at a number of places, take photos and go for a short walk. These tours include a guide, something very recommended if you want to learn more about the flora and fauna.

Do you want to read more about Ushuaia and visiting Tierra del Fuego? Have a look in my Ushuaia travel guide, including tips for hikes, tours, my favorite restaurants, best travel time and where to stay.

Hotels Ushuaia

• Cumbres Del Martial 
• Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa 
• Los Cauquenes Resort + Spa + Experiences.
• More hotels in Ushuaia

Buenos Aires (1 day)

This is the end of your Argentina itinerary in 3 weeks in Patagonia but there is more. Travel back to Buenos Aires and enjoy a free afternoon in this incredible city. Now it is time to decide whether you want to enjoy more incredible nature or take some time off and relax with a good glass of wine.

Ushuaia is located in the southernmost part of Argentina. There are daily flights with Aerolineas Argentinas, JetSmart en FlyBondi from and to Buenos Aires (3 hours and 20 minutes).

Iguazú (2 days) – option 1 of Argentina itinerary 3 weeks

You can continue your 3 weeks on Argentina traveling to 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 Argentinian side of the falls and one day 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. 

Iguazu is a 1 hour and 50 minutes flight from Buenos Aires. 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.

Hotels in Iguazú

• Hotel El Pueblito
• More hotels in Iguazú

Mendoza (2 or 3 days) – option 2 of Argentina itinerary 3 weeks

Do you love wine? Then you can’t miss Mendoza during your Argentina itinerary for 3 weeks. Mendoza is one of the most famous wine regions of Argentina. You can spend days here and travel from vineyard to wine tasting all the time. While enjoying the surroundings. Make sure to exoplore the area Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Maipú and visit Riccitelli Wines and Casa Vigil El Enemigo.

Hotels Mendoza

• Posada Boutique El Encuentro
• Postales Hotel Boutique Valle de Uco

Mendoza is a 1 hour and 50 minutes flight from Buenos Aires.

More itineraries in Argentina

Did you enjoy this Argentina itinerary for 3 weeks? Have a look at the other Argentina travel itineraries such as:

• 2 weeks in Argentina itinerary
• 10 days in Argentina itinerary
• 3 days in Ushuaia itinerary
• 2 days in Ushuaia
• One day in Ushuaia itinerary

More about Argentina

Do you want to learn more about this beautiful Argentina? With Passport the World I am taking you on a journey to discover Argentina. Discover more in my next articles.

• Things to do in Argentina
• El Calafate – a comprehensive guide with everything you want to know
• Discover whales, penguins and sea lions in my Puerto Madryn travel guide
• El Chaltén Argentina – a comprehensive guide with hikes and tips for your stay
• Things to do in Bariloche Argentina – tips, hikes and tours
• National Parks of Argentina
• Iguazu falls – everything you want to know

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