Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina, is a fabulous place to base yourself to explore much of the area. It is very easy to take day trips from Buenos Aires to many places. Visiting other places outside of Buenos Aires allows visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and experience what other parts of Argentina and its surrounding countries are like. It makes for awesome things to add to a Buenos Aires itinerary.
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Colonia, Uruguay
Travel Time: 1.5 hours
Colonia del Sacramento is one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires. It will take about an hour and 15 minutes to get there from Buenos Aires. At just under 40 miles, it is very easy to get to Colonia by public transportation.
To get to Colonia, you will need to catch a ferry from the Buenos Aires port. Several ferry lines run this route, but I recommend the Colonia Express as it is a little cheaper. You can opt to book this yourself, or book a tour that takes care of all the details for you.
Here are three tour options if you do not feel like DIYing this day trip.
Colonia is worth a day trip from Buenos Aires for many reasons. First, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which I am a sucker for). Its history runs pretty far back, and it was interesting to see what the area was once like. It also makes for a fun getaway from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires. Lastly, it is a nice gateway to Uruguay.
In Colonia, there are many things to do, but make sure not to miss San Miguel Bastion and the City Walls, Street of Sighs, Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse, and Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos.
You could also opt to book these tours.
For a fun way to get around, you can opt to rent a golf cart so you do not have to walk everywhere! Definitely do not miss out on visiting Colonia from Buenos Aires.
El Tigre, Argentina
By Claudia of My Adventures Across The World
Travel Time: 30 minutes
If you are tired of the busy streets of Palermo, Microcentro and want an alternative to the constant buzz of San Telmo, and are looking for one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires, consider going to El Tigre.
Porteños (that’s what locals from Buenos Aires are called) swear by it and love visiting on the weekend when its waterways and delta become busy with boats and people enjoying a quick dip in the muddy but refreshing waters.
El Tigre is just 35 km (21.7 miles) north of Buenos Aires. Getting there is a simple (and cheap!) matter of getting a train from Retiro station in the center of the Argentine capital. It takes about 40 minutes to get there, and the train can become quite packed with locals who often commute between two places – many indeed prefer living there as it’s quiet and safe compared to noisy Buenos Aires.
Once you get to El Tigre, make your way to the harbor for a boat tour along the delta. You will be able to spot many beautiful mansions along the way, and depending on when you are visiting, locals may also be spotted enjoying a day in the sun.
Another thing to do is visit the Puerto de Frutos – while the name refers to fruits, it’s actually a nice, small local market where you can get all sorts of goods, including nice souvenirs to take home.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
By Chanelle of Chasing Chanelle
Travel Time: 2 hours
Buenos Aires is really well connected to the rest of Argentina, so you can easily access a lot of the country from here. One particularly spectacular destination, which is surprisingly accessible from Buenos Aires, is Iguazu Falls. This wonder of nature should be on every traveler’s bucket list. But if you don’t have the time to spend a few days there, luckily, it’s one of the easiest and fun day trips from Buenos Aires!
Iguazu Falls is the world’s largest series of waterfalls, with 275 falls spanning 1.6 miles between Brazil and Argentina. These expansive waterfalls, surrounded by lush rainforests, are a truly breathtaking sight to see, and you can easily spend hours wandering the trails to marvel at them from different vantage points.
Iguazu Falls is located about 800 miles from Buenos Aires, so you will need to fly to visit for the day. However, this is a common day trip to take from the city, so there are plenty of early morning and evening flight times to accommodate a full day at the falls. Plus, the flight time is short, at 1 hour and 50 minutes each way, and takes you to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport, which is just 5 miles from the falls.
There are also several tour companies that run day tours to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires. This is a great option to make things as easy for yourself as possible, as all transport, flights, and tickets are usually included. A guide is also included to handle the logistics and itinerary. So, all you need to do is be ready to go at the set time.
When visiting Iguazu Falls, Argentina for the day, you won’t run out of things to do. 80% of Iguazu Falls are actually on the Argentinian side, and there are 3 different viewpoint trails to do here, plus additional walking trails if you have time. You can also take a Speedboat Ride down the Iguazu River, crashing over the rapids, to get you as close as possible to the falls (although don’t be afraid to get wet)!
San Antonio de Areco
By Flor of Travel Ruta del Mate
Travel Time: 1.5 hours
Located approximately 70 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, San Antonio de Areco is a charming town that offers a delightful escape from the bustling Argentine capital. Just a scenic 90-minute drive through the countryside, this destination is perfect for a memorable day trip.
So, why is San Antonio de Areco one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires? This picturesque and historic town is renowned for its rich gaucho (cowboy) culture and traditional 19th-century estancias (ranches).
Roaming the streets of San Antonio de Areco feels like stepping back in time, immersing yourself in the authentic Argentine gaucho lifestyle. The cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and inviting pulperías (old-time bars) create an enchanting atmosphere.
During your visit, make sure to explore the Plaza Ruiz de Arellano, the main square, where you can admire the imposing parish church. Take a stroll along the riverbank known as Costanera, which starts at the Old Bridge (Puente Viejo), to witness idyllic scenes of horses grazing in the expansive green meadows.
For a deeper understanding of the gaucho culture, visit the Ricardo Güiraldes Gaucho Museum, which showcases a collection of artifacts and exhibits.
Experience a Día de Campo (Countryside Day) and taste the delicious Argentine cuisine from San Antonio de Areco in Estancias like La Cinacina, located within the city, or at the modern Don Pedro, just a couple of kilometers before reaching San Antonio de Areco.
At these estancias, you’ll have the opportunity to witness traditional displays of horsemanship and gaucho skills while tasting asados (barbecues), empanadas, and regional specialties, paired with exquisite Argentine wines. For families traveling with children, there are plenty of games and activities, including a farm where little ones can observe different animals.
For an immersive and original experience, consider an overnight stay at one of these estancias to fully enjoy the tranquility and charm of the surrounding countryside and take one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires.
If you want to discover more original towns in Buenos Aires province, consider a visit to Pergamino. In the past, it was another of the main stops for travelers going from the capital to the north of the country.
Other Day Trips from Buenos Aires
There are so many amazing day trips from Buenos Aires to take. Other fun options include San Isidro, Estancia, La Plata, and Montevideo. All of these allow you to see some exciting new places and enjoy more of what Argentina and the surrounding area have to offer.
1 thought on “4 Spectacular Day Trips from Buenos Aires: Exciting Things to Do Outside of the City”
Thank you for this complete article with accurate information. Great job!. Me and my family visited many of the places mentioned, in the first days, ad we stayed for a whole month in January 2024. If you allow me, I would like to add some must-see places, not so well known, for those who have already visited the classics and want to know more. I recommend traveling to the “Children’s Republic”, for a full day, the first themed amusement park on the American continent that inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland. It is located 60 kilometers from Buenos Aires. And I also recommend a visit to a vineyard just 80 kilometers from the city – we saved a 1,000 kilometer trip to Mendoza, the province where the main wines are produced -. In that vineyard we spent a beautiful day in the countryside, with tasting of the vineyard’s own wines, as well as a complete lunch. I advise looking for a guide or an agency that can bring together all these attractions. We found a recommended little tour agency that organized all the trips and walks for us. Very friendly people, you can find them as Kangoo Tours Buenos Aires. This is their website: https://kangootours.wixsite.com/tours