Here’s the thing about Argentina: it’s one of the most beautiful, diverse countries you’ll ever visit — but it’s also huge. Like, really huge. Which makes planning your first trip a little tricky.

I grew up in Argentina, but as a kid, we didn’t travel much within the country. So as an adult, I’ve made it my mission to explore a new region every time I go back. 

After years of returning, revisiting favorites, and discovering new corners, I’ve put together the ultimate 2-week Argentina itinerary — one that hits the must-see destinations while balancing cities, nature, and food.

Mountains? Check. Mind-blowing waterfalls? Check. Malbec, empanadas, and legendary asado? Double check. Argentina has it all… but trying to fit everything into one trip can feel overwhelming.

This 2 week Argentina itinerary will take the guesswork out of your trip planning process. It includes what to do, where to stay, and how to get there. I’ve even added a few alternate options so you can customize your trip.

Let’s dive in!

Who This Itinerary Is For

This two week Argentina itinerary is designed with first-time visitors in mind. It gives you a little bit of everything Argentina does best: vibrant city life, breathtaking landscapes, and some of the country’s most incredible food and wine.

That said, it is a fairly fast-paced trip. If you’d rather take things slow, I recommend skipping one destination — probably Patagonia, given the cost, distance, and travel time.

Your 2 Week Argentina Itinerary

• Days 1-3: Buenos Aires
• Days 4-8: Patagonia (El Calafate and El Chalten)
• Days 9-11: Mendoza
• Days 12-14: Iguazu Falls

Days 1–3: Buenos Aires

Once you arrive in Buenos Aires, get settled in! You’ll probably be tired and somewhat jetlagged, so take it easy that day. I recommend going for a walk near Plaza de Mayo: you can see some of the city’s historic landmarks at your own pace, get a coffee at a bar notable (historic cafe), and grab a bite to eat.

Buenos Aires feels like a European city that grew up in Latin America. It’s elegant but a little chaotic, full of grand architecture, green parks, incredible food, and late-night energy. 

You could easily spend days simply wandering its distinct barrios, like Palermo for trendy restaurants and boutiques, San Telmo for tango and antiques, and Recoleta for gorgeous architecture and that famous cemetery.

If I had to pick, there are a few experiences in Buenos Aires that I consider essential to getting a feel for the city, which I’ve written about in more detail here. I recommend you pick 2-3 activities and shape your days around those. Some of my favorites are:

• Eating an authentic asado (Argentinian barbecue), followed by some seriously amazing gelato (Heladeria Pistacchio is my favorite)
• Visiting the MALBA or Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
• Walking the parks of Palermo, cup of coffee in hand
• Visit the Recoleta Cemetery and the amazing bookstore in an old theater, El Ateneo Grand Splendid
• Watch a soccer game live
• Stroll around San Telmo and check out its famous market
• Catching a live music, tango show, or theater production— Buenos Aires’s cultural scene is impressive
  

Alternatively, check out this detailed 3 day itinerary for Buenos Aires!

TIP: The money situation in Argentina is ever-evolving. Whereas in years past, bringing lots of cash to exchange was a must, it is less so now. My recommendation is to bring some cash (crisp $100 bills) and use card the rest of the time. If you’d like to know more, I’ve written an in-depth guide about money in Argentina.

Days 4–8: Patagonia (El Calafate & El Chaltén)

Getting there: Fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate Airport (FTE). If you can, book a flight from Aeroparque (AEP) instead of Ezeiza — it’s in the city and much more convenient. Once you land, it’s a quick 20-minute ride into town by taxi or shuttle.

Patagonia is vast, but for a first trip, I recommend focusing on the El Calafate / El Chaltén region. It’s home to some of Argentina’s most jaw-dropping scenery — glaciers, rugged peaks, and turquoise lakes that look like they’ve been heavily edited.

El Calafate (2 days)

Where to stay: Hosteria la Soberana or Patagonia Queen Hotel Boutique, both with breakfast, comfy rooms, and exceptional hosts.

Your first stop is El Calafate, where the star of the show is the Perito Moreno Glacier. Even if you do nothing else, make sure you see this. 

Walk the boardwalks for amazing panoramic views — or, if you can swing it, book a mini-trekking tour on the glacier itself. It’s pricey, but it goes on the list of one of my favorite travel experiences ever. 

The experience included transportation to the park, time to explore the boardwalks, a short boat ride to the glacier that gives you a whole different view, and finally, a guided hike on the glacier.

Check out my full review of the glacier minitrekking experience here!

On the second day, take a boat ride on Lago Argentino to see Patagonia’s other glaciers up close. 

If you want to mix it up, I also recommend visiting a traditional Patagonian estancia, take a horseback riding excursion in Cerro Frias, or visit the region’s ancient caves.

El Chaltén (2–3 days)

Where to stay: Chalten Camp for a cool experience or Kau Si Aike for simple, clean accommodations and a warm, welcoming host.

From El Calafate, take a three-hour bus ride to El Chaltén, Patagonia’s hiking capital. The town itself is tiny and charming, surrounded by mountains and incredible trails. Truly, I can’t wait to go back.

There are so many hikes you could do in el Chalten, it can be a little overwhelming! These are three most popular day hikes you might want to do:

• Laguna de los Tres is the most iconic hike in El Chalten. You’ll get epic views of Mount Fitz Roy for your efforts.
  
• Laguna Torre is a shorter and less challenging hike than Laguna de los Tres, but also extremely enjoyable.
  
• Shorter options like Mirador de los Cóndores are great if you want lighter hikes

Because I love to hike, my recommendation is that you do the Laguna de los Tres hike one day and the Laguna Torre hike the other. The trails are really well marked, so you don’t need a guide. You can read all about these hikes in another post, so I won’t go into the details here.

TIP: The park now charges an entry fee, so make sure you get a multi-day pass to reduce the cost. 

Hiking may be the main attraction in El Chalten, but it is not the only one! You can go white water rafting, horse back riding, or even sunbathe by an alpine lake if you’ve had enough of all the adrenaline.

Read more: El Calafate and El Chalten Itinerary

Days 9–11: Mendoza

Getting there: Fly from El Calafate to Mendoza (most flights connect through Buenos Aires). Mendoza’s city center is just 10 minutes from the airport, so either the bus or a taxi get you in easily.

Where to stay: Casa Agostino or Posada de Rosas

After days of glaciers and hiking boots, it’s time to slow down. Mendoza, Argentina’s wine capital, sits at the foothills of the Andes and is famous for its Malbec, sunny weather, and amazing food.

You probably won’t spend much time in the city of Mendoza, but while you’re there you definitely have a meal at El Ceibo – it was a recommendation from my family and did not disappoint!

Mendoza’s vineyards are the real reason you’re here, so let’s get to it! There are three wine regions: Maipu, Luján de Cuyo, and the Uco Valley. The first two have smaller, older wineries, but they also offer additional activities like cycling through the vineyards and doing olive oil tastings.

Uco Valley is a little farther from Mendoza, has larger wineries, like Salentein, and is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, seriously.

I recommend you visit the Uco Valley, as well as Lujan de Cuyo. To get there, you can hire a driver, or take a tour. If you hire a driver, keep in mind that you’ll have to make reservations at different wineries, so I recommend the tour option.

This complete tour of the Uco Valley includes 6 wineries, 2 of which I’ve been to and can confirm are AMAZING. You’ll also be having lunch at La Azul, a small, argentine owned winery – I still think about that lunch, it was that good. 

Spend the day sipping wine in the Uco Valley | Check prices and availability here

In Lujan de Cuyo, pick a tour that includes another activity, like this one, that is a bike tour! 

If you want an elevated option, check out this tour that includes the extremely well-known Trapiche winery, and lunch at Casa Vigil of El Enemigo winery, which has a Michelin star. I haven’t been to El Enemigo yet, but am absolutely dying to go. 

Book the Trapiche + Casa Vigil experience here!

If one day of touring wineries is enough for you, I‘ve got good news: there is so much to do here! The city’s location by the Andes means there is no shortage of adventure to be had, and of, course there’s the food.

Go whitewater rafting in Potrerillos, take a day trip to Aconcagua Provincial Park to see the highest peak in the Americas, or learn how to make staples of Argentine cuisine.

Days 12–14: Iguazú Falls

Getting there: Fly from Mendoza to Puerto Iguazú. There are no direct flights at the moment, so your flight will likely have a layover in Buenos Aires.

Where to stay: Overo Lodge and Selva for a gorgeous stay with a jungle feel or Gran Melia if you want to stay IN the park

I knew Iguazú Falls was big, but nothing prepared me for just how massive it is. With 275 waterfalls spread across nearly two miles, the park is packed with stunning viewpoints and trails. Get ready to be blown away.

When visiting Iguazu, you definitely need to check out both the Argentine and the Brazilian sides of the park. Spend your first day here exploring Argentina’s side, since it is much larger than the Brazilian side.

TIP: Get an early start to beat the crowds!

The Argentine side has almost 8 kms of trails an boardwalks and sooo many different vantage points from which to admire the falls. 

My absolute favorite was the Garganta del Diablo viewpoint, where you stand directly over one of the areas where water gushes down to the river. The force of the water is absolutely wild – be prepared, you’ll get soaked!

The next day, cross the border into Brazil. This side of Iguazu falls is known for its panoramic views that include the garganta del diablo in the distance.

TIP: U.S. and Canadian citizens need a visa to cross into Brazil, so make sure to get that ahead of time!

You’ll (more than likely) be greeted by rainbows galore, and get some of the most beautiful shots of the falls. 

This side is much smaller than the Argentine side, so you only need a couple of hours to experience it. With the extra time, do the boat tour that takes you right up to one of the waterfalls!

Read more: Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit to Iguazu Falls

Alternate Destinations

Want to customize your trip? Here are some swaps based on your travel style:

If you’re not into hiking: Bariloche

Located in Patagonia’s Lake District, Bariloche is surrounded by stunning lakes and mountain peaks. Don’t get me wrong, the hiking here is incredible. But if hiking isn’t the priority for you, there’s plenty else to do: boat rides, chocolate tastings, scenic drives, and relaxing by the water. 

Also, in winter, Bariloche is a top ski destination. So there are lots of gondola-accessible views that don’t require hiking boots.

Bariloche also has direct flights to Mendoza and Buenos Aires. If you want to simplify travel while in Argentina, visiting Bariloche instead of Patagonia would help.

Read more: Incredible Things to Do in Bariloche in the Fall

If you’re not a wine drinker: Salta & Jujuy

Head north to explore surreal landscapes, salt flats, and colorful rock formations. Life moves slower here, and the food is incredible — think tamales, humitas, and hearty stews. The best way to experience this region is by car, making it perfect for a road trip.

Read more: 5 Day Roadtrip Through Salta and Jujuy

FAQ

Ready to book? Take a look at these in-depth city guides and hotel recommendations

The Ideal 3 Days Buenos Aires (Itinerary + Map)

Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit to Iguazu Falls

El Calafate and El Chalten Itinerary

5 Day Roadtrip Through Salta and Jujuy