16 Cool Day Trips from Buenos Aires

What are the best day trips from Buenos Aires? You’ve got plenty of excellent options!

Buenos Aires is a fabulous destination on its own, and honestly, you could easily fill a week-long trip without ever leaving the city. I nearly did. But there are also plenty of worthwhile day trips you can take from the Argentine capital.

Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, learn more about Argentine culture, or discover another country, here are the best day trips from Buenos Aires worth taking!

This post was published in May 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Dale Peterson.

Best Day Trips from Buenos Aires

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento is one of the best day trips from Buenos Aires — and it allows you to visit a different country in just a day! Located across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires, Colonia del Sacramento is a pretty coastal town in Uruguay.

I love this as a day trip from Buenos Aires because it’s so quiet and calm by comparison — it’s a perfect balm after a few days in the big city.

Simply referred to as Colonia, this town is full of historic charm and has a romantic atmosphere. Colonia’s Barrio Histórico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its well-preserved 17th-century colonial architecture.

The great thing about Colonia is that you don’t need more than a day here. It’s a small town, and you can see most of the historic quarter in just a few hours. If you want to visit another country while on your Buenos Aires trip, this is a pretty easy way to do it. 

Best things to do in Colonia del Sacramento: You can easily spend the better part of an afternoon just wandering the tree-lined, cobblestone streets of Colonia, before stopping for a coffee or lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes and restaurants in town. 

Don’t miss the Plaza de Armas, Colonia’s central square. This is where you’ll find Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento, the oldest church in Uruguay, dating back to 1680, and a cafe with excellent dulce de leche frappes across the streets. You should also walk down the Calle de los Suspiros, or Street of Sighs, one of the oldest streets in town.

You can also visit the ruins of San Francisco Convent and climb to the top of nearby El Faro Lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the town and the Rio de la Plata. 

Should you book a tour or go independently? I think this is an easy enough trip to do on your own — all you need to do is book the ferry.

Book a tour to Colonia del Sacramento: If you’d prefer to visit Colonia with a tour guide, this small group day trip is a great option. It includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires, round-trip ferry tickets, and a two-hour walking tour in Colonia with a local guide. You can also book a private day trip to Colonia.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento independently: You can easily get to Colonia del Sacramento independently by ferry. Two ferry companies make this journey: Buquebus and Colonia Express. The ferry drops you off a short walk from the historic center of Colonia.

Buquebus tends to be more expensive, but it has nicer ferries. You can expect to pay around $115 USD for round-trip ferry tickets.

The total journey time from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Read More: Best Things to Do in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Club de Regatas La Marina Boat Club in the Tigre Delta, via Shutterstock

Tigre Delta

The Tigre Delta is one of the best day trips you can take from Buenos Aires. This is my Buenos Aires friends’ top recommendation for a day trip from the city. Just north of Buenos Aires, the Tigre Delta is the gateway to the wetlands of the Paraná Delta.

Visiting the Tigre Delta is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires and see a different side of Argentinian life just up the river. And it’s so nice getting out on a boat!

Best things to do in Tigre Delta: The city of Tigre is the top place to visit in the region. It’s famous for its cathedral and artisan market, the Puerto de Frutos. Exploring the Tigre Delta by boat is highly recommended so you can fully appreciate the winding canals and waterways.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I would recommend booking a tour, which is much easier than doing it on your own.

Book a tour to Tigre Delta: This guided tour includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires and a boat trip on the Tigre Delta. You’ll visit the town of Tigre for some sightseeing, and you’ll also sample some delicious empanadas.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Tigre Delta independently: You can visit Tigre via public transportation. Just take the Mitre train (Tigre line) from Retiro station to the final stop, Tigre. The total journey time is around 50 minutes.

Estancia life is a big part of Argentine culture most travelers miss. Via Shutterstock.

Visit an Estancia

Visiting an estancia is one of the best things to do if you want to gain an insight into the gaucho culture of Argentina. Estancias are cattle farms located in the Pampas, the fertile grasslands of Argentina, a couple of hours outside Buenos Aires.

Best things to do at an estancia: Immerse yourself in cowboy culture! You can have a lot of fun at an estancia. Most tours include activities like horseback riding, folklore shows, and of course, a delicious asada lunch of grilled meats. 

Should you book a tour or go independently? If you don’t have a rental car in Buenos Aires, definitely take a tour.

Book a tour to an estancia: This full-day excursion from Buenos Aires is one of the best estancia day trips out there. It includes a jam-packed day of fun and food at an estancia, as well as a visit to the nearby town of San Antonio de Areco.

How to get from Buenos Aires to an estancia independently: The easiest way to visit an estancia on your own is with a rental car. Estancia El Ombú de Areco is a farm stay near San Antonio de Areca where you can stay overnight. It’s 90 minutes from Buenos Aires by car.

A dance performance in San Antonio de Areco, via Mariano Gaspar on Shutterstock.

San Antonio de Areco 

Many people only spend a brief amount of time in San Antonio de Areco before visiting an estancia, but this town is worth more time on its own. Located on the Areco River, this picturesque town has colonial buildings and cobblestone streets.

It’s a great place to learn more about gaucho history and culture, and there are several museums worth checking out.

Best things to do in San Antonio de Areco: The Ricardo Güiraldes Gaucho Museum is a must-visit in San Antonio de Areco for exhibits on the Argentinian writer and gaucho life. Museo Las Lilas De Areco is an art museum that is also worth a visit.

Don’t forget to stop in Plaza Ruiz de Arellano, the town’s main square, and visit the historic San Antonio de Padua Church.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I would only recommend visiting independently if you have a rental car. Otherwise, take a tour.

Book a tour to San Antonio de Areco: Many estancia tours include a stop in San Antonio de Areco, including this one.

How to get from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco independently: If you want to have more time to explore the town rather than going straight to an estancia, you can visit San Antonio de Areco independently. 

However, you’ll need a car to do this. San Antonio de Areco is about 90 minutes from Buenos Aires by car.

The church of San Isidro, just outside Buenos Aires, via Shutterstock

San Isidro

San Isidro is one of the easiest day trips to take from Buenos Aires. This charming town is part of the greater Buenos Aires metro area, but it feels a world away. It has a very relaxed vibe and is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Best things to do in San Isidro: Hang out down by the river, explore San Isidro’s antique and artisan markets, check out the Neogothic Catedral de San Isidro, and enjoy lunch at one of the many riverfront cafes.

Should you book a tour or go independently? San Isidro is an easy trip to do on its own, but if you want to add in time with the Tigre Delta, tours make that logistically easier.

Book a tour to San Isidro: This group tour includes a visit to the towns of San Isidro and Tigre, as well as a boat ride on the Tigre Delta.

How to get from Buenos Aires to San Isidro independently: Getting to San Isidro from Buenos Aires on your own is very easy. Just take the Mitre train (Tigre line) from Retiro Station to San Isidro. It takes about 40 minutes.

La Plata’s cathedral absolutely dominates the landscape! Via Shutterstock.

La Plata

La Plata is the capital of Buenos Aires province, and it’s often described as a small-scale version of Buenos Aires. Located just over an hour from the city of Buenos Aires, La Plata makes for an interesting day trip if you want to explore another Argentinian city.

Best things to do in La Plata: The Catedral de la Plata is one of the most popular places to go in La Plata, as it’s the largest church in all of Argentina. (Climb up the church tower for a great view over the whole city!) The most impressive museum in the city is Museo de La Plata, a natural sciences museum. 

Should you book a tour or go independently? La Plata is very easy to visit independently — I’d recommend a tour only if you want a private guide and driver.

Book a tour to La Plata: This private tour includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires, private transportation to La Plata, and a guide to show you the highlights of the city.

How to get from Buenos Aires to La Plata independently: You can take the train from Plaza Constitución Station in Buenos Aires to La Plata. Take the Roca line. The total travel time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Bodega Gamboa Vineyard

If you can’t make it all the way to Mendoza, in the heart of Argentina’s wine country, Bodega Gamboa Vineyard is the next best bet for wine lovers. This vineyard and winery is located just outside Buenos Aires, so you don’t have to go far to sample some famous Argentinian Malbecs.

Best things to do at Bodega Gamboa Vineyard: The winery at Bodega Gamboa Vineyard offers wine tastings (accompanied by local cheeses) as well as a lunch tasting menu.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I recommend booking a tour — not only is it easier, but it has a built-in designated driver!

Book a tour to Bodega Gamboa Vineyard: If you’d like to visit Bodega Gamboa Vineyard as part of a tour, this small group tour is a great option. It includes round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires, a wine and cheese tasting, and a picnic lunch amidst the vineyards. 

How to get from Buenos Aires to Bodega Gamboa Vineyard independently: If you have your own vehicle, you can easily visit Bodega Gamboa Vineyard from Buenos Aires. It’s about 55 minutes away by car. Just be sure not to drink and drive.

Parque Nacional Ciervo de los Pantanos, via Shutterstock

Parque Nacional Ciervo De Los Pantanos

While Argentina’s most spectacular natural parks are located in the southern part of the country in Patagonia, Parque Nacional Ciervo De Los Pantanos is the closest national park to Buenos Aires. Located less than an hour from the city, this national park boasts picturesque grasslands and floodplains.

Best things to do in Parque Nacional Ciervo De Los Pantanos: The national park offers several well-marked hiking trails for exploring the landscapes. There’s also an abundance of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and lots of species of birds.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Parque Nacional Ciervo De Los Pantanos independently: You’ll need a rental car to get to Parque Nacional Ciervo De Los Pantanos from Buenos Aires. It’s about 55 minutes from the city, and just 15 minutes from Bodega Gamboa Vineyard if you want to make a stop here before or after visiting the winery.

White tigers are among the animals of Temaiken Biopark! Via Ceciliamp on Shutterstock.

Temaiken Biopark

Another great day trip from Buenos Aires for nature and wildlife lovers is Temaiken Biopark. This is an AZA-accredited zoo and wildlife park, which means it’s held to the highest standards of animal welfare and care.

There are more than 300 species of animals at Temaiken Biopark, from rare and endangered species to common animals of Argentina.

Best things to do in Temaiken Biopark: You can easily spend much of the day exploring the various wildlife habitats at the 178-acre Temaiken Biopark. There are also plenty of opportunities for learning about conservation through guided workshops and tours.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I would only recommend visiting independently if you have a rental car. Otherwise, a tour is the way to go.

Book a tour to Temaiken Biopark: This tour includes a round-trip transfer from Buenos Aires and tickets for visiting Temaiken Biopark.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Temaiken Biopark independently: If you have your own car, Temaiken Biopark is an easy 45-minute drive from Buenos Aires.

Polo is a popular sport near Buenos Aires! Via Shutterstock.

A Nearby Polo Club

Polo is a big deal in Argentina, and especially in Buenos Aires. Played on horseback, polo is one of the world’s oldest known team sports. It’s not just an activity for stuffy old royals!

If you’re interested in learning more about this popular sport, why not visit a nearby polo club? You’ll be able to take lessons from the pros and get on horseback to play the game yourself.

Best things to do at a polo club: Several polo clubs around Buenos Aires offer lessons for beginners where you can spend a full day learning how to play polo.

Should you book a tour or go independently? Go with a tour if you want lessons. Otherwise, it’s easy enough to visit independently if you have a rental car.

Book a tour to a polo club: This polo tour includes polo lessons from an expert — no prior horseback riding or polo experience is required! You’ll visit a polo club outside the city, learn more about polo, and have the chance to hop in the saddle yourself and try it out.

How to get from Buenos Aires to a polo club independently: If you’d like to visit a polo club on your own, Puesto Viejo and La Tarde Polo Club are two good options. Both of these are located about one hour from Buenos Aires by car and offer one-day or multi-day experiences.

Carlos Keen

Carlos Keen is a tiny town a little over an hour from Buenos Aires. It’s a popular day trip with locals, and it’s a great way to get outside the city and experience a taste of slow-paced small-town life. Once connected to the city by railroad, Carlos Keen was half-forgotten after the train stopped running.

Now, it’s becoming more popular as a day trip to escape the city and enjoy the tranquil natural beauty of this small town or have a long lunch at one of the town’s many restaurants. 

Best things to do in Carlos Keen: Enjoy eating at one of Carlos Keen’s parrillas (steakhouses), many of which are inside historic buildings in town. Take a horseback tour of the surrounding countryside, or just spend some time wandering around this tiny town.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I recommend a tour for this one, because it includes so much more than you can enjoy in Carlos Keen itself.

Book a tour to Carlos Keen: This full-day tour from Buenos Aires includes horseback riding around the Argentinian countryside, a delicious homemade asado lunch, and time to explore the historic town of Carlos Keen.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Carlos Keen independently: There’s no way to get to Carlos Keen by public transportation, so you’ll need your own vehicle. It’s about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Buenos Aires by car.

Quilmes

If you want to explore more of the Buenos Aires province, head to Quilmes. This coastal city is just south of Buenos Aires, and it makes for an easy day trip. And if you’re a beer fan, you’re going to love it here!

The city is known for its many breweries, including the Quilmes Brewery, Wellington Brewery, and Goldaratz Brewery.

Best things to do in Quilmes: One of the top things to do in Quilmes that’s not visiting a brewery is checking out the Transport Museum, which has everything from horse-drawn carriages to vintage motorcycles on display.

Other than that, getting lunch and visiting breweries is the best way to spend an afternoon in Quilmes. The Quilmes Brewery is the most famous in Argentina, and you can enjoy a tour and tasting there.

Should you book a tour or go independently? Quilmes is an easy trip to do independently, no tour necessary.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Quilmes independently: Getting to Quilmes from Buenos Aires is very easy. You can just take the Roca line from Plaza Constitución Station in the direction of La Plata, getting off at the Quilmes stop. It’s about 30 minutes from Buenos Aires.

Capilla Del Señor

Capilla Del Señor is a great day trip from Buenos Aires if you’re looking for a quaint, historic small town. Located to the northwest of the city, Capilla Del Señor is a picturesque destination with tree-lined streets and colonial buildings.

It’s the perfect place to go to get some fresh air and escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Best things to do in Capilla Del Señor: Plaza San Martín is the heart of the town, surrounded by a historic church and many restaurants. After you explore the town, take a stroll through Paseo Arcoiris, a scenic park located along the river.

La Pebeta is located just outside the town and it’s a great farm-to-table restaurant to stop at for lunch or dinner near Capilla Del Señor.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I would only recommend this with a rental car because the public transit route takes forever.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Capilla Del Señor independently: It’s possible to get to Capilla Del Señor by public transportation, but it takes around 3.5 hours. First, you’ll need to take the Mitre train from Retiro Station to Victoria Station, then transfer to the Mitre train that will take you to Capilla Del Señor.

Traveling by car is the better option for reaching Capilla Del Señor — the town is just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Buenos Aires by car.

Breathtaking Iguazu Falls, via Shutterstock

Iguazu Falls

One of the most breathtaking destinations in Argentina is Iguazu Falls. Made up of approximately 275 waterfalls, Iguazu Falls is shared between Argentina and Brazil. 

Let the record reflect that I personally do not recommend visiting Iguazu Falls as a day trip from Buenos Aires. It’s too far! You have to fly there! Go for a few days, at least!!

But if you’re short on time and this is the only option you have, it is possible to visit Iguazu Falls on a day trip. So this information is for you.

Best things to do in Iguazu Falls: If you only have one day at Iguazu Falls, you won’t have time to visit both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. However, the Argentinian side is larger and offers more walking trails and many unique vantage points for viewing the falls.

You’ll definitely want to spend as much time as you can at the national park on the Argentinian side of the falls, taking in breathtaking views of the natural beauty around you.

Should you book a tour or go independently? I mean…it depends if you want a guide or not. If you want a guide, book a tour. If not, just book some flight tickets.

Book a tour to Iguazu Falls: This full-day trip includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires, round-trip flights to Puerto Iguazu, and a guide who will accompany you throughout the Argentinian side of the falls.

If you’re worried about dealing with the logistics of visiting Iguazu Falls in one day on your own, this is a great option for peace of mind.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls independently: It’s also possible to visit Iguazu Falls on your own as a day trip from Buenos Aires.

It’s a two-hour flight to Puerto Iguazu from Buenos Aires, and you’ll want to take the earliest and latest flights of the day. From the airport in Puerto Iguazu, it’s just a 15-minute drive to Iguazu National Park. 

Catching a taxi from the airport to the national park is easy and inexpensive, and you can arrange for your driver to pick you back up and take you to the airport later.

Plaza Independienca in Montevideo, via Sandra Moraes on Shutterstock.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Uruguay’s capital city Montevideo is another day trip option from Buenos Aires. Honestly, I recommend Colonia del Sacramento over Montevideo for a day trip to Uruguay — it’s much closer, and I think Colonia is a better contrast to Buenos Aires than simply visiting another big city.

But if your heart is set on Montevideo, you can absolutely do this.

Best things to do in Montevideo: With just one day in Montevideo, I would focus on exploring Ciudad Vieja, the most historic neighborhood in the city. Notable things to see include Teatro Solis, the oldest theatre in South America, and Palacio Salvo, a historic building that has a near-twin (Palacio Barolo) in Buenos Aires.

Visit Plaza de la Constitución, where you’ll find the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral and the Museo Histórico Cabildo de Montevideo, an interesting museum about the history of the city. Mercado del Puerto, or Port Market, is a great place to stop for lunch. Eat some meat. The Uruguayans are just as meat-crazy as the Argentines, if not more so.

Should you book a tour or go independently? Like Colonia, I find it’s easy enough to go on your own, and you only need to book a tour if you want a guide for part of the day.

Book a tour to Montevideo: This full-day private tour to Montevideo includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires, ferry tickets, and a local guide.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Montevideo independently: You can either take the ferry or fly to Montevideo. The fastest ferry takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the two companies running the ferries are Buquebus and Colonia Express. Flights are just 55 minutes, but more expensive than taking the ferry, and the time adds up when you factor in getting to the airport early. 

You can book a private city tour with a local guide to get an overview of Montevideo once you arrive if you opt to go there independently.

A vineyard just outside Mendoza, via Shutterstock.

Mendoza

Mendoza is the capital of Argentina’s wine country. Like Iguazu Falls, I don’t recommend going this far in a single day — Mendoza is SO much better experienced on a multi-day trip. I myself spent several days based at a vineyard resort in the Valle de Uco, a gorgeous area outside Mendoza.

But if one day is all the time you have, it is possible to visit Mendoza on a day trip. Just know that it’s a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires, so you’re in for a long day.

Best things to do in Mendoza: Mendoza is all about wine tasting! The city’s many bodegas (wineries) offer tastings and tours. Malbecs are the specialty here, and you can’t leave Mendoza without trying a few different varieties.

Should you book a tour or go independently? This can be done independently if you’d like — just make sure to give yourself enough time to actually explore the city!

Book a tour to Mendoza: If you’re short on time, you can visit Mendoza on this private day trip from Buenos Aires. It includes pickup and dropoff in Buenos Aires, round-trip flights to Mendoza, and transportation in Mendoza. You’ll visit two wineries and stop for a delicious local lunch, getting to sample some of the best Argentine wines.

How to get from Buenos Aires to Mendoza independently: Several airlines fly from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, and the flight time is two hours. Almost all flights to Mendoza conveniently depart from Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP), which is located in downtown Buenos Aires.

Round-trip flights can be booked for under $100 USD. However, you’ll need to arrange transportation in Mendoza if you’re visiting independently because most wineries can only be reached by car.

One more note — if you fly out of AEP Airport, there are signs for destinations in “Argentina Norte” and “Argentina Sud”. We assumed Mendoza was a northern destination. It was not. Make sure you’re waiting in the right line!!

More on Argentina:

• 32+ Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• How to Plan a Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
• 25 Epic Things To Do in El Calafate, Argentina
• 18 Wild Things to Do in El Chaltén, Argentina
• El Calafate vs. El Chaltén: Which Town in Argentine Patagonia is Better?
• 16 Epic Things to Do in Ushuaia, Argentina

More on South America:

• 17 Best Things to Do in Santiago, Chile
• 11 Cool Day Trips from Santiago, Chile
• 26 Fun Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
• Staying at Ecocamp Patagonia: A Sustainable Resort in Chile
• 15 Best Things to Do in Puerto Varas, Chile
• 17 Colorful Things to Do in Valparaíso, Chile
• Solo Female Travel in Colombia: Is it safe?
• What’s it really like to travel to Guyana?

Have you been to Buenos Aires? What were your favorite day trips? Share away!

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