Loved Spain? Make Argentina Your Next Destination

Many consider Spain the perfect travel destination. Remarkable food, gorgeous cities, beautiful nature, and a lifestyle revolving around food and spending time with loved ones – plus desirable weather conditions. If you have already fallen for the charms of Spain, Argentina is a natural contender for where to travel next.

Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America

Visiting the Argentine capital offers a comparable experience to Spanish cities. Considered the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires comprises elegant boulevards flanked by palaces, leafy plazas, grandiose bookstores, and an incredible cafe culture. Culture-minded travelers can peruse galleries such as MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), MNBA (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes), and MAMBA (Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires). These museums exhibit works by Latin American artists as well as international creatives and European masters.  

Evenings are long in Buenos Aires, with local residents known to dine late into the night, putting the world to rights over grilled meats and slices of pizza on the bustling Corrientes Avenue. In place of flamenco, secure tickets to a tango show in San Telmo’s historic theaters or enlist a local guide to escort you to a milonga where locals socialize and dance until the early hours. 

Argentine cuisine and wine

Spain is known for its world-class Rioja but Argentina’s Malbec may pip it to the post. Nestled against the Andes, the province of Mendoza is the heart of Argentina’s wine production. Mendoza is divided into the three regions of Maipu Valley, Luján de Cuyo, and Uco Valley. Sitting at different elevations, these valleys offer a unique experience across different landscapes and tannins. Gastronomy plays a major part in the Mendoza wine experience, with bodegas offering gourmet picnics and indulgent fine dining with wine pairings.

Asado is another component of Argentine cuisine. There are restaurants in Buenos Aires offering premium grilled meats whereas rural guest houses and wineries prepare family-style barbecues with an emphasis on the social aspect of the traditional asado.

Rural experiences and nature destinations

Those who fell for the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, the alpine scenery of the Sierra Nevada, or the rugged Picos de Europa are guaranteed to be equally captivated by Argentina’s sensational countryside.

Naturally, the Patagonia region is Argentina’s leading outdoor destination, treasured for its alpine lakes and surreal glaciers. Travelers can immerse themselves in Argentinian Patagonia through trekking, horseback riding, boat cruises, and wildlife safaris on land and at sea. 

At the opposite end of the country, Iguazú National Park is a sub-tropical wilderness of waterfalls and forest inhabited by native fauna and flora. Salta is a vast region of towering mountain landscapes as well as the high altitude vineyards of the Salta Wine Trail.

Traditional culture, arts, and crafts 

Just as Spain is admired for such handicrafts as ceramics, decorative tiles, leatherwork, basketry, and musical instruments, Argentina preserves its traditional culture through the work of artisans. 

The northwest regions of Salta and Jujuy are hubs for artisanal crafts, particularly the poncho salteño and clothing made from llama and alpaca wool bearing motifs from pre-Columbian times. The Pampas lowlands are known for exquisite leatherworking and ornate hand-forged knives. Originally produced for gauchos and agriculturalists, these items carry cultural significance and also make excellent souvenirs.

Contact Darby at Darby’s Destinations to design a custom travel itinerary for Argentina.