The Best Day Trips From Buenos Aires

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires and explore a bit more the Argentina? Then these are the best one day trips to take from the capital. Whether you want to experience some gaucho culture, experience vineyards and wine tasting, or take a trip across the river to visit another capital city, it’s all possible to do in one day from Buenos Aires.

Having taken many of these day trips from Buenos Aires myself, I can confidently say that these are the best day trips. I highly recommend stepping out from the lively capital to experience the variety that Argentina has to offer or even a trip to another country.

If you don’t have time to read this blog post, here are the links to all the recommended one day tours from Buenos Aires.

Visit Montevideo, Uruguay’s Capital

Why Visit Montevideo?

A day trip to Montevideo from Argentina is a great opportunity to visit a new country and capital city. Just a convenient ferry ride away. Once you arrive in Montevideo, you’ll have time to visit the historic quarter, the lively markets and stroll along the waterfront promenade for stunning views of the Rio de la Plata. With its close proximity and convenient ferry ride, Montevideo makes for an ideal day trip from Buenos Aires.

Things to Do in Montevideo

Rambla de Montevideo: Take a walk along the promenade, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Río de la Plata and its beaches.

Ciudad Vieja: Explore the historic old town, featuring colonial architecture, art galleries, great cafés and shops.

Cultural Highlights: Visit the Teatro Solís, one of the most renowned theatres in South America or see the Estadio Centenario, the stadium where the very first match of the FIFA World Cup took place, an important landmark for sports fans.

Travel Time: The ferry to Montevideo from Buenos Aires takes around 2-3 hours depending the service and weather.

Best Tour Options

The Premium Day Tour to Montevideo from Buenos Aires: This tour from Buenos Aires offers an unforgettable adventure, taking you across the Rio de la Plata to explore Uruguay’s charming capital. This full-day tour includes hotel pick up/drop-off (in central Buenos Aires), the ferry ride and guided tour of Montevideo’s highlights, such as the historic Ciudad Vieja and the coastline. This experience is comfortable and organised, with lunch provided, making it an ideal one day tour.

If you are travelling in a group, then it may be worth booking a Private tour to Montevideo for just your group.

Private Full Day Trip to Montevideo from Buenos Aires: This premium tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off (in central Buenos Aires), the ferry ride and private transport and guide for your group. The tour includes time in the historic Ciudad Vieja, stops at all the key attractions and time at the picturesque Rambla to soak in the city’s relaxed coastal vibes. This private group tour option offers greater flexibility for your day trip.

For more great information on visiting Montevideo from Buenos Aires, read this detailed blog.

Explore Historic Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Why Visit Colonica del Sacramento?

Colonia del Sacramento is just a short 1-hour ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires. This colonial town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its cobblestone streets and historic charm. It’s a slightly shorter journey time compared to Montevideo, making it an incredibly convenient and popular option for a day trip.

Things to Do in Colonia Sacramento

Stroll Through the Historic Quarter: Walk along the streets lined with colourful homes and blooming flowers. Don’t miss Calle de los Suspiros (“Street of Sighs”), a beautifully preserved colonial street.

Climb the Lighthouse: Get sweeping views of the city and the river by climbing to the top of the town’s lighthouse.

Waterfront Relaxation: Enjoy the serene waterfront, featuring charming restaurants and cafés perfect for lunch with a view.

Colonia offers a relaxed pace and a chance to soak in Uruguay’s history and architecture, so a really good day trip option.

Travel Time: The ferry from Buenos Aires takes around 1 hour.

Best Tour Options

Colonia del Sacramento Small-Group Day Trip: This small group tour offers the chance to spend time in one of Uruguay’s most charming towns. Including round trip transfers, on arrival you’ll visit Colonia’s UNESCO-listed historic quarter, with cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and landmarks. The guides are super knowledgeable making this a very popular tour option.

If you are travelling in a group, then it may be worth booking a Private tour to Colonia del Sacramento for just your group.

Private tour – Colonia del Sacramento Private Day Tour from Buenos Aires: This private tour provides a seamless and personalised experience, starting with convenient hotel pickup and round-trip transfers to the ferry terminal.

Once in Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO-listed town, you will enjoy a private walking tour led by a local guide. This tour covers the historic centre and being in a private group gives you have more flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Additionally, the tour includes ample free time to further explore the charming streets, enjoy local cuisine, and shop for souvenirs. This flexibility, combined with the expertise of the guide and the convenience of the logistics, makes it a highly recommended tour option if you are looking to experience Colonia del Sacramento in a single day.

Discover The Waterways Of The Tigre Delta

Why Visit Tigre Delta?

Tigre, a charming riverside town only an hour from Buenos Aires, offers a peaceful escape with its unique delta landscape. It’s famous for its labyrinth of waterways, charming wooden houses perched on stilts, and its bustling Puerto de Frutos market.

Things to Do in Tigre Delta

Boat Rides: Explore the scenic waterways by taking a boat tour where you’ll be treated to pristine views of the delta’s lush greenery.

Puerto de Frutos: This open-air market is a haven for shoppers and food lovers. You’ll find artisanal crafts, home décor, fresh produce, and delicious snacks to enjoy.

Museums: Visit Museo de Arte Tigre, housed in a beautiful building, to explore art exhibitions featuring Argentine artists.

Tigre is incredibly accessible from Buenos Aires. It’s a day well spent relaxing among natural beauty while indulging in the local culture.

Travel Time: The Tigre Delta is approximately 30 kilometres (about 19 miles) north of Buenos Aires. The journey typically takes around 45 minutes by road.

Best Tour Option

Tigre Delta Small-Group Tour from Buenos Aires: This is a fantastic choice as the tour offers a blend of relaxation and cultural exploration, making it a great option for a half-day excursion. One of the key highlights is the scenic boat ride through the Tigre Delta and time at the market.

Stops also include Vivanco restaurant for some snacks and Victorica Avenue for time to wonder around the Luján River. This tour also provides you with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.

Experience Gaucho Culture In San Antonio de Areco

Why Visit San Antonia de Areco

Known as the cradle of gaucho culture, San Antonio de Areco is a picturesque town about 1.5 hours from Buenos Aires. If you’ve wanted to experience the life of Argentina’s iconic cowboys, this is the perfect destination.

Things to Do in San Antonia de Areco

Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes: Learn about the history and traditions of the gauchos at this museum dedicated to Argentina’s rural culture.

Visit an Estancia (Ranch): Many estancias offer horse riding, gaucho demonstrations, and cook delicious traditional Argentine barbeque (asado).

Explore the Town: Wander through the town’s charming streets, visit artisan shops, and soak up the laid-back vibe.

Travel Time: San Antonio de Areco is about 113 kilometres (approximately 70 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires. The drive usually takes around 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Best Tour Option

Gaucho Day Tour Ranch at an Estancia from Buenos Aires: This is great option as it offers a full day experience in the authentic Argentine countryside. This full-day tour offers a rich blend of cultural, culinary, and outdoor activities that showcase the traditional gaucho lifestyle.

Here you are taken to an estancia (ranch) in the pampas, where you can enjoy horseback riding or a horse-drawn carriage ride, providing a genuine feel of the gaucho way of life. The tour includes a visit to the charming town of San Antonio de Areco, known for its rich gaucho heritage.

Another great highlight of the tour is the traditional ‘asado’ barbecue lunch, featuring a variety of meats, salads, and Argentine Malbec wine, all enjoyed in a picturesque outdoor setting. The day is filled with live entertainment, including folklore music, dancing, and a captivating gaucho show demonstrating horsemanship skills.

The tour is well-organised, with round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires, making it really convenient. The combination of cultural insights, delicious food, and engaging activities makes this tour a highly recommended day trip option.

Visit La Plata’s Gems

Why Visit La Plata

La Plata, the provincial capital of Buenos Aires, is just an hour south of the city. It’s known for its carefully designed layout, neo-Gothic cathedral, and vibrant cultural scene.

Things to Do in La Plata

La Plata Cathedral: This stunning neo-Gothic cathedral is one of the largest in South America. Its intricate architecture and stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring.

Museo de la Plata: History and science lovers will enjoy this comprehensive museum. It houses a vast collection of exhibits that focus on palaeontology, anthropology, geology, and zoology.

Republica de los Niños: A whimsical children’s theme park.

La Plata is ideal for those seeking a mix of culture, history, and family-friendly attractions.

Travel Time: La Plata is approximately 60 kilometres (about 37 miles) from Buenos Aires. The journey typically takes around 1 hour by road.

Best Tour Option

Excursion to La Plata: This tour option offers a full day of exploration in La Plata. You will visit key landmarks such as the La Plata Cathedral and Plaza Moreno, the city’s square filled with beautiful gardens and historic buildings. The tour also includes the Municipal Palace, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture, and the Museum of Natural Sciences (Museo de la Plata).

Finally, the tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off and best of all the group size is limited to only 10 people, ensuring a really personalised experience.

Journey To Luján’s Grand Basilica

Why Visit Luján

Luján is a small city best known for its grand basilica. It’s a major pilgrimage site in Argentina and a peaceful retreat for the spiritually inclined.

Things to Do in Luján

Basilica de Luján: This magnificent Gothic-style basilica is the heart of the city and a must-see.

Museo Enrique Udaondo: This museum showcases artefacts and exhibits detailing the history of the area, gaucho culture and colonial life.

Serene Parks: Relax in the town’s green spaces and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

Luján really offers a quiet escape from the bustling capital.

Travel Time: Luján is about 68 kilometres (approximately 42 miles) west of Buenos Aires. The drive usually takes around 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Best Tour Option

San Antonio de Areco & Luján Full-Day Tour From Buenos Aires: This tour covers a visit to Luján, home to the renowned Basilica but also the town of San Antonio de Areco. This town has a rich heritage of gaucho culture and the tour covers exploring its scenic streets, workshops and museums.

A great tour option for visiting Luján and more.

Take A Wine Tour In Mendoza

Why Visit Mendoza

Yes, Mendoza is far from Buenos Aires, but one-day wine tours by flight really makes it a feasible. Visiting the Mendoza’s world-famous wine region is a perfect day trip for those eager to taste Argentina’s finest Malbecs right where they are expertly crafted.

Things to Do in Mendoza

Wine Tastings: Tour prestigious wineries and sample their finest vintages.

Picturesque Vineyards: Stroll through vineyards set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Gourmet Experiences: Many wineries offer gourmet lunch pairings, where exceptional food meets even better wine.

Flying to Mendoza for a day is a luxurious yet highly rewarding option for wine enthusiasts.

Travel Time: Flight time is typically two hours.

Best Tour Option

The Buenos Aires Mendoza Wine Paradise Day Trip: This is an exceptional tour if you want to experience Argentina’s world-famous wine region with maximum convenience. This tour includes round-trip airfare, making it simple to travel to Mendoza, the heart of Argentina’s wine country.

Once there, you’ll visit some of the region’s best wineries, where expert guides lead you through fascinating vineyards and provide insights into the winemaking process. You’ll enjoy wine tastings of Mendoza’s finest varietals, including the iconic Malbec, and lunch at one of the wineries.

This all-encompassing experience is both enriching and indulgent. A real treat for wine enthusiasts makes this one day tour to Mendoza a perfect addition to your time in Buenos Aires.

Marvel At Iguazu Falls

Why Visit Iguazu Falls

A very doable day trip from Buenos Aires. A short flight connects you to this UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can witness the awe-inspiring power of one of the world’s largest waterfall systems. With its lush rainforest setting and breathtaking views from the walkways, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides a dramatic contrast to the city life of Buenos Aires.

Things to Do In Iguzau

Explore Iguazu National Park: Wander through the lush, subtropical rainforest of the park and discover stunning viewpoints of the cascading falls.

Boat Ride to the Falls: For an exhilarating adventure, hop on a boat tour that takes you right up to the base of the falls. Prepare to get drenched as you feel the immense power of the cascading waters.

Walk the Trails: Choose between the Upper and Lower Circuit trails to enjoy panoramic views from different vantage points. Each path provides unique perspectives of this natural wonder, perfect for photography.

A visit to Iguazu Falls is an unforgettable experience, offering the perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure. Whether you’re marvelling at the dramatic drops or soaking in the surrounding rainforest, this trip is guaranteed to leave you in awe.

Travel Time: Flight time is typically two hours.

Best Tour Option

The Buenos Aires Iguazu Falls Day Trip with Flight & Boat Ride: This tour offers unmatched convenience with round-trip flights included, making it easy to travel from Buenos Aires to the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

The tour highlight of the trip is a boat ride, giving you an up-close experience of the waterfalls’ raw energy as you feel the spray and hear the thunderous roar of the cascading water.

This tour is an exceptional way to explore Iguazu Falls if you are limited on time. It combines convenience, excitement, and the chance to witness one of the planet’s greatest marvels.

So To Wrap Up On The Best Day Trips From Buenos Aires…

These day trips will undoubtedly enrich your Argentinian adventure. From historical charm and gaucho culture to natural beauty and world-class wine, these destinations provide diverse experiences. Which trip will you take first?

For more great information on visiting Buenos Aires, read the Best Things To Do In Buenos Aries blog post.