What to See in Argentina: Cities to Explore on Foot

Argentina is a country shaped by enormous distances and dramatic contrasts, stretching across the far south of South America from subtropical conditions in the north to polar landscapes in the far south. To the west, the Andes form its border with Chile, while the Río de la Plata and the South Atlantic Ocean lie to the east. As the second-largest country in South America, its settings shift from rainforests and dry regions to temperate Pampas plains, cold subantarctic landscapes, and the towering peak of Aconcagua in Mendoza province—the highest point in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres. This vast range creates hundreds of ecosystems home to a wide variety of mammal, reptile, amphibian, and bird species, though much of the population lives in cities like the federal capital of Buenos Aires. As you plan your trip, you can explore the country with Neywo, which offers free audio guides for 6 cities in Argentina, covering 263 narrated places in total across 15 walking tours.

History and Culture

Argentina’s modern story begins with layers of change, starting with Indigenous populations who inhabited the region long before the Inca Empire expanded into the northwest. Spanish colonisation followed, and the area later became part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata before the May Revolution in Buenos Aires replaced the Spanish viceroy with the First Junta. Although independence was declared in 1816, the country endured years of war and civil conflict before being reorganised as a federation by the end of the century. Later, millions of European immigrants, particularly Italians and Spaniards, arrived to shape the population and culture, though democratic life was repeatedly interrupted by military coups, culminating in the Dirty War under the final military junta. Democracy was finally reestablished in 1813—or rather, in 1983 with the election of Raúl Alfonsín—marking a continuous effort to build democratic life after decades of migration and conflict.

Often described as a crisol de razas or crucible of races, Argentina’s culture is heavily influenced by its European arrivals. While Spanish is spoken by almost all Argentines, it features a distinctive twist: the country is the largest Spanish-speaking society to use vos rather than tú for “you,” complete with its own verb forms. Culturally, the nation is internationally known for tango, a Rioplatense musical genre carrying both European and African influences. Buenos Aires stands out as a major theatre city with a lively scene along Corrientes Avenue, known as the street that never sleeps. Sports also hold a cherished place, with pato—an old horseback game that began in the early 1600s—acting as the national sport, alongside the supreme popularity of football.

Food in Argentina reflects these diverse cultural roots, blending European pasta, sausages, and desserts with Indigenous and Criollo dishes. You can sample the simple everyday empanada, or try locro, a substantial dish combining corn, beans, meat, bacon, onion, and gourd. Humita is another Indigenous and Criollo creation that highlights how Argentine cuisine brings together ingredients and habits from varied histories rather than following a single culinary line.

Best Cities to Visit in Argentina

While the countryside boasts immense plains, mountains, coasts, forests, and southern wilderness, the urban centers offer deep dives into local heritage. Neywo’s Argentina travel guide helps you navigate these vibrant hubs, where you can discover distinct urban sights:

• Buenos Aires: The federal capital and largest city, featuring 159 narrated places on Neywo such as the historic Cabildo of Buenos Aires, the Buenos Aires Cathedral, the floating museum ship ARA Uruguay, and the Museo Carlos Gardel.
• Córdoba: Home to 39 narrated places, including the prominent Córdoba Cathedral, Argentina, the Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesus, the Basílica Santo Domingo, and the Córdoba Cabildo.
• Salta: A northern hub with 32 narrated places, featuring the Salta Cathedral as well as scenic high-altitude routes like Abra de la Cruz, Abra de Chaupiyaco, and Abra de Ingañan.
• Mendoza: Set against the Andean backdrop, this city features 14 narrated places, including the Museo del Pasado Cuyano, the Museo Argentino de Motos Antiguas “Luis Paludet”, the Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Antropológicas ‘Juan Cornelio Moyano’, and the Museum of the Foundation Area.
• Bariloche: Nestled in subantarctic landscapes with 9 narrated places, including the Francisco P. Moreno Museum of Patagonia, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Nahuel Huapi, Casa de Otto Mailing, and the Museo Paleontológico.
• Mar del Plata: A coastal destination offering 10 narrated places, among them the Mar del Plata Cathedral, the striking Bridge House, Villa Ortiz Basualdo, and the Museo Municipal de Ciencias Naturales Lorenzo Scaglia.

Explore Argentina with Neywo

To make the most of your journey, download Neywo and explore these destinations using our Argentina audio tours. The app features free audio guides across 6 cities, encompassing 263 narrated places and 15 walking tours. Each story plays automatically as you reach the place, allowing you to move entirely at your own pace with no group and no schedule to follow. Narration is available in 11 languages, ensuring you can uncover the stories of Argentina’s architecture, history, and landscapes comfortably in your preferred language.