Here are the eight best things to do in Bariloche, Argentina. Stay to the end to discover a lesser-known attraction that many tourists miss on their visit!
1. Visiting Nahuel Huapi National Park
Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina. It is on the region's largest lake, Nahuel Huapi, making it one of the most attractive spots in the area!
It also has many activities, including hiking, extreme sports, climbing and sailing.
Bariloche's weather tends to reach sub-zero temperatures throughout the year.
Yet, there are times when the sun comes out. And those moments are perfect for a good picnic on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
2. Visiting its beaches
The beaches of Bariloche are beautiful. They offer a spectacular view that contrasts with the beaches of other big cities, like Mar del Plata.
Even if some of its beaches are in the city, others are hiding in the deepest recesses of nature. Ideal for the more adventurous spirits!
Get ready to swim in their icy waters and immerse yourself in an epic adventure in one of these wonders of nature!
3. Enjoy the 7 Lakes Route
Many of Bariloche's lakes are next to roads surrounded by majestic natural scenery. You can travel 80 kilometers north to Villa La Angostura across the Route of the 7 Lakes. Explore 110 kilometers and take some incredible landscape pictures along the way.
Along the route, you will find seven lakes of different sizes and colors. Ideal for spending an afternoon with your family!
And other tourists with whom you can share a good time in one of the most emblematic places in Argentina!
4. Arrayanes National Park
One of the most beautiful places in Nahuel Huapi National Park is the Bosque de Arrayanes. The trees of this forest are typical of the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. Their beautiful, striking orange bark makes them a delight to behold.
It became a National Park in 1971 to avoid any possible damage or alteration. Today it's part of Nahuel Huapi National Park. Yet, it forms a single administrative and management unit with the latter.
If you plan to visit Nahuel Huapi National Park, you must go to this forest and hike through its peninsula!
The good thing about the Arrayanes Forest is that it is effortless to explore. Even those not in great physical shape can walk among its beautiful trees and enjoy the trip!
To visit Arrayanes National Park, you must cross Lake Nahuel Huapi from Puerto Pañuelo. If you prefer to make a land excursion, you can do it from Villa La Angostura once you have crossed the Route of the 7 Lakes.
5. Downtown Bariloche
Most people who visit Bariloche want to enjoy nature's wonders.
But what if I told you there is a city far away from nature where you can spend dozens of hours without getting bored?
Downtown Bariloche is the ideal place to stop and try the region's craft beer and its pastries. You can also ski and enjoy the beaches of the city!
For that reason, it is still one of Patagonia's most visited destinations and the country.
If you want to make the most of your stay in downtown Bariloche, I recommend you hire the services of a tour guide.
Prices in Argentina are much more affordable than in other countries. So you should have no problem finding a cheap tour package!
Even if that is not the case, I will always recommend hiring a tour guide to get the most out of your trip!
6. The Museum of Patagonia
The Museum of Patagonia is a natural sciences and anthropology museum. Inaugurated in 1940, it's in the civic center complex of the city of Bariloche.
The museum has different collections and thematic units developed in its various rooms.
It also has a collection of geology, fossil remains and prehistoric cultural elements. And show the aboriginal history of the region. That's why there is much to see in this fantastic place suitable for all audiences.
7. Colonia Suiza
Argentina and Chile are among the most popular destinations for European emigrants. And for people seeking to escape war, economic crisis, and unemployment.
But there is one place that has received thousands of immigrants during the last decades. And that place is the Swiss Colony (Colonia Suiza).
The Swiss Colony is one of the greatest places of Bariloche. It attracts locals and tourists due to its typical European architecture and combines nature with the essence of local customs. That's why it's a magical and irreplaceable place in the world.
It’s also one of the best places to try the Curanto, a typical Chilean dish made with seafood in a hole in the ground.
And it is home to a shocking celebration that most tourists miss every time they visit Bariloche. And that celebration is:
8. National Curanto Festival
The National Curanto Festival is a festival held in Colonia Suiza. So get ready to enjoy the typical dish of Colonia Suiza, along with all its attractions!
The ceremony consists of cooking food using the heat of stones placed in a well-dug ground.
To prepare this fantastic meal, the locals dig a hole in the ground 15 cm deep. Its surface may vary depending on the number of people participating in the party.
Then stones typical of the southern lagoons are heated red hot in a bonfire.
Finally, the locals place a mattress of nalca or maqui leaves on the rocks. And on top of them, the food they are about to prepare!
Some of these ingredients might be beef, lamb, pork, chicken, sausages, potatoes, apples. And they also include hollowed-out pumpkins stuffed with cheese, cream, and peas.
That's why the food at this festival is so incredible!
After choosing the ingredients, the residents cover them with leaves, and place wet linens so that the heat is not lost. Then they cover them with dirt, thus turning nature into a real pressure cooker!
When the cooking is ready, smoke begins to rise from the earth. That means it's time to uncover the curanto, and serve the food. This is how the Argentines prepare one of the best dishes from all Bariloche! A dish you definitely can't miss!
Which of the attractions in this list do you like the most? Let me know by leaving a comment.