10 Top Things To Do in Bariloche, Argentina

We spent two weeks in Bariloche during the month of May. It was too early for ski season, but perfect for hiking. Some say this is the best time to visit Bariloche. During our stay in the charming lakeside town, we found plenty of fun Things To Do in Bariloche!

 

About Bariloche, Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina is located in the Lakes District and surrounded by Nahuel Huapi National Park. The Rio Negro province of Patagonia boasts stunning nature and gorgeous sights that will satisfy an array of interests. If you love the outdoors, this area just might be your jam!

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10 Best Things To Do in Bariloche, Argentina

Whether you have one day in Bariloche or an entire week, you can use our travel tips to plan your vacation. So let’s get straight into the prime Bariloche Things To Do!

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Bariloche Visitors Guide to plan your trip to Argentina!

 

#1 Cerro Campanario

Going to the top of Cerro Campanario should be at the top of every Bariloche Things To Do list. The mountain peak sits at 3,442 feet and can be accessed via a chairlift or by hiking up a short trail. Either way you choose, at the summit of Cerro Campanario are several platforms that offer 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and across the lakes of Patagonia.

{Learn more about Hiking Cerro Campanario}

 

#2 Playa Bonita

Playa Bonita – or Beautiful Beach – is just a short bus ride west of the Bariloche city center. The pebbly beach is on the southern shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi (the main Bariloche lake) – and is one of the top places to visit in Bariloche during the summer. As we were there in the autumn when the weather was brisk, we had the beach to ourselves to enjoy the stunning scenery!

 

#3 Colonia Suiza

Colonia Suiza is a small village that was settled in the year 1895 by families from Switzerland and Germany…and some of the original families still occupy the land. Visiting Colonia Suiza is one of the fun things to do in Bariloche to experience the unique culture and cuisine. The village hosts a craft fair, complete with a traditional feast cooked underground, twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays – so make sure to add it to your Bariloche Itinerary!

{Read more about our Day Trip to Colonia Suiza}

 

#4 Llao Llao Park 

Llao Llao Park is the place to go for hiking in Bariloche. The area has three main trails that lead to seven amazing viewpoints, which resulted in some of our best Bariloche photos! The Bariloche hiking trails at Llao Llao Park ranged from easy to moderate. Plan your own time on the trails at Llao Llao – or if you are a novice hiker, consider joining a guide to lead you on a Bariloche, Argentina hiking trip at Llao LLao Park. 

{Plan your day of Hiking Llao Llao Park}

 

#5 Cerro Catedral

Skiing in Bariloche is a popular wintertime activity and a main force in tourism in Argentina. Cerro Catedral is the most popular Bariloche ski resort. Although our visit was in the fall, we ventured to Cerro Catedral to see the village and surrounding mountains. Only one gondola and a few restaurants were open, but the views of the Bariloche mountains were stunning.

Top Tip: The popular 8-hour Refugio Frey hike begins at Cerro Catedral.

 

#6 Catedral de San Carlos de Bariloche

Near the center of the city is the hard-to-miss Cathedral. The church sits close to the shoreline of the lake on a slight hill and the tall steeple rises into the sky. The cathedral is dedicated to the Patron Saint of the city, Our Lady of Nahuel Huapi, and features a rustic, natural interior. Visiting the church should be a part of any Bariloche trip.

 

#7 Patagonia Museum 

The Patagonia Museum is one of the few Bariloche tourist attractions that isn’t outdoors, which makes a visit to the museum an ideal option of what to do in Bariloche when it rains. Located in the heart of the city next to the Centro Civico building, the Patagonia Museum features both the natural history of the region and South America, as well as the cultural history.

 

#8 Gruta Virgin de las Nieves

Visiting the Gruta Virgin de las Nieves might not make many Bariloche to-do lists, but we were glad we made the stop on the way from Cerro Catedral back to Bariloche. The small cave is dedicated the Virgin of the Snow. A staircase leads to a statue of the Virgin Mary where hundreds of plaques have been bolted to the rocks giving thanks for answered prayers.

 

#9 City Tour of Bariloche

One of the best things to do in Bariloche, Argentina is sightseeing. Set out on foot and tour Bariloche on a walk around town. While there are many interesting Bariloche attractions, these are the ones not to miss.

• Bariloche Steeple in the Water: An exact replica of the Bariloche Cathedral steeple sits in the water, just off shore from the actual church. 
• Chemamules: Carved wooden statues stand on the banks of Lago Nahuel Huapi…all facing the same direction. 
• Chocolate in Bariloche: Chocolate shops are everywhere! Many of the stores selling chocolate are found along Mitre – but smaller shops are located on the side streets as well.

 

#10 Bariloche Craft Beer

We had no idea that the area was home to so many small craft breweries, but sampling these brews became one of our favorite Bariloche things to do. Most Bariloche craft beer, called cerveza artesanal, is produced on a small scale using fresh, natural and local ingredients (most importantly the mountain water) and is available in the brewpub from which it’s named. We made an “Ale Trail” around Bariloche over the course of our stay to sample the great variety of beers. Although we preferred visiting during happy hour, these fun little bars would be a great way to experience Bariloche nightlife, too!

{Read more about our Favorite Bariloche Craft Beers}

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Bariloche, Argentina Map

Use this link to Google Maps to find all of our recommended thing to do in Bariloche!

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Tips For Your Trip to Bariloche, Argentina

Before you travel to Bariloche, we have a few more tips for your trip to Argentina! 

 

Getting to Bariloche

Bariloche can be reached by plane, bus, boat or car. The Bariloche Airport (also called the San Carlos de Bariloche Airport or the Teniente Luis Candelaria Airport: BRC) is the main international airport that services the Patagonia Lakes Region. We flew in from Buenos Aires (AEP) to Bariloche and you can search for the best deals on airline tickets on Skyscanner. 

How to get to Bariloche from the airport? Take a taxi or book a shared transfer ahead of time. The main bus station (Terminal de Omnibus Bariloche) is inconveniently located 3.5km east of town (Map)

A scenic tourist boat can be used to travel between Bariloche and Puerto Varas. While the scenery is spectacular and considered one of the top things to do in Bariloche, it is an expensive way to travel between Argentina and Chile.

Budget Tip: Take the bus to Puerto Varas, Chile and enjoy the incredible ride through the mountains!

 

Where To Stay in Bariloche

During our visit to Bariloche, we stayed in an Airbnb Apartment. We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – with the added benefit of a kitchen and more space. Bariloche holiday apartments can also be found on Booking.

For those who prefer staying in traditional accommodations, there are many San Carlos Bariloche Hotels to choose from. Start your search to see if there are rooms available in the city center at the highly-rated Hotel Tres Reyes or Design Suites Bariloche. 

If you don’t want to stay in the center of Bariloche, check out the prestigious Llao Llao Resort. Originally built in 1938, the Llao Llao Hotel burnt to the ground within a year, but was rebuilt and reopened in 1940. Then, it was practically left to squatters in the late 70s.

It wasn’t until the mid-90s that it finally became the highly awarded property it is today. The pristine golf course, crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountain peaks certainly aid in making the Llao-Llao Hotel a remarkable place to stay near Bariloche.

 

Bariloche Tips and Tours

Like many Argentina tourist attractions, most activities are outdoors – and there are many organized tours to choose from so you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful nature. 

• If you plan on trekking in Bariloche, there are a range of hiking tours you can join. The day trips for trekking Bariloche navigate into some of the most scenic parts of the region.
• If you are heading to Bariloche in winter and it’s a Bariloche ski vacation you are looking for, there are multi-day ski packages that include skiing and accommodations. Beginner skiers can start the trip with a ski lesson. 
• If you are interested in typical Bariloche food, regional cuisine and horseback riding, consider this tour that combines them all! 

 

Bariloche, Argentina Weather

When you visit Bariloche, check the weather to make sure you pack appropriate clothing and gear. There are some things to do in Bariloche, Argentina during inclement weather, but our favorite activities were outdoors…so make sure you are prepared for all types of conditions.

 

What You Will Need For Your Trip to Bariloche 

• In addition to your hiking shoes, don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable travel shoes for your time off the trails. I (Sarah) have always packed these shoes by Columbia, Skechers and Reef. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk.
• We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Argentina! Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).
• Be sure to get (and stay) organized for your vacation to Argentina by using our Trip Planning Printables!
• Study a trusted guide book before arriving and bring a great day pack to organize and secure all your everyday essential travel items!
• If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to South America, it may help cover the costs of lost luggage, canceled flights or illness while away. Consider traveling protected with World Nomads.

 

Ready for your trip to Argentina? Great! Head over to our Travel Planning Page for additional advice and check out our complete and honest packing tips! For more detailed country-specific information and insider tips, go to our Travel Guides Page!

 

 

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