Things to do in Bariloche Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche is a beautiful city in the province of Río Negro in the Argentine Patagonia, thanks to its historic centre as well as the places that surround it. It lies within the Nahuel Huapi Park and is bordered to the north by the lake of the same name, providing visitors with breathtaking views in a place that perfectly combines the urban with the most stunning nature. Get to know all the attractions of Bariloche and its surroundings and fall in love with the magic of the Patagonia.

Places you can’t miss in Bariloche, Argentina

1. Centre of Bariloche

Although it is best known as a base for touring all the stunning and almost endless wilderness that surrounds it, the Argentinean city of San Carlos de Bariloche is in itself well worth a visit. If there’s one thing that all travellers to Bariloche agree on, it’s that it is a lively city with a fun atmosphere, bustling streets, chocolate shops and great nightlife.

A visit to Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi is a must on your walk through the centre of Bariloche. A beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral church in a park that is in bloom in spring and summer and snowy in winter. Another must-see in the city is the iconic square where the City Hall of San Carlos de Bariloche is located. In addition to this building, the square is also home to the Civic Centre and the Sarmiento Library. Finally, we recommend going to the waterfront to see the impressive views of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and end the tour on a high.

2. Circuito Chico

The Circuito Chico (Small Circuit) is a 65-kilometre circular route full of Bariloche’s top attractions. One of the most popular activities is to rent a bike at one of the points along the way and pedal through the vastness of Patagonia. But if cycling isn’t your thing, don’t worry, it’s not the only option; it’s also possible to explore by car and with a package tour.

The main stops to make on your excursion to the Circuito Chico are the Llao Llao Municipal Park, San Eduardo Chapel, Lago Escondido, Lago Moreno and its viewpoint, Colonia Suiza and Cerro Campanario.

3. Cerro Campanario

Cerro Campanario is often the first stop on the Circuito Chico. It can be climbed either on foot or by chairlift. Either way, we recommend climbing to the top, as it has one of the most beautiful and breathtaking views of Bariloche. There you will find endless snow-capped mountains that seem to float on the water due to the huge number of lakes at their feet.

Chairlift timetable and fares:

Monday – Sunday:  09:00 to 17:30

Adults: 900$ ARP (€7.83)

Children (5 to 12 years): 450$ ARP (€3.92) (accompanied by their parents) 

4. Lake Moreno

Another essential stop on the Circuito Chico is Lake Moreno. With its views of the mountains it is one of the most beautiful lakes in Bariloche, Argentina. It has a surface area of 1640 hectares and its glacial water is open for fishing and swimming. On its two shores are the villages of Villa Llao Llao and Colonia Suiza, both worth visiting. However, we especially recommend visiting Colonia Suiza, where the alpine architecture of the first settlers who came to this part of the lake remains.

5. Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest

The Arrayanes Forest is located on the Victoria Island, accessible through the Nahuel Huapi Lake with a tourist package. The myrtle is a tree species native to the area and characteristic for the intense orange colour of its bark. The tours that take you here include a beautiful walk that immerses you within this fantastic forest. The boats leave from Puerto Pañuelo.

6. The Seven Lakes Road

The Seven Lakes Road is a 107-kilometre route linking the towns of San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura. It passes seven impressive lakes that are the result of the last glaciation over 12,000 years ago. The route passes by the lakes Lácar, Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Lago Escondido, Correntoso and Espejo and crosses the national parks of Lanín and Nahuel Huapi. All of them have immense beauty.

The tour is available all year round, but it is best to check with the tourist office in case of weather restrictions. It lasts approximately 4 hours including stops. The price of the guided tour is approximately €45.

7. Cerro Tronador

This mountain, the highest in the area at 3400 metres high, is a volcano that has been dormant for over a million years. Its name comes from the powerful roars that are produced when the ice rubbles break off over the glaciers. In addition to the beauty of the volcano, at its summit you can see the enormous Ventisquero Negro glacier and, very close to it, the Los Alerces waterfall, two highly recommended stops.

8. Cerro Catedral

This is the largest ski resort in Bariloche. As with Cerro Campanario, it can be climbed either on foot or by chairlift. This place is especially recommended in winter, as it is perfect for skiing and other sports. In summer, hiking routes are available.

Daily rate of the ski resort in high season:

Adults: $5.900 (€51.04)

Minors and Seniors: $4.900 (€42.39)

Infants: $3.400 (€33.74)

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Bariloche, Argentina?

San Martín de los Andes

If you are on the Seven Lakes Route, San Martin de los Andes is a very good option to spend the night and be able to travel the road in peace and quiet. This city is especially known for being the entrance to the Lanín National Park and for being on the shores of Lake Lácar. This quiet town is perfect for spending a day or two in summer and swimming at Playa Bonita and La Islita, as well as hiking trails and visiting the Lanín volcano. Also, in winter, when snow covers the whole city, it becomes an ideal place to practice winter sports thanks to Chapelco Hill, its ski resort.

What to see in Bariloche, Argentina in 3 days?

Day 1: Circuito Chico

• Go up to Cerro Campanario
• Lake Moreno
• Colonia Suiza

Day 2:

• Visit the centre of Bariloche, Argentina
• Climb the Cerro Tronador

Day 3:

• Villa la Angostura
• Los Arrayanes Natural Park

What to see in Bariloche, Argentina in 5 days?

Once you have seen the essentials, we recommend heading to San Martín de los Andes.

Day 4:

• Visit San Martín de los Andes

Day 5:

• Go back to Bariloche to do the Seven Lakes Route.

Where to eat in Bariloche, Argentina?

• Alto el Fuego: The best restaurant to try typical Argentinean meat dishes at an excellent value for money.
• Stag: A nice rustic-style restaurant with huge windows overlooking Lake Nahuel Huapi and Mediterranean and Argentinean cuisine. Price range: €3 – €12.
• La Salamandra Pulpería: A delicious Argentinean restaurant where you can try delicious meat dishes, empanas criollas, and, of course, octopus. Price range: €9 – €17.
• La Masia: One of the best restaurants in Bariloche. Italian, Mediterranean and Argentinian dishes at a price range of €26 – €34 and with the best views of the lake.

Where to stay in Bariloche, Argentina?

• Trip Bariloche Select Hostel: A comfortable and clean hostel with private bathrooms, buffet breakfast included and shared kitchen. It is located in the heart of the city centre. Approximate price per night in high season: €50.
• Hotel Cottbus: A three star hotel 500 metres from the Civic Centre. It has a lobby with plasma TV, computers for common use, a room with board games and buffet breakfast included. Approximate price per night in high season: €80.
• Hotel Tres Reyes: A beautifully decorated three star hotel located 200 metres from the Civic Centre. Rooms have lake or garden views, safe, private bathroom and plasma TV. This hotel has a bar, pool table and buffet breakfast included. Approximate price per night in high season: €110.
• NH Bariloche Edelweiss: A 4-star hotel with spacious and bright designer rooms overlooking Lake Nahuel Huapi and the snow-capped mountains. It offers a varied buffet breakfast, spa, gym and an indoor pool with stunning lake views for a supplement. Approximate price per night in high season: €150.

Tips for your trip to Bariloche, Argentina

• Have your money changed into Argentinean pesos beforehand. Currency exchanges at airports are very expensive.
• Always carry cash. Not all shops accept credit cards.
• Have the address of the place where you are staying written down, they will ask you for it at the airport.
• Take sports clothes and shoes if you’re going on any of the suggested trekking routes, as well as water and something to eat.
• Travel in the low season (July and August) if you want to get cheaper prices.
• Travel in January, February and December for better temperatures.
• Take out insurance before you travel to Argentina, as private health care costs are very high.
• Plugs in Argentina have three pins, so you’ll need an adaptor to use electrical appliances.

How to organise your trip to Bariloche, Argentina?

Sign up or download the app to discover all of its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Bariloche