The 20 Best Places to Live in Argentina
Argentina is the second largest country in South America behind Brazil. Whether you already live in Argentina and are thinking about settling down in a different town or if you are an expat, there are several reasons to settle in one of the best places to live in Argentina. The landscapes are amazing. There are mountains, deserts, valleys, beaches, rivers, lakes and jungles. The weather is temperate in most of the country with warm summers and mild winters. The country’s cities are filled with historic sites and cultural opportunities. There are universities, art, literature, theater and science. The people are friendly and the food is fantastic. Traditional Argentine dishes and European dishes can be found throughout the country as well as fresh seafood and good meat. Argentina is also home to many vineyards including Mendoza, Malbec and Torrontes. There are relaxing spas, beaches and nature preserves as well as cities with active commerce, shopping, dining and nightlife.
Here are the 20 best places to live in Argentina.
20. Puerto Pirámides
This town may be a bit too small for some to want to live, but Puerto Pirámides is an interesting coastal town in Argentina along the Golfo Nuevo especially if you admire marine life. The population of the town is just 565. Visitors come between June and December to watch whales give birth. Interestingly, the whales prefer this bay to give birth but don’t live there. You can also witness penguins, elephant seals, fox and guanacos in their natural habitat. The area was settled by the Spanish in the late nineteenth century. In 1974, Puerto Pirámides was established as a nature reserve. Today there are 6 hotels, 15 lodges and 2 campgrounds. There are apartments and houses and also a variety of restaurants and bars.
19. Pinamar
If you are looking for a relatively small coastal town to live in Argentina, Pinamar is just that. It is one of several coastal towns in the province of Buenos Ares. It is located 250 miles south of Buenos Ares. The population is 45,000. The town is quiet during the winter months before tourists come to the beaches during the summer months. Not typical of Argentine coastal towns, Pinamar is a planned city. Strict building codes protect the sand dunes and forestry of the town. During the summer months, “La Frontera” (The Border) is a local night club that is fun to visit.
18. San Clemente Del Tuyú
San Clemente Del Tuyú is a nice quiet place to live in Argentina and also attracts tourists. It is a small seaside town in the Bueneo Aires province. The population is just 12,000. The area was discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1500’s. The town was named by the Spanish Jesuit, José Cardiel in the 1700’s. During the 1800’s its water front was important for shipping and it held a large sheep ranch. The opportunity of prospecting during the 1920’s brought a wealthy middle class to settle in the city. Today the city is home to Termas Marinas’ thermal baths. Mudo Marino is an aquarium where you can learn about dolphins and whales. Fishing boats can be chartered. There are several hotels and an adventure park in the city.
17. Villa Crespo
Villa Crespo is one of several popular coastal towns in Buenos Aires Province. The city established itself as a Jewish community with a manufacturing base of clothing and leather. The clothing commercial center is located at the intersection of Scalabrini Ortiz and Corrientes Avenues. Leather goods stores are found on Murillo Street. Villa Crespo is mostly residential. Most homes are in the conventeillo style. There is no real night life in Villa Crespo but nearby Palermo provides that.
16. Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the southernmost city of Argentina and calls itself the southernmost city of the world. It is just 600 miles from Antarctica. Ushuai is nestled between the Martial Mountain Range and Beagle Channel which runs between Ushuaia and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. The city is an industrial port as well as a tourist hub. Missionaries arrived to teach natives. Later gold prospectors would come to the tip of Argentina but failed to find gold. Following a series of epidemics including Measles and Typhus that killed much of the population, a prison was established in Ushuaia. The prison closed in 1947 and is now a museum. In 1982 the city served as a military base for the Falkland Islands War. Ushuaia is a great place to view birds, penguins, seals and orcas. The city offers bus and boat tours. Popular sports in Ushuaia include ice hockey, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and sledding.
15. Villa Gesell
Villa Gesell is one of several coastal towns in Beunos Aires Province. The town was established in 1931 with the intention of turning the sand dunes into a timber plantation. However, the town attracted European immigrants, particularly Italian and Spanish, during World War II. Villa Geseu became a tourist resort. The first European immigrants built hotels and themed restaurants. Over the next decade, Villa Geseu expanded along the coastline. Today it is home to 37,700. The area is known for its beaches and sand dunes and the nearby forest. Querandà Lighthouse is the second largest along the Argentine coast. Residents and visitors enjoy Villa Geseu’s golf courses and craft market. El Viejo Hobbit is a popular spot to enjoy beer and fondue. During the busier summer months the nightclubs in the town are popular.
14. Rosario
Rosario is located in central Argentina and in the province of Santa Fe. A large city, its population is 1.7 million. It lays on the western bank of the Paraná River. The area was a colonial settlement that suffered greatly from the War of Independence. It served as a trade center but came under rule of a military dictatorship. Finally in 1983, Rosario’s government became democratic. The city is a major railroad and shipping hub exporting wheat, flour, hay, vegetable oil, linseed, sugar, corn, wool, hides and lumber. There is a strong cultural presence in Rosario. The architecture reflects Neo Classical, art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The city is home to music, poetry, literature and painting. The Fundación Italia is a cultural institute established in 1985). The city has a racecourse track and hosts football clubs. There is an open market antique fair. Parque Alem is a large park enjoyed by residents.
13. Camarones
If you are looking for a quiet, sleepy, friendly town to live in, Camarones is for you. This quaint village is located on the southeast coast of Argentina. Its 2000 residents enjoy the quiet and safety of this small coastal village. The town is adorned with colorful tin room homes and pastries including El Buen Amanecer Bakery, Roma and Rael y Lemuel Bakery. The main commerce of Camarones comes from algae farming and salmon fishing. In fact every February since 1981, the Fiesta Nacional del Salmón Fishing Event takes place. Camarones always has a quiet, relaxed and friendly pace.
12. Salta
Salta is a cultural and economic city located in northwest Argentina. The city was settled by Spanish explorers in the late 1500’s. It became a military strategic point in the Argentine War of Independence. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Salta attracted Italian, Spanish and Arab immigrants. The city’s architecture is influenced by its Spanish heritage. The Ninth of July Square is surrounded by buildings including the Cathedral Shrine, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of High Mountain Archeology which contains Incan exhibits. Salta hosts a Cultural Festival during the month of April featuring performances, crafts and other interesting exhibits. Balcarce Street is where the action happens in Salta with restaurants, pubs and concert performances.
11. San Juan
San Juan is the capital of San Juan Province. It is located in the Cuyu Region in the Tulúm Valley on the western banks of the San Juan River. The city was devastated by an earthquake in 1944 and had to be entirely rebuilt. As a more modern Argentine city, the layout features concentric boulevards and tree lined avenues. The streets and sidewalks are wide. The city also has two popular pedestrian streets, Peatonal Tucumán and Rivadavie. The architecture is modern and reflective of Mediterranean style. San Juan has a modern infrastructure and transportation, modern buildings and canals. The 25 May Park is a popular green space. It is named for the May Revolution of 1810 and features a lake with an island and a children’s play area. San Juan is known for its relaxing spas and its vineyards which grow fine grapes in the fertile valley nestled between rocky mountains and in the mild winters.
10. Mar de las Pampas
Mar de las Pampas is a quiet coastal town located along the Argintina Sea in the province of Buenes Ares. It’s temperate climate and wide sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the breeze. Mar de las Pampas is often called “the city without haste”. When not relaxing at the beach, you can enjoy outdoor sports including water sports, sand boarding, hiking, cycling and horseback riding through the rich vegetation including pine trees, eucalyptus, cypress trees and acacias. The town is quaint with restaurants, cafes and markets. Mujica Aimacén Criolla is famous among locals for its menu of traditional Argentinian and regional dishes.
9. Santa Fe
Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz is the capital of the Santa Fe province located in northeastern Argentina at the junction of the Salada and Peraná Rivers. The Port of Colastiné is connected to the rivers by a canal. Santa Fe was settled in the mid 1500’s and became the provincial capital in 1814. It was a commercial and transportation center with its rich agriculture including harvests of grains, vegetable oil and meat. In 1924 a suspension bridge was built over the rivers. Hunting, fishing and water sports are popular along the riverfront. While still a commercial and shipping hub, Santa Fe hosts cultural and music events, has a zoo and an observatory, monuments, museums and parks. There are riverside bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Old grain silos were converted into Los Silos Hotel and Casino in 2008, and around that time San Martin Street was turned into a pedestrian street.
8. Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is a coastal Argentinian town that stretches 130 square miles but has a population of just 94,000. The town is protected by the Gulfo Nuevo. A small airport is located in Puerto Madryn that flies into a larger airport to protect Puerto Madryn’s environment. The town is a wonderful place to whale watch. You can walk among Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo. Those brave enough can snorkel with sea lions off the coast. Puerto Madryn has a shopping mall and some good restaurants. A must for foodies is Nautico Bistro de Mar that serves large portions off a menu that offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes including octopus and calamari.
7. Colegiales
Colegiales is a small, quiet neighborhood in Buenos Ares. It is less than a square mile and is surrounded by hills, rivers and the forest. The area was used as a Jesuit retreat until the late 1760’s. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s it attracted European immigrants. One of Buenos Aires’ smaller districts, Colegiales is mostly residential. The town has several small green plazas including Mafalda Plaza which features whimsical art work by local cartoonist Joaquin Lavedo. The town features a narrow pedestrian promenade, The Pasaje General Paz, and cafes. Colegiales hosts a flea market and each September hosts “Neighborhood Day”. It’s a great place for young families.
6. Bariloche
If you love the outdoors, Barlloche is the place for you. The town is located in the western foothills of the Andes Mountains along the Nahuel Huapi Lake and National Park. During the winter season, the area is great for skiing. During the summer season, the area around the lake district is perfect for kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. The city was once a center for cattle trade with Chile. During the 1930’s and 1940’s it developed as a town and attracted tourism. Barlloche is a quiet and peaceful town. It’s name means “people from behind the mountain”. It is also the home of the Andean Club Barlloche ski champs.
5. San Telmo
San Telmo is one of the oldest areas of Buenos Aires. It is small, just a half square mile. It is filled with old world European charm including cobbled streets, colonial architecture and old churches. During the 17th century, the area was home to dockworker and wool and leather industry. During the 20th century the area became home to immigrants and retains its multicultural charm. Today the area is home to restaurants, antique shops, tango parlors and art galleries. The San Telmo Market and Sunday feria attract residents and tourists.
4. Palermo
Palermo is another section of Buenos Ares that is a wonderful place to live in Argentina. Located in the northern region of Buenos Aires, the suburb encompasses 6.1 square miles and has a population of 250,000. The town is named for the Franciscan Abbey Saint Benedict of Palermo. During the 19th and 20th century the area saw a lot of growth. It is filed with pretty tree lined streets and trendy restaurants and cafes. Palermo is divided into neighborhoods. Norte is the shopping and transportation hub. There is a neighborhood with a zoo and museums. Las Canitas y La Imprenta was once home to tenements but now offices, restaurants and cafes. Palermo Viejo is the oldest neighborhood with beautiful architecture and is multicultural. Soho has a hipster, street culture. Hollywood has television and radio stations, cafes and nightclubs. Pacifico is Palermo’s commercial area.
3. Córdoba
Córdoba is a very large city located 435 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. It’s also a very nice place to live. If you’re looking for a vibrant youthful city, Córdoba is the place for you. There are six universities in the city, and it’s home to several football clubs. Historical buildings include the “Jesuit Block”, a group of 17 buildings from the city’s Jesuit missionary history. There are several shopping malls including the largest Patio Olmos. There are several parks including the Sarmiento Park as well as nature preserves and surrounding hills, forests and rivers to explore. Museums include the Evita Péron Museum of Fine Arts. The cultural activities and nightlife are abundant. Many living areas have been updated. This includes warehouses on the west side that have been converted to trendy offices, shops and living spaces.
2. Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is a large coastal city located in Buenos Aires province. The population is around 600,000 and the city hosts many tourists. The city was developed in the early 1900’s as a seaside resort. It’s filled with charming European and Art Deco architecture and Chalets. The city has casinos, bingo halls, movie theaters, restaurants and near by golf courses. The nightlife is active. There are also several newer breweries that offer craft beers. The city hosts the Mar del Plata International Film Festival each November and the World Food Fair each July. When not enjoying the active city life, residents and tourists enjoy the beautiful beaches along the southern Atlantic Ocean.
1. Mendoza
The best place to live in Argentina is Mendoza. It’s a large city that has a lot to do and see. It’s also a great access to the Andes Mountains which provides a lot of outdoor opportunities. Mendoza is located in western Argentina. The city is filled with activities to keep you busy, and despite its size, it’s actually quite quaint. There are several plazas and tree lined avenues to stroll through. There is also a large park, General San Martin Park, with a beautiful lake. There are several universities, museums and theater. The city hosts two football clubs. There are many shopping and dining options. Each March the city hosts The National Grape Harvest Festival. There is easy access to Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the western hemisphere. So there are many opportunities for skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding and rafting. Malbec Wines is a large vineyard that demonstrates high altitude growing at 5,000 feet above sea level. You won’t ever be bored living in Mendoza.