1 Week in Argentina - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Relaxed Family Tour in Argentina: Buenos Aires & Mendoza

A cowboy barbecue near Buenos Aires and a children's cooking class and olive oil tasting (as well as wine tastings for the adults!) in Mendoza make this relaxed itinerary an excellent option for families keen on culinary experiences. Outdoorsy families will also enjoy ziplining and tree climbing at Villavicencio Natural Reserve, followed by a soak in the hot springs at Hotel Termas de Cacheuta. 

Get to know Buenos Aires on a guided tour that includes the colorful La Boca neighborhood. Let the kids play cowboy for a day at Santa Susana. At this working ranch, you can ride horseback and attend a fiesta gaucha (cowboy party) complete with a barbecue, empanadas, and Argentine wine (for the parents). Take a cruise on the Río de la Plata to Tigre on Day 3—budding artists will enjoy a visit to Museo de Arte de Tigre, and the whole family can find snacks and souvenirs at the Puerto de Frutos market. Catch a flight east to Mendoza and take a walking tour of the city sites, including the green oasis, General San Martín Park.

Young chefs can prepare traditional foods (and take home their aprons) in a kids' cooking class at Santa Julia Winery while the adults sample wine. Then it's off to another winery for more wine (juice for the kids) and olive oil tasting before lunch at a bodega. On your last full day, spend a morning at Villavicencio Natural Reserve. Older kids can try the "zipline extreme," the longest descent in South America, while younger ones go tree climbing in the kid-friendly mini park area. Head to Hotel Termas de Cacheuta in the afternoon for a soak in the thermal hot springs before one last Argentine feast. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Fun in Argentina: Buenos Aires & the Valdés Peninsula

With whale and dolphin watching tours on the Valdés Peninsula and a visit to the largest Magellan penguin reserve in the world, this active trip plan is an excellent option for wildlife-loving families keen on experiencing Northern Patagonia. If you have children interested in dinosaurs, there's also an outing planned with family-fun activities at the Paleontological Egidio Feruglio Museum.

Tour the sites in Buenos Aires, including the historic buildings of San Telmo, and let the kids choose a restaurant in the popular Puerto Madero district. Visit the city's parks by bicycle, starting at Parque Tres de Febrero, then enjoy empanadas in Palermo Soho. Catch a flight on Day 3 to Trelew and continue to the Valdés Peninsula, a paradise for little animal lovers. First up is a whale watching hike at El Doradillo Beach, followed by a wildlife boat safari, then a visit to a sheep ranch where the kids will be delighted to meet the sheep as well as the largest Magellan penguin reserve in the world, located near the farmhouse.  

Take the dinosaur-adoring kids to check out the exhibits and the 150 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton at the Paleontological Egidio Feruglio Museum before boarding a Zodiac for a dolphin-watching excursion at Playa Union. Fly back to Buenos Aires and let the kids choose how to spend your final full day: immerse in engaging and educational activities at the Museo Participativo de Ciencias (Science Participation Museum) or do some souvenir shopping in the markets (Feria de Mataderos is a fun weekend market offering traditional handicrafts and food stalls) before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Argentina for Families: Buenos Aires, El Calafate & Iguazú Falls

Adding a third location, this highlights itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors and adventurous families interested in combining the cultural and historical tours of Buenos Aires with hiking in Patagonia and the experience of seeing Iguazú Falls from the Argentine and Brazilian sides. As this itinerary includes a few internal flights, it is best suited for families that are comfortable with a slightly faster pace and multiple transfers.   

Invite the kids to choose the focus for a two-hour Buenos Aires walking tour: architecture in the northern part of the city or green spaces and bohemian culture in the modern areas before your first Argentine barbecue dinner. Then dive deeper into the city's history and culture on a half-day driving tour, and challenge the kids to see who can collect the most fun facts from the guide (such as why the Presidential Palace is pink). Catch a flight to El Calafate in Southern Patagonia on Day 3 and embark on a nautical safari—the whole family will be impressed by massive glaciers and a hike through the Patagonian forest.

Say adios to the cool weather and glaciers, and head for the warm and tropical climate of Puerto Iguazú on Day 5, where the northeast of Argentina borders Paraguay and Brazil. Take your little bird-watchers on a tour of Iguazú National Park and see toucans and parrots before boarding a train to the Devil's Throat waterfalls, a fun place for a family picnic. On your final morning, grab your passports and take the kids to the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls; they'll enjoy the chance to hop over to another country and love the feeling of walking on water as they stroll across the boardwalk over the Salto Santa Maria. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Argentina Family Adventure: Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls

This highlights adventure offers another option for families interested in pairing Buenos Aires with Iguazú Falls (at a slightly slower pace, as you'll skip the trip to Patagonia). Engage your budding chefs and animal-loving kids with opportunities to participate in a cooking class with a local family in Buenos Aires, spot wildlife in Iguazú National Park, and visit Parque das Aves bird sanctuary in Brazil.

Immerse the kids in Argentine culture and cuisine on arrival with a cooking class and dinner at a local family home in Boedo. Then learn some history on a guided tour that includes the San Telmo and La Boca neighborhoods—artsy kids will enjoy the antique market (if you're visiting San Telmo on a Sunday) and the art and tango performances on Caminito Street. On Day 3, catch a flight to Puerto Iguazú, and surprise the kids with a trip to the Triple Frontier landmark, where they can visit three countries (Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay) at once. Or, if your crew is keen on wildlife, head for Güirá Oga, a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Visit the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls National Park. The rush of the falls and the panoramic views make this a memorable day for all ages and an excellent spot for family photos. Experience the Brazilian side of the falls with a walk through the subtropical rainforest (remind the kids to watch for wildlife) and a different view of Devil's Throat. Bring the birders to Parque das Aves bird sanctuary to see toucans and macaws before heading to Buenos Aires. Take in the city sites by bike, cruising by the Torre Monumental clock tower and through Recoleta, then freshen up for dinner and a tango show—a nice way to cap off your family holiday. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Exploration of Argentina: Cities, Mountains & Wildlife

With free time and the chance to choose activities suited to your children's ages and abilities, this family trip suits families with various interests. Families with young children may particularly appreciate the flexibility and optional activities, and kids of all ages can enjoy the unique experience of visiting the "End of the World" in Ushuaia. This itinerary also offers a balance of cultural activities, such as a tango show and a day at a ranch near Buenos Aires, outdoor adventures, and wildlife encounters, including a walk with penguins on Martillo Island.

Your first day in Buenos Aires is free to do as you wish, depending on energy levels and interests: have a family picnic at Parque Tres de Febrero, bring the little ones to the kid-friendly Museo de los Niños, or let your budding scientists explore the exhibits at the Science Participation Museum before tasting traditional cuisine at a parrilla (steakhouse). Learn Argentine history on a guided city tour (content can be tailored to your family's interests), then enjoy a tango show. On Day 3, take the kids to Santa Susana to experience a fiesta gaucha (cowboy party) that includes traditional cuisine, horseback riding, and dance performances.

Fly to Ushuaia the next day, a town at the "End of the World" on the southern tip of South America. Invite the kids to choose your first activity: hike up Martial Glacier, embark on a guided tour of Beagle Channel to search for penguins and sea lions, or sample fresh seafood. Then, board the End of the World Train for a tour of the rugged landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park; don't forget to stop by the famous post office where the kids can send postcards to friends from the end of the world. Cap off your Argentina adventure with a walk with penguins on Martillo Island—a highlight for the little ones. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Argentina Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Argentina? Check out these other one-week Argentina itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and family-friendly tours to hit the highlights.