Top 8 Places In Patagonia
Patagonia is an expansive region that covers the southern parts of Chile and Argentina. From the northern Pampas to Tierra del Fuego and the pre-Andean mountain peaks, Patagonia reveals natural wonders at every corner.
We were lucky enough to have spent 2 months exploring, but what if we had to choose between all these mountain lakes, glaciers, hikes and wildlife? Where would we choose to go? This is a hard choice we have been asked many times by other travellers along our journey.
So here it is, our top 8 places to visit in Patagonia. What would be yours?
8 places to not miss in Patagonia
Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate | Argentina
It is difficult not to include this wonder of nature in this list.
As cliché as it can be, Perito Moreno is one of our favourite places in Patagonia. For those who don’t know it, Perito Moreno is a humongous piece of freshwater ice coming from the Patagonian ice cap which regularly drops into a very scenic lake. The ice falls here are very impressive and happen every day right in front of the visitors.
But don’t worry, it’s also one of the few glaciers that do not regress but remain stable, despite global warming.
What we liked the most is all the ramps and decks that allow visitors to walk around and see the glacier from many different angles.
Location: Argentina
Closest city: El Calafate
Entrance fee: ARS 500 (€10)
Best season: November to March
How to get there? Local transportation, own car or hitchhiking
Fun things to do around: Kayak / Ice trek / Boat tour
RELATED: Perito Moreno Glacier, Facts, costs, directions and tips
King penguins of Useless Bay
Tierra del Fuego | Chile
Useless Bay is not the kind of place that everybody knows about. Not easy to access, this remote piece of land hosts a colony of King Penguins. It is the only residence for these birds outside of the sub-antarctic islands which are even more remote and expensive to reach. *
Useless Bay (also known as Bahia Inutil in Spanish) can be visited from the Chilean town of Punta Arenas after crossing the Strait of Magellan by ferry and a 2-hour drive on dusty and bumpy roads. If you are not able to rent a 4WD you can still join a day tour from Punta Arenas.
Location: Chile
Closest city: Punto Arenas
Entrance fee: CLP 12,000 (€16)
Best season: November to March
How to get there? Own/rental car
RELATED : The King Penguins of Tierra Del Fuego
Laguna Cerro Torre
El Chalten | Argentina
A couple of hours hike from its neighbour, the famous Mount Fitz Roy, the Cerro Torre is an impressive peak from where a glacier drops huge chunks of ice into a grey-ish lake. This mountain lake impressed us by its size and the many icebergs floating around.
We loved our time at Mount Fitz Roy too, but at Cerro Torre, there were fewer people. The laguna is a very scenic and peaceful place where we enjoyed spending time and taking photos.
Location: Argentina
Closest city: El Chalten
Entrance fee: Free
Best season: November to March
How to get there? Self-guided Hike or guided
Fun things to do around: River Kayak / Ice Trekking
RELATED: Hiking in El Chalten for free and without a guide
Grey Glacier
Torres del Paine National Park | Chile
Whether you decide to hike the “W” or the “O” treks of Torres del Paine National Park, the Grey glacier is a stop you won’t forget!
This glacier which is part of the Patagonia ice-cap finishes into its lake like a giant frozen tongue. At this point, you might experience the strong Patagonian winds but seeing this amazing glacier after a long hike is worth every steps and bit of sweat.
Location: Chile
Closest city: Puerto Natales
Entrance fee: CLP 11,000 to 21,000 (€14-€28) depending on the season
Best season: Open all year long
How to get there? Self-guided Hike or guided
RELATED: Hiking in Torres del Paine without a guide
The Marble Caves
Puerto Rio Tranquilo | Chile
Along the Carretera Austral, the lake General Carrera hosts caves made of marble in which the sun reflects the many different shades of blue from the water. Coupled with the yellow and white twisted marble, the caves and rock formations offer an incredible show to the visitors who dare to kayak or visit by boat.
The Marble Caves are a part of Patagonia that can’t be missed despite their remoteness and difficulty to access it. The effort is worth it!
Location: Chile
Closest city: Puerto Rio Tranquilo
Entrance fee: Free but must go with a tour
Best season: Octobre to April
How to get there? Boat or Kayak
RELATED: The Marble Caves of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Marvel of Patagonia
Palafitos of Castro
Chiloe Island | Chile
Along the seaside town of Castro, visitors can admire the colourful “Palafitos“. These traditional wooden houses are raised on stilts over the sea and have been painted by their owners in many different colours. An incredibly photogenic but uncommon prismatic alignment of houses that reflects onto the low tides waters.
Walk around town and notice that each Palafito has a different design and shape, custom made by the talented carpenters of the town over generations.
Location: Chile
Closest city: Castro
Entrance fee: Free
Best season: All year
How to get there? Walk
Fun things to do around: Look for Penguins
RELATED: What to do and see in Chiloe Island
Refugio Frey
Bariloche | Argentina
This mountain refuge is easily reachable via a 2 to 3-hour hike from Cerro Catedral, a ski resort located close to Bariloche. We loved the hike and the surroundings covered by the autumnal colours. At the top, it was freezing cold, and despite staying only 5 minutes at the lake, the hike to Refugio Frey in autumn was a highlight of our trip in Patagonia.
Location: Argentina
Closest city: Bariloche
Entrance fee: Free
Best season: Octobre to April
How to get there? Local bus and Hiking
Fun things to do around: Skying / Cable Car/ 7 lakes / Circuit Chico
RELATED: What to do in Bariloche for free or on a budget?
Peninsula Valdes
Puerto Madryn | Argentina
The Peninsula Valdes is a blessing for anyone that loves wildlife. Indeed, this stretch of land entering jutting out into the Pacific Ocean shelters Magellanic penguins, guanacos, armadillos and many more animals. The peninsula is mainly known to as a place to watch Southern Right Whales during the mating season in December-January and to spot the incredible Killer Whale behaviours from March.
In fact, Peninsula Valdes is one of the few places on earth where it is possible to see an Orca stranding on a beach to catch seal pups. A once in a lifetime experience if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time.
Location: Argentina
Closest city: Puerto Madryn
Entrance fee: ARS 420 (€9)
Best season: Octobre to April
How to get there? Own/rental car or guided tour
Fun things to do around: whale watching / Scuba diving or Snorkelling
RELATED: 5 one-day trips from Puerto Madryn
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