Bariloche, located in the Argentine province of Río Negro, is a tourist destination known for its impressive mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and its buildings with alpine references. Here are our suggestions on what to visit in Bariloche.
The City
Bariloche is a city located between forests, hills (some of them covered with snow all year round) and dreamlike lakes. It is a tourist city because it is framed by some of the most important natural beauties of the country and it is also one of the most populated Argentine cities in Patagonia.
As you can imagine, tourism is the main economic activity, it has important ski resorts and receives travelers from all over the world and locals, including students who choose it as their end-of-year destination. But not everything is tourism. Its economic activity is also developed in the export of livestock and fine fruit. It is also a great scientific and technological center and is home to the Bariloche Atomic Center.
Gastronomic offer
Lamb, trout and smoked products
Eating is a passion of the Argentineans and in our city you can find the most demanded regional products for those who share this hobby. Famous for their flavor and quality, they are the ideal complement for a trip full of emotions.
Chocolate shops
Bariloche is the national capital of chocolate, that’s why all visitors can visit our chocolate shops, where the product is made on sight, we even have a museum dedicated to this delicacy! You can’t miss it.
Bariloche is famous for its delicious chocolates. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the local chocolate shops, such as Mamuschka and Rapa Nui, and taste their exquisite products.
Craft breweries
Craft beer has been produced in Bariloche for almost 100 years. During the last year, more than a dozen new breweries have opened in addition to the traditional ones, forming a true “beer route”.
Tea houses
When it comes to tea, Bustillo Avenue is the place par excellence. There you will find several houses and restaurants that offer the ceremony of this infusion, accompanied with delicious scones, homemade breads or sweet cakes.
Nahuel Huapi Lake beaches
In summer, you can relax on the beaches of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Some popular beaches include Playa Bonita, Playa Serena and Villa Tacul.
Lake tours
Lake tours on Lake Nahuel Huapi offer a unique experience to explore the beauty of Bariloche and its surroundings. The lake is known for its crystal clear waters and scenic beauty, making it a popular destination for tourists.
You can hire a catamaran trip, which are boats specially designed to offer comfort and safety to passengers during the tour.
During the ride, there may be stops at different highlights of the lake, such as Victoria Island, Puerto Blest or the Bosque de Arrayanes.
Modesta Victoria
It is considered one of the oldest tourist boats in the region and has a rich history.
It was built in 1937 in the Dutch shipyard N.V. Verschure & Co, and launched on the lake on November 10, 1938. In 1939 it began to be operated by the Dirección de Parques Nacionales. Since 1969, it has been operated by the company Turisur.
It owes its name to an earlier vessel, “La Modesta de O’Connor”, which was commanded by Lieutenant Eduardo O’Connor, and became the first to enter the Nahuel Huapi from the Atlantic, through the Limay River.
Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Che Guevara, Dwight Eisenhower and the Sha of Persia have traveled on board.
Cerro Catedral
It is located about 19 kilometers southeast of the city of Bariloche. It is one of the largest ski resorts in South America and is easily accessible by car, cab or public transportation from the city.
Cerro Catedral is known mainly for its ski resort and has an altitude of 2,405 meters above sea level. It offers a wide variety of slopes for skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts. The ski area has modern facilities, lifts and services for visitors.
El Cerro is part of the Andes Mountains and offers an impressive mountain scenery. It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, valleys, lakes and forests, making it a beautiful natural environment. Don’t think it’s only worth visiting in winter. During the summer months, when there is no snow, Cerro Catedral attracts visitors with its incredible panoramic views and hiking opportunities.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding in the winter, in the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, fishing and other outdoor sports.
Finally, you can enjoy the restaurants, bars and stores at the base of the hill, as well as ski and snowboard equipment rental, ski and snowboard schools for beginners, guide and instructor services.
Cerro Otto
It is located about 5 kilometers west of downtown Bariloche. It is easily accessible and to reach the summit you can take a cable car from the base. The cable car provides a scenic ride and offers spectacular views as you ascend the mountain.
The hill, with an altitude of approximately 1,405 meters above sea level, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. In addition, at the summit of Cerro Otto, you will find a large rotunda with a revolving viewing platform known as the Revolving Hall. This platform rotates slowly, allowing visitors to appreciate different panoramic views while enjoying food and drinks at the restaurant located there.
You can explore nature trails (we visited in winter and were treated to postcard images as you can see in the photo) or enjoy a sleigh ride.
Cerro Campanario
You can get there very easily by car or public transportation. There are also excursion services that offer regular trips to the top of the hill. It is located about 17 kilometers west of the city of Bariloche.
With an altitude of approximately 1,049 meters above sea level, Cerro Campanario offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, as well as the surrounding hills.
To reach the top of Cerro Campanario, you must take a cable car from the base. The ride is short but scenic, and offers spectacular views as you ascend the mountain. At the summit of Cerro Campanario, there is a lookout and observation deck that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of lakes, mountains and forests, which are especially impressive during sunrise or sunset.
Trails and nature
In addition to the panoramic views, Cerro Campanario has nature trails that you can hike to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. The trails are well marked and allow you to explore the native vegetation and local wildlife while enjoying a peaceful and serene environment.
Cafeteria and gift store
At the top of the hill, there is a cafeteria and gift store where you can rest, enjoy a hot drink and buy souvenirs of your visit to Cerro Campanario.
Victoria Island
It is located at the southern end of Lake Nahuel Huapi, and to reach it, it is necessary to embark at Puerto Pañuelo, which is about 25 kilometers from Bariloche.
Victoria Island is known for its natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. It is covered with lush forests composed mainly of native trees such as coihues and cypresses. It also has a variety of native flora and fauna that you can explore through its trails.
Hiking and outdoor activities
The island offers a wide network of trails that allow you to explore its landscapes and enjoy nature. You can hike along well-marked trails, discover panoramic viewpoints and marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna that inhabit the island. There are also designated areas for picnicking and enjoying a day outdoors surrounded by nature.
Anchorena Port
On Victoria Island is the Anchorena Port, which is the arrival point for ships and a place where you can find services and amenities for visitors. Here you can find a tea house where you can enjoy a snack or a meal, as well as a souvenir store.
Myrtle Forest
One of the most outstanding attractions of Victoria Island is the Arrayanes Forest.This forest is famous for its myrtle trees, which are unique in the region.These trees have cinnamon-colored bark and offer a beautiful contrast to the intense green of the surrounding vegetation. The Bosque de Arrayanes is a protected nature reserve and can be visited via a special trail that allows you to walk among these centuries-old trees.
The Bosque de Arrayanes is located on the Quetrihué peninsula.This forest is truly unique in the world and is home to cinnamon-colored myrtle trees, creating a magical landscape.A classic walk of our Patagonian history, forests where Disney cartoonists were inspired for the backgrounds of the forest sequences in the animated movie Bambi.
Blest Port [Puerto Blest]
It is located at the northwest end of Lake Nahuel Huapi. To get there, you need to take a boat or ferry excursion from Puerto Pañuelo. The boat ride on the lake is an experience in itself, as it allows you to enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains and the crystal clear water.
Once you arrive at Puerto Blest, you find yourself immersed in lush nature. The place is surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls and rivers. There are trails to hike and explore, allowing you to take in the natural beauty of the region.
Los Cántaros cascade
One of the main attractions of Puerto Blest is the Cascada de los Cántaros, an impressive waterfall located about 5 kilometers from the port. To reach the waterfall, you can hike along a well-marked trail surrounded by unspoiled nature. The sound and sight of the waterfall are truly spectacular.
Centinela Island and the Cypress Chapel
In the vicinity of Puerto Blest is Centinela Island, where the Capilla de los Cipreses (Cypress Chapel) is located. This small chapel is known for being the final resting place of the famous Argentine explorer Francisco Pascasio Moreno, also known as Perito Moreno. The island and the chapel are interesting visits for those interested in the history and culture of the region.
Small Circuit
It is a scenic route that runs through the main natural attractions of the area.
It starts in the center of the city, bordering the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, passing by the Club Regatas, the San Pedro peninsula and Puerto Bueno, where you can enjoy a viewpoint.
Then you will reach Villa Llao Llao where you will find another viewpoint with exceptional views of the Llao Llao Llao Hotel and the Llao Llao Llao municipal park.
You can walk and visit the iconic San Eduardo Chapel. Very close to this place is Puerto Pañuelo, which we have mentioned several times in this article because it is the starting point for lake excursions.
Follow the route towards Lago Escondido, where you can visit the municipal park ranger’s house. Continue to Bahía López, where the rocky walls of the López and Capilla hills are imposing, and then arrive at another panoramic point that offers an excellent view of Lake Moreno and the Llao Llao peninsula. Continuing on, you can visit Colonia Suiza, where you can visit its farms and campsites, and enjoy a delicious tea.
On the way back, the circuit includes Campanario Hill.
Big Circuit
If you have more time, you can take the Circuito Grande, which starts and ends in the city of Bariloche, and covers approximately 240 kilometers in total.
It leaves Bariloche along National Route 237 and heads to the headwaters of the Limay River (bordering the provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén) at Lake Nahuel Huapi, until it reaches its confluence with the Traful River. There are intermediate stops in Villa Llanquin and the Limay River Amphitheater, as well as in the Enchanted Valley, where you can see strange figures outlined by the rock formations.
A few kilometers ahead you arrive at Confluencia and, from there, take Provincial Route 65, a gravel road. You travel along the valley of the Traful River, crossing some of its tributaries until you reach beautiful Lake Traful, where Villa Traful is located. There you can visit the main dock and tour its picturesque center.
The route continues along the coast of Lake Traful arriving at Puerto Arrayán, passing by the waterfall of the Catarata stream and finally to Paso Portezuelo, access portal to the Seven Lakes Road (RN 40).
The route continues south, passes by Correntoso and Espejo lakes, and finally arrives at Villa La Angostura. The city is famous for its gardens, but in our opinion it has an excellent gastronomic offer. The return is made taking advantage of its unique views of the Quetrihue peninsula, and returns to Bariloche by route 40.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT…
El Bolson
If you like peace and tranquility in a scenery where nature is imposing, we recomend to visit El Bolson. The bus ride from Bariloche to El Bolsón is approximately 2 hours.
Visit El Bolson
Bariloche is known for its stunning Patagonian mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and typical buildings. And it is a city that offers a wide range of outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, rafting and mountain hiking. And don’t miss trying the delicious local gastronomy, which includes traditional dishes such as Patagonian lamb and local trout.
All illustrations on this site are courtesy of Pictographic.
Créditos de la imagen:
• Capilla San Eduardo del autor Mariano Baraldi
Créditos de la imagen destacada:
• Bariloche del autor Jeff Warren está licenciada como CC BY 2.0, Flickr.com