If you’re dreaming of Argentina, this 1 Week Argentina Itinerary is a perfect way to experience the country’s highlights - combining the buzz of Buenos Aires with the peaceful beauty of Mendoza’s wine country.
We’ve been lucky enough to do this trip twice, first with friends and second as a couple, and both times it completely won us over.
This guide brings together the experiences we loved most - the kind of places we’d tell any friend not to miss.
From sipping Malbec with views of the Andes to tango dancing at a local milonga, here’s how to enjoy some of the best food, wine, and culture Argentina has to offer - all in just one week.
7 Day Argentina Itinerary
Days 1-4: Explore the expressive city of Buenos Aires. Day 5: Head to Mendoza, one of the top wine regions in the world. Day 6: Visit two wineries and enjoy a relaxed lunch among the vineyards. Day 7: Discover more wines or relax with your favourite bottle by the pool. |
1 Week Argentina Itinerary
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we have used or that we believe will add value to our readers. Thank you for supporting us!Days 1-4: Explore the expressive city of Buenos Aires
In Buenos Aires, you can catch a football match as electric as any Premier League game in England, stumble upon couples dancing Argentine tango in the streets, and eat and drink to your heart’s content.
The city has a distinctly European feel, with grand Belle Époque buildings, leafy boulevards, and cafes on every corner - but with a bohemian edge that’s all its own.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
The Coolest Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires to Explore
Each one of these neighbourhoods has its own special charm and is worth spending a whole day exploring:
✨ Recoleta
Chic and elegant, this neighbourhood is often called the Paris of Buenos Aires. It's a beautiful area with grand Belle Epoque buildings, leafy boulevards, boutique shops, cafes, rooftop bars, and some of the nicest hotels in the city.
See our list of 7 fun things to do in Recoleta.
💃 San Telmo
San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires and the birthplace of tango. In its cobblestone streets, you'll find street performers, milongas (tango dance halls), historic bars, street murals, antique shops, and a bustling market - especially lively on Sundays.
🌿 Palermo
If you're after great food, boutique shopping and a laidback bohemian feel, Palermo is the place. Check out both Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho for buzzing restaurants, design-focussed cafes, wine bars and boutique shops.
See our list of 9 cool things to do in Palermo.
The Top 5 Things You Should Do in Buenos Aires
💃 1. Immerse yourself in the tango culture - start with a lesson to learn the steps, then put your skills to the test at a local milonga, or sit back and enjoy a live tango show.
⚽ 2. Experience the thrill of a rivalry football match - where the energy of the crowd is as intense as the game itself.
🔥 3. Enjoy an asado at a traditional Argentine parrilla - a wood-fired BBQ feast.
👞 4. Shop timeless leather pieces - Argentina’s rich cattle tradition has made Buenos Aires one of the world’s best places for leather, offering exceptional quality at prices far lower than Europe or North America.
⭐️ 5. Discover Buenos Aires' culinary scene and Argentine specialties beyond asado, from classic bodegones to the best restaurants in Latin America.
🤠 Browse highly-rated guided tours in Buenos Aires through Viator.See our full list of 23 Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires.
Where to Eat in Buenos Aires
These were our favourite places we dined - for the food, drinks and atmosphere.
🥩 For Argentine steak: Don Julio
A neighbourhood parrilla currently ranked the 10th best restaurant in the world. If you can't get a reservation, try going at lunch when it first opens.
🍜 For one of the hottest tables in town: Niño Gordo
This Japanese-Argentine grill is one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants with its surreal Tokyo night market–inspired setting and Asian-fusion dishes.
🧑🍳 For fine dining: Aramburu
A creative 18-course tasting menu with two Michelin Stars. It was fantastic!
🧆 For share plates and a lively atmosphere: Mishiguene
This happening spot serves delicious Argentine-Israeli cuisine and was ranked the #29 best restaurant in Latin America in 2024.
🌀 For creative, globally inspired cuisine: Anafe
In Colegiales, one of the city’s burgeoning food neighbourhoods, Anafe serves fresh, inventive dishes in an industrial-chic space with a 90s energy.
🍝 For a classic bodegone: Los Dos Hermanos
A family-run spot that feels like stepping back in time. Try their milanesa sandwich (Argentina’s take on a schnitzel sub) or sorrentinos (oversized ravioli) for a true taste of Buenos Aires comfort food.
🥗 For vegetarian: Artemisia
Head to Artemisia when you’re in the mood for something fresh and healthy - their bright, airy space pairs perfectly with a menu of organic, vegetarian dishes.
☕️ For coffee and a pastry: Anchoíta Panadería
This hotspot bakery in Chacarita is known for its buttery pastries and coffee. Don’t miss the lomito with Gouda and Dijon.
🌿 For a buzzy neighbourhood lunch: Oli cafe
Even packed on weekdays, Oli is perfect for a fresh lunch with a local crowd.
🫖 For afternoon tea: L'Orangerie in the iconic Alvear Palace Hotel
Treat yourself to an elegant afternoon tea complete with delicate pastries, finger sandwiches, and fine teas served in a grand Belle Époque setting.
🌇 For rooftop drinks: Alvear Rooftop
Sip cocktails on the rooftop of the Alvear Palace Hotel - this upscale bar is perfect for people-watching and taking in sunset views over the Recoleta neighbourhood.
🍔 For a late-night bite: Perez-H
Be careful here, this late night burger joint has the option to dip your fresh off-the-grill sandwich into cheese sauce! The fries with cheese and pancetta are also deadly.
See our list of 10 exciting things to do in Buenos Aires at night.
Day 5: Head to the Uco Valley in Mendoza
The Uco Valley is one of Mendoza’s top regions for winemaking and one of our favourite areas to explore.
Mendoza itself is Argentina’s most famous wine region, known for its bold Malbecs, sunny high-desert climate, and beautiful vineyard landscapes backed by the Andes.
If you’re not familiar, Malbec is a red grape that originated in France and is used in classic Bordeaux blends - but it’s here in Argentina where it truly shines. Today, 70% of the world’s Malbec vineyards are found in Argentina.
What we especially loved about the Uco Valley was how peaceful it felt compared to other parts of Mendoza. With wide open views and fewer crowds, it’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a day of wine tasting.
How to Get From Buenos Aires to Mendoza
The fastest and most convenient way to get to the Mendoza wine region from Buenos Aires is by flight.
The flight time on the way there is 2 hours, and on the way back, 1.5 hours. There are many direct flights each day.
✈️ Compare flights from Buenos Aires to Mendoza.How to Get Around the Uco Valley
Chandon Winery
Since you’re heading into wine-drinking heaven, we highly recommend hiring a private driver for your airport transfers and wine tastings. It’s much more enjoyable when you don’t have to worry about driving (or limiting yourself!).
We booked with Mendoza Gostosa and had an amazing experience. Not only was their service great and reasonably priced, but they also helped recommend and book tastings based on our preferences. Their five-star TripAdvisor rating says it all. We used them for both our airport transfers and two days of wine touring.🥂 Top Tip: stop off at the Chandon Winery on the way from the airport to your hotel for your first sips from the Mendoza region. It was the first Moët & Chandon company established outside of France!
Where to Stay in the Uco Valley
The hospitality here was truly next level - warm, personal, and the kind that makes you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.
Each night, they serve up a delicious, home-style dinner with a different theme - always paired with plenty of their excellent wines. The food was so good, we never felt the need to eat anywhere else.
The grounds are beautifully maintained, with an outdoor pool and peaceful vineyard views.
✔️ Top Tip: Book a room on the second floor or their new eco bungalow, so you have an incredible view of the vineyards and mountains.
🛏️ Browse more stays in the Uco ValleyDay 6: Visit two wineries and enjoy a relaxed lunch among the vineyards
Wine tasting in Mendoza was a little different than what we were used to. You’ll need to book your wine tours/tastings in advance, and depending on the winery, you might be tasting alone or as part of a group.
Most places offer the option to book a tasting, a tour, or just lunch (which typically comes with a generous selection of wines).
If you’re going for lunch, just know that you won’t get the same wine rundown you would during a formal tasting - but you’ll definitely get to drink plenty of it!
If you’re curious about the winemaking process or want tasting notes at lunch, it’s worth asking your server - they’re usually happy to share more if you show interest.
🍷 We booked our custom day tour with Mendoza Gostosa.Our Favourite Wineries in the Uco Valley
Best for award-winning wine: Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Listed in the World's Best Vineyards hall of fame, Zuccardi is a must-visit in the Uco Valley. Their wines consistently earn top scores from wine critic Robert Parker, and the winery itself is stunning, with modern architecture that mirrors the surrounding Andes.
Best for the architecture: Bodega Alfa Crux
This winery looks like it’s straight out of a James Bond film, and the private tasting was a highlight.
Best for an intimate tasting: Corazon Del Sol
The passionate grower gave us a great education on vines, grape growing and harvest techniques. We learned a lot here and enjoyed a diverse tasting in their cellar. Very well priced for the quality of the experience.
Best for lunch: Bodega La Azul
Owned by the same family as the Casa de Huéspedes La Azul hotel, this relaxed winery and restaurant served up some of the best food, wine and service of our trip.
✔️ Top Tip: Lunches are HUGE and almost always include a steak course. Have a light breakfast and start your tastings early so you can still enjoy dinner later. You can also request a vegetarian option if you’d prefer to skip the steak that afternoon.
Day 7: Discover more wines, or relax with your favourite bottle by the pool
Lunch at Riccitelli Wines | Catena Zapata's restaurant
Option 1: Taste more wines
Book a wine tour and tasting along with a new lunch spot to make the most of your time in the region. It’s a great way to experience the variety Mendoza has to offer.
🍷 Browse more highly-rated Uco Valley tours through Viator.There are some incredible award-winning wineries closer to the city of Mendoza you should check out. These were our favourites:
Catena Zapata: One of Argentina’s most iconic wineries, housed in a striking Mayan-inspired pyramid. Their one-Michelin star restaurant was a spectacular setting and our best meal in Mendoza.
Viña Cobos: Home to Argentina’s first 100-point wine, when James Suckling awarded their Cobos Malbec 2011 a perfect score. This winery has fantastic wines.
Riccitelli Wines: For creative winemaking and a farm-to-table restaurant that sources much of its produce from its own garden. The view of the Andes from here is amazing.
Option 2: Take it slow
By this point in the trip, you might be ready for a slower day - and the Uco Valley is the perfect place to do it.
With the dramatic Andes as your backdrop and serene vineyard views all around, staying put at your boutique hotel can feel just as rewarding as another day of touring.
Drink your favourite bottle from one of the wineries you visited the day before and spend the day lounging by the hotel pool, surrounded by the vines.
Travel Day Back Home
If you have a late flight on your last day, we recommend stopping at another winery on your way to the airport.
We enjoyed our wine tasting and lunch experience at Belasco Baquedano Winery. It's home to the only wine aroma room in Latin America, where you can test your senses by identifying 46 different wine aromas.
✔️ Top Tip: You’re allowed to travel with wine bottles in your carry-on on domestic flights within Argentina. If you’re planning to stock up, consider bringing a wine suitcase to safely bring your favourites back home.If you can extend your trip, we recommend adding it to Mendoza. We didn't want to leave since it was so relaxing and there are over 900 wineries to discover 👀!
Best Time to Visit Argentina
If you’re travelling to both the Mendoza wine region and Buenos Aires, the best time to visit is spring, between October and December.
You’ll catch the vineyards during the growing season, when the vines are lush and full of life, and enjoy Buenos Aires before the summer heat sets in.
It’s also a great way to avoid the peak tourist crowds in January and February.
Taking out Argentine Pesos
Due to Argentina’s ongoing monetary challenges, accessing cash can be tricky. ATMs often have very low withdrawal limits, charge high fees, and sometimes reject international cards altogether.
Cash is still king, so the best way to get pesos is to bring USD bills. You can exchange them once you arrive, or even pay directly in USD - many places accept it and will give you change in pesos.
There are also more Bitcoin ATMs and crypto exchanges popping up across the country, which some travellers use as an alternative way to get pesos.
⚠️ Caution: credit card fees are unusually high here - what’s normally around 1.5% in other countries was closer to 10% at many shops we visited.
✔️ Top Tip: most stores in Buenos Aires offered us a 10% discount for paying in cash. This wasn't the case for Mendoza though, except for some wine shops in the city.
Enjoy your one week in Argentina!
Get started on booking your trip to Argentina
- 🛏️ Book your accommodation: in Buenos Aires and the Uco Valley
- 🤠 Book your tour: browse highly-rated tours in Buenos Aires and the Uco Valley.
- 🚕 Hire a private driver: in the Uco Valley
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Planning a tour of South America? Check out our other SA travel guides:
- 14 Unique Things to Do in Rio De Janeiro
- 2 Week Itinerary in Chile for the Adventurer
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Travel Guide
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