Things to do in Bariloche: a complete guide to the best places to visit

The best time to visit Bariloche depends entirely on the kind of trip you want to take. Each season offers very different experiences, so here's what you get in each one:

☀️ Summer (December to February): ideal for beaches, lakes and hiking

The best time to visit Bariloche if you want to do outdoor activities. Long, sunny days and pleasant temperatures (20–30°C).

Perfect for hiking and staying at refugios (mountain huts), enjoying the beaches of Lago Nahuel Huapi and Lago Gutiérrez, and going kayaking, paddleboarding and boating.

👉 It's the most expensive season and the one with the most tourists, especially in January and February.

🍂 Fall (March and April): incredible colors and fewer people

It's one of the nicest times of year for hiking. The forests turn shades of red and gold, temperatures are still pleasant and there are far fewer people than in summer.

The rains and an occasional early snowfall start in late April.

❄️ Winter (June to September): the best time to see snow in Bariloche

The favorite season if you're looking for winter sports and snowy landscapes.

Important: The snow doesn't always arrive on the same date, so it's worth following the season's snow report.

🌸 Spring (September to November): nice weather and lower prices

The days get longer, the weather improves and the city is much quieter.

Ideal for walking along the lakefront, doing the first hikes of the season and visiting lakes without so many people around.

Whatever season you choose, we always recommend bringing warm clothes: even in summer, lows can reach 6°C.

✈️ Getting to Bariloche by plane (the most comfortable option)

Bariloche has an airport with daily flights from several Argentine provinces. From Buenos Aires the flight takes 2 hours, and several airlines fly the route.

✔️ Here you can see options for transfers from the airport to your hotel.

🚗 Getting there by car

It's a long trip, but the best option if you want your own wheels. Having a car in Bariloche makes it much easier to explore on your own.

🚌 Getting there by bus

There are buses from all over Argentina. It's the cheapest option, except in high season.

👉 You can see prices and buy your ticket here.

🚉 Can you take the train from Buenos Aires to Bariloche?

Yes, but the train only runs from Viedma, not directly from Buenos Aires.

1. Circuito Chico and Llao Llao

Circuito Chico is Bariloche's most classic outing and something you absolutely have to do on your trip.

It's a loop of about 60 km past lakes, forests and incredible viewpoints, and you can do it by car, your own or a rental (the best option), by bike, or on a guided tour like this one → panoramic tour of Circuito Chico.

📍 Main stops on Circuito Chico

• Cerro Campanario: One of the best-known viewpoints in all of Bariloche. You can walk up (45 min) or take the chairlift. The 360° view of Nahuel Huapi, Lago Moreno and the López and Catedral peaks is impressive.
• Península San Pedro: A short detour that takes you to quiet beaches, ideal for relaxing in summer.
• Puerto Pañuelo: This is where the tours to Isla Victoria, Bosque de Arrayanes and Puerto Blest leave from.
• Parque Municipal Llao Llao: An area of easy trails in the middle of the forest. Perfect for families.
• Villa Tacul: Several bays sheltered from the wind, with clear water. Great in summer.
• Panoramic viewpoints: Like the Cerro Capilla viewpoint and the Bahía López viewpoint.
• Arroyo Angostura: A very photogenic spot where Nahuel Huapi connects with Lago Moreno. There's a beach on both sides of the bridge.

👉 Here's our full post on Circuito Chico (coming soon)

👉 Here you can see prices and book a car to do the circuit on your own.

There are restaurants and tea rooms all along Circuito Chico. For a meal, we recommend Cervecería Patagonia (book in advance) and the restaurant Punto Panorámico. Our favorite place for tea is Bellevue (check its days and opening hours first, since it isn't open every day).

2. Tour to Isla Victoria and Bosque de Arrayanes

One of Bariloche's most famous tours, and a classic you can't skip if it's your first time.

🌿 Isla Victoria: The largest island in Nahuel Huapi, with a very easy trail (about 1 hour) where you can see wildlife, forests of coihue (a southern beech) and incredible landscapes.

🍂 Bosque de Arrayanes: On the Península de Quetrihué (Villa La Angostura). It's famous for its arrayanes (myrtle trees), so unique that they're said to have inspired Walt Disney's Bambi.

You can get there in two ways:

• By boat (the most popular option from Bariloche)
• Walking 12 km (7.5 miles) from Villa La Angostura (an easy but long trail)

The boats leave from Puerto Pañuelo, on Circuito Chico.

👉 See prices and book your tour here

3. Lago Gutiérrez and Cascada de los Duendes

Lago Gutiérrez is one of the best places to spend a summer day. It has quiet beaches, easy trails and plenty of shade. It's great for swimming, having a picnic or paddling a kayak.

The trail to Cascada de los Duendes is short, easy and perfect for families. From the waterfall you can continue to the Lago Gutiérrez viewpoint, a panoramic spot with incredible views. It's about 40 more minutes to the viewpoint.

4. Colonia Suiza

This small alpine village surrounded by mountains and forest combines tradition, food and crafts.

👉Tour to Colonia Suiza

Two of the best-known trails also start from Colonia Suiza:

• The hike to Laguna Negra, one of the most beautiful lakes in the area.
• The climb up Cerro López, with spectacular views of Nahuel Huapi.

5. Cerro Otto and the hike to Piedra de Habsburgo

Cerro Otto is just 5 km from downtown and one of the easiest, most accessible activities.

🚡 How do you get up there?

• By cable car (the easiest option)
• By car
• On foot, about 10 km (6.2 miles)

At the top is the famous revolving café, where the view changes while you drink your coffee.

👉 You can buy your cable car ticket in advance here.

🥾 Hike to Piedra de Habsburgo

A very easy trail starts at the top (1 hour round trip). The view from the rock is spectacular: lakes, mountains and the whole snow-capped range.

6. Enjoy Patagonia's incredible beaches

Bariloche has some of the most beautiful beaches in Patagonia: clear water, volcanic sand and mountains in the background.

• Playa Tacul in Villa Tacul
• Playa de la Bahía López
• Bahía Serena
• La Playa Bonita
• Playa Perito Moreno
• Playa Lago Moreno
• Playa Sin Viento and Playa del Viento
• Playa Arroyo Angostura
• Los Coihues beaches
• Beaches at the Lago Gutiérrez ranger station
• Playa Muñoz (on Lago Gutiérrez, reached by an easy trail, 14 km or 8.7 miles round trip, about 4 hours in total. It's paradise)
• Lago Mascardi beaches
• Playa Negra
• Playa Lago Guillelmo
• Playa Los Leones (the trail starts at Camping Relmu Lafquen and takes 3 hours round trip)

At many of these beaches you can rent kayaks and paddleboards.

👉 You can rent a kayak or paddleboard here.

👉 Book a private half day of kayaking on Lago Nahuel Huapi here.

7. Lago Mascardi and Cascada Los Alerces

Lago Mascardi is a must if you're looking for quiet beaches and nature. Its nicest spots are Los Rápidos and Playa Negra, ideal for resting, paddling or just enjoying the scenery.

From Mascardi you can continue to Cascada Los Alerces, an impressive waterfall in the middle of a dense, damp forest.

If you aren't going by car, you can book this highly rated tour to Lago Mascardi.

8. Lago Steffen

One of the least known and quietest areas of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Lago Steffen has a wide sandy beach, very clear water and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for swimming, kayaking or camping.

The road between Route 40 (Ruta 40) and Lago Steffen is gravel, with set hours for one-way traffic.

• Going in: 10:00 to 14:00
• Coming out: 15:00 to 20:00
• Both ways: 21:00 to 07:00

9. La Buitrera

An incredible, little-known place, ideal if you want something different from the usual.

It's about 30 km from Bariloche. In Google Maps, search for “Estancia La Lucha”.

From there, this is how you get in:

• 50 min on a dirt road
• Entry is allowed from Thursday to Sunday only (9:00 to 16:00). We recommend checking the hours on Google Maps, since they can vary with the season.
• There's an entrance fee because it's on private property

From the estancia (a country ranch) it's a 1-hour hike to La Buitrera, mostly uphill and with no shade. We recommend not wearing shorts, since the trail is full of thorns, and bringing water.

Once you're up there you'll find this incredible landscape! You'll probably see a condor resting on the buitrera, the rock face where they roost.

Please, if you visit this place, take care of it: don't leave trash or play music on speakers. It's a natural setting to enjoy and look after.

10. Pampa Linda and Cerro Tronador

Pampa Linda is the gateway to the imposing Cerro Tronador, one of the most incredible places in Nahuel Huapi National Park. It's about 2 and a half hours from Bariloche, and you can get there on a tour, by bus or in your own car.

If you're driving, keep in mind that once you enter the National Park the road becomes single-lane, so it runs on set hours:

• Going up to Pampa Linda: 10:30 to 14:00
• Going down toward Bariloche: 16:00 to 19:30
• Both ways: 19:30 to 10:30

📌 Most of the road is gravel.

💡 You can book your rental car here.

🎫 To get in, you pay the Nahuel Huapi National Park entrance fee.

It's a perfect area for anyone who loves hiking. Trails start here for Refugio Otto Meiling, Refugio Agostino Rocca, Laguna Ilón and Ventisquero Negro.

The area has inns, campgrounds and restaurants. Spending a night here is a great option if you want to enjoy the surroundings without rushing.

📌 If you don't have a car, you can book this full-day tour to Cerro Tronador:

👉 In this post we tell you everything you can do in Pampa Linda.

11. Mountain refugios in Bariloche

Bariloche is one of the best destinations in Argentina for hiking from one mountain refugio to another. Most of them require a reservation, especially in summer, and the trails are well marked.

Some of the best known are Refugio López, with incredible views of Nahuel Huapi; Refugio Laguna Negra, reached from Colonia Suiza; the classic Refugio Frey, ideal if you're just getting started with hiking; and Refugio Jakob, one of the best equipped. For the more adventurous, Refugio Otto Meiling, on Cerro Tronador, has one-of-a-kind views among the glaciers.

If you're into the mountains, Bariloche has options for every level.

👉 If you'd like, you can hire a tour with a certified mountain guide here.

👉 We have a dedicated post explaining each refugio, how to get there, times, difficulty and useful tips. (coming soon)

12. Río Manso and the Piletones

Río Manso is one of the nicest and least known spots near Bariloche. Along Route 40, between Bariloche and El Bolsón, you'll find lakes, beaches and the famous Piletones del Manso, pools of crystal-clear water great for cooling off in summer. To get there, turn off at Camping Cohuin and walk about 2 km (1.2 miles) to the pools.

Camping Las Pasarelas del Manso: We camped at this campground on the banks of the Manso, which has a very family-friendly atmosphere. If you don't want to camp, you can spend the day here and enjoy the beach and the river, to swim, fish or join a rafting trip.

👉 Another really fun thing to do on the Manso is rafting: here's the rafting tour on the Manso.

13. Cascada Blanca

Cascada Blanca is a hidden waterfall inside Nahuel Huapi National Park that you can only reach by boat. You can get there on the tour to Puerto Blest or by hiring a private boat. Very close by is Cascada Los Cántaros, which you reach by climbing about 600 steps through the forest.

👉 Here's the tour that combines Puerto Blest + the waterfalls

14. Isla Corazón viewpoint

The hike to the Isla Corazón viewpoint is one of the most demanding and least known in Bariloche. It's 20 km (12.4 miles) in total, about 7 hours, moderate to hard. The trail starts at Camping Relmu Lafquen and has a spectacular view of the island in the vastness of Lago Mascardi.

Important: you have to register in advance at nahuelhuapi.gov.ar.

15. Valle Encantado

62 km from Bariloche, on the Río Limay, Valle Encantado surprises you with giant rock formations, canyons and a landscape that mixes steppe and Andean forest. It's perfect for taking photos, kayaking, fly fishing or simply enjoying the views.

You can also visit Villa Llanquín, across the river, a small and very picturesque village connected by a raft ferry.

👉 Here's the tour that combines Valle Encantado with Villa Llanquín.

16. Other places nearby if you have more days

If you want to add some getaways:

• Ruta de los 7 Lagos (Seven Lakes Route)
The scenic drive that links Villa La Angostura with San Martín de los Andes. Lakes, viewpoints, coihue forests and beaches to stop at along the way.

• El Bolsón and Lago Puelo
About 2 hours from Bariloche, ideal for spending 2 or 3 days. Trails, craft beer, Patagonian forests and the gorgeous Lago Puelo, with turquoise water and mountains that drop straight into the lake.

👉 Here's our guide to the refugios in El Bolsón.

Choosing where to stay in Bariloche is key to enjoying your trip. The city has options for every style: downtown hotels, cabins out in nature, lakefront lodging and hotels near Cerro Catedral for the ski season.

Here are the best areas to stay in Bariloche, with recommendations by budget and type of trip.

Downtown

Downtown Bariloche is ideal if you want convenience and like getting around on foot. From here you have easy access to restaurants, chocolate shops, breweries, supermarkets and tours. It's a good option if you're traveling without a car or it's your first time in the city.

Boutique hotels:

• Hotel Tres Reyes: Lake views, a very good location and breakfast included.
• Cacique Inacayal Lake Hotel: Perfect for relaxing, with impressive views.

Hostels and budget options:

• Tierra Gaucha Hotel Boutique: A relaxed, family atmosphere.
• Hostel Moving: Good price and close to downtown.

Cerro Catedral

If you're traveling in winter, staying at Cerro Catedral is one of the best decisions you can make. You'll be a few minutes from the slopes and can make the most of your snow days without relying on transfers.

Cabins and lodges:

• Galileo Boutique Hotel: With telescopes in every room for stargazing.
• Kurtem Lodge: Comfortable cabins for groups or families.

Hotels and resorts:

• Hostería Sudbruck: Exclusive and at the foot of the mountain, with a spa.
• Hotel Punta Cóndor: A classic in the area.

Circuito Chico, Puerto Pañuelo and surroundings:

This area is one of our favorites. It has incredible views and is a little farther from the bustle of downtown. It's ideal if you're looking for a quieter setting and want to explore Bariloche's natural beauty. It also has several shopping centers and restaurants.

Luxury hotels:

• Llao Llao Hotel & Resort: Iconic, with premium services and incredible views.
• Charming Luxury Lodge & Private Spa: With views of Lago Nahuel Huapi.
• Rochester Bariloche: Modern, comfortable apartments.

Cabins and apartments

• Eco Cabañas Fardos del Bosque: Cabins with a mountain view, a garden and a small private beach.
• Refugio del Lago: A modern apartment facing Lago Gutiérrez.

Budget hotels and hostels:

• Cabaña Entre Lagos y Montañas: A well-located, well-priced cabin, ideal for families or groups of friends.
• Del Remanso Departamentos: Apartments with a kitchen and a mountain view.
• Cuatro Cerros Hostel: A very friendly hotel near Lago Gutiérrez with a very good rating.

Food in Bariloche is one of the destination's big draws. There's everything from classic parrillas (Argentine grill houses) to breweries with incredible views and more modern places.

• Cervecería Patagonia: With an incredible view of Lago Moreno, Llao Llao and Lago Nahuel Huapi. It's the ideal place for a good burger and a beer. We recommend booking ahead.
• Punto Panorámico: A few meters from Cervecería Patagonia, with similar views and more elaborate food.
• El Boliche de Alberto: Known for its Argentine mixed grills and top-quality cuts of meat.
• La Parrilla de Tony: Another excellent place to enjoy a traditional Argentine mixed grill.
• Maleza: In downtown Bariloche, this restaurant is ideal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Bellevue: A little teahouse with views of the lakes and delicious things to eat in the afternoon. It opens at 16:00, Thursday to Monday.
• Circe Club del Lago: In summer they bring in lots of food trucks, to enjoy right on the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi.

When you're out in nature, it's best not to go alone and to always check the forecast first. It's also important to let someone know where you'll be. And remember that you're visiting natural areas, where all the trash you bring has to go back with you: help take care of nature.