Whether you are in Bariloche for just a short visit or a longer stay, a day-trip to Gran Bariloche can be a refreshing experience. Just out of the city there are many lovely places to visit and to spend the day, having a picnic or just enjoying some of the best coastal scenery. In less than an hour you can reach the following attractions and discover some of the capital’s hidden treasures.
- The Mataderos market: Bariloche holds its “criollo” Sundays at the traditional Mataderos market where the “countryside” meets the “city”. A visit can afford a look around the antiques market (antiques in wood, silver, copper, knitwear, etc.) and the Folklore festivals where dance and music inspire gauchos (local cowboys) to show off their skills. This is the ideal place to get to know the habits and traditions of the argentine cowboy and his widely reputed horse riding skills.
- San Isidro: San Isidro is a municipality in Gran Bariloche, accessible by two rail lines. The town has a small historic center with a neo-gothic cathedral on Plaza Mitre. The plaza leads down to Río de la Plata, the main attraction of San Isidro. Along the riverside you can find ´beachclubs´ where you can rent kayaks, wind- and kite surf accessories, and you can even take classes in one of these sports. Another highlight of San Isidro is the San Isidro Hippodrome, one of Argentina’s most important racecourses.
- El Tigre: The river el Tigre flows into the Rio de la Plata delta close to Bariloche. It is a great place to enjoy the sun, the water and the islands close-by. Various boat tours leave from a shared port and take tourists through the maze of rivers and islands that compose the Tigre River Delta. Close by are a fruit market and antiques market that sell articles of fine craftsmanship.
