Beyond the must-see Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate offers many memorable experiences. Here are eight ideas that mix essentials with personal favorites to help you plan a balanced visit.
What to do in El Calafate?
1 · Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier
Start with the icon. Join a full-day excursion to the viewpoints and boardwalks, or choose a guided ice trek to step onto the glacier itself. Renting a car or booking a private tour can give you extra time at the balconies and more flexibility for photo stops.
Perito Moreno Glacier Tour from El Calafate
Enjoy a Perito Moreno Glacier tour from el Calafate! One of Patagonia's most incredible shows: Perito Moreno Glacier.
2 · Go on a boat tour
Navigate Lake Argentino for close-up views of towering ice walls and hidden fjords. Top choices include the Todo Glaciares program, premium MarPatag sailings, and the classic cruise that pairs navigation with a visit to Estancia Cristina.
El Calafate Full Day Boat Tour to enjoy glaciers – All Glaciers Excursion
Enjoy a boat tour navigation in the Argentino Lake and watch different glaciers!
Full day tour to Estancia Cristina: Classic Option
Enjoy an amazing full day navigation visiting Estancia Cristina. Visit one of the best estancias in Argentina and Patagonia.
Perito Moreno Glacier Cruise: Gourmet Experience
Enjoy a cruise in Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate. A wonderful day cruise in the Patagonia of Argentina.
3 · Visit the Glaciarium
Learn how glaciers form and move, and how climate shapes Patagonia. Interactive exhibits, a panoramic cinema, and an ice bar make this museum a great add-on before or after your glacier day.
4 · Explore the city
Stroll downtown, browse local shops and cafés, then walk the Laguna Nimez Reserve for easy birdwatching near the lake. It is a simple plan that shows El Calafate’s calm pace and big skies.
5 · Enjoy a wonderful trekking
Make a day trip to El Chaltén, Argentina’s trekking capital. Choose from short, easy walks to lookout points, or commit to longer hikes of 9 to 10 hours for panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Pick a route that matches your fitness and the weather.
6 · Visit a local estancia
Discover Patagonian ranch life with options close to town, such as Estancia 25 de Mayo or El Galpón del Glaciar, or go farther to Nibepo Aike or Estancia Cristina. Expect history, traditional cuisine, and sweeping steppe or glacier views.
Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate
Enjoy a visit to this beautiful estancia in the Argentinean Patagonia: Estancia 25 de Mayo. An amazing Patagonia ranch!
Estancia El Galpon del Glaciar Tour
Enjoy your visit to this beautiful Patagonian ranch in Argentina: Estancia El Galpon del Glaciar. An amazing estancia in Patagonia.
7 · Taste the local dishes
Try Patagonian lamb cooked on a spit, savory empanadas, and regional specialties like guanaco. Finish with dulce de calafate, a sweet made from the local berry, and share a round of mate, Argentina’s traditional infusion.
8 · Enjoy the skies of Patagonia
Look up and stargaze. Patagonia’s dry air and low light pollution create brilliant night skies. You can join organized experiences to observe constellations and capture night photos.
