Are you traveling to Patagonia and wondering what to do in El Calafate? You’re in luck! I’ve traveled there several times and am here to share all my insights.
The town of El Calafate has a population of around 25,000 inhabitants. It is one of the main getaways to explore Patagonia, with easy access to Los Glaciares National Park, where Perito Moreno Glacier is located, and connections to El Chalten, one of the country’s main hiking hubs, and Torres del Paine National Park, on the Chilean side of Patagonia.
Sure enough, it would be a pity to visit the country and leave El Calafate out of your Argentina itinerary. For as small as it is, this town, which takes its name from the Calafate berries that commonly grow in small bushes in Patagonia, has a lot to offer.
From hiking to visiting the great glaciers, from admiring the local fauna to kayaking, El Calafate is a fantastic place for nature and adventure lovers. And if you need to take a day off and just relax, the city has plenty of good coffee shops, restaurants and bars, and an interesting shopping scene. You guessed it: there are many fun things to do in El Calafate.
Curious to find out more about the small town and the best El Calafate attractions? I have been to Patagonia several times, and I will show you the best things to do in El Calafate. I’ll also share a few tips to make the most of this lovely town.
Best Things To Do In El Calafate, Argentina
Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier is the most famous glacier in Patagonia, so it’s no surprise this tops the list of the best things to do in El Calafate Argentina.
Located about one and a half hours drive from El Calafate, it is the highlight of Los Glaciares National Park. It isn’t the biggest glacier in the country, but it definitely is the most scenic to see. Contrary to most glaciers, which are now receding, it is actually stable.
The good news about Perito Moreno is that it’s incredibly easy to access. Once at the site, you can admire it from the balconies near the visitors’ center, go on a boat tour that gets as close as 100 meters (328 feet) from the main wall of the glacier, or even go on an ice trek on the glacier itself (this last activity needs to be booked in advance).
Perito Moreno Glacier is about 78 km (48 miles) from El Calafate. Public buses regularly leave from El Calafate, so it’s easy to get there on your own. However, you’ll have to consider the entrance fee, any tour fees you purchase there, and other small expenses you might have.
A guided tour is probably a better option, as it will include transportation costs and activities and will end up being slightly more expensive but significantly easier. While some national parks in Argentina can be visited on your own, you’ll really want to arrange additional activities with a tour to get close to the glacier and make the most of your day.
I recommend this El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise. The tour includes round-trip transportation, a guide, and an optional boat cruise to get even closer to the glacier. However, it does not include the Perito Moreno entrance fee, food, or drinks.
For a tour that includes an ice trek, click Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking Tour and Cruise. This tour includes a one-hour trek on the glacier, which is one of the most unique experiences in El Calafate. Additionally, there’s a glacier sailing activity, roundtrip transportation, and a bilingual guide.
If you’re planning to rent a car and do these activities independently, make sure to first read my guide, Renting a Car in Argentina, for more information.
Go on an ice trek
If you’re looking for the best sightseeing El Calafate adventure, you have to do an ice trek. A guided ice trek is a great way to experience Perito Moreno Glacier and is definitely one of the top things to do in El Calafate.
You have the option of going on a big trek, which usually lasts all day, or on a small trek, which, on the other hand, only lasts around one and a half hours.
Short treks are a great addition to a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier. You’ll get the opportunity to see the glacier and the moraine up close, listen to the ice cracking, look into the cracks, and even drink glacier water.
The short trek is fairly easy and suitable even for families with children.
The only real requirement is that you be properly dressed (which is always important when packing for Argentina, anyway): You’ll need a few layers of technical hiking gear and thermal underwear, a good snow jacket, a hat, gloves, and a scarf, and a good pair of hiking boots to which crampons (necessary to walk on ice) will be tied.
For a tour of Perito Moreno that includes a short ice trek, I recommend this El Calafate: Perito Moreno Trekking experience. You’ll spend approximately an hour on the glacier, and it’s very manageable for most people.
Admire wildlife at Laguna Nimez
If you have a few hours to kill, head to Laguna Nimez. This ecological reserve is an easy 15-minute walk from the center of town.
It is a protected area where an incredible variety of birds live, first and foremost, the beautiful Chilean flamingo. The reserve is a good representation of the landscape of many Patagonia hikes, with recreations of the desert steppe, the wetlands, and Lake Argentino.
One of the best things about Laguna Nimez Reserve is that you can spend as much or as little time as you’d like here. But it’s a really relaxing afternoon and a great way to immerse yourself in the local environment.
You can go on a self-guided tour that can last anything between one and three hours, depending on your pace and how much time you have here.
Walk or run around Lake Argentino
A great and free alternative to Laguna Nimez is Lake Argentino. Just as easily reached from the center of town, it’s a fantastic place to observe local wildlife—including the beautiful pink flamingoes. Bring your camera and a good lens if you want to take stunning photos!
This is also where locals go for a run or a bike ride. There even are small open-air gyms if you fancy doing some push ups and other extra exercises.
While you can easily get to Lake Argentino on your own, you can also take a tour that includes a trip around the lake.
I recommend this Nativo Experience—Lakes & Caverns from El Calafate. The tour includes a scenic drive around the lake, where you’ll stop at some of the best viewpoints. Afterward, you’ll head to the Punta Walichu archeological site (another must-do Calafate activity).
Visit an estancia
Estancias are farms all over Argentina that are traditionally used for cattle raising. Visiting one of these ranches is actually one of the most interesting things to do in Argentina, and definitely what to do in El Calafate due to its unique backstory.
The name literally translates as “stay” and refers to the period of time that the government authorities have allocated for a stay in a specific piece of land.
Not far from El Calafate, there are a few gorgeous estancias that can be visited on an easy day trip. Most of them have now turned into tourist attractions, where there is very little animal farming.
They often have a museum and offer experiences such as horse riding and hiking in the surroundings. The estancias that aren’t touristy are great places to visit to learn a bit more about the traditional local way of life and culture. The touristy ones still offer very good experiences. I visited Estancia Cristina and truly enjoyed it.
For Estancia Cristina, I recommend this Estancia Cristina & Cascada de los Perros Tour. This special tour includes a sail around Argentino Lake, a hike to Cascada de los Perros, and a visit to the ranch where you can explore the museum, learn about how the sheep’s perseverance was essential to the community, and more.
For Nibepo Ranch, I recommend Patagonian Ranch: Nibepo Aike Adventure with Horseback Riding. The tour includes round-trip transportation, an education tour around Nibepo Ranch, and horseback riding. It’s a really fun full-day adventure from El Calafate.
Hike to Cañadón de los Fósiles
Departing from Estancia Cristina, the Cañadón de los Fósiles trek is one of the best El Calafate hikes.
It allows you to admire Lake Guillermo, the eastern front of Upsala Glacier, and the South Patagonian Continental Ice Field. The hike is fairly easy, lasting between 4 and 5 hours with plenty of stops for photos, explanations, and a lunch break.
And you won’t want to miss the photo opportunities, either. There’s such a variety of epic scenery all along the route, from mountainous rocks towering over the beautiful lake to vast landscapes that seem other-worldly in another scene.
You need to go on a tour to do the full hike because a 4WD (4X4 vehicle) is necessary for the first part of it.
I recommend this Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition for an adventure of a lifetime. The tour includes exploration by boat, trekking, and a 4WD. You’ll be treated to some of the best views of Lake Guillermo, Upsala Glacier, and hiking through Cañadón de los Fósiles.
Kayak adventure around El Calafate
Patagonia isn’t all about the mountains and glaciers, as you may have guessed. There are also some great lakes, and kayaking surely is one of the top things to do in El Calafate.
Depending on your interests, you can kayak to the glacier, around Lake Argentino, or even venture a little further out toward El Chalten for great kayaking day trips.
It’s not a tropical kayak adventure, but it’s just as beautiful with incredible scenery that features looming mountains, crystal-clear, icy waters, and so much more.
Santa Cruz River, La Leona River, and kayaking right to Perito Moreno Glacier are some of the most popular kayak adventures in El Calafate.
If you’d like to kayak under the glacier, I recommend this Kayak Through Perito Moreno and Walkways Tour. The tour includes all necessary equipment (including a dry suit, thermal suit, boots, and gloves) and 1.5 hours of kayaking right to the impressive glacier. It also includes transportation from El Calafate, free time to explore the walkways, hot drinks, snacks, lunch, and an expert kayaking guide.
If you want a more extensive river kayaking experience, check out this Kayak-Full-Day Activity in Leona River from El Calafate. This is a really popular tour that includes an incredible kayak tour on the river and a hike through the Petrified Forest, where you’ll see some dinosaur fossils, too. The tour includes transportation, equipment, snacks, a professional guide, and photos.
Finally, I also recommend this incredible Darwin Experience — Kayaks & Adventure. The tour involves approximately 15 km (9 miles) of paddling along the beautiful Santa Cruz River. It includes transportation, a professional guide, equipment, and a delicious lunch at Estancia El Rincón.
Visit the Centro de Interpretación Histórica
The Centro de Interpretación Histórica is a small museum, but you’ll find lots of information on the natural and human history of Patagonia. It has an interesting display of cultural artifacts, fossils, archeological finds, etc. You’ll find information in English and Spanish, as well as guides.
Despite its small size, it’s an incredible learning experience. The museum takes you back through over 100 years of history, including the dinosaurs that walked this land and the development of humans in the region.
Patagonia and the area around El Calafate are beautiful, but learning about this history really adds another important piece to the overall experience.
Explore El Calafate town
El Calafate is a small town and it won’t take you much to explore it. For as small as it is, it is very pleasant and one of the nicest things to do in El Calafate town is just chilling.
The main street, Avenida del Libertador San Martín, is lined with chocolate shops and lovely cafés. There are a couple of breweries and a bunch of shops selling outdoor gear (though they are very expensive!) and lots of souvenir and handicrafts stalls at Paseo de Los Artesanos – it’s a good place to buy wool and leather goods.
To be honest, you’ll definitely want a break from all the excitement. And since El Calafate is the perfect place to just relax, you should take advantage of this. Make sure to plan a day or so in your itinerary to simply explore the town, have nice beer and hot beverages, and chill.
Go to La Leona Petrified Forest
To get a good idea of how diverse the landscape in Patagonia is, make sure to visit La Leona Petrified Forest. It’s about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from El Calafate, along the famous Ruta 40.
With its dry and sandy rock formations, it’s as different as it gets from places like Perito Moreno Glacier. You’ll also have a chance to see the local wildlife (especially guanacos) and fossils.
While La Leona Petrified Forest is pretty close, you can only visit on a guided tour. This is better anyway because you’ll learn a lot more about everything you see along the hike.
I recommend this La Leona Petrified Forest Hiking Tour. The tour includes transportation from El Calafate, a stop at Hotel La Leona (a scenic, historic stop), a boxed lunch, and a guide.
Visit the Walichu Caves
Right next to Lake Argentino, along Ruta 11, there are some interesting caves home to 4,000-year-old paintings and beautiful rock formations.
It’s an easy trip from El Calafate, and you can drive there yourself or go on a guided tour.
You can visit on your own. It only takes about 20 minutes to get there from El Calafate town. If you go with a tour, it’ll include a guided tour where you can learn more about the significance of these shelters and paintings. Sometimes guided tours also include a combination tour, where you’ll visit other significant tourist destinations, as well.
If you’re looking for a straightforward tour of the caves, I recommend this Panoramic Tour with Punta Walichu. The tour only lasts about three hours, so it’s also a great half-day activity. It includes a tour of the caves with explanations from your guide, a visit to the onsite museum, great viewpoints over Lago Argentino, and transportation.
Go to El Calafate Mountain Park
One of the most fun things to do in El Calafate if you have an extra day is going to El Calafate Mountain.
El Calafate Mountain Park is located on Mt. Huyliche, about 15 km (9 miles) from El Calafate town. If you go on your own, you’ll want to get to the base of Mt. Huyliche. From here, you can take a cable car to the top of the mountain with incredible views of Lago Argentino and the Andes Mountains.
There are different activities in different seasons. During the austral winter, you’ll find skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter sports. During the austral summer, you can enjoy ziplining, 4X4 rides, hiking, biking, and more.
I recommend this Southroad Calafate Balcony Full 4X4 or Zipline or Hike. Instead of taking a cable car, you can drive a 4X4 up the mountain. You then have your choice of 4X4 riding, ziplining, or hiking. You really can’t beat this half-day adventure if you want to make the most of your time on Mt. Huyliche.
Go to Cerro Frías
Just 22 km (13.7 miles) from El Calafate, immersed in the Patagonian Steppe, you’ll find Cerro Frías. This 1,300-meter (4,265-foot) mountain stands alone, and from there, you’ll be able to get incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy and Lago Argentino.
You can go independently, though many go on 4×4 tours that also go on the shores of the lake and to a dune-filled beach. Other activities that can be arranged are horseback riding, hiking, and even biking. Along the way, you may spot local wildlife like guanacos, hares, and even condors.
Head to El Chalten for a hike
El Chalten is a little less than three hours from El Calafate, and in the summer months, when it’s light out until 9:30 pm, there is plenty of time to go there even on a day trip from El Calafate on public transport.
Go there, hike, and then head back. Just make sure to take the first bus in the morning, which departs from El Calafate at 8:00 am.
Among the best hikes in El Chalten are the one to Laguna Torre and the one to Laguna de Los Tres. Both of them take between 6 and 8 hours, depending on how often you stop. So, if you leave early enough, you’ll have just enough time for one of these unmissable hikes.
Conversely, you can also book a guided day trip from El Calafate to El Chalten. There’s a really wide range of different activities you can book, so try to think ahead and find the one that’s most appealing to you.
One of the most popular day trips from El Calafate to El Chalten is a self-guided tour to Laguna de los Tres (one of the best hikes in Patagonia, in my opinion). If you do a self-guided tour, that means you’ll have transportation arranged for you, and you’ll get dropped off near the hike while being given a time frame to return to the meet-up point.
If you decide to go this route, I don’t recommend hiking alone. Additionally, make sure you are in good enough shape and can make it back to the meeting point before departure. They will likely leave you behind if you don’t arrive in the designated window.
For a simple tour from El Calafate to El Chalten, I recommend this Full-Day Tour to El Chaltén. The tour includes roundtrip transportation, lunch in El Chalten, water, a guide, and other little perks. It also includes five hours of guided hiking and walking. Five hours isn’t enough for a full-blown hike, but you’ll go on a few shorter walks, like Mirador de los Condores and Chorrillo del Salto.
If you’re more interested in hiking, I recommend this From El Calafate: Laguna de los Tres Trekking Tour. The tour includes roundtrip transportation, a self-guided hike of Laguna de los Tres (you’ll be given a map and a time to return to the meet-up point), and an optional lunch.
Visit Torres del Paine National Park
To be honest, I don’t really recommend going on a day trip to Torres del Paine, in Chile, from El Calafate, Argentina.
First of all, this is a place that deserves way more than just a few hours. Secondly, it’s a long day – you’ll depart at 4:30 am and spend a good hour (if not more) at the border.
Having said that, if you are short of time, this is a convenient way to see one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. You’ll have a chance to see Lago Sarmiento, Lago Pehoé, Grey Glacier and Grey Lake, Salto Grande waterfall, and more.
If you must do a day trip to Torres del Paine, I recommend this Torres del Paine Full Day Tour Departing from El Calafate. You’ll pass by Lago Sarmiento, Nordenskjold Lake, Laguna Amarga, Torres del Paine National Park, and Mirador Las Torres. You’ll also stop in various spots for photos and quick exploring, though it isn’t the same as having several days to really explore.
For more places to visit in Chile, check out my post The Best Places To Visit In Chile. As you probably already know, Chile is such an incredible country. And it would be really a shame to only visit a small piece on a day trip. That said, you can always just have a small preview taste of Torres del Paine and come back to the country in the future for more adventure.
Have a drink at the Ice Bar
A place like El Calafate, Argentina, couldn’t do without its ice bar. In fact, there are two.
The most popular one is GlacioBar (which is inside the Glaciarum). You pay an entry fee to be able to sit on ice furniture and drink unlimited cocktails in ice glasses. There’s also a little glacier museum with incredible 3D displays and interactive exhibits. Both the Glaciarium and the GlacioBar are must-do activities in El Calafate.
GlacioBar is not the kind of place to go if you are looking for something cozy: it’s very cold inside!! That said, it’s still a really fun experience and fairly unique.
Yeti Ice Bar is another really popular spot that’s just as cool (literally) and unique. Even if you’re tired of the cold, it’s worth it for the experience.
Practical Tips To Plan Your Trip To El Calafate
When to visit El Calafate, Argentina
The best time to travel to El Calafate or anywhere in Patagonia is in the summer months, between the end of November and the end of March.
That’s when the days are longest and when you will have more chances of sunny days—though beware that Patagonian weather can be crazy, and you may get rain, wind, and snow even in the summer. Shoulder season (October or April) may be good months—provided that businesses are open!
One of the most important travel tips for Argentina is to always keep an eye on the weather. Even if you’re there during the summer months, it can be so unpredictable, which can be dangerous if you’re hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
How long to stay in El Calafate
Most people stop in El Calafate, Argentina, for just two nights, spending one day visiting Perito Moreno Glacier and doing little else in the area. If time allows it, I recommend staying four nights before moving on to other places in Patagonia, such as El Chalten.
How to get to El Calafate
By plane
Depending on where you are in Argentina, the best way to get to El Calafate is by plane. There are frequent daily flights from Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Ushuaia, and connecting flights from other places such as Mendoza.
El Calafate airport is about 22 km (13.7 miles) from town. There are shuttles and taxis connecting the airport to town.
By bus
El Calafate is well connected to many other places in the country, such as Puerto Madryn (20 hours) or El Chalten (3 hours) via direct buses. If traveling from Buenos Aires, you’ll have to take a bus to Rio Gallegos (around 36 hours) and then a connection to El Calafate (4 more hours).
Where to stay in El Calafate
You’ll find excellent accommodation options suitable for all budgets and tastes in El Calafate. The following are some of the best places to stay—I have stayed in all, so you can count on a personal review!
America del Sur Calafate is a great hostel. It is a bit out of town, though you can easily reach the center in 15 minutes. It has good dorms and nice private rooms. The common areas are spacious and cozy, perfect for socializing, and the views of Lake Argentino from the dining room are breathtaking. There is a tour desk.
Esplendor is a beautiful boutique hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms. It has an on-site spa, a pool, and a restaurant that serves excellent local staples. Guests particularly like the location and easy access to some of the best El Calafate hikes and starting points.
Boutique Hotel La Cantera has a lovely, homey feeling. It’s a little more rustic with the interior and exterior, but this really just adds the charm and vibe of Patagonia in general. It’s very close to the center of El Calafate, so it’s another convenient home base for all your El Calafate adventures.
Best restaurants in El Calafate, Argentina
There are a few good restaurants in El Calafate where you can try the local specialties and Argentine classics—first and foremost, the famous asado (Argentinian mixed grill) and Patagonian lamb.
Here are some of the best restaurants in El Calafate:
La Tablita—This is known as the best restaurant in El Calafate. It’s the place to go to try a good asado or have an excellent steak. The wine list is endless. Service is very professional. It’s pricey but worth it. Advanced reservations are recommended.
La Lechuza—Argentinians swear by this pizzeria. I have a different opinion, but I am a picky Italian. Give it a try, and let me know if you like it!
La Cocina—This is the place to go in El Calafate if you want to have some fairly good pasta. It’s a little more laid-back, with a welcoming atmosphere and pretty affordable prices.
Mi Rancho—This is a Spanish name for a place that serves Italian staples like ossobuco and risotto. It sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s still worth it. It’s actually extremely popular, so reserve a table in advance.
Other practical information
Make sure to get good travel insurance for your trip to Patagonia. You’ll likely be doing a lot of hiking, exploring, and adventuring. Of course, most likely, nothing will happen to you at all. But the last thing you want is a medical emergency in a foreign country with no insurance coverage.
I always recommend HeyMondo for travel insurance. They are easy to use and work with and have decent coverage for most travel expeditions.
Further Readings
Planning a trip to Argentina? Make sure to read my other posts:
- 11 Fantastic Day Trips From Buenos Aires
- A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires
- Top 13 Things To Do In Rosario Argentina: An Insider’s Guide!
- Hiking in Patagonia: 16 Incredible Trails
- Hiking Gear And More: The Perfect Patagonia Packing List
- The Best Argentine Movies
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