The 9 best things to do in Bariloche!
Bariloche is a city in Argentina located in the northern part of Patagonia, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Walking through the city feels almost like being in Europe. Many residents trace their ancestry to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The city is filled with Swiss-style chalets, and the region's famous chocolate is largely produced by Italian families. During the Argentine winter, from July to October, Bariloche is a popular skiing destination. In the summer, it’s perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. Bariloche is the ideal destination for an active vacation!
How to get to Bariloche?
There are several ways to get to Bariloche. If you’re traveling from Buenos Aires, you can go by rental car, bus, or plane. Driving takes about 18 hours, while the bus journey can take more than 24 hours. However, the buses are luxurious, with comfortable seats and plenty of space. You can easily purchase bus tickets through Bookaway.
A faster option is to fly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, which takes around 2.5 hours. Flights are typically more expensive than buses, but you save a significant amount of time. You can use Skyscanner to find the cheapest tickets easily.
If you’re traveling from Chile to Bariloche, there are options as well. If you're driving a rental car, make sure to check if you're allowed to cross the border with it. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt to Bariloche. The journey takes about 5 hours but often takes longer due to border checks. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning landscapes. Note that there are no direct flights from Chile to Bariloche.
How to get around in Bariloche?
In Bariloche, there are various accommodation options. We stayed in an Airbnb apartment in the Pinar de Festa neighborhood, which is a little outside the city center. There are also plenty of options within the center. Most attractions, however, are located outside the center, so you’ll often need to travel a little to reach them.
The bus system in Bariloche is good. You can check current bus routes and schedules on Google Maps, and in our experience, the times and buses shown there are accurate. To use the bus, you'll need a Sube card with some credit on it. You can load money onto the card at most kiosk shops.
Additionally, there are plenty of taxis in Bariloche. However, renting a car is the most convenient option, as it allows you to decide when and where you want to go.
What to do in Bariloche?
1. Climb Cerro Otto
We did an amazing hike to Cerro Otto, and we chose this route using AllTrails. It’s a 5.6-mile (9-kilometer) round trip, manageable for anyone in good physical condition. The trail winds through nature, and we encountered very few people along the way.
At the top of the mountain, you'll stop at a tourist area accessible by cable car. Here, you can enjoy stunning views from several platforms, visit a rotating panoramic restaurant, or let kids have fun on the climbing wall. At this point, you can decide whether to continue hiking or head back down. If you prefer, you can also take the cable car down.
If you choose to continue hiking, you'll pass a sign indicating that the trail ahead is open but at your own risk. This is because the hike extends beyond the managed tourist area, and the attraction operators are not responsible for anything that happens outside their property.
The extended hike is a bit steeper and has more loose rocks. Completing the full route takes about 4.5 hours.
2. Chill by the lake
3. Explore the center of Bariloche!
4. Take a look in Villa La Angostura!
Villa La Angostura is a town by Lake Nahuel Huapi, located about a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Bariloche. This charming village is popular with wealthy Argentinians and affluent foreigners looking to enjoy a stylish vacation. Along the lake, you'll find large villas and beautiful boats.
The town has a cozy atmosphere with charming restaurants, and the surrounding area offers great hiking opportunities. It's definitely worth visiting and perhaps taking a hike in the area. You can find various trails through AllTrails.
5. Admire the Seven Lakes
A popular activity is the Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route). This scenic drive takes you past seven beautiful lakes in the Bariloche area. You can join a day tour or explore it yourself by rental car. Along the way, you'll pass stunning spots with reflective lakes and snow-capped mountain peaks.
6. Take a walking tour
At the beginning of the 20th century, many European immigrants from Switzerland and Germany settled in Bariloche. This was due to political instability in Europe and better economic opportunities in Bariloche. The land around Bariloche is very fertile and ideal for agriculture, livestock, and artisanal activities. Additionally, Bariloche’s climate and landscape shared many similarities with Germany and Switzerland, which made many people feel at home. Over time, Bariloche grew into an important trade center and tourist destination.
During World War II, Bariloche became a hub for National Socialist activities because of its large German population. After the war, Nazi propaganda continued to be produced in Bariloche. Many Germans fled to Bariloche after the war, hoping to avoid punishment.
Bariloche has a unique history, which is why it’s interesting to take a German Footprint Tour through the town center. Here, you can learn more about the influence of German immigrants on Bariloche.
7. Taste the delicious chocolate
Many European immigrants brought the tradition of chocolate-making with them when they settled in Bariloche. The region around Bariloche offers ideal conditions for producing high-quality chocolate. The European immigrants had knowledge of artisanal skills, which led to the development of a chocolate industry. In the town center of Bariloche, you'll find many chocolate shops where you can taste chocolate and buy fun souvenirs. Most of these shops are family businesses passed down from generation to generation.
8. Do the Cerro Llao Llao hike
We did the great Cerro Llao Llao hike. We took the bus there and got off just before the luxurious and well-known Llao Llao Hotel. From there, you need to walk about 10 minutes further to reach the start of the trail. We hiked the Cerro Llao Llao route, and along the way, you'll come across a junction. Here, you can choose to hike to the top of the mountain, or you can opt to hike to Villa Tacul by the lake. We first hiked to the top of the mountain and then headed down to the lake. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, and at the end, we relaxed by the lake. If you do both hikes, you’ll be out for just under half a day. The hikes are manageable for people in good shape.
Tip: Near the bus stop where you get off when coming by bus, you'll find the Llao Llao Hotel. It’s a five-star resort with a beautiful view. It’s worth taking a look around there.
9. Visit the Museo de la Patagonia
In the center of Bariloche, you'll find the Museo de la Patagonia. This museum teaches you about the plants and animals that live in Patagonia. It also provides information about the history of Patagonia and the creation of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It’s a small, inexpensive museum that's worth a quick visit.
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