Things to do in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

San Antonio de Areco, at just an hour and a half north of the Buenos Aires, is the perfect introduction to Argentine rural and gaucho culture.

This tiny town is the ultimate destination for all things gaucho, history, and tradition.

Areco is understandably one of the most popular day trips from Buenos Aires.

Come early to spend the morning with the local silversmiths and with a coffee in the historic bars before heading to traditional ranch for the afternoon.

And while most come for the day, you won’t regret staying for a few days if you have the time.

I’m biased, of course. We just made the move from the big city life, moving our family to San Antonio de Areco this year. Obviously, I love it here.

So whether you’re looking for San Antonio de Areco day trip ideas or inspiration for a weekend getaway, this article will tell you everything you need to know: what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

San Antonio de Areco, La Cuna de la Tradicion

The cradle of tradition, it’s a lofty claim but San Antonio de Areco is nothing if not pride incarnate.

And actually, they aren’t lying. In 2015 Law 27105 declared San Antonio de Areco the “National Capital of Tradition.”

Founded in 1730, this is one of the oldest towns in the province and they hold tight to their traditions and history.

Each November, Areco hosts the Día de la Tradición. Hundreds (thousands?) of gauchos ride into town and parade through the streets. It’s something everyone should see once in their life.

Historic ranches and estates dot the surroundings and downtown you can grab a beer next to gauchos in bars frozen in time.

Ready to plan your visit to Areco? Let’s get going…

How to Get To San Antonio de Areco

San Antonio is about 115 km north of the city. It is a 1-2 hour drive from Buenos Aires, depending on just how much city you have to cross to get out of town.

If you’re coming on a day trip, you can book this popular excursion to visit downtown and an estancia. It takes care of all the details in one fell swoop. Otherwise, you can hire a driver from the city for the day.

However, if you want to stay for a night or two it is best to rent a car so you can explore the surroundings and get around easily. Check rental rates here from Buenos Aires.

The drive is a relatively easy one taking Ruta 8 the majority of the way.

Want itinerary inspiration? To see and do more along the way, you could have lunch at La Pebeta or visit the Gamboa winery, both in Campana. Use the car to rent a house in the countryside outside of Areco and stay for a couple of days. Do one day at an estancia, another in town and by your house’s pool.

If you’d rather not drive, you can take the bus from the bus terminal in Retiro.

The ride is about 2 hours and costs between $11-15 USD each way. Check Nueva Chevallier’s website for the schedule. If you have a hard time paying on their website, you can also book on Busbud. I do find that the company’s website has more availability than third parties so compare, to be sure.

The bus will leave you outside at the entrance to town and you’ll have to hoof it into town from there. Remis (taxis) are available but not very reliable here. If you take the bus and want to stay overnight, rent a hotel in town like the Hotel Draghi.

When to visit San Antonio de Areco

You can come all year, each season will have its charm. What may change your experience however, is what day of the week you come.

The pueblos in Buenos Aires receive huge influxes of tourism on the weekends – Friday through Sunday. People from Buenos Aires leave the city for a bit of peace every weekend and flood the surrounding towns, whose restaurants and hotels cater to them.

During the week things are slow. In some towns, they are completely dead. But luckily, Areco is a large enough town that even if you visit Monday through Thursday you will find restaurants open.

Also, during the week, siesta is still a major part of life here. And it starts early. The entire town shuts down from around 12:30 until 5 and I am not exaggerating. With the exception of restaurants open for lunch, nothing will be open. No one will be out.

On the weekends, with the influx of tourism, people are always out and things open all day.

If visiting during the week, you can easily visit the town in the morning hours when things are open. Spend the sleepy afternoons at an estancia.

Things to do in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

Museums, pulperias, artisans, and estancias – there is no shortage of things to do in San Antonio de Areco.

Visit one of Areco’s Estancias

If you do one thing in Argentina, let it be visiting an estancia.

These historic ranches offer “dias de campo” – days in the countryside. Some operate as charming bed and breakfasts, as well.

The dia de campo itinerary will depend on the estancia but they typically always include welcome drinks and empanadas, a full asado (traditional barbecue) lunch, horseback riding, use of the grounds after lunch, and pastries and coffee to end the day.

Some estancias also offer displays of folkloric dance, doma india (traditional horse taming), and gaucho games.

If you have your own car you can reserve directly and plan your own day.

El Ombu is my favorite San Antonio de Areco estancia to recommend to visitors.

It is beautiful and accustomed to foreign tourism and the expectations Americans or Europeans may have. This excursion to El Ombu that includes transportation (it also includes time downtown).

La Florita is another favorite of mine. This dia de campo isn’t on a sprawling estate like El Ombu but is run by a talented local family. Prices are more affordable than El Ombu and other ranches but with that know that they don’t speak English.

Keep Reading: The Best Estancias Near Buenos Aires

Museo Gauchesco Ricard Guiraldes

UPDATE: Closed until December 2025 (estimated) due to flood damage.

Dedicated to preserving local tradition and culture, this museum sits over 200 acres of land a short walk from downtown.

It’s open to the public Thursday through Monday and holidays from 11:15 am to 5 pm (last entrance at 4:30 pm). Entrance is 5,000 pesos (as of April 2025) and is free on Mondays.

Here you’ll also find the Parque Criollo, where major events like jineteadas (rodeos) and the Fiesta de la Tradicion take place.

Check the Instagram page for Areco’s tourism board for regularly schedule tours and events at Museo Gauchesco.

They post a new schedule to their feed for each weekend.

Museo Las Lilas de Areco

This museum is dedicated to Don Florencio Molina Campos, a self-taught artist famous for depicting gauchos and rural life.

His work has a clear sense of humor with exaggerated features. Molina Campos is easily one of the most famous artists in Argentina and you can see a huge collection of his work here in Las Lilas.

In the Luz y Sonida theater, you can see five of his works brought to life with larger than life size tableaus and voiceovers (Spanish only).

Check their Instagram for up to date hours and current exhibits.

Museo de Arte La Recova

This is Miguel Angel Gasparini’s atelier, just across the street from the famous Boliche de Bessonart.

If Gasparini is in, walk in and meet the artist. He will show you his works and if you speak Spanish he’ll happily talk to you all about his family’s history and the history of everything in is workshop.

Watch him work and buy some to take home with you. He quickly drew up a beautiful “family portrait” of us as horses galloping across the pampas.

Olla de Cobra, Chocolates & Alfajores

La Olla de Cobre, which translates to “The Copper Pot” is Areco’s local chocolate shop.

The factory is right behind the shop and you can watch them at work through the windows behind the counters.

They are well known for their alfajores but I recommend the chocolates instead.

And as the trend of artisan specialty alfajores takes Argentina by storm, La Olla de Cobre has found some competition. There are a few small production alfajores for sale in the weekend artisan market by the river.

In my honest, chocoholic opinion, the chocolates and alfajores at Raices de Cacao are the best in town. This cafe is a great spot for a coffee and a treat, but for sure get some chocolates to go.

El Arequero, at a close second, makes excellent alfajores in a huge variety of flavors. You’ll find them everywhere. He has stands in the weekend markets but has them for sale in just about every shop and kiosco in town.

Visit the Silversmiths

Silversmiths may not be what comes to mind when you think of gauchos and Argentina, but it plays a major part in San Antonio’s history.

To see the country’s best artisans and most impressive pieces, visit the Draghi Museum and the Draghi brothers’ (Mariano and Patricio) respective workshops.

Patricio’s work is more modern, featuring delicate jewelry. What you’ll see in Mariano’s workshop is more traditional.

Juan José Draghi, their father, proudly proclaimed “I became a silversmith because I was born in San Antonio de Areco.” His sons continue his work today and Draghi pieces are recognized internationally for their technique and creativity.

And shoppers, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, you’ll definitely find a few things to bring home with you.

The Draghi family also has a bed and breakfast on the main square behind their museum and Mariano’s workshop. It’s my favorite hotel in town.

See Puente Viejo

This bridge is an icon and used on every single San Antonio de Areco brochure, advertisement, or logo.

It’s a pedestrian bridge (pedestrians being both people and horses in this case).

Cross it and keep walking a few hundred meters to reach the Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Guiraldes.

Puente Viejo is a great spot to watch the sunset or relax with your mate on a sunny afternoon.

the Main Square, Plaza Ruiz de Arellano

Ruiz de Arellano, the town’s founder, donated part of his land to the municipality in 1750 for a church and public square.

This remains the town’s main square and is most beautiful. The buildings that surround it are incredibly well-preserved and the plaza itself was designed by Carlos Thays

Carlos Thays was the country’s most prolific and infamous landscape architect, responsible for nearly all of the beautiful parks in Buenos Aires, many an estancia’s landscaping (like La Candelaria), and even the trees that bloom throughout the city.

There are a few options for dining on the square – Tokio, Bar Mitre, and Balthazar are all great options for lunch or dinner directly on the square.

Fiesta de la Tradición

If you happen to be in Buenos Aires on November 10 then do whatever you have to do to get yourself to San Antonio de Areco.

November 10 was chosen as the hallmark for Argentine tradition because it’s the poet Jose Hernandez’s birthday.

Hernandez authored “Martin Fierro”, an epic poem narrating the life of a gaucho, his customs and traditions.

Check here for the official dates and calendar for the next (or previous if it was recently November) Fiesta de la Tradición.

When the day was proposed, it included the idea of a pilgrimage to San Antonio de Areco’s Gaucho Ricardo Güiraldes Museum (the one conveniently located on 200+ acres of land).

Today that pilgrimage is a sight to behold. Estancias send their best gauchos and horse troops to parade through the town (el Desfile de Paisanos), all meeting in the end at the museum.

I have never seen more horses in my life. It is spectacular and I go every year.

On Saturday and Sunday there is a rodeo featuring jineteadas and tropillas. Vendors sell goods like gaucho clothing and things you’d see in a saddle shop back in the states (called a talabarteria here in Argentina).

For meals there are stands selling empanadas, steak and chorizo sandwiches but a picnic is never a bad idea.

Shops, Galerias & Cafes

Small shopping galleries and cafes are all over Areco and have been my saving grace during the week while my kids are in school.

You’ll have no shortage of places for a morning cafe con leche or glass of wine at the end of the day.

La Lechuza is a gallery and social club just steps from the main square. The gallery’s bar, La Familia Sagrada, makes great coffee, medialuna and chipa (or go in the evening for a glass of wine). The patio is gorgeous, inside a restored home. There is also a small shop with curated local items like woven sweaters from the north and leather goods.

Just across the street from La Lechuza is Paseo de Areco. This galeria has a few boutique shops selling clothing, candles, and other beautiful knick-knacks. Tucked away in the back is Tucano Bistro, another excellent spot for a quiet coffee.

Around the corner from all of this, right on the main square, is Raices de Cacao. This is my go-to cafe to work the morning away on my laptop. I love everything on the menu and I find it very affordable for the quality.

Santo Cafe is 7 blocks from the main square and a popular spot for ladies who lunch. Seriously, whenever I go (as a lady catching up with friends) it is full of ladies catching up with friends.

The space is gorgeous, with a chapel towering over the patio. They also host events like movie nights or wine nights. The only downside is that it is the priciest option on this list.

Where to Eat in San Antonio de Areco

There is no shortage of dining options here, but here are my favorite places to eat in San Antonio de Areco:

• Boliche de Bessonart | This bar has been the meeting point in Areco for over 200 years. Order a picada and their fernet (mixed with Pepsi instead of the traditional Coke). No visit to Areco is complete without a visit to Bessonart.
• Bar Historico Mitre | Located on the main square, Bar Mitre is my favorite restaurant on the main square. I love the spacious, bright restored interior. I recommend their milanesa, empanadas and tortilla Española.
• Almacén de Ramos Generales | In a restored building from 1850, Ramos Generales serves up a traditional Argentine menu of parrilla favorites and homemade pastas.
• La Corozonada | This is unlike any other restaurant in Areco, run by chef Paula Mendez Carreras, La Corozonada focuses on seasonal, local ingredients and offers a variety of experiences like cooking classes. Reservations are required.
• La Vieja Soderia | This cozy cafe is a great spot for breakfast if you’ve stayed the night or lunch on their leafy patio.
• Parilla Rancho El Tata | Roadside parrilla (Ruta 8, km. 133) offering some of the area’s best fried empanadas, but the flan doesn’t look too shabby either.
• Restaurante Histórico Lacarra | Housed in a palatial colonial home from 1740 just at the entrance to town (you’ll see the turn off for it immediately after the roundabout), the menu is traditional. The quality was excellent and the service even better. Reservations are required, check their Instagram account for more details.

Where to Stay in San Antonio de Areco

From boutique hotels in town to luxurious estancias, here are the best places to stay in San Antonio de Areco.

If you have a car, renting a house outside of town or a room in an estancia is the most beautiful way (and peaceful) way to spend your weekend here.

Without a car, stay at one of the bed and breakfasts in town.

• El Ombu | El Ombu is the best estancia bed and breakfast, with gorgeous rooms and a spacious estate.
• Vagones de Areco | For a unique stay, book a night or two in a renovated train car in the outskirts of Areco. You definitely need a car for this location.
• Hotel Draghi | We spent a weekend at the Draghi and loved it. There are rooms facing the main courtyard and within the main house. A generous breakfast buffet is served each morning facing the garden and their pool is a welcome site in the summer. They have a coveted location on the main square with on site parking.
• Antigua Casona Bed & Breakfast | B&B downtown in a beautifully restored historic home. Check rates and availability.

Read More

• The Best Buenos Aires Day Trips
• The Best Estancias Near Buenos Aires
• The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Argentina
• The 10 Best Things to do in Buenos Aires
• The Best Time to Visit Argentina

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