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

It is understandably one of the most popular day trips from Buenos Aires. Come early to spend the morning with the local silversmiths and a coffee in one 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.

First, a disclosure: I feel that I must inform you of my bias. I fell so in love with this town that after 15 years in big city Buenos Aires, we moved our young family here to San Antonio de Areco.

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 in reality, 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 of gauchos ride into town and parade through the streets. It’s something everyone should see once in their life.

Historic ranches and expansive estates are minutes from town and are Areco’s main draw for most international tourism. But don’t disregard the town itself.

Visit skilled artisans and silversmiths, shop for traditional clothing and art, and dine in the multiple historic bars and cafes.

How to Get To San Antonio de Areco

San Antonio is 115 km north of Buenos Aires. It is a 1.5-2 hour drive, depending on 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 the town’s artisans in the morning then 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 car rental rates here from Buenos Aires.

The drive is an easy one once you are out of the city, taking Ruta 8 the majority of the way.

You an also take the bus, check schedules and prices here. The double decker buses are comfortable with lie flat seating and the ride takes just over 2 hours. The bus stop is at the Puma Energy gas station, here is the Google Maps pin, you’ll have to hoof it into town from there or hire a remis. If you take the bus and want to stay overnight, rent a hotel in town like the Hotel Draghi.

🚘Road trip inspiration: If you rent a car, here is a route I’d recommend. Have lunch at La Pebeta or visit the Gamboa winery on the way into Areco. Both are in Campana. Use the freedom of a rental car to rent a house in the countryside outside of San Antonio de Areco. Stay for a couple of days. Spend one day at an estancia and the other in town and enjoy the pool that your house likely has.

When to visit San Antonio de Areco

San Antonio de Areco is lovely all year. Each season has 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.

But some classic spots (like El Boliche de Bessonart) will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, so plan wisely.

Siesta is still a major part of life here and it starts early. The entire town shuts down from around 12:30 until 4:30 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 about. Shops will close but museums and restaurants are available. But always check opening hours in advance to plan your day.

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.

I’ve listed a lot of restaurants, shops, and museums so to make it easier I created a Google map for you to reference.

Visit A Historic Estancia

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 also operate as charming bed and breakfasts.

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

Most 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.

San Antonio de Areco Estancias:

• El Ombu: This is a well oiled machine. El Ombu been open for tourism for a long time and is well accustomed to international visitors. They have a great itinerary. Note that the groups can be very large in peak season during the summer. But staying overnight in their stunning rooms will give you ultimate peace. Check this day trip excursion to El Ombu or book accommodation.
• La Florita is a 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 but know that they don’t speak English.
• Puesto La Lechuza: Puesto La Lechuza is a family run project open since 2021 on a gorgeous estate just 15 minutes from town. They offer private dias de campo for larger groups, horseback rides, and agrotourism. If you are staying overnight in Areco, I highly recommend the sunset ride.
• La Bamba: An estancia offering 5 star luxury, Estancia La Bamba is a Relais & Chateaux property. La Bamba de Areco offers both country day itineraries and luxury lodging.
• La Porteña: This ranch is a part of Areco’s history. It’s been operating since 1822 and was home to the writer Ricardo Güiraldes and the gaucho Don Segundo Ramírez, who inspired Güiraldes’ famous novel “Don Segundo Sombra”. The novel describes traditional gaucho life and is a pillar of Areco’s history and tradition. Estancia La Porteña offers both country day itineraries and lodging.

Keep Reading: The Best Estancias Near Buenos Aires

Museo Gauchesco Ricard Guiraldes

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

• Opening hours: Thursday through Monday and on holidays from 11:15 am to 5 pm (last entrance at 4:30 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Entrance fee: 20,000 pesos for international visitors (as of April 2026)and $6,000 for Argentine residents. Free for retirees, children under 12, and handicapped visitors with one companion.
• Confirm up to date prices on their website

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).

• Opening hours: Thursday through Sunday and holidays, from 10 am to 4 pm, and again from 3pm to 7 pm (entrance is allowed until one hour before closing)
• Entrance fee: $6,000 pesos, kids under 12 are free
• Check their Instagram and website 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.

Try the Chocolates & Alfajores

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

Visitors from Buenos Aires don’t feel like their visit is complete unless they’re driving back with a couple bags of alfajores for the friends and family.

They’re famous for their alfajores and the factory is right behind the shop and you can watch them at work through the windows behind the counters.

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 expert, 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. Don’t forget some treats 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.

See Puente Viejo & Rio Areco

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.

Artisans & Silversmiths

The Draghi Museum and the Draghi brothers’ (Mariano and Patricio) respective workshops are two of the most impressive silversmiths in San Antonio de Areco.

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.

Gustavo “El Chavo” Stagnaro is another renowned silversmith, just one block from the main square. His work is beautiful, featured in his street facing shop (with his workshop being in the backrooms).

Along with his work, you can also shop for traditional clothing, tapestries, and other “criollo” wares.

Then cross the hallway from El Chavo to visit his daughter, Josefina Stagnaro’s workshop. She creates intricate works of art out of recycled paper and books.

Where to Shop in San Antonio de Areco

Argentina excels in high quality, hand crafted items. You’re not here to shop in the malls, you’re here for hand crafted leather bags, hand woven tapestries, carvings, boots, polo clothing and more.

San Antonio de Areco does this in spades. The shopping here is not to be underestimated.

Here are some of my favorites to recommend:

• Casa Guerrico – Located on the main square, think saddle shop meets high quality souvenirs, you’ll find saddles and riding boots, paintings, jewelry, leather bags, and sweaters by local artists, clothing and alpargatas by local brand Arandu, and more. It’s impossible to leave with nothing.
• Boulevard Alvear – One of those cute shops you go in for nothing but always walking with a few somethings. They have home decor, dishes, clothing, and accessories.
• Lo de Arnaldi – Beautiful hand-crafted souvenirs like sweaters, ponchos, leather goods, and more.

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.

Cafes in San Antonio de Areco

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.

Paseo de Areco is a nice gallery with a few boutique shops selling clothes, candles, and other beautiful knick-knacks. Tucked in the back is Tucano Bistro, an excellent spot for a quiet coffee or merienda.

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

Cafe Pueblo is a great local spot on Plaza Gomez. They have delicious cakes and great coffee and some beautifully curated items in the shop.

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 in the patio. Inside space is limited to just a few tables, so go when it’s nice out to enjoy the patio. They also host events like movie nights or wine nights. It’s a beautiful location but its coffee and pastries are pricier than the alternatives on this list.

Where to Eat in San Antonio de Areco

There is no shortage of dining options here, wanting to visit as many of the historic eateries in town is worth staying a few nights. At least it’s reason enough for me!

• 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.
• Almacen Los Principios | A historic general store is breathing new life as a restaurant, come here to eat like a local with the locals. Open only for dinner Tuesday through Friday, they open all day on the weekends and holidays, closed on Monday. Check their Instagram for live music events. Confirm hours & events here.
• Paraje Ruta 8 | A new restaurant just before you reach town on Ruta 8, Paraje Ruta 8 features classic country favorites with high quality ingredients. Open from 8 am to 6 pm, it’s great for breakfast, lunch, or merienda.
• Lo de Co | Old restaurant just a few blocks from the main square and the river, I love their empanadas.
• Pulperia Lo de Tito | Another historic pulperia, similar to Lo de Co and Almacen Los Principios with great milanesas and pastas. The space is fully decorated with antiques and feels like an old general store.
• Cerdo Rojo Charcuteria | The best charcuterie you’ll find in Areco, Cerdo Rojo is a new opening in a painstakingly and beautiful restored historic building. Their products here are high quality, using ultra premium Duroc GP meat.
• 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.
• Restaurante Histórico Lacarra | Lacarra is 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 traditional menu items are 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

Pin It For Later