Places you can reach in the morning and leave in the evening. Public transport first; the car only where it really helps.
Tigre and the Paraná Delta
River town on the Paraná Delta, the fifth-largest delta in the world, where wooden launches serve the islands and old rowing clubs line the riverfront. An easy half or full day for anyone who wants water, boats and a craft market close to the city.
How to get there
- Train · Trenes Argentinos (Línea Mitre, Retiro-Tigre) · 50 minFrom Retiro (Mitre line, platforms 1-2)
Departures: First train from Retiro 06:55 on weekdays, 07:40 at weekends; last 21:32 / 21:30; last Tigre-Retiro 20:53 weekdays, 20:57 weekends
Fare: ARS 790 one way with a registered SUBE (3rd section), ARS 1,600 cash, double with an unregistered SUBE (from 1 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10)
The Tigre municipality page still shows an old 'service interrupted until 28/02' notice; the Trenes Argentinos timetable (Oct 2026) lists the service running.
- Train · Trenes Argentinos (Tren de la Costa)From Retiro (Mitre line to Bartolomé Mitre), then Av. Maipú station
Departures: About every 20 min from 07:10 (timetable from 2 Jan 2026)
Fare: ARS 450 (1st section) / ARS 640 (2nd section) with a registered SUBE, ARS 1,600 cash (from 1 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10)
Cross the footbridge over Av. Maipú from Mitre station to Maipú station.
- Ferry · Sturla Viajes ('Delta Premium') · 1 h 50 minFrom Puerto Madero
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: ARS 75,000 one way, online promo ARS 63,000; return ARS 106,000 / 89,000 (checked 2026-10)
Sightseeing boat linking Buenos Aires and the Delta.
- Bus · Colectivo 60 · 1 h 45 minFrom Constitución
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: National-line fare by distance with SUBE (over 27 km ARS 1,337.06 from 15 July 2026)
1.5-2 hours; the branch with the green PANAMERICANA sign uses the motorway and is faster.
What to see
- Boat trip into the Delta. Lanchas colectivas (traditional mahogany commuter launches) and excursion boats leave from the Estación Fluvial; Sturla's catamaran 'Paseo 3 Ríos' does 1 h 15 min on the Tigre, Luján and Sarmiento rivers from the Muelle Municipal, Lavalle 500.
- Paseo Victorica. Tree-lined riverside promenade with mid-19th-century summer houses, traditional rowing clubs, the Museo Naval de la Nación and the Museo de Arte Tigre. 60 min.
- Puerto de Frutos. The former fruit port, now a large open-air crafts and decoration market. 60 min.
- Tren de la Costa. Go or return on the scenic riverside line between Delta station and Av. Maipú (Olivos), with a footbridge to the Mitre line's Bartolomé Mitre station.
Closed days
No weekly closing day verified for the boats or the Puerto de Frutos; museum opening days not verified 2026.
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. About 30 min by car. About 30 minutes via General Paz and the Autopista del Sol (Panamericana Acceso Norte), then Ramal Tigre (Tigre municipality). The train is simpler and the Delta is explored by boat anyway.
Good to know
- Combine the Mitre line one way with the Tren de la Costa the other way.
- Delta boats are the point of the trip: a short catamaran tour or a lancha colectiva to an island restaurant.
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
A ferry ride across the Río de la Plata to one of Uruguay's oldest towns, whose Portuguese-built historic quarter of cobbled streets is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995). For history lovers and anyone who wants a slower day abroad; bring your passport.
How to get there
- Ferry · Colonia Express · 1 h 15 minFrom Colonia Express terminal, Av. Elvira Rawson de Dellepiane 155, Puerto Madero Sur
Departures: 5 a day: 08:30, 10:30, 12:50, 18:30, 20:00 (1 Sep-31 Oct 2026); from 1 Nov 2026 08:00, 10:30, 12:30, 18:15, 20:00. Back from Colonia 08:30, 10:30, 16:30, 18:00, 20:15 (Sep-Oct 2026)
Fare: Day tour 'Unforgettable' (same-day return ticket, local bus and walking tour) from ARS 76,214 with the current 25% online discount, ARS 96,600 regular (checked 2026-10); one-way fares not verified 2026
International crossing with passport control; Colonia Express gives the port-to-port crossing as about 1 h 10-15 min. Cancellations allowed up to 72 hours before (30% fee) on Express fares.
- Ferry · BuquebusFrom Buquebus Terminal Fluvial, Puerto Madero
Departures: Several daily; not verified 2026
Fare: Day tour 'Historic' (same-day return in tourist class, walking tour of the historic quarter, travel assistance) USD 67.95 per person (checked 2026-10); one-way fares not verified 2026
Terminal near Catalinas and Correo Central stations (Line E) and Alem (Line B); bikes travel free.
What to see
- Barrio Histórico. The UNESCO-listed historic quarter with 17th-century cobblestone streets laid by the Portuguese, a short walk from the ferry terminal. 2-3 hours.
- Portón de Campo. The old city gate and wooden drawbridge. 15 min.
- Lighthouse and San Francisco convent ruins. The lighthouse stands among the ruins of the 17th-century Convent of San Francisco. 30 min.
- Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento. Stone basilica built by the Portuguese in 1808 on the Plaza Mayor. 15 min.
- Portuguese Museum. 18th-century house with Portuguese furniture, jewellery, uniforms and old maps. 30-45 min.
Closed days
No weekly closing day verified for the historic quarter; museum hours not verified 2026.
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. Cars cross on the ferry; non-Mercosur visitors need a passport and a sworn vehicle declaration (Colonia Express FAQ). Not worth it for a day: the historic quarter is walkable from the port.
Good to know
- Both companies sell same-day return day-tour packages online.
- Allow time at the terminal for check-in and migration control before departure.
- Take the 08:30 boat out and an evening boat back to have a full day.
La Plata
The planned capital of Buenos Aires province, founded in 1882, with a huge neo-Gothic cathedral and the university's large natural history museum in its Paseo del Bosque. For architecture, science and museum lovers; easy by train.
How to get there
- Train · Trenes Argentinos (Línea Roca, Constitución-La Plata) · 1 h 15 minFrom Plaza Constitución
Departures: About every 25-35 min on weekdays (timetable from 3 Aug 2026)
Fare: ARS 790 one way with a registered SUBE (3rd section), ARS 1,600 cash, double with an unregistered SUBE (from 1 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10)
La Plata station is at Av. 1 y Av. 44.
- Bus · Costera Metropolitana, Grupo Plaza, TALP (as listed by the Museo de La Plata)From Buenos Aires
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026
What to see
- Museo de La Plata. Natural history museum of the National University of La Plata in the Paseo del Bosque: a 135 m building with some three million fossils and objects. Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30); ARS 7,500 online, ARS 8,500 at the desk, card or transfer only, no cash; under-13s free (checked 2026-10). Guided visits Thu-Fri 15:00, Sat-Sun 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00. 2-3 hours.
- Catedral de La Plata. Gothic Revival cathedral by Pedro Benoit, begun in 1884 and completed only in 1999, 120 m long and 97 m high. 45 min.
- The planned city. La Plata was laid out after Buenos Aires city was federalised in 1880 and founded by Governor Dardo Rocha on 19 November 1882.
Closed days
Museo de La Plata closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and on 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. 55 km on the Autopista La Plata-Buenos Aires with 2 tolls (Museo de La Plata); city motorways require TelePASE or a Pase Diario bought at least 3 hours ahead.
Good to know
- Go Wednesday to Sunday: the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- The museum does not take cash: bring a card.
- Buy the museum ticket online, ARS 1,000 cheaper than at the desk.
San Antonio de Areco
Pampas town founded in 1730 on the Areco river, homeland of Ricardo Güiraldes' gaucho novel Don Segundo Sombra and declared a city of national historic interest. For travellers who want gaucho culture and a quiet colonial-era town.
How to get there
- Bus · ChevallierFrom Retiro bus terminal
Departures: Daily services (sanantoniodeareco.com); times not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026
Check times and buy on the Chevallier website.
What to see
- Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes. Opened in 1938: the gaucho, country life and Güiraldes' work. Open Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun and holidays, entry 11:15-16:30, closes 17:00; foreigners ARS 23,000, Argentines ARS 7,000, free on Thursdays (checked 2026-10). Guided visits Sat, Sun and holidays 11:30 and 15:00. 90 min.
- Fiesta de la Tradición. Gaucho festival held every year since 1939, for a week around the Día de la Tradición in November, with riders from all over the country.
- Historic centre. Walk the streets around the main square; the Museo Taller Draghi and the Museo de Arte La Recova are listed by the town's tourism site.
Closed days
Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Best time to go
all year; November for the Fiesta de la Tradición
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. 113 km on Ruta Nacional 8, at its junction with Ruta Provincial 41 (town tourism site). Driving time not verified.
Good to know
- Avoid Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the Museo Gauchesco is closed; Thursday entry is free.
- In November the Fiesta de la Tradición fills the town: book transport early.