Argentina is a land of tango and Malbec, gauchos and glaciers, football passion and Patagonian wilderness. From the streets of Buenos Aires to the edge of Antarctica, here are 20 fun facts about Argentina to inspire your trip.
1. Tango Was Born in Buenos Aires
Tango emerged in the working-class neighborhoods around the Río de la Plata in the late 19th century, and it is now on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Watch a show or join a milonga dance night.
2. Mate Is the National Drink
Argentines sip this caffeinated herbal infusion from a gourd through a metal straw called a bombilla, and sharing mate is a social ritual.
3. Gauchos Are National Icons
The skilled horsemen of the pampas are celebrated in literature and festivals. Visit an estancia (ranch) near Buenos Aires for a taste of gaucho life.
4. Avenida 9 de Julio Is One of the Widest Avenues in the World
Buenos Aires' main boulevard is about 140 meters wide, with many lanes of traffic and the Obelisco at its center.
5. Candombe Has African Roots
This drum-based music and dance, created by the descendants of enslaved Africans in the Río de la Plata region, is still played in Buenos Aires and, especially, in neighboring Uruguay.
6. Football Is a National Obsession
Argentina has won three World Cups, most recently in 2022, and produced legends such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Catching a match at La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors, is unforgettable.
7. The Perito Moreno Glacier Puts On a Show
Perito Moreno, in Los Glaciares National Park, was long famous for staying stable while most glaciers retreated, and huge chunks of ice regularly crash into Lake Argentino.
8. Mendoza Is Malbec Country
At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is the country's largest wine region and world-famous for Malbec.
9. Asado Is a Way of Life
Argentina's barbecue, cooked slowly over wood or charcoal on a grill called a parrilla, is a weekend tradition. Empanadas are the favorite snack.
10. Patagonia Is an Adventure Paradise
Hike around Mount Fitz Roy near El Chaltén, spot whales at Península Valdés, and explore lakes and forests around Bariloche.
11. Argentina Has the Highest Mountain Outside Asia
Aconcagua, at 6,961 meters, is the highest peak in the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
12. The Andes Are Great for Stargazing
Clear, dry skies make observatories such as El Leoncito in San Juan province ideal for astronomy and stargazing tours.
13. Eva Perón Is a Cultural Icon
Evita, the wife of President Juan Perón, is remembered for her work for the poor and women's suffrage. Visit the Evita Museum in Buenos Aires and her grave at Recoleta Cemetery.
14. Cueva de las Manos Has Ancient Hand Paintings
This UNESCO-listed cave in Patagonia contains hundreds of stenciled hands, some painted around 9,000 years ago.
15. Some of the Largest Dinosaurs Were Found Here
Argentina is famous for giant dinosaur fossils, including Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan, among the largest animals ever to walk the Earth.
16. Buenos Aires Has Historic Cafés
The city's traditional cafés, such as Café Tortoni, which opened in 1858, are part of its culture.
17. Ushuaia Is Known as the End of the World
The Tierra del Fuego city is often called the southernmost city in the world and is the main departure point for Antarctic cruises.
18. The Ballpoint Pen Took Off in Argentina
Hungarian-born inventor László Bíró patented and developed his ballpoint pen in Argentina in the 1940s, and in Argentina a ballpoint is still called a "birome."
19. Iguazú Falls Are on Its Border
The falls, shared with Brazil, consist of about 275 individual cascades, including the thundering Devil's Throat.
20. You Can Ski in July
Argentina's ski season runs from about June to September, at resorts such as Cerro Catedral near Bariloche and Las Leñas in Mendoza.
Plan Your Trip to Argentina
Stay connected from Buenos Aires to Patagonia with an egoViet Argentina eSIM, or a South America eSIM if you are visiting neighboring countries. Combining your trip with Brazil? Read our Brazil travel guide.
FAQs: Fun Facts About Argentina
What is Argentina famous for?
Argentina is famous for tango, football, Malbec wine, asado, Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier, and Iguazú Falls.
What is the national drink of Argentina?
Mate, a caffeinated herbal infusion shared from a gourd, is Argentina's national drink.
What is the highest mountain in Argentina?
Aconcagua, at 6,961 meters, is the highest mountain in the Americas.
When is the ski season in Argentina?
The ski season runs from about June to September.