The 10 Best Things to Do in Bariloche, Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche – or simply Bariloche – is a mountain town located in the northern part of Argentina’s Patagonia region.

Bariloche is famous for its German influence, its chocolate, and its beautiful mountain landscapes.

The area surrounding Bariloche is known as Argentina’s Lake District because of the many beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains. Bariloche itself is located by the southern shore of the massive Nahuel Huapi Lake.

In the wintertime, Bariloche is a popular destination for skiing and other winter sports. While in the spring and summer, the mountains are ideal for hikes, trekking, and camping.

In this post, I wanted to share some of the activities and things to do in San Carlos de Bariloche.

Let’s get started!

Bariloche Travel Guide: What to Do in Bariloche?

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The 10 Best Things to Do in Bariloche

#1 Do a Tour of Circuito Chico

One of the absolute most popular things to do in Bariloche is drive Circuito Chico,

Circuito Chico is a circle-sharped road passing through some of the most spectacular sceneries in Bariloche.

During the around 23 kilometer long road, you will have the opportunity to stop at several viewpoints or do longer and shorter hikes through the beautiful nature of Bariloche.

Some locals would say that you haven’t really been to Bariloche if you haven’t visited Circuito Chico.

Check out my complete guide to Circuito Chico and find the best places to visit!

#2 Take the Cable Car to the Top of Cerro Otto

The Cerro Otto mountain is located just around 3 miles (5 km) outside the city center of Bariloche. From the bottom of the mountain, you can take a cable car up to the top which is located around 1,000 meters above sea level.

From the top of Cerro Otto, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

On the top, there is also a small visitor center with souvenir shops, a zip line, and the possibility to try paragliding.

The visitor center also includes a rotating cafeteria with a panoramic view over the mountains. However, the service at the cafeteria is terrible and pricey, and really not a recommendable activity. You get the same views as the cafeteria offers from walking around the visitor center and its terraces.

The tickets to get up Cerro Otto in the cable cars are a bit pricey too (check the current prices here). So, if you are not a fan of cable cars, Bariloche offers many other free viewpoints.

#3 Explore Bariloche City Center

Bariloche’s city center doesn’t have too much to offer. You can easily cover it in one day or less. So, the recommendation would be to plan plenty of day trips to the surrounding areas if you are staying in the city.

Bariloche’s Town Hall & Civic Center

A symbol of Bariloche is its town hall, Centro Cívico Bariloche or Bariloche’s Civic Center. Around the town hall square, you will find buildings in Alpine-inspired architecture in stone and wood.

You have a great view over Nahuel Huapi Lake from the Civic Center. Just down by the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the Civic Center, you have a nice little restaurant Almado with amazing views over the lake.

Shopping Street, Avenida Mitre

The town hall square is connected to the main street in Bariloche: Avenida Mitre. On Avenida Mitre you will find some of Bariloche’s famous chocolate shops (see below) and many souvenir stores.

Bariloche’s Cathedral

Bariloche’s cathedral, Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi, is also located close to the main street. It’s the main Catholic church in Bariloche. It’s open to the public Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and again from 4 pm to 9 pm.

#4 Take a Day trip

In the surroundings of Bariloche, there are plenty of different options for doing lighter trekking trips and long hikes.

When we visited, we drove out to the camping area, Camping Lago Gutierrez, and did the trekking trails to the waterfall Cascadas de los Duendes and continued up to a viewpoint over Lake Gutierrez, Mirador Lago Gutierrez.

You can find more inspiration for trails around Bariloche with different difficulties on Bariloche Trekking (link in Spanish).

Cascadas de los Duendes

The first part of the trail to the waterfall is super easy and straightforward. When you arrive at the parking lot in front of Camping Lago Gutierrez, you will see the entrance to the forest clearly marked with signs.

Follow the marked trail until there is a sign pointing to Cascadas de los Duendes. Shortly after you will start to hear to sound of the waterfalls.

Read more about Cascadas de los Duendes (link in Spanish).

Viewpoint Lake Gutierrez

After visiting Cascadas de los Duendes, follow the trail back to where you turned towards the waterfalls. From there, follow the other trail in the forest towards the viewpoint over Lake Gutierrez.

The first part of the trail is pretty easy. But as you get closer to the top of the mountain, the harder it gets. The last part of the trail is steep and you have to work to get up.

The good thing is that the trails are clearly marked and it is very easy to find your way – just keep in mind that you’ll have to work for it!

Read more about the viewpoint of Lake Gutierrez (link in Spanish).

#5 Visit the Swiss Colony

Between Bariloche and Circuito Chico, you’ll find the Swiss Colony or Colonia Suiza in Spanish. The first European colony in the area. It was founded towards the end of the 19th century by Swiss immigrants who arrived in Argentina in search of a new life.

Today, the colony is a weird mix of souvenir shops, restaurants, and chocolate shops.

The charm of Swiss-looking houses in Patagonia seems to have turned into more of a touristic circus.

#6 Taste Local Chocolate

In Argentina, Bariloche is super famous for its chocolate!

The chocolate tradition was brought to the area by European immigrants and has been kept alive in the region ever since.

Some of the most well-known chocolate shops in Bariloche:

• Rapanui
• Mamuschka
• Casa Abuela Goye (inside the Swiss Colony)

#7 Visit the Havanna Chocolate Museum

Bariloche also has its own chocolate museum by the locally well-known chocolate and alfajor brand, Havanna.

The museum is small. All information is in Spanish, and they only offer guided tours in Spanish. So, keep that in mind if you visit with limited Spanish knowledge.

The museum’s highlight is definitely one of the last rooms where you can see several sculptures of Patagonian animals made exclusively in chocolate.

A fun fact is that the chocolate and alfajor brand, Havanna, is not originally from Bariloche. But from the Argentine coastal town, Mar de la Plata.

The museum is located outside the city center but can easily be reached by foot or taxi.

#8 Learn about Bariloche’s German Heritage

Bariloche is well-known for its huge European – and especially German – influence. European immigration to the area dates all the way back to the foundation of the city. But throughout history, different waves of German immigration have formed Bariloche. Including a Nazi wave following the end of the Second World War.

If you are interested in history and learning more about the German’s influence on Bariloche, the walking tour German Footprint & Nazi presence in Bariloche is an excellent afternoon activity. Diego that runs the tours is a great storyteller and knows a lot about Bariloche and its history.

The tour takes place Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7 pm from the Civic Center in front of the tourist information.

Tickets can be brought on Viator.com.

#9 Take a Boat Trip on Lake Nahuel Huapi

A boat trip is another popular activity when in Bariloche.

With the many different lakes in the area, it isn’t hard to imagine how a boat trip is an ideal way to explore the area.

Many of the tours embark on Victoria Island, a huge island in the middle of Lake Nahuel Huapi.

#10 Go Skiing (in the Winter)

In the winter (June through August in Argentina), Bariloche is a super popular skiing destination for both international and local tourists.

The place to go is Cerro Catedral, which is the largest ski center in the southern hemisphere. Read a complete guide to skiing in Bariloche here.

Even outside the skiing season, you are able to visit Cerro Catedral on a tour.

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Have you visited Bariloche? Or would you like to visit? Or maybe you are already planning a trip here? Share your thoughts and knowledge below!