8 best things to do in El Calafate

From cracking glaciers to windblown steppe, the best things to do in El Calafate revolve around wild Patagonia at its most extreme. This once-quiet sheep-farming outpost is now a full-blown base for exploring Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, including the star attraction – the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier.

Sure, the town itself is touristy – think wooden lodges, high prices, and lots of calafate berry souvenirs – but it's what’s outside that counts. You’ll find glacier boat tours, hiking trails, estancia stays, and a chance to watch a wall of ice collapse into Lago Argentino, right in front of your eyes.

Even if you came just for Perito Moreno, you’ll find plenty to stick around for.

1. Witness the thunder of Perito Moreno Glacier

This is why you’re here. Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few advancing glaciers on Earth – and one of the most dramatic. Towering 70m above the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, it creaks, cracks and occasionally sheds house-sized icebergs with a thunderous roar. No photo does it justice.

You can view the glacier from a network of raised walkways – or better yet, take a boat trip that brings you face to face with its towering ice wall. Want to get closer? Trekking tours offer crampon hikes across the glacier’s frozen ridges and crevasses – no experience needed, just decent fitness.

It’s about 80km west of town – an easy day trip by bus, rental car or tour. Try to visit early or late in the day when the crowds thin and the light hits the glacier just right.

2. Visit the Glaciarium – Patagonia’s coolest museum

Don’t be fooled by the sleek exterior – Glaciarium is more than a gimmick. This glacier and climate-focused museum just outside town breaks down everything from ice formation to the impacts of climate change in a sharp, interactive way. Think 3D documentaries, tactile exhibits, and full English translations.

It’s also home to Argentina’s first ice bar, where you can throw on a parka and sip a cocktail in sub-zero temps – a touristy thrill, sure, but fun after all that science.

Set on a windswept ridge just a few kilometers from El Calafate, the Glaciarium makes a great pre- or post-glacier stop – especially on a cold or windy day when outdoor plans fall through.

If you’re compiling the best things to do in El Calafate, this one deserves a spot – part education, part frozen novelty, all done well.

3. Walk the bird trails at Laguna Nimez

A short walk from downtown brings you to Laguna Nimez, a peaceful nature reserve on the edge of Lago Argentino. It’s not massive, but it’s packed with life – over 100 bird species have been spotted here, including flamingoes, black-necked swans and Chilean flamingoes, if you’re lucky.

You can pay to enter and walk the full trail – a well-marked loop through low grasslands and shoreline – or birdwatch from the edges if you’re short on time or pesos. The reserve is at its best early in the morning or near sunset, when birds are active and the light is golden.

4. Learn the region’s story at the Centro de Interpretación Histórica

Skip the tourist trinkets and take a deeper look at Patagonia’s past. The Centro de Interpretación Histórica, just a 10-minute walk from the center of El Calafate, covers everything from dinosaurs and glaciers to Indigenous cultures and colonization – including the brutal suppression of native peoples during European settlement.

It’s small but well done. Expect fossil casts, including a hulking mylodon (giant sloth), displays on the 1920-21 workers’ strike, and a thoughtful narrative that ties together human and geological timelines. The entry fee includes a free mate – a nice local touch.

The museum punches above its weight – especially if you’re keen to understand more than just what you see on the glacier walkways. It’s a useful primer on the land you’re exploring and the history that shaped it.

5. Take a boat trip to Upsala Glacier

Perito Moreno may get the spotlight, but Upsala Glacier holds its own. It's one of the largest in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and can only be accessed by boat – which means fewer crowds and more silence, broken only by the groan of shifting ice.

Most tours depart from Puerto Bandera, about 50km from El Calafate, and cruise past blue-tinged icebergs the size of buildings. The scenery is surreal – wind-carved ice, jagged peaks and the kind of cold that bites through every layer. Some trips also include a stop at Estancia Cristina, where you can hike to a viewpoint overlooking the glacier and Lago Guillermo.

Upsala has retreated in recent decades, making the experience even more poignant. Book your spot ahead – these tours fill fast, especially in peak season.

6. Stay on a remote Patagonian estancia

Want to feel like you’ve stepped off the edge of the map? Book a night or two at a Patagonian estancia. These historic ranches, once working sheep farms, now offer full-board stays with hiking, horseriding and real solitude built in.

Estancia Cristina, only accessible by boat, sits deep inside Los Glaciares National Park – and delivers serious views of peaks, lakes and the Upsala Glacier. Nibepo Aike, closer to Lago Roca, offers gaucho culture, home-cooked asado and the kind of silence city dwellers only dream of.

Expect big skies, crisp air and the smell of woodsmoke at night. Most estancias operate on a full-board basis and include transfers and excursions. They’re among the most atmospheric and authentic options for Argentina accommodation – far from generic hotels and full of character.

For a more immersive take on the best things to do in El Calafate, sleeping in an estancia is hard to top.

7. Try calafate berry everything – and eat like a local

You can’t come to El Calafate and skip its namesake – the calafate berry. This thorny native bush produces small, dark berries between December and March, and locals turn them into everything from jam and liqueur to alfajores, ice cream and cocktails.

Legend says that anyone who eats calafate will return to Patagonia – and after your first spoonful, you’ll probably want to. You’ll find calafate-based treats in bakeries and souvenir shops all along Avenida Libertador, or try it as a sauce over lamb in one of the town’s better restaurants.

Beyond the berries, El Calafate is a solid place to sample Patagonian cuisine: roasted Patagonian lamb (cordero), trout, guanaco, and hearty stews that warm you after a day on the ice.

Prices can be high, especially in peak season, but the quality is generally good – just don’t expect nightlife. This town runs on early mornings, not late nights.

8. Explore El Calafate’s quirky museums and hidden corners

El Calafate isn’t just a springboard for glacier adventures – there are a few low-key stops worth a wander while you’re in town. The Museo Regional, housed in a small 1940s building, is more charm than polish, with stuffed birds, pioneer photos, fossils and an odd assortment of local memorabilia. It’s quick – and quirky – and a nice snapshot of early settler life.

Pair that with a stroll through town for artisan markets, local craft shops and cafes that double as bookstores or art spaces. The town’s architecture leans “neo-pioneer” – all wood and stone and oversized souvenir signage – but it still manages to feel welcoming.

None of these sights demand hours, but if you're building in buffer days around tours, they help round out the picture. Especially if the wind kicks up and you're grounded for the afternoon.