Good to know
Good to Know
- National Geographic once ranked the view from Cerro Campanario among the ten best in the world!
- The Circuito Chico allows you to capture the true essence of Bariloche in just half a day (or full day if you stop for lunch and snack), combining unspoilt nature, Alpine architecture and dreamy viewpoints.
- Bariloche has relatively little in the way of "marquee" sights or attractions. Rather, the main appeal of a visit here is the surrounding nature, so the list includes a few nice things to see and do in town followed by a host of wonderful natural areas and excursions within short driving distance.
- Most museums have exhibits in Spanish; some provide English booklets or translations
- Llao Llao Municipal Park closes trails on windy/stormy days—check Instagram page before visiting
- The Paleontological Museum admission is free but operates limited evening hours (4-7 pm)
- Centro Cívico civic center exterior is walkable year-round and free; museums inside charge separate admission
Museums
Francisco Moreno Museum of Patagonia
- Hours
- Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm (closed from 12:30-2 for lunch) and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Location
- Centro Cívico, downtown Bariloche
- Admission
- ARS 3,000
Admission by donation; ticket can be saved for return visits
- Description
- Inside the Centro Civico building, you'll find the Museo de la Patagonia. It provides a great overview of the development of the national park and the surrounding area, with exhibits on natural history and indigenous cultures.
Paleontological Museum
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday from 4-7 pm.
- Location
- Downtown Bariloche
- Admission
- Free
- Description
- This museum was established by Bariloche's Paleontology Association, which focuses on identifying and preserving the fossils in the region, particularly from the Northeast of Argentina's Patagonia. Among the different specimens, there is a complete Ichthyosaurus from Mount Lotena, which inhabited Jurassic seas 150 million years ago. Additionally, you will find the reconstruction of a shark jaw from the Tertiary era approximately 22 million years old, as well as numerous insects, amphibians and plants.
Museo Del Lago Gutierrez
- Location
- Lago Gutierrez area, ~12 km from downtown
- Admission
- ARS 40
Very affordable entry; bus from city ~30 minutes
- Description
- A surprisingly large collection of rocks and fossils crammed into a Tardis like museum. If you're a geology or palaeontology geek then you'll love this, particular the dinosaur eggs.
Museo De Los Viejos Colonos (Old Settlers Museum)
- Hours
- Every day from 11 AM to 5 PM.
- Location
- Historic house, downtown area
- Description
- Today, one of them hosts the Museo de los Viejos Colonos / Old Settlers Museum, in a house that dates back to 1937.
Fishing & Hunting Museum
- Location
- Hunting and Fishing Association premises
- Description
- It features embalded trouts, the famous 16-kg and 99-cm long Brown trout, the largest ever caught in the area.
Malvinas War Museum
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Location
- Lake shores (Juan Manuel de Rosas 155)
- Admission
- Free for seniors, children under 12, students, and Malvinas War veterans
- Description
- Located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, this Museum is a vibrant space for memory, reflection and connection. The museum pays tribute to the heroes and heroines of the 1982 conflict, and keeps their legacy alive through the testimonies of those who took part in it. The possibility to speak with war veterans makes this museum a unique space, where history is shared and collectively built.
Ceramic Museum & Artisan Shop
- Duration
- The tour lasts only about 30-45 minutes.
- Location
- Anasagasti & 9 de Julio, downtown
- Description
- A few blocks away from downtown Bariloche, in the corner of Anasagasti and 9 de Julio, you may see in person how handcrafted pieces are decorated by skilled ceramists. In an introductory video, displayed in different languages, we explain how we manufacture our products and the history of our Company. You may also tour around our museum of authentic items and ceramic pieces.
Michelangelo Museum
- Location
- Downtown Bariloche
- Description
- The museum permanently exhibits full-scale replicas of three of Michelangelo Buonarroti's most iconic masterpieces: David, Pietà, and Moses, created from molds taken directly from the original works in Italy.
Urban Exploration
Mitre Street
- Location
- Downtown Bariloche
- Description
- Mitre Street is an old stone street that is one of the main streets here. It's lined with shops (including the best chocolate shops!), hotels, and restaurants. This town is famous for its chocolate industry and you'll find lots of great sweet shops along Mitre Street. I recommend two of the most traditional and best quality ones: Abuela Goye and Mamuschka.
Alpine Architecture
- Location
- Downtown core
- Description
- This is a lovely little city that is often compared to those of Switzerland, owing to its Swiss-style architecture, wood constructions, and mountain lodge atmosphere.
Must See Sightseeing
Centro Cívico (Civic Center)
- Location
- Main square, downtown
- Practical Tip
- Free to visit exterior; contains multiple museums inside
- Description
- In the central square, you can't miss the Bariloche Civic Center (Centro Cívico) – it's the town's most obvious relic from its German and Swiss heritage, down to the slate roof and wooden balconies. The building is located in the East Wing of San Carlos de Bariloche Civic Center, a complex declared National Historic Monument.
Circuito Chico
- Location
- Scenic loop route starting from downtown
- Time Needed
- If you only have a couple of days in Bariloche and are pressed for time, you can see the highlights in half a day, and if you have a bit more time, you can linger along the circuit and turn it into a full-day activity.
- Description
- This 65-kilometre scenic loop literally translates to 'Short Circuit', and it's a route that winds through forests, lakes, and mountains in Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. The Chico Circuit is the most emblematic scenic route in Patagonia, a journey of about 60 km bordering lakes and mountains. On this walk you will visit Cerro Campanario to enjoy one of the best views in the world, the historic Hotel Llao Llao, the picturesque Chapel San Eduardo, the must-see Panoramic Point and finish in Cologne Switzerland.
Key Stops
Cerro Campanario
- Location
- Km 17 on Avenida Bustillo
- Chairlift
- ARS 15,000
Optional; can also hike 20-45 minutes
- Description
- Located around kilometre 17.5 on Avenida Bustillo, this small forested hill offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in all of Patagonia.
Llao Llao Hotel & Surroundings
- Location
- Km 25
- Description
- The Llao Llao is the most iconic hotel in Bariloche, and you're going to see it from a few different angles over the course of your day exploring Circuito Chico!
San Eduardo Chapel (Capilla San Eduardo)
- Location
- Llao Llao area, km 25
- Description
- This small chapel is located in the Llao Llao area, in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. The chapel was built in 1938 with a mountain style of neo-gothic characteristics, with clear European architecture influence.
Punto Panorámico (Panoramic Point)
- Location
- Along Circuito Chico loop
- Description
- Punto Panorámico - Circuito Chico offers an exclusive lookout point that takes full advantage of its location to provide visitors with a prestigious spot to enjoy the unique landscapes of Bariloche. The wooden deck with comfortable chairs overlooks a network of lakes, green-clad mountains, and hills, making it a must-visit for first-time visitors.
Colonia Suiza
- Location
- Off main route near Km 40
- Description
- Discover Colonia Suiza, where you can visit the small farms and campsites and have a delicious cup of tea.
Access Options
- Drive – I always recommend renting a car in Bariloche, it's the best way to explore here.
- Bike – If the weather is good, renting a bike to cycle the Circuito Chico is a popular option.
- Bus – You can also take the bus, lines 20, 10, and 13 all go to the Circuito Chico and you can use your SUBE card.
- Guided tours available
Llao Llao Municipal Park
- Location
- Km 25-27, Circuito Chico
- Description
- Network of hiking trails in native forest; no motorized access within park
Admission
- Note
- Requires registration and payment at entrance; free for Bariloche residents, retirees, and children under 12
Hiking Trails
Sendero De Los Arrayanes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Travel time
- 2-3
Bariloche Letters
- Location
- Lakefront, few steps from main square
- Description
- You can't leave without visiting the Bariloche Letters. You will find them right on the edge of the lake, just a few steps down from the main square. It's one of those classic Bariloche attractions that every traveler does.
Parque Nahuelito
- Location
- Km 24.5 on Circuito Chico
- Note
- Guided tours are included in the entry ticket and run every 20 minutes, explaining the history of dinosaurs in Patagonia and how fossils are discovered.
- Description
- Tucked into the forest near km 24.5 of Avenida Bustillo, Parque Nahuelito is a quirky little dinosaur park that's perfect if you're visiting Bariloche with kids. The outdoor trail winds through native Patagonian forest and features more than 30 life-sized dinosaur replicas, including some that move and roar!
History Background
The first settlers, in the first decades of the 20th century, came from Switzerland and France, which explains the characteristic style of the place. Founded in 1902, the city originally grew as a small settlement of German-speaking immigrants, which influenced its architecture and cultural development.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.barilocheturismo.gob.ar
- 2.barilocheturismo.gob.ar
- 3.barilocheturismo.gob.ar
- 4.goaskalocal.com
- 5.theculturetrip.com
- 6.destinationlesstravel.com
- 7.thedailypackers.com
- 8.novo-monde.com
- 9.wanderlog.com
- 10.solsalute.com
- 11.cheargentinatravel.com
- 12.barilochetrekking.com
- 13.barilochetrekking.com
- 14.whichmuseum.com
- 15.tradingeconomics.com
- 16.novo-monde.com
More About Bariloche
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.