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12 Best Things to Do in El Calafate, Patagonia: Glaciers, Estancias & Wildlife

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If I’m correct you’re probably heading to El Calafate to visit the Perito Moreno glacier or as a stop on your way to El Chaltén for some hiking. And I completely understand you, both are truly bucket list worthy destinations where you should spend as much time as you can. However, even though El Calafate is a fairly small town, there is still more to the city than just Perito Moreno glacier.

I found El Calafate to be a surprisingly charming town and that there is more to do here than I first thought. So if you have some extra time in your itinerary I’ve gathered what I think are the top things to do in El Calafate. It includes everything from the various ways you can explore the Perito Moreno glacier, wildlife experiences in the area and cultural experiences at remote estancias.

Top Things to do in El Calafate

As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in El Calafate. If you also want more practical information like where you should base yourself and my favourite restaurants, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

See Perito Moreno Glacier

You can’t really visit El Calafate without seeing the Perito Moreno glacier. It was one of my favourite experiences while travelling around Patagonia, and even though there are plenty of glaciers in Patagonia, this one is different.

Compared to the others, this one is constantly moving and shifting, and when you visit you’ll no doubt here some of the enormous cracks that echo across the water before a section of ice breaks away from the glacier and crashes into Lago Argentino. If you’re lucky you might also be able to see it. We saw it multiple times and it was such an incredible sight.

On the opposite side if the glacier you’ll find an extensive network of walkways and viewing platforms, allowing you to see the glacier from several perspectives. You can easily spend at least 2-3 hours here walking around, just enjoying the view.

If you only want to walk the walkways, you can easily plan that on your own. For tips, check out my guide on how to visit Perito Moreno to plan your trip. If you want a guided tour, I recommend this one.

Perito Moreno glacier

Walk on Perito Moreno Glacier

Seeing the glacier from the walkways is in itself spectacular, but if you want you can actually walk on it as well. You can join a guided ice-trek that takes you onto the surface of Perito Moreno, where you'll walk across the blue-white ice with crampons. You'll see crevasses, unusual ice formations, little streams and pools of meltwater, all while your guide explains how the glacier moves and changes.

You don’t need any prior experience to be able to do the mini-trekking, but you have to be in decent shape and be able to walk on uneven terrain and ice for a couple of hours.

If you don't want to walk on the glacier but get as close as possible, there's another option you can consider. Safari Azul is the perfect middle-ground, where you take a boat closer to the glacier and walk around 1,5 hours in the nature close to the glacier and finally end up at Perito Moreno. You'll be so close that you can touch it, but you wont walk on it. If that's something you want to do, I recommend booking in advance here.

Perito Moreno glacier

Take a boat trip to see the glaciers from the water

If you want to get close to the glacier, but hiking isn’t your thing, you can join a boat tour that takes you closer to the glacier and you’ll be able to get some really cool views from various angles. And maybe see some calving up close.

Depending on the excursion you choose, you can see glaciers including Upsala and Spegazzini, as well as enormous icebergs floating in the lake.

Upsala is enormous and is particularly impressive for the icebergs surrounding it. You won't necessarily get as close to the glacier as you might expect because the boat has to navigate around floating ice, but that actually adds to the sense of wilderness. Spegazzini on the other hand is known for its exceptionally high ice walls and is another highlight of the lake cruises.

If you have the time and budget for it, adding a boat trip is a fun experience. But don’t think you have to do this to get a good view of the glacier. If you’re travelling on a budget, seeing the glacier from the walkways is more than enough to be satisfied.

Boat ride to Perito Moreno glacier

Explore Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve

This is one of the things I'd recommend to anyone who has a spare afternoon in El Calafate. It can easily be done on your own and it doesn't require a full-day tour.

Laguna Nimez is a wetland reserve right beside town, where you can walk through the Patagonian landscape and look for birds. It's particularly good for birdwatching, with flamingos among the species you may see. There are various trails through the reserve, and you can choose how much time you want to spend there. I personally thought 2 hours was more than enough.

We walked here on our first evening in El Calafate just to get some fresh air, and even though we were rather unlucky and didn’t really see so much birdlife, I think it was a really nice spot for an evening walk if you have some extra time.

Visit Glaciarium, the Patagonian Ice Museum

I'll admit that a museum about glaciers wasn't initially at the top of my Patagonia wish list, but Glaciarium is actually a very good addition to a trip here. It focuses on glaciers, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the science behind these extraordinary landscapes. If you have some extra time I think it’s worth a visit.

The museum is located around 6 km outside El Calafate so it’s best reached if you have a car.

Perito Moreno glacier

Visit the Walichu Caves

I personally didn’t visit the caves, so I can’t give any personal insight, but if you’re looking for something completely different from glaciers, I think this archaeological site just outside El Calafate can be worth a visit. We did visit something similar on the Chilean side of Patagonia and it was incredibly interesting.

If you visit, you’ll be able to see cliffs and caves that contain ancient rock art and provide a glimpse into the older human history of this region. It’s especially worth doing if you're interested in archaeology and Indigenous history.

Activities

Spend a day or night at a Patagonian estancia

If you have extra time in El Calafate you can choose to stay at one of the more remote estancias and get a truly authentic experience of this part of Patagonia. Many old estancias have now been redone into cozy hotels, while still keeping the local charm.

If you stay there you can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking and quiet evenings in front of the fire.

If you want to stay at an estancia, I highly recommend checking out the ones below.

Estancia Cristina Lodge
Estancia Cristina Lodge

This estancia is located inside Los Glaciares National Park, so your stay starts with a boat journey to get there. You'll be surrounded by nature and have plenty of activities to do. This is the estancia I'd choose if I wanted to feel like I'd actually escaped into Patagonia.

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Estancia Nibepo Aike
Estancia Nibepo Aike

The property is located inside Los Glaciares National Park and is based around a historic Patagonian ranch house converted into a country lodge. They have plenty of activities to choose from like horseback riding and fishing. This is the one I'd choose for a more traditional estancia experience.

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Estancia Patagonia Luxury Camps
Estancia Patagonia Luxury Camps

This camp is located at Estancia Dos Lagos and consists of luxury domes designed around the surrounding landscape. It offers a combination of luxury, sustainability and views across the Patagonian steppe and Lake Argentino. This is a luxury glamping experience instead of a traditional ranch.

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El Galpón del Glaciar
El Galpón del Glaciar

This estancia is easier to reach, so you get some of the atmosphere of staying outside town without committing yourself to an isolated wilderness experience. It has a rural estancia atmosphere with plenty of things to do and a nice restaurant. It's perfect for those with shorter time in the area.

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If you don’t have the time or budget to stay at an estancia, there are also a couple that offer day visits.

For a traditional ranch experience, I recommend checking out Estancia Nibepo Aike. For a more dramatic wilderness experience, Estancia Cristina is exceptional.

Another estancia that offers day visits and is a bit closer to town is Estancia 25 de Mayo. They have various trips you can take including ones with dinner and evening shows with traditional dancing.

Activities
Spend the night at one of the beautiful estancias

Go horseback riding in Patagonia

If you just want to go horseback riding without visiting an estancia and spending a full day there, you have some other options. They are usually also a bit more budget friendly.

I recommend checking out this tour that takes you through the Patagonian steppe and gives you panoramic views of Lake Argentino and the surrounding landscapes.

Horseback riding in El Calafate

Take a 4x4 up Cerro Frías

For huge views without committing to a serious hike, Cerro Frías is one of the best options. The 4x4 excursion takes you up the mountain on winding tracks, with several viewpoints along the way. You continue upwards and reach around 1,095 metres, where you’ll get amazing panorama views of the surrounding area. On clear days, the views extend towards Los Glaciares National Park.

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Go kayaking on Lago Argentino

If you want something a bit more hands-on that also takes you closer to the glacier you can check out this kayak-tour. This needs to be booked in advance and preferably quite some time in advance as spots are limited.

You’ll get all the gear you need to keep you both warm and dry for the tour that takes around 2 hours. You don’t need any previous experience so if you want to give it a try, do it. I think it sounds like so much fun.

Activities
Learn more about kayaking to Perito Moreno glacier

If you want to kayak to the glacier I recommend checking out this tour to see if it's something for you.

See El Calafate from above

The Balcón del Calafate is another way to appreciate just how enormous the landscape around the town really is. The viewpoint sits high above El Calafate, with panoramic views across Lago Argentino and the surrounding landscape.

If you want to visit the area you need to do so via an organised 4x4 excursions.

Explore El Calafate itself

I found El Calafate to be a surprisingly charming town. Yes, very small, but still worthy of exploring. If you walk around the main street Avenida del Libertador and the smaller streets leading off it, you’ll find plenty of cozy art galleries, shops and restaurants. It's perfect to spend a morning or an evening just wandering around without a plan.

Best Places to Stay in El Calafate

Hotel Posada Los Alamos
Hotel Posada Los Alamos

This is one of the most established hotels in El Calafate and is particularly convenient if you want a more traditional full-service hotel. It's right in town and has spa facilities and an indoor pool, making it extra appealing after a cold day exploring Patagonia.

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Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate
Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate

This is a good option if you like the predictability of an established hotel brand but still want something with a Patagonian aesthetic. It's slightly removed from the busiest part of the centre, while still being within the main tourist area so it's just a short walk to all the restaurants.

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Calafate Parque Hotel
Calafate Parque Hotel

This hotel is a great pick if you want something close to the main tourist area. It's a good option if you're looking for a proper hotel rather than a hostel or apartment but don't necessarily want to pay luxury-hotel prices.

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When is the best time to visit El Calafate?

The main travel season runs roughly from spring through early autumn, with October to March generally recommended for the best combination of accessibility and activities.

Best Places to Eat in El Calafate

Even though El Calafate is a fairly small town, it has some pretty decent restaurants. Below are some of my favourite picks you can check out:

Insurance
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What to pack for El Calafate

No matter what time of year you visit El Calafate you need to bring warm clothes and lots of layers. Even though the weather forecast might look okey, the weather changes drastically within minutes, so always bring more clothes, warm layers and a rain jacket.

I'd bring:

Perito Moreno glacier

Final thoughts: Is El Calafate worth visiting?

Absolutely. Even if you just come for a short stop to see Perito Moreno, I think a visit to El Calafate should be on every Patagonia itinerary. And if you have more time to spend, there are more fun things to do here than what I first expected.

Set aside some time to just relax at an estancia and go fishing, or be more active with hiking on the glacier or go horseback riding. There's more to do here than one might think and I definitely think it's worth a visit.

Plan Your Trip to El Calafate

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan your trip to El Calafate. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

Hotels
Hotels
Currency
Activities
Activities
Sim Card
Insurance

Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

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