Top 19 Adventures & Things to Do in El Calafate - Updated In 2025

El Calafate, a small town in Santa Cruz, Argentina, serves as a jumping-off point for exploring the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Most visitors come here only for the glaciers, and they don’t normally include El Calafate in their itinerary. 

In fact, there are many great things to do in El Calafate. Your days can be filled with activities at Los Glaciares National Park, a lot of glacier adventures, and dinners with the best Patagonia dishes. 

If you plan to visit Perito Moreno glacier only, you can spend at least one night in town. However, whenever your schedule allows, we highly recommend spending a day or two exploring El Calafate.

CAZINZERO tips: Pack warm clothes and get ready in inclement weather, as you’ll be travelling to the far south of Argentine Patagonia. 

Glacier Adventures: Top 19 Essential Things To Do in El Calafate

1. Go Glacier Trekking

Go on a full day of ice trekking in El Calafate, and you won’t regret it. Photo by Damian - stock.adobe.com

Glacier ice trekking in Los Glaciares National Park is always high on our bucket list for El Calafate. Obviously, it’s a very expensive thing to do in town, yet, you’re gonna walk on one of the greatest glaciers in the world and get closer to the massive crevasses. Not to mention the awe-inspiring view along the way.

You can opt for a Mini trekking (1 hour) or a Big Ice Trek (3 hours) if you want more time to explore the glaciers. Either starts with a boat ride to Bajo de las Sombras, then crossing the Rico Arm. 

You’ll trek with crampons to dig into the ice, hiking up and down the glaciers and peeking into spectacular blue holes. And to celebrate your trek, you’ll have some whiskey with ice from the glacier at the end.

2. A Day Hike in El Chalten

Choose the right pack for the Great outdoors

This super cool village is under a three-hour drive from El Calafate, with many awesome hiking trails to reach the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. One thing we can guarantee is that the views are insane. Just make sure you bring the right gear and essentials for day-hiking.

You get up close with Cerro Torre, while being surrounded by lagoons, forests, glaciers and waterfalls at every turn. You can even try to climb Mount Chaltén itself, and if the clouds are low enough, it feels like you're hiking above them.

Some hiking trails in El Chalten can be completed in an afternoon, while others take days. There are countless trails in this small village, and many of them start right at the edge of the town.

Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre are quite challenging but rewarding (our most favourite), but we do recommend the mostly flat Chorrillo del Salto if you’re not an avid hiker. Stay at least 2 days there.

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3. Walk the Boardwalks

See the massive ice structure from different angles from the boardwalks. Photo By Mark On Adobe Stock

This is one of the cheapest ways to experience the glaciers during your trip. There are 5 awesome boardwalk trails at Perito Moreno for exploration. You can pick just one, mix and match, or go for a grand tour. 

Whatever you choose, these platforms are so close that they will bring you face-to-face with the icebergs. Exceeding 20 miles long and stretching over 20 miles, the ice mass at Perito Moreno “moves” around 6 feet daily. If you’re patient enough, you can even see some icebergs breaking off into the water (or as they call, calving).

There are also many awesome viewpoints and places to take a break along the way. Some trails bring you face-to-face with the glacier, while others will give you a wider view. 

How to get there: To get to the Perito Moreno, you can take a bus or a shuttle (about $50 each way) or drive yourself if you’ve already rented a car for your trip.

4. Spend At Least One Night In An Estancia

It’s not your average hotel stay, you get to see the owners and gauchos going about their daily life. Photo by Raquel - stock.adobe.com

You’ll see plenty of Estancias in El Calafate. Estancias are Argentine ranches that traditionally rear cattle and sheep. However, many today are tourist-centered, where owners share their gaucho life and Patagonian culture with tourists. 

Staying on the farm is obviously the best way to live the Patagonia lifestyle. Most of them also offer horseback riding, asado, mountain biking, among many other outdoor adventures. 

The best part? Many of Estancias are actually inside the national park, since they were there before it even existed. This means you’ll wake up to some of the most incredible scenery of Patagonia, sweeping views unbroken to the horizon.

5. Kite-Surfing

It’s one of the best things to do in El Calafate besides glacier trekking. If you visit El Calafate in winter, you'll probably see locals having a blast of skating and sledging all the way to Punta Soberana. You can join the crowd by renting skates and sledges at Club Andino Lago Argentino. 

Kite-surfing is also a popular pastime in other seasons. When not frozen, the bay is quite shallow and windy, making it easier and more comfortable for surfers to stand in most of the places on the lake. There are also rental services for the equipment and trainers available if you’re a beginner. 

6. Look for Souvenirs at Artisan Markets

If you wish to bring home local wares as souvenirs, look for them in the artisan market just off the main street. Each craftsman has their own little booth where they display their handmade products, and they also work on their crafts right at the spot. Search for Paseo de Artesanos and you’ll find this small walkway full of charm.

In these kiosks, you can easily find textiles, silverware, ceramics, jewelry, among other exotic handmade products. We recommend checking out their textiles, as you can find fine fabrics made with sheep and llama wool if you’re lucky. Check out the market in the evening as most booths will open only from 5:00-10:00 PM daily.

CabinZero tips: If you want to find a supermarket to stock up, search for supermercado or almacén.

7. Kayak the Perito Moreno Glacier

It's always a thrill to paddle among the huge icebergs and in the cold water of Lake Argentino. Photo by Renata - stock.adobe.com

You can see the glaciers from the comfort of a cruise. But hearing the ice crack and watching it fall from a kayak is surreal. The tour guide will take you as close as possible (you’ll be 600 metres away from icebergs). Once you get there, you’ll realise that the beauty and sheer power of Perito Moreno glaciers, which rivals all other glaciers, even those in Iceland. 

Most tours will include 1.5 hours of kayaking, along with ample time for you to explore the walkways by the glacier. You’ll be geared up with shoes and jumpsuits to protect yourself from the Antarctic cold. 

8. Take a Walk Around Laguna Nimez

If you’re in luck, you can spot Chilean flamingos in Laguna Nimez. Photo by Marcio Dufranc - stock.adobe.com

It takes at least 1.5 hours to circle this Patagonian wetland. However, you’ll probably need more time to stop in various spots and admire the beautiful bird species in this reserve. 

Laguna Nimez is now home to nearly one hundred bird species, with roughly 30% resident and 70% being migratory. That’s why binoculars or a telephoto lens will be essential, as you don’t want to miss a single sight of those rare birds.

Even if you’re a non-birder, Laguna Nimez offers one of the best hikes in town. The views of the beautiful lake, mountains, glaciers and maybe even some flamingos hanging in the distance are all worth the entrance fee. The park can get windy on many days, so bring a windbreaker.

9. Get Frosty At An Ice Bar

Heading to an ice bar and try some whiskey served with millennial ice is an essential thing to do in El Calafate. In case you’ve skipped the Glaciarium’s ice bar, we still highly recommend checking out at least one ice bar in town. After all, it’s how anyone will drink in the land of glaciers. 

These bars, including those sparkling glasses the bartenders serve you, are made of ice blocks harvested from nearby glaciers. You’ll be drinking inside a place with a temperature below zero, so make sure to suit up with jackets and gloves. 

A place to check out is the Yeti bar (their Cavern is -8 / -12 °C). The drink, ambience, and bartender are worth it, but they limit per guest to 25 minutes for staying inside the cold room. 

10. Go On A 4x4 Off-Road Trip

Go off the beaten track and explore the wild nature of El Calafate. Photo by The World Traveller - stock.adobe.com

If you're looking for an adventure in El Calafate, you must try a 4x4 tour. It's the only way to see the vast Patagonian steppe and drive through landscapes that most vehicles simply can't reach. 

The Calafate Balcony Tour offers an off-the-beaten-path experience for your itinerary. Once you drive up on an ATV up to 1,100 metres above sea level, and seeing the steppe, the Andes Mountain Range and Lake Argentino from the top, nothing else compares. 

Along the way, a guide will give you more insight into the area's geography and geology. The tour normally takes 2-4 hours and may include a lunch break or snacks, depending on which tour you choose. 

11. Try Local Artisanal Beer

Patagonia has a blossoming beer scene, and there’s no better place to try their excellent craft beer than in El Calafate. After a long day filled with actions, we bet that the best way to cap it off is to sip local brews, chill, and people watch. 

If you’re after tasty, cold, reasonably priced beers, try La Zorra Taproom. The brewery has a good range of over 10 craft beers, including the stout and IPA, and you won’t break the bank even when you decide to try them all.

12. Watch or Play Pato

Confident in the saddle? See if you can handle the challenge of pato. Photo by Santa001 - stock.adobe.com

Think about Quidditch, but you’ll be on horseback, with just one hoop and no bludgers. This team sport is called Pato, and it's Argentina's national sport. Your goal is to get the ball-like object, or pato, through the hoop. 

But here's the twist: it can fall off. When the ball falls, you’ll need to pick it up while staying on horseback, and that’s why the game requires good horseriding skills. 

13. Try Artisanal Chocolate and Ice Cream

Many little chocolatiers in El Calafate sell delicious, locally-made chocolate that you want to take home as a gift. Chocolates are priced by weight (normally per 100gr), so you can buy just a tiny bit or as much as you want. 

We highly recommend checking Chocolates Patagonia, where you can get delicious hot chocolates and free samples of chocolate to try. Artisanal ice cream in Acuarela is also a must to try. Their wide range of gelatos (including some impressive local, seasonal flavors) are unbeatable in town.

14. And More Traditional Patagonian Food

The cold mountain weather in El Calafate makes for some seriously good lamb. Try the famous Lamb al Asador, with the meat cooked slowly over fire but never touch the fire directly. Due to this meticulous cooking style, the dish doesn’t come cheap and is usually served in fine restaurants. 

It’s also worth checking out cheaper yet equally mouthwatering food like lamb stew or burgers. You can find some of the best lamb stews at La Zorra, starting at only around $7. Argentinian beef is equally stellar, as the El Calafate is always known for its hearty and meat-based dishes. 

15. Sail on Lake Argentino

It’s once-of-a life-time experience. Photo by Loida - stock.adobe.com

Lago Argentino is huge, as it covers up to 1400 square kilometres (you can easily spot it when landing at El Calafate airport.) It’s the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, and also the bluest one. 

On one side, you can see the dry, scrubby landscape, and on the other side, snow-capped Patagonian Ice Fields. The best way to explore the lake is by a full-day boat trip, which lets you soak in all the amazing views of Upsala, Spegazzini, and Peineta glaciers. 

16. Visit Glaciarium

Located on the outskirts of El Calafate, Glaciarium will gear you up about the glaciers before you visit Perito Moreno Glacier the next day. 

Many didn’t expect much during the first visit, but the museum may surprise you  (in a good way). Through interactive displays (with both Spanish and English titles), you can learn more about glacier formation, read stories from old-time explorers, and see huge models of ice fields. 

You can even find an ice bar - GlacioBar - inside the museum, where you can grab a frosty drink in a glass made of 100% ice. For a small extra fee to the admission price, your ticket will already include two free drinks there. 

17. Trek Through La Leona Petrified Forest

You can see dinosaur fossils and remnants of an ancient Patagonian forest in La Leona. Photo by jefwod - stock.adobe.com

Don't miss the La Leona Petrified Forest if you're driving between El Calafate and El Chaltén. There you’ll find 70 million-year-old trees and dinosaur fossils. 

The dry, rocky landscapes make you feel like walking somewhere out of space. On this mostly barren land, you can still spot some guanacos (like a llama), maybe even some cool Andean birds of prey. 

The incredible rock formations are not to be missed. You can even come across some petrified pieces of up to 1.2 meters, a solid evidence that the ancient forest and the species called it home could grow to impressive sizes in the past. As the forest is a private area, the only way to visit is through a guided tour, which usually takes around 3 hours.

18. Try El Calafate Berry Products

The El Calafate berry, a native fruit of southern Patagonia, has a flavor profile reminiscent of black currants, blackberries, and mulberries. Legend has it that if you eat a Calafate berry in El Calafate, you're guaranteed to come back someday.

You’ll come across these indigenous berries in different guises: ice cream, jams, beers, cakes, etc. Because the berry is a staple of El Calafate, you can find berry products in the corner of the town. 

You can check out Chocolate Patagonia, which offers a range of liqueurs and jams made of fruit that you can take home as a souvenir. The most interesting part? The village of El Calafate is named after the berry, not the other way around, that most outsiders normally assume.

19. See the Cave Paintings in Punta Walichu

Around 8 km away from El Calafate, this archaeological site is where those 4,000-year-old cave paintings were found. Heads up: the original 4,000-year-old artwork has unfortunately faded and suffered from vandalism. 

What you’ll see there now is reproductions, but they can still give a glimpse into the hunting lives of the first inhabitants of these lands, along with their spiritual beliefs. 

The rocky landscape around the area and the view of Lake Argentino make the trip extra worthwhile. If you’re not going on a tour, consider renting a mountain bike to see the picturesque views of the lakeshore at your own pace.

El Calafate Has More To Offer

El Calafate offers both adventure and relaxation. After a day of exploring the glacier, you can unwind at a charming cafe, savor delicious local cuisine, or simply soak in the breathtaking scenery. 

The town is also a much-needed urban break for those in between visits to Torres del Paine and El Chaltén. If you’ve ever wondered if El Calafate is worth it, we bet now you have the answer. With a more relaxed itinerary, you may want to consider spending a few days in El Calafate. You won't regret it.

Ready to experience El Calafate's wonders for yourself? Our CabinZero ADV Day Hiking Backpacks are the perfect companion for your Patagonian adventure. Lightweight, durable, and designed specifically for day hikes, they'll keep your essentials secure whether you're trekking across glaciers or exploring the charming town.

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