San Carlos de Bariloche – commonly known as just Bariloche – is located in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Though the city has a population of only 160,000, its size swells in summer and winter months when tourists flock to its glacial lakes and staggering mountains to trek, fish, or ski.
But beyond those main Bariloche activities, there’s a lot about this city that appeals to travelers. In this post, I’ll cover some of the most incredible things to see and do in Bariloche. And I will highlight several free things to do in Bariloche to ensure that you save some dough while traveling in Patagonia!
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Take in the Best Views
Bariloche is located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and is surrounded by stunning lakes and forests. There are numerous viewpoints accessible by travelers via trekking, chairlift, or car. Here are my top three favorite viewpoints in Bariloche:
1. Cerro Campanario
There are a lot of viewing spots throughout Bariloche but none that compare to Cerro Campanario. In fact, some travel guides have said that Cerro Campanario has the best views in the world – based on my experience, I have to agree!
Located about 17 km from Centro Bariloche, Cerro Campanario can be found on Av. Exequiel Bustillo, which is the main road that winds along Lago (Lake) Nahuel Huapo. Visitors can ascend the mountain by taking a leisurely 30-minute stroll up the mountain (it’s free!). There is also a chairlift that can transport you for a fee.
Once you are at the top of Cerro Campanario, there are multiple lookouts to see the 360-degree panoramic views of several lakes surrounding the city. There is also a small café and outdoor seating to enjoy coffee, beer, wine, or a light snack. Visitors should plan to spend at least an hour at the top of Cerro Campanario taking photos and taking in the amazing views.
2. Punto Panoramico
Punto Panoramico is another amazing viewpoint in Bariloche. Punto Panoramico is free to visit as it is located along Circuito Chico, about 23 km from Centro Bariloche.
One of the notable things that can be seen from Punto Panoramico is the Llao Llao Resort. This gorgeous 5-star hotel, spa, and golf course is the most exclusive place to stay in all of Patagonia. In fact, United States President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stayed there in 2016!
3. Cerro Otto
Located only 5 km from the Centro, Cerro Otto should be on every tourist’s list of things to do in Bariloche. Visitors can take a cable car gondola to reach the top of Cerro Otto or you can ascend by foot, but plan for it to take at least 2 hours to get to the top.
Upon reaching the top of Cerro Otto, visitors can enjoy the views on the panoramic deck. Inside there is an art gallery that includes a same-size replica of Michelangelo’s “David” (random, I know). There is also a 360-degree rotating full-service restaurant that I found extremely affordable, especially considering the panoramic views we were experiencing while dining there.
Those looking for a leisurely hike (unlike the 2+ hour hike to the top of Cerro Otto) can join others walking up a path to a nearby peak. This quick trek will only take about 30 minutes round trip and offers a different photo background for your Bariloche viewpoint pictures.
Explore Centro Bariloche
The downtown area is referred to as Centro Bariloche. This adorable area is filled with chocolate shops, souvenir stores, and even a North Face storefront. There are also several restaurants, breweries, and cafes, so a lot of time can be spent on Centro Bariloche activities.
Pro tip: As a tourist, it is not easy to figure out how to pay for parking in Centro Bariloche, so do not plan to park there. Either park far enough away, where it’s free to park, or only take a car to Centro Bariloche on Sundays or in the evening when it’s free to park.
4. Centro Civico
The Centro Civico is a popular landmark in Centro Bariloche. The Centro Civico includes a Swiss-style town hall and outdoor square. Tourists and locals alike congregate in Centro Civico to enjoy the beautiful lake view and socialize with others.
The Centro Civico often hosts community events, like live music, which is fun for visitors to experience. There are also 30-minute walking tours that provide the history of Centro Civico.
5. Bariloche Chocolate & Gelato
Bariloche is considered Argentina’s chocolate capital. There are numerous chocolate and gelato shops located on the “Mitre” in Centro Bariloche, just steps from the Centro Civico. The choices in each chocolate shop are overwhelming, but they offer free samples to help you narrow down which chocolate(s) to take home. Go hungry and you can get a full merienda (snack) out of it! Here are my favorites:
Mamushka has two locations on the Mitre, one is gelato and the other is for chocolates. The chocolate shop can be very crowded, but it’s worth wiggling your way to the front for free samples.
Del Tourista is a large chocolate shop on the Mitre that has a café and serves gelato. In addition to chocolate, we went to del Tourista for gelato a few times and enjoyed their large, rotating selection.
Rapanui is an experience in itself. This is the largest chocolate shop on the Mitre and it offers gelato, a full-service restaurant, and even an indoor ice skating rink! I highly recommend stopping into Rapanui, especially if you are traveling with kids. You can find Rapanui in other places in Argentina – like in the capital, Buenos Aires – but the experience at the original Bariloche shop is incredible and shouldn’t be missed!
I had a lot of gelato in Bariloche and my favorite was Rapanui. To save money at Rapanui, my family and I would share a half-kilo of gelato, which is a large tub (half of a kilo in weight!) of four flavors of ice cream. This was more affordable than each of us getting our own ice cream and gave us the opportunity to try several different flavors at once.
Visit Colonia Suiza
Colonia Suiza is a small village located about 25 km from Bariloche. It was the first European settlement in the region and has retained its original appearance for historical purposes. Colonia Suiza, which means Swiss colony, is a great way to spend a half-day while visiting Bariloche.
6. Ziplining
If ziplining in Patagonia is on your bucket list, then the canopy adventure in Colonia Suiza is must! My husband and I took our two boys to Colonia Suiza to go ziplining and we had so much fun and felt very safe. Participants wear helmets and are in harnesses the whole time.
7. Berlina Brewery
As I covered in my post on Bariloche Beer and Breweries, there is an up-and-coming craft beer scene emerging in Bariloche. There are numerous breweries to choose from in Bariloche, and Berlina is one of them.
Berlina’s “factory” (where the brewing is done!) is in Colonia Suiza and they have a tap room on site. Visitors can try Bariloche beer fresh from production at one of the taproom bars located both inside and outside the facility.
8. Curanto Ceremony
Curanto is a dish originating from the Chiloé archipelago off the coast of Chile and is traditional in the Southern Cone countries of Chile and Argentina. It consists of various meats and vegetables that are cooked on hot rocks in the ground (the word “curanto” comes from the Mapuchu words for “sun rocks”). The dish takes several hours to cook and Colonia Suiza hosts a ceremony every Wednesday and Sunday to prepare the curanto.
The days of the curanto ceremonies are the best and busiest days to visit Colonia Suiza. Visitors come to watch the elaborate preparation, visit the local shops (where you can buy crafts, souvenirs, and pastries), watch live music, and drink local beer. If you are interested in visiting Colonia Suiza, I highly encourage going there on a Wednesday or Sunday for curanto!
