The wide sandy beaches by the blue waters of the South Atlantic Ocean are the main attractions in the sunny Mar del Plata, the most popular beach resort and an important fishing port in Argentina. Besides beaches and water sports opportunities, Mar del Plata has a lively cultural life with theatre performances, concerts, nightclubs and bars.
Land activities. Apart from water sports, there are plenty of outdoor activities in Mar del Plata. There are several courses where you can play golf in Mar del Plata. The nearby lake and hills of De Los Padres offer good opportunities for picnics, biking, horse riding and trekking.
Seaside city of Mar del Plata is one of the major fishing ports of Argentina. If you head to the port in the early morning you can see fishermen loading their colourful boats before heading to the sea. In the afternoon they come back and the port becomes busy. It is here you can see colonies of noisy sea lions. Visit also the Ship Graveyard with several old ships. To get in touch with how important the sea is to the city you can visit The Museum of the port of Mar del Plata and The Museum of the Sea which houses an impressive collection of seashells.
Cultural attractions. Those interested in Argentine art and culture will have plenty of see and do in Mar del Plata. The heart of the city is Plaza Colón where people gather to meet each other. The beautiful wooden building named Villa Victoria hosts cultural performances in the summertime. There are a few theatres in Mar del Plata as well, with live music and performances available during the summer. The city hosts also numerous festivals and there are many kinds of concerts in Mar del Plata around the year. The city has a wide entertainment scene and a lively nightlife in Mar del Plata consists of many bars, clubs and discos. There are good opportunities for affordable shopping in Mar del Plata as well.
Wide beaches, water sports and entertainment in Mar del Plata
Wide sandy beaches of Mar del Plata are the main attractions in this coastal city. Mar del Plata beaches offer good sunbathing and water sports activities such as jet skiing, fishing and surfing in Mar del Plata. You can also try diving in Mar del Plata. Since Mar del Plata is very popular destination among Argentinians, the beaches tend to be crowded during the busy summer months from December to March.Land activities. Apart from water sports, there are plenty of outdoor activities in Mar del Plata. There are several courses where you can play golf in Mar del Plata. The nearby lake and hills of De Los Padres offer good opportunities for picnics, biking, horse riding and trekking.
Seaside city of Mar del Plata is one of the major fishing ports of Argentina. If you head to the port in the early morning you can see fishermen loading their colourful boats before heading to the sea. In the afternoon they come back and the port becomes busy. It is here you can see colonies of noisy sea lions. Visit also the Ship Graveyard with several old ships. To get in touch with how important the sea is to the city you can visit The Museum of the port of Mar del Plata and The Museum of the Sea which houses an impressive collection of seashells.
Cultural attractions. Those interested in Argentine art and culture will have plenty of see and do in Mar del Plata. The heart of the city is Plaza Colón where people gather to meet each other. The beautiful wooden building named Villa Victoria hosts cultural performances in the summertime. There are a few theatres in Mar del Plata as well, with live music and performances available during the summer. The city hosts also numerous festivals and there are many kinds of concerts in Mar del Plata around the year. The city has a wide entertainment scene and a lively nightlife in Mar del Plata consists of many bars, clubs and discos. There are good opportunities for affordable shopping in Mar del Plata as well.
Photo: andresmoschini, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Practical information for your stay in Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is located on the Argentine coast of the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 400 kilometers south of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. The city enjoys mild oceanic climate with humid and warm summers and cool winters.Visitor services. More than seven million tourists visit Mar del Plata each year and the city is well prepared to welcome all visitors. There are numerous beach resorts and hotels in Mar del Plata. In the abundance of restaurants in Mar del Plata you can taste freshly caught seafood and delicacies from all over the world. Although Spanish is the main language here, also English is spoken in most hotels and touristic areas of the city.
Transportation. There are regular daily flights to Mar del Plata from Buenos Aires. You can also travel to Mar del Plata by bus from most major cities in Argentina. The public transportation in Mar del Plata is handled by effective buses. Taxis are also widely available and they do have meters. Car rental in Mar del Plata is also a good option. However, the city can also be easily toured on foot.
Safety. Mar del Plata can be regarded a safe destination suitable for families. However, as crime does happen also here, it is advisable to use normal caution and keep an eye on your belongings.
