The Best Argentina Beach Town: Mar del Plata

Wondering where to find that Buenos Aires Beach town? Look no further than Mar Del Plata in the Buenos Aires province, just a few hours south of the capital city.

Mar del Plata is one of the best and most well-known beach towns in Buenos Aires Province. It is at once a big city with all the modern city conveniences and a small relaxed metropolis with great views and sunsets over the water. This Argentina beach town is a dream.

Mar del Plata is not that far from the capital city of Buenos Aires and makes for a great road trip down the Atlantic coast of Argentina. That is exactly what I did with a friend who was visiting in November 2024. We rented a car (it was cheaper than roundtrip train/bus fare) and headed down the coast for 3 days.

In this blog post, I’ll give you hints on what to do, where to go, where to stay, and how to get to Mar del Plata. I enjoyed my time in Mar del Plata and I hope you will too!

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Where is Mar del Plata located?

Mar del Plata is the most well-known Buenos Aires beach town. It is in the province of Buenos Aires, not the capital city. It lies along the Atlantic coastline of Argentina, with many sandy beaches along its shores. Mar del Plata is a 5-hour drive south of the Autonomous capital city of Buenos Aires (CABA).

Map of Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is five hours south of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The city is designed with a perfect grid system. If you take Ruta 2 directly from Buenos Aires to Mar del Plata, it takes nearly 5 hours. However, if you choose to drive along the smaller routes along the Provincia Buenos Aires coast (Ruta 11), it can take up to 8 hours.

Buenos Aires Beach Town: Mar del Plata

I was pleasantly surprised by Mar del Plata. Even though I went in the spring (November), and the water was still too cold to get in, and there were a few rainy days, we really enjoyed our time. Because I wasn’t there at the height of summer, the city was not yet taken over by the extra thousands that come to town for the beaches.

Mar del Plata is a city with all the city conveniences. It has everything you need to feel comfortable, just around the corner- supermarkets, banks, restaurants, cafes, etc. However, it cannot be compared with Buenos Aires (CABA) which has a constant stream of excitement, entertainment, and activities.

Mar del Plata is a much more laid-back beach town with big city conveniences. Think San Diego. Think Santa Cruz (CA). In the summers though, Mar del Plata explodes with energy and people. Thousands of extra police officers are brought into the city during the summer months.

If want to break up your 10-day Buenos Aires Itinerary and head down the coast for a mini summer holiday, Mar del Plata is a great choice.

Things to do in Mar del Plata

I never felt overwhelmed with a list of things to do in Mar del Plata, like I sometimes feel in bigger cities. The city has good walks, museums, and beaches with a healthy going-out scene.

There isn’t a ton to do here, but there is enough to keep you busy for a couple of days. If your main objective in MDP is to relax, then you’ll have no problem accomplishing that goal.

1. Stroll along the Mar del Plata Promenade

There is a promenade that stretches for miles and miles along the coastline of Mar del Plata. It passes by beaches, casinos, hotels, tall buildings, and neighborhoods. The path is well taken care of. It’s perfect for a morning stroll with a cup of coffee or an evening sunset walk.

You can even pass by the Monument to Sea Lions (Monumento Lobos Marinos) which has two giant statues of the animals welcoming you to the beach, one on each side of the main entrance.

2. Soak in the sun at Playa Bristol

Playa Bristol is the main beach in the center of the city. It is broken up into smaller beaches, separated by mini piers that stick out into the water. In November it was too cold to go swimming, but we did see families hanging out and having picnics all day.

We grabbed a couple of beers and sat by the water every evening we spent in Mar del Plata, which was a really nice experience.

It’s from this main beach where you can see the defining Mar del Plata Quilmes sign over the Espigón de Pescadores seafood restaurant.

3. Rent a stand-up paddle at Varese Beach

Varese Beach is at the southern end of Mar del Plata. It is a much smaller beach than Bristol Beach and forms a small cove. There are a few small shops selling beach items, and a few shops renting SUPs and surfboards. There was also a volleyball court set up with several guys playing a friendly yet competitive game.

On one side of this Argentina beach, you can look far out into the ocean. On the other side, you can see skyscrapers and apartment buildings. It’s an interesting juxtaposition. I think this is one of the best beaches in Buenos Aires Argentina (the province, not the capital city).

4. Climb on the rocks at the Cape Corrientes Viewpoint

Right at the southern tip of Varese Beach, you can find Cabo Corrientes, or Cape Corrientes viewpoint. There are giant rocks you can climb on when the tide goes out and a giant rock cliff you can climb up with the Monument to Guillermo Brown on top.

We had so much fun walking around this area, climbing on rocks, and tempting the ocean to splash us as we went out as far as we could.

5. Go out along Guemes Street

Guemes Street is where you’ll find the nighttime action. There are bars, clubs, and restaurants lining this entire street. In the summer it will become full of late-night partygoers. We found some great parrilla restaurants, cafes, and craft beer bars here.

Like the rest of the country, this Argentina beach town gets a late start to the day. We had some trouble finding coffee before 8 am but did manage to find 1-2 cafes open early along Guemes Street.

6. Have a coffee at the Torreón del Monje (Monk’s Tower)

Looks can be deceiving at the Torreón del Monje. The architecture would suggest a great historical past of defending the Argentine coastline from invaders. In reality, it was created by a wealthy businessman in 1904 looking to beautify the area to improve his summer holidays at a time when the MDP was growing rapidly.

It is now an event space, a beach club, a cafe, and a restaurant that is open for every meal every day of the week.

7. Visit the Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum

This museum is located on top of a hill just two blocks from the sea. This villa was originally built in 1909 as a summer residence for a wealthy Argentine family. It is now a fine arts museum with over 600 works of art. The museum was renamed in 1982 after the artist Juan Carlos Castagnino, who has more than 100 pieces in the museum.

Entrance is not free, but very affordable. It costs around USD 0.50.

8. Visit the Centro Cultural Villa Victoria Ocampo

This yellow country home sits further inland and is about a 40-minute walk from the beach. You can wander around the grounds for free, but entry to the home is equivalent to USD 0.50. There is also a beautiful cafe in the yard if you want to have a cafe con leche to perk you up.

This was the home of the Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo. Inside the home, you can see the rooms and furnishings as they once were. Several of the rooms are also used as contemporary art spaces, showcasing the work of local artists.

9. Admire the architectural wonder at the Casa Sobre el Arroyo

You will most likely need a car to reach the House Over the Brook, as it is fairly far from the center of town, but it is worth it. This home, turned museum, has an interesting history. In the early 1940s, an architect named Amancio Williams built this summer home/music studio for his famous musician father, Alberto Williams.

The home was shut down in 1977 by the military government. Throughout the next decades, it suffered from burglary, vandalism, and fires until 2006 when it was declared a Cultural, Historic, Architectural, and Environmental site of Buenos Aires (province).

You can enter the area for free and wander around, but you cannot enter the interior of the building without a guided tour (in Spanish) which is held twice per day.

10. Check out the Basílica de los Santos Pedro y Cecilia

Like most cities in the country, this Argentina beach town has its own catholic church called the Basílica de los Santos Pedro y Cecilia. It is free to enter when it’s open. The exterior facade is beautiful from both the front and sides. It sits on the edge of Plaza San Martin and is easy to reach from the Peatonal San Martin (walking area).

11. See the art at the Provincial Museum of Contemporary Art (MAR)

This museum is totally free to enter and has a very small rotating exhibit inside one room. The most famous structure is outside the museum where you can find a giant sea lion sculpture. There is a cute cafe inside the museum building.

The museum is quite far from the center of town. If you have a car, it’s a quick and easy stop. But if you do not, I don’t think it’s worth your time to find transportation out here.

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Best Time To Visit Mar del Plata

Most people come to this Argentina beach town in the summer months (January-February) to take advantage of the hot weather and several beaches lining its coastline. In these months, the population swells. It has a fun party vibe, but it will also be more crowded, more expensive, and harder to find last-minute accommodation.

The spring and fall are pleasant times to visit but don’t expect to jump in the water. There are sunny days but cold nights. In the winter (July-August), the city slows down a lot, and there is hardly any tourism at all. It won’t snow in Mar del Plata, but it will be cold due to its coastal proximity.

How to Get to Mar del Plata

There are several ways of reaching this Argentina beach town, all at varying price points.

Fly

Mar del Plata has an international airport, Astor Piazzolla International Airport, north of the city center. While this may seem convenient, prices to/from this airport tend to be very expensive. You can check the website despegar.com for flights in and out of here, however, you can’t purchase flights on that site without a DNI (residency tax number).

Go directly to the airline’s website to purchase tickets. Best of luck because Argentine airlines (Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, Jetsmart) are notoriously bad.

Take a bus

Check the website BusBud for prices and timetables. The most common route to Mar del Plata is from the capital city Buenos Aires. The bus takes 5 hours and costs between $30-$40 depending on the timetable.

Buses leave from the Retiro station in Buenos Aires and arrive at the Terminal de Ómnibus de Mar del Plata in the north of town.

Take the train

The train takes longer than the bus to go between Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, about 6 hours. Tickets cost $30-40, and the schedule is very limited, with just 2 trains per day. The schedule is often very inconvenient. For example, one of the return times going back to BA leaves at 1:22 in the morning.

You can purchase train tickets here. If you change your mind it is possible to return the tickets, losing only 10% of the purchase if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance of your departure.

Because of the price, travel time, and schedules, taking the train is not that convenient. It would be more for the experience of taking a train than saving time or money.

Drive

When I went to Mar del Plata with a friend, we decided to rent a car. The price of renting a car for 3 days ($120) was cheaper for us than taking public transportation (train and bus) roundtrip ($140 for 2 people).

We used rentalcars.com to rent our car because I have always had good experiences with them. We picked the car up and dropped it off at the same place in the Jorge Newberry Aeroparque in Buenos Aires.

We were so glad in the end that we had a car because it allowed us to reach further out places within the city, as well as take a mini road trip down the coast to Miramar.

Getting Around Mar del Plata

We drove our rental car all around Mar del Plata and had no problems finding parking spots.

We saw several city buses moving around town. You can use Google Maps to find the routes and schedules. Each bus ride is 750 pesos (about USD 0.80). You can use the same SUBE card in Mar del Plata as you can in Buenos Aires.

Didi and Uber are also available in this Argentina beach town.

Day Trips from Mar del Plata

While Mar del Plata has some of the best beaches in Argentina, the entire coastline is full of great beaches and beach towns. Some buses connect these towns, but it will be easiest with a rental car.

Pinamar

Pinamar is nearly 2 hours north of Mar del Plata along the Argentina coast. It is known for having the best beaches in Argentina with resorts.

Cariló

Cariló is a smaller town just south of Pinamar. It is more of an upscale beach town that is set inside a small forest. The architecture is reminiscent of a small European village. Just a little south of Cariló you can find El Viejo Hobbit, which is a restaurant inside a hobbit house.

Miramar

Miramar is a Buenos Aires beach town about 2 hours south of Mar del Plata. There is a pier that sticks out into the sea where fisherman spend their mornings. Most of the year it is a sleepy Argentina beach town, but in the summer it is one of the hottest holiday destinations.

Coastal Drive

The coolest thing we did in this area was rent a car and drive along the coast. We passed by sand dunes, rocky cliffs, beautiful beaches, and even cool abandoned beach resorts full of graffiti. The views were amazing. There were also several seaside restaurants where you could stop off for lunch.

Mar del Plata FAQs

Some answers to all your burning questions about Mar del Plata, the best Argentina beach town.

How many days should I stay in Mar Del Plata?

I spent two full days in Mar del Plata. It was enough to see everything I wanted to see, but I do wish I had a few more days to just relax and walk along the promenade, sit at the beach, and enjoy the fresh air. If you go in an off-season, 2-3 days is enough.

But if you go during the summer season, you may want to add a few more days to enjoy the beach and the waves. There are several Buenos Aires playas all along that coastline just waiting to be explored.

Where do tourists stay in Mar Del Plata?

The best area to stay in is near Bristol Beach and Plaza Colon. This is the main beach in the city and is within walking distance of Guemes Street. There are two main “downtown” areas. One is around Guemes Street (newer area) and the other is near the Peatonal San Martin (older area).

Most tourists stay closer to the main beaches (Bristol & Varese).

Is Mar Del Plata walkable?

Yes, Mar del Plata is walkable. You can easily walk along the coastal promenade and into the city center. If you want to visit some of the museums and attractions that are further out (Contemporary Art Museum, Villa Ocampo Museum, Casa Sobre el Arroyo), then you would need a car or public transportation.

The Peatonal San Martin is a foot-traffic street only, lined with shops and restaurants. It is a direct line between the ocean and the Basilica.

Is Mar Del Plata worth visiting?

Yes, this Argentina beach town is very worth the visit. I had no idea what to expect before I went, but totally fell in love with it once I arrived. It’s at once an approachable city and a relaxed beach town. It was easy to get around and had a really good energy about it. We found good food options and found the people very pleasant.

What is Mar Del Plata famous for?

There are a few landmarks that make Mar del Plata famous, such as the House on the Brook (famous within architecture circles), the Torreon del Monje, and the giant Quilmes sign over the seafood restaurant on the pier.

You can also find one of the largest casinos in the world in Mar del Plata, right along the water.

Does Buenos Aires have good beaches?

The province of Buenos Aires has great beaches along its Atlantic coast. However, the water is cold for most of the year. The coastline between Mar del Plata and Miramar has several rocky cliffs that jut down and open up to small sandy areas. If you have a car, you could easily pull off to the side of the road and have your own private beach.

Is Buenos Aires on the coast?

The capital city of Buenos Aires sits along the edge of the Mar del Plata River. The province of Buenos Aires stretches out from there and touches the coast along its entire eastern side.

How Close is Buenos Aires to the Ocean?

The province of Buenos Aires touches the Atlantic Ocean along its entire eastern side. The capital city of Buenos Aires sits along the Rio de Plata River that feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.

There are no beaches in the capital city of Buenos Aires (CABA- Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires), but there are several great beaches in the Buenos Aires province.

Where can you swim in Buenos Aires province?

There are several Argentina beach towns and small beaches all along the eastern coastline of the Buenos Aires province. Some of the best towns to base yourself in are Pinamar, Mar del Plata, and Miramar. You can swim in any of these places, though the water might be pretty cold.

Where to Stay in Mar Del Plata

1-2 sentences about the town and where to stay

Bitelyus Hostel Club

This is a chill hostel with a swimming pool, bar, and free breakfast. It’s within walking distance to the beach and Guemes Street.

BOOK NOW to reserve your spot in this Mar del Plata hostel

Altos de Guemes Hotel

Stay in this beautiful old building within walking distance of the beach and Guemes Street. Breakfast is included. It’s close to everything you need.

Check prices and reserve your stay NOW in this beautiful hotel

HotelN26

This is a clean, 3-star hotel located directly on Guemes Street within walking distance to all the restaurants and bars, and not far from the beach. Breakfast included.

BOOK NOW to stay in this excellent 3-star hotel

Final Thoughts on the Buenos Aires Beach Town, Mar del Plata

When I finally visited Mar del Plata, I was very impressed. There is the perfect combination of city and relaxed beach town feel. Mar del Plata is the ideal summer holiday beach destination for solo travelers, families, and couples. It is the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, gastronomy, and city.

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