Downtown Tour of El Calafate

The City of El Calafate grows on the shores of Lake Argentino and its streets feature a soft undulation pattern. Its Patagonian architecture shows gable roofs and large windows overlooking the surrounding scene.

We went on a short tour to see the old shell, its downtown area and the new neighborhoods. The historical shell boasts the first houses raised by the pioneers with local materials. The life and history of the first settlers who devoted their lives to cattle raising is printed there.

In the center, the main artery is Del Libertador Avenue, with a small square with shady trees in the middle. The main stores, gastronomic venues and coffee-shops, as well as the most important travel agencies are located there. Crowded and colorful, we usually stopped there for a while whenever we returned from our tours.

Willing to go on a long hike, we took the waterfront promenade that borders the lake and offers very ample sidewalks where the wind rules.

We entered the Regional Museum and Historic Interpretation Center and went on a guided tour that introduced us to the knowledge of the first nations and the archeological and paleontological discoveries in the area.

The downtown streets are lined by countless trees that protect the city from the strong local wind. Likewise, when we visited some of the farms, we noticed the importance of the thick poplar curtains that protect certain crops. Fine fruit is grown there and we bought some cherries that were at the right stage of ripeness to be eaten.

In the outskirts, we visited Lake Nimez, very close to Lake Argentino. This is an ecological reserve highly valuable for native wildlife. We came across some upland geese, silvery grebes, black-necked swans and flamingos, which we observed with the aid of our binoculars. Taking a self-guided trail that spans over two kilometers of length was a very interesting option.

The Lake Festival is held every year in February. Activities such as horse-breaking and horse-racing take place during this event. Consecrated singers from all round the country perform at an amphitheater every night.

El Calafate is intense and coquettish. It accompanies the majestic lake and the imposing glaciers nearby.