What to see in Mar del Plata, itinerary including the main places of interest, including Villa Victoria Ocampo, beaches, Playa bristol, fishing port and museum of the sea.
Tourist information
Argentine city, Mar del Plata is located about 400 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast.
In 1886, when the railway arrived in Mar del Plata, twelve years after the foundation of the city, the seaside development of the area began, which was chosen as a holiday resort by many wealthy families in Buenos Aires.
In the elegant neighborhood of Barrio Los Troncos, which is located in the highest part of Mar del Plata, you can still admire some of the beautiful villas of the wealthy vacationers.
In Barrio Los Troncos there is also Villa Victoria Ocampo, a fascinating historical residence belonging to the Argentine writer of the early twentieth century, now used as a cultural center, with exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Starting in the 1960s, the resort, which had welcomed a considerable number of immigrants, of which a good part also Italians, lost its exclusive air and started to become the main beach destination in Argentina.
During the southern summer, from December to March, tourists flock to the beaches and streets of this large city, which boasts a long coast with sandy beaches and modern tourist equipment, many green areas, including golf courses, as well as areas well maintained and organized public.
What see
In front of the city center lies Playa Bristol, with the pier and the part of the promenade close to the Casino, which is always very popular.
To the north lies Playa La Perla, and to the south of Punta Piedras, sheltered by a rocky promontory are Playa Varese and Cabo Corrientes.
From the center, continuing south, in the most fashionable area of the city, there is Playa Grande where, beyond the port, the large Punta Mogotes complex extends, with Playa Waikiki, much appreciated by surfers.
Located about 8 kilometers south of the city center, the fishing port is one of the most important in all of Argentina, as evidenced by the numerous fishing boats and establishments related to fish processing.
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A colony of sea lions lives on a dock in the port, so you can see them as they laze on the beach or head out of the water.
The Museo Municipal de Arte Juan Carlos Castagnino preserves paintings, sculptures and photos of Argentine artists.
It is located in the Villa Ortiz Basualdo, once the summer residence of a wealthy Argentine family, built in 1909 in imitation of a Loire Castle.
Dedicated to the history of the Mar del Plata, with period clothes and photographs, the Museo Museo Historico Municipal Roberto T. Barili is housed in Villa Emilio Miter, dating back to 1930.
At the top of the Stella Maris hill, just a 15-minute walk from the center of Mar del Plata, are the Museo del Mare, which boasts an extraordinary collection of shells, and the Torre Tanque.
It is a medieval-style tower dating back to 1943, which serves as a water deposit before being released into the distribution network.
Going up to its top, it is possible to admire a beautiful panorama of Mar del Plata and the Ocean.
