Things to do in Mar Del Plata
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Baquina de Pescadores
Mar del Plata is one of the country's most important fishing ports and seafood-processing centers. At Baquina de Pescadores - the picturesque wharf hidden behind the ugly YPF fuel tanks - fisherfolk and stevedores follow their routine on and around kaleidoscopically colored wooden boats, monitored by sea lions who have established a large colony - mostly male - along one side of the pier.
In the early morning, unfazed by the chilly sea breeze, the fishermen load their nets and crates before spending the day at sea, escorted by the sea lions. At about 17:00, the pier gets noisy and hectic as the returning fishermen sort and box the fish, bargain for the best price and tidy…
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Ship Graveyard
Just past the sea lion colony is the port's fantastic graveyard of ruined ships, half-sunken and rusting in the sun. Here the Escollera Sur (southern jetty) begins its long stretch some 2km out to sea, with panoramic views of the city from its tip. Climb the yellow ladders and walk on top of the sea wall for the best views. You can walk back to the Centro Comercial Puerto (the port's commercial center) and close the day in one of its great restaurants.
Local buses 221, 511, 522, 551, 561, 562 and 593 go to the wharf from downtown. A taxi costs around Arg$15.
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Sierra & Laguna de los Padres
A popular weekend destination for marplatenses, the lake and soft hills to its west offer a bucolic setting and a range of outdoor activities, including horse riding, biking, trekking and rock climbing. The spot was first settled in 1746 as a Jesuit Mission aimed at rounding up the nomadic tribes of the area - you can see a replica of the original chapel by the lake's shore. There are plenty of places to eat, and campgrounds as well(take bus 717 from Av Luro).
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Aquarium Mar del Plata
Located 10km south of the center, near the lighthouse, is Mar del Plata’s aquarium. Animals on display include penguins, flamingoes, crocodiles and lots of fish. There are sea-lion, dolphin and water-skiing shows, along with a cinema. You can also swim with sharks (among other watery creatures) and sit on the beach. Get here on bus 221 or 511.
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La Cuadrada
A wonderfully eclectic place with a personality disorder – it’s a tea house, cultural center, restaurant and theater. There’s a wide range of teas, along with pastries, for your afternoon enjoyment, and the restaurant has good, well-priced food. It also does dinner shows with folklore, tango and murga music (among many other kinds).
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Museo Municipal de Arte Juan Carlos Castagnino
Built in 1909 as the summer residence of a prominent Argentine family, the Villa Ortiz Basualdo is now the Museo Municipal de Arte Juan Carlos Castagnino. Resembling a Loire Valley castle, its Belgian interior exhibits paintings, photographs and sculptures by Argentine artists.
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Museo Archivo Histórico Municipal Roberto T Barili
In the Villa Emilio Mitre (1930), a former summer residence of the Argentine oligarchy, the Museo Archivo Histórico Municipal Roberto T Barili houses a superb collection of late-19th-century photographs, along with other exhibits recalling Mar del Plata’s colorful past.
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Costanera Sur
Beyond the lighthouse and the limits of Mar del Plata proper is the Costanera Sur. This area is less urbanized, and though the beaches are filled with yet more balnearios in the summer, they're a quieter option if you're here outside of the peak season.
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Centro Cultural Villa Victoria
Victoria Ocampo, founder of the literary journal Sur, hosted literary salons with prominent intellectuals from around the world at this, her summer chalet. It’s now a cultural center that features changing art and cultural exhibitions.
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Museo del Mar
Housing the most extensive seashell collection you’re ever likely to see, the Museo del Mar exhibits more than 30,000 shells, representing 6000 species from around the world. The museum also contains a small tide pool, an aquarium and a cafe.
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Cabo Corrientes
As the sea lions attest, Mar del Plata is one of the best spots for fishing in Argentina. The rocky outcrop at Cabo Corrientes, just north of Playa Grande, is a good spot to try, as are the two breakwaters - Escollera Norte and Escollera Sur - at the port.
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Punta Mogotes
Mar del Plata's beaches are safe and swimmable, if impossibly crowded in the summer. Just past the port you'll find the huge Punta Mogotes complex - slightly more chilled and favored by families, who fill the balnearios to overflowing in January.
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Playa Varese
Mar del Plata's beaches are safe and swimmable, if impossibly crowded in the summer. To the south of Playa de los Pescadores are Playa Varese and Cabo Corrientes, a pair of small waveless beaches, also public, that are protected by small rocky headlands.
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Pescadores
Located out on the fishing pier (under the giant ‘Quilmes’ sign), this seafood restaurant offers great water views – especially from its 2nd floor. The menu runs through typical Mardel offerings of meat, pasta and seafood, but you’re here for the views.
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Torre Tanque
This interesting, medieval water storage tower, atop Stella Maris hill, was finished in 1943 and offers great views over Mar del Plata. There’s a tiny museum inside; after checking it out, climb the spiral stairs or take the elevator.
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Antares
The eight homebrews on tap at Mar del Plata’s only microbrewery include imperial stout, pale ale and barley wine – excellent cures for the Quilmes blues. Food is available and there is live music most weekends. There’s another branch at Irigoyen 3851.
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Amigos del Mar
Apart from the hearty buenas noches greeting on arrival, this Japanese restaurant is the real deal. It has bamboo screens, jangly background music and a sushi sashimi platter that’s worth the trek 1.5km west (or AR$15 taxi ride) on its own.
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Combi-Tur
Offers two-hour city tours (around Arg$15) daily at 10:30, 3:30 & 17:30 and excursions to nearby Sierra and Laguna del los Padres (around Arg$30; see ), leaving at noon and 15:30. Tours depart from Plaza Colón, at Colón and Arenales.
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Taberna Baska
Just a few blocks inland from the port is this renowned Basque restaurant. It has old-school atmosphere, and serves up delicious dishes like garlic shrimp, mixed seafood stews, fish in seven kinds of sauce, and baby squid in ink and saffron.
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El Jamón
There’s little atmosphere at this neighborhood favorite, with plastic plants swinging from the beams. It’s still full of locals, however, all enjoying the lamb roast, Spanish-style octopus or beef pasta (menu choices change daily).
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Catedral de San Pedro
Facing the leafy Plaza San Martín at San Luis, this neo-Gothic building features gorgeous stained glass, an impressive central chandelier from France, English-tile floors and a ceiling of tiles from other European countries.
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Acción Directa
The rocky cliffs by the sea and the hills of Sierra de los Padres make for excellent climbing and rappelling. Acción Directa runs a school - they also offer mountain biking, canoeing and overnight active camping trips.
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Playa Bristol
Mar del Plata's beaches are safe and swimmable, if impossibly crowded in the summer. Downtown fronts onto the most central beach, Playa Bristol, with its wharf and fishermen's club bearing the huge neon Quilmes sign.
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Playa La Perla
Mar del Plata's beaches are safe and swimmable, if impossibly crowded in the summer. The next beach to the north of Playa Bristol is Playa La Perla , favored by a younger crowd and filled with balnearios.
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Tango Brujo
There are occasional milongas (dance events) in the city, including the Sunday night's Tango Brujo. Check the notice board at the tourist information center for milongas and classes going on around town.
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