Argentina’s landscapes hold layers of history — from windswept Patagonian plateaus to Andean valleys and colonial towns — and its UNESCO sites reflect that variety. Visiting them offers a compact way to read the country’s natural wonders and cultural milestones in situ.
There are 9 World Heritage Sites in Argentina, ranging from Cueva de las Manos and Río Pinturas to Quebrada de Humahuaca; for each site you’ll find below standard entries organized by Province/Region,Year inscribed,Criteria, so you can compare location, inscription date and the listing reasons you’ll find below.
How were these sites selected for UNESCO listing?
UNESCO sites are nominated by Argentina and evaluated against criteria like cultural significance or natural importance; the list below shows which criteria applied to each site and the year it was inscribed so you can see why each place made the cut.
Can I visit several of these sites on one trip?
Yes, but logistics vary: coastal and city sites are easy to combine, while places like Cueva de las Manos and Quebrada de Humahuaca are remote and need extra travel time; expect a multi-week itinerary or domestic flights to cover several locations comfortably.
World Heritage Sites in Argentina
| Name | Province/Region | Year inscribed | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Glaciares National Park | Santa Cruz Province (Patagonia) | 1981 | Natural (vii)(viii) |
| Iguazú National Park | Misiones Province | 1984 | Natural (vii)(x) |
| Península Valdés | Chubut Province (Atlantic coast) | 1999 | Natural (x) |
| Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas | Santa Cruz Province (Patagonia) | 1999 | Cultural (iii) |
| Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks | San Juan and La Rioja Provinces | 2000 | Natural (viii) |
| Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba | Córdoba Province (city of Córdoba and surrounding estancias) | 2000 | Cultural (ii)(iv) |
| Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis | Misiones Province (Argentina) — transnational with Brazil | 1983 | Cultural (iv) |
| Quebrada de Humahuaca | Jujuy Province (northern Argentina) | 2003 | Cultural (ii)(iv) |
| Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System (Argentina section) | Andean provinces including Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca and others | 2014 | Cultural (ii)(iii)(iv) |
Images and Descriptions
Los Glaciares National Park
Massive Patagonian icefields, towering peaks and turquoise lakes including Perito Moreno Glacier. Iconic for glacier trekking, boat trips and dramatic scenery; excellent base for outdoor adventures and wildlife spotting in southern Argentina.
Iguazú National Park
Home to the world-famous Iguazú Falls on the Argentina–Brazil border, a series of vast waterfalls amid subtropical rainforest. Outstanding scenic power and biodiversity; popular for boat rides, jungle trails and wildlife viewing year-round.
Península Valdés
A marine reserve famed for southern right whales, sea lions, elephant seals and penguins. Superb wildlife-watching, boat excursions and coastal walks; best visited in whale season (June–December) for close marine mammal encounters.
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas
Rock-art site dating back 9,000 years, with thousands of stenciled hands and hunting scenes painted on canyon walls. Remote Patagonian setting, evocative prehistoric art; accessible by guided trips into the Río Pinturas valley.
Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks
Two adjacent parks of otherworldly badlands, dramatic red canyons and rich Triassic fossil beds. Key site for dinosaur and Earth-history research; guided tours highlight geological formations and paleontological importance.
Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba
A Jesuit-era university block and rural estancias illustrating 17th–18th century missionary life, education and architecture. In Córdoba city and nearby ranches; visit churches, cloisters and restored estancia museums to learn colonial history.
Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis
Ruined and restored mission towns founded by Jesuits with Guarani communities in the 17th–18th centuries. San Ignacio Miní and other sites reveal unique hybrid architecture, music and missionary history, popular with cultural tourists.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
A spectacular, colorful mountain valley and trade corridor with millennia of settlement, indigenous cultures and Inca routes. Towns like Purmamarca offer markets, festivals and dramatic vistas along a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System (Argentina section)
Segment of the vast Inca road network running through Argentina’s highlands, linking archaeological sites, waystations and mountain passes. Visitors can explore preserved road segments, local communities and ancient engineering across varied Andean landscapes.
