What to do in Rosario: Discovering gems in the heart of Argentina
If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s so special about Rosario?”, you’re in the right place! Rosario, located in the province of Santa Fe, is like that book you judged by its cover and then discovered it was a literary gem.
The Enchantment of the Paraná River
Did you know that the Paraná River is one of the most important rivers in South America? Imagine yourself walking along the coast, feeling the gentle breeze on your face and listening to the murmur of its waters. It is almost as if the river is telling you stories of old boats and adventurers. And don’t forget the sunsets! They are, without a doubt, living postcards that you will want to capture with your camera.
Monumento a la Bandera: Living history before your eyes
In my travels, I always look for that one place that speaks to me about the local history and culture. And in Rosario, that place is the Monumento a la Bandera. Being there, it is hard not to feel a tingle of emotion when thinking about Manuel Belgrano and that crucial moment in Argentine history. Can you imagine being there at that historic moment?
Barrio Pichincha: Ready for a trip back in time?
Every time I walk through Barrio Pichincha, I feel like I have entered a time capsule. The old buildings, the bars and restaurants with their antique flavor… it is as if the walls whisper secrets of times gone by. Have you ever had that feeling of being in two eras at the same time?
Gastronomy: A feast for the palate!
If you are a food lover, Rosario will not disappoint you! From juicy empanadas to mouth-watering asados, it’s a culinary paradise. And don’t even get me started on the ice cream…. It’s like the sky melting in your mouth!
La Vida Nocturna: Dance until dawn!
Are you one of those who believe that the night is young? Then Rosario awaits you with open arms. Bars, discos and bowling alleys where music and dance envelop you in an energetic embrace. And who knows, maybe you’ll find that song that becomes the soundtrack to your trip?
Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina, birthplace of Che Guevara and Lionel Messi, and home to artists and thousands of students. Only 4 hours by bus from Buenos Aires is this cozy and relaxed place, full of friendly locals and a warm and sunny climate.
Located on the banks of the Paraná River, the city has many green spaces and some beaches where people love to meet and socialize. Known for its neoclassical buildings, excellent gastronomy and fantastic docks, there are several things to do in this patriotic city.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Rosario:
1. Flag Monument
This monument to the national flag of Argentina is a great place to begin your exploration of Rosario.
It is one of the few real tourist attractions in the city.
With wide open spaces, a huge flag and an eternal flame in memory of the armed forces, it is quite impressive and patriotic.
You can climb to the top of the main tower to enjoy magnificent views, or simply take pictures among the huge stone columns of the Andes.
If you come in the morning, you can watch the flag raising at 8:15 a.m. each day.
2. Urquiza Park
After passing the flag monument, stroll through this riverside park where you can buy some churros from a nearby vendor or relax with a mate, the traditional hot tea-like drink that Argentines drink in special gourds (also called mate) with a metal straw (or bombilla). Get some exercise on the trails and equipment here, or bring some snacks for a picnic.
In the park there is an amphitheater where artists perform from time to time and an astronomical observatory.
There is also a children’s playground and many bars and restaurants in the surrounding area.
3. Eating ice cream
Unexpectedly, Argentine ice cream is one of the best in the world.
In fact, Rosario is the national capital of artisan ice cream.
Ice cream here is more like Italian gelato than U.S. ice cream, and dulce de leche is a popular flavor.
There are many places to try it in the city (you can choose from more than 100 ice cream shops) and many parks where you can eat it.
Every year in October, an artisanal ice cream festival is held in which more than 20 local ice cream makers hand out tastings of their delicious handmade products.
The rest of the year, try a couple of flavors at Esther (reportedly the best), Yomo or Touche de Crème ice cream parlors.
4. Kayak or cruise to explore the Paraná River and its delta.
Rosario is proud of its river location.
One of the best ways to see what the Paraná River and its delta have to offer is to rent a kayak and spend the day on the water.
The river may be a bit brown (it’s just silt!), but it is the second longest river in South America after the Amazon.
It widens around the city and has several islands in its delta.
Paddle along the city’s boardwalk and sandy beaches, or go out and stop for lunch on one of its islands.
You can also take a motorboat excursion or cruise from the River Station to see more of the canals, agriculture and rural life just outside the city.
5. Eating fresh fish from the river
Argentina may be known as steak country, but Rosario’s location on the banks of the Paraná River makes eating fresh river fish a must.
There are four varieties of freshwater fish: surubí, pacú, boga and dorado.
You can order it cooked in the traditional style, over the embers of a wood fire, known simply as grilled fish.
You can also order it grilled, a little more elaborate, opened and covered with a variety of condiments, such as vegetables and cheeses.
Almost everyone recommends Parilla Escauriza for its fantastic grilled fish, but there are many smaller fish restaurants in the beachside Florida area.
6. Visit the birthplace and statue of Che Guevara.
Rosario is the birthplace of the famous Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and you can walk past his former home within the city.
It is located in a neoclassical building at 480 Entre Rios, although it is now a private apartment, so it is not possible to enter.
There is also a 4 meter high statue made with 75,000 donated bronze pieces that was erected in his memory along 27 de Febrero.
It is located in a square that bears his name.
And as if that were not enough, in Argentina there is no shortage of the ubiquitous T-shirts with his image.
7. Museum of Contemporary Art
Also known as “MACRO”, this museum houses what is possibly the most important collection of contemporary art works in the country.
The museum is located in a restored former grain silo complex by the river; the creators wanted to preserve the original building.
The 8 silos have been painted in different colors and there is a glass elevator on the outside that goes all the way to the top.
The museum has 10 floors of artwork, many by local artists, and from the top floor of the building there are magnificent views of the islands.
On the first floor, the elegant Davis café offers 180-degree views of the river and is ideal for a drink afterwards.
8. Visit Espinillo Island
It is one of the places where locals spend the weekends, and can be reached by public ferry or private boat from the River Station.
Spend the morning horseback riding around the island or practicing water sports such as jet skiing or windsurfing.
Afterwards, have lunch or a drink in one of the restaurants or bars located there.
From light salads to a full Argentinean asado, you’ll have options, because the island can get quite lively with visitors.
In fact, some 20 families also live there.
After sunbathing all day, in the afternoon you can take the ferry back to the city.
9. El Círculo Theater
Opened in 1904, this historic theater was renovated in 2004 to celebrate its centennial.
It now serves as a cultural center and stage for numerous international artists, from rock bands to operas.
It seats 1,450 people on its five levels and the dome of the main hall is painted with magnificent frescoes.
Even if you’re not going to see a show here, you can take a guided tour of this elegant theater, which includes a peek backstage.
Rumor has it that the acoustics are excellent and that they sell champagne and empanadas during the intermissions.
10. Independence Park
It is the largest park in the city and contains gardens, a lake where you can rent rowboats or feed the ducks, and fountains that offer a great show of “dancing waters”.
It also houses several food stalls, a history museum, a fine arts museum and a children’s play area.
The Marcelo Bielsa stadium, home of Newell’s Old Boys, is also located within the park.
It has its own museum, which you can walk through, but it is not open on match days.
11. Municipal Museum of Fine Arts Juan B Castagnino
Located in Independence Park, this fine arts museum is named after one of the city’s most important art collectors.
It contains regularly changing exhibitions, as well as permanent collections of European, Argentine and local artists.
The museum has more than 3,000 works in its 35 rooms, many of which come from the private collections of local aristocrats.
Some of the works date back to the 15th century, and the current collection includes paintings by famous artists such as Goya, El Greco and Ribera.
12. The Island of Inventions
This is THE place to visit if you are traveling with children in Rosario.
“The Island of Inventions” is a former train station converted into a place for children to explore, learn and investigate science, arts and technology.
There are shows, courses, presentations and exhibitions, but most popular are the hands-on learning stations.
Children can try paper making, clay throwing, sawing, soldering and painting.
There is also interactive printing with wooden blocks, stargazing, sand and slides to play with, so children from toddlers to teenagers will be entertained.
13. Going to the beach
Spend an afternoon on one of the city’s sandy beaches.
There is Catalunya and the somewhat nicer La Florida beach, where you can relax, rent chairs and umbrellas and buy snacks from the vendors.
Or if you fancy something exclusive, head to one of the nearby private clubs, such as Club Nautico Rosario, where, if you are not a member, you will have to pay for a day visitor’s pass.
With it you will have access to its bar, restaurant and incredible swimming pool overlooking the river.
Stroll along the water, have a drink at the Mojito Beach Bar or Nenina Cocktails, or eat at one of the many casual fish restaurants nearby.
14. Bajo Flea Market
Every city needs a good street market, and Rosario is no exception. Created in 1982, the Mercado de Pulgas del Bajo is one of the oldest flea markets in the city.
Right next to the National Flag Monument, visit it on Saturdays and Sundays to see the stalls of more than 50 artisans.
They sell things like small handicrafts, leather goods, silver, candles, incense burners and mate gourds.
Many of these artisans live solely from the sale of their work, and you’ll see things made of ceramics, metal, paper and glass.
Have a choripán (sausage sandwich) at a food cart and people-watch; it is an ideal place to stroll around.
15. Explore the gastronomic offer of Rosario
Rosarinos love to go out, and the city itself has a thriving culinary scene, with excellent traditional Argentine dishes such as steak and Malbec at one of the city’s many parrillas, as well as international options such as Italian, Spanish and sushi.
On the streets of Avenida Carlos Pellegrini and Pichincha there are lots of restaurants of all kinds of cuisine.
For a bar with some history, check out El Cairo, home to intellectuals and artists, which was written about by the famous cartoonist Roberto “Negro” Fontanarrosa.
Before dinner, be sure to try the typical appetizer of Rosario, the Amargo Obrero.
In April, the city holds an international food festival featuring all kinds of meats, wines and sweets, and has just held its first food truck festival.
Conclusion: Rosario, a jewel waiting to be discovered
Rosario is more than just a dot on the map. It is a combination of history, culture, gastronomy and nightlife. So, if you are still wondering “Why should I visit Rosario?”, the answer is simple: to discover a jewel in the heart of Argentina. Are you ready for adventure? Rosario is waiting for you!
