WHAT TO VISIT
La Rambla is an absolute must. Although there have been various versions of this, the most recent was a project by the famous architect Alejandro Bustillo. It was built in 1930 and is a grand esplanade along Bristol Beach, presided over by two statues of sea lions; on the esplanade the Casino and the Provincial Hotel have been built.
Torreón del Monje; this was opened in 1904, a donation to the city by Ernesto Tornquist,: Its design recreates a sort of medieval fortress and Jesuit belltower. It has a wonderful view over the sea, and currently houses a pastry shop, tearoom, exhibition halls and a solarium on the terrace.
Chateau Frontenac; this is an imitation of the castle with the same name in the city of Quebec, in Canada. It was built under the direction of the architect Bastillo, and combines various architectural styles in a harmonious balance. It currently houses a top class hotel.
Mogotes Point Lighthouse; brought into use in 1891, its instrumentation made it at the time one of the most modern in South America. An electronic system was installed in 1975, activated by a photoelectric cell which automatically switches the system of lights on and off, depending on the brightness or otherwise of the natural light. The lighthouse is 35 m high and can be seen from various point around the city.
The Tank Tower; this is 48 m high, and is another of the city’s privileged viewpoints.
The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Cecilia; work started on this in 1893 and culminated in 1898. It is a reproduction of the Gothic style of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its most important features are its enormous stained glass windows, its central chandelier and its belltower with five bells.
The Port; apart from its economic importance, Mar del Plata port is a great leisure centre. In the immediate vicinity there are numerous beaches that are very busy in summer, while the artificial lakes formed by the breakwater are ideal for windsurfing, canoeing and entertainment such as giant water slides. There is a shopping centre nearby with shops selling all kinds of canned seafood and restaurants of all categories which likewise specialize in seafood. A separate spectacle is the sea lions that come in close to the wharves every evening at sunset, along with dozens of coastal ships and fishing vessels from the high seas.
Peralta Ramos Forest; this is a residential area covering some 400 hectares, and planted with eucalyptus, acacias, and cypress trees. It originally belonged to the family of the city’s founder, and today, with streets that fancifully come to an end amidst the woods, it is home to two tearooms, a high-class hotel with restaurant, a children’s play area, and leisure areas for riding bicycles or horses.
Los Troncos District; this owes its name to a chalet that was built there in 1938, and whose fence and main entrance door are made of quebracho and lapacho trunks brought from Salta. This area is the best exponent of the architectural richness of Mar del Plata: chalets surrounded by extensive parks which represent a never-ending variety of different European architectural styles. Los Troncos almost merges with Playa Grande, one of the first areas to be inhabited by aristocratic port families. It has retained its residential nature, and no construction of apartment buildings is allowed. Other more recently attractive are Santa Mónica, La Florida, Pinos de Anchorena and Parque Luro.
Villa Victoria; this is one of the most famous houses in Los Troncos. It used to belong to the writer Victoria Ocampo, and when she died she donated it to the city on the condition that it be converted into a cultural centre. Respecting the terms of her will, it is today a museum sponsored by the foundation that bearsher name, with a programme of cultural activities throughout the year. All the house’s original furniture, which was made to the instructions of the writer’s father in 1905, has been preserved. The whole house was prefabricated in wood and brought directly from Norway, it is the only house with these features in the country.
Mar del Plata is a city full of curiosity and beautiful spots worth exploring. Other places of interest that should be visited include a number of museums: the Natural Science Municipal History Museums, Mogotes Point Lighthouse, the Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum and the Man of the Port Museum.
The beaches
Mar del Plata has a coastline 47 km long. The most popular beaches are obviously the more central ones, Bristol and La Perla. But from Punta Iglesias northwards can be found a whole string of newer resorts which are reached from the inter-resort road that links Mar del Plata to the coastal towns and villages that extend in an unbroken line all the way to Las Toninas, south of Cabo Corrientes –the most westerly point in Argentina on the Atlantic- are to be found some of the most famous beaches anywhere on the country’s Atlantic Coast: Playa Chica, Playa Grande, the various beaches around the port, and the Mogotes Point complex. Until a few years ago Mogotes Point marked the end of the built-up area. But today, beyond the point are numerous resorts, some private, all much less busy than many others elsewhere, and with very good facilities. The nearest town to the south -45 km away- is Miramar. Practically the entire journey between the two towns is through a built-up area, along provincial road nº 11, and this is one of the most attractive drivers in the area. Barely 10 km along this road from the centre of Mar del Plata is the Chapadmalall holiday complex, where the president has his summer residence.
Places of Interest in the surrounding area
Avery attractive trip from Mar del Plata along provincial road 226 takes you to Los Padres hills and lake. The hills are part of the Tandilia system, and although not very high, are notable for the strange shapes created by erosion of the rocks. Los Padres has been developed as a residential town. It has pastry shops, arestaurant and 18-hole golf course, as well as a shopping centre and numerous places selling regional products. Its name recalls the Jesuit priests who once settled in the area.
Only four kilometres from the hills is the lake of the same name. This too is an important leisure centre, with two large pastry shops, wooded walks, and places where boats and horses can be hired. Two fishing clubs are also based on the lake, the Atlantic and the Fishing and Casting Club.
He lake covers an area of approximately 640 hectares, and the abundant wildlife both in it and on its shores has been well preserved.
On the same spot where the former Nuestra Señora del Pilar Reduction used to stand,a replica has been built which is fully in line with all the known historical data on the settlement. It was declared a Historical Site in 1950.
In the area immediately around Los Padreslake was to be found the ranch on which José Hernández spent part of is childhood and adolescence, and where he learnt the secrets of country life that would later on appear in his literature. In José Hernández Traditionalist Museum, which houses important collections of silverware, Creole handicrafts, and everyday objects of country life.
Warnings
Mar del Plata enjoys excellent communications with the rest of the country. Busses from all parts serve its Bus station –a beautiful railway station that has been remodelled to adapt it for us new use-.
It is connected to Buenos Aires by route nº 2 (dual carriageway). Route 226 links Mar del Plata with other inland cities of Buenos Aires province, and also leads to Balcarce, home of the Juan Manuel Fangio Automobile Museum; here many of the prizes and awards won by that giant of world motor racing. Juan Manuel Fangio, are on display, he was born in the town.
The airport is near the Parque Camet area, and daily flights connect it with Buenos Aires; in high season there are also direct links with Rosario, Córdoba and other major cities.
The city itself has 24-hour taxi and “remises” service, and an extensive bus network.
Mar del Plata is a city which can easily be visited on foot; distances are not excessive, and the only time that walking can be a hit hard is in streets that are somewhat hilly by nature. In any case. It is advisable to make some trips on foot, especially through Los Troncos and along the Avenida Costanera from la Rambla to Cabo Corrientes.
A number of other excursions are also possible. Boat trips are available from Dock B in the port Minibuses leave from Colón and San Martín Squares in the centre for balcarce and Los Padres Hills and lake. Trips can also be made by air, although costs are higher.
Mar del Plata has a bustling night life. Most pubs and discotheques where you can dance the night away; are concentrated in Avenida Constitución. In recent years the textile industry has made considerable advances, and Mar del Plata fabrics have become famous throughout the country for their quality and varied designs. Most businesses in this field are to be found in Juan B. Justo Avenue, and here wholesale as well as retail sales take place. This is one of the busiest streets in the city; where tourists and traders from all corners of the country make purchases.
Finally, don’t miss the famous Mar del Plata “alfajores” –cakes made of walnuts, almonds and honey- which are as well-known as its casino and its sea lions. They really are a Mar del Plata “trade-mark”, and although you can get them today almost anywhere in the country., eating them in Mar del Plata its own special charm.
La Rambla is an absolute must. Although there have been various versions of this, the most recent was a project by the famous architect Alejandro Bustillo. It was built in 1930 and is a grand esplanade along Bristol Beach, presided over by two statues of sea lions; on the esplanade the Casino and the Provincial Hotel have been built.
Torreón del Monje; this was opened in 1904, a donation to the city by Ernesto Tornquist,: Its design recreates a sort of medieval fortress and Jesuit belltower. It has a wonderful view over the sea, and currently houses a pastry shop, tearoom, exhibition halls and a solarium on the terrace.
Chateau Frontenac; this is an imitation of the castle with the same name in the city of Quebec, in Canada. It was built under the direction of the architect Bastillo, and combines various architectural styles in a harmonious balance. It currently houses a top class hotel.
Mogotes Point Lighthouse; brought into use in 1891, its instrumentation made it at the time one of the most modern in South America. An electronic system was installed in 1975, activated by a photoelectric cell which automatically switches the system of lights on and off, depending on the brightness or otherwise of the natural light. The lighthouse is 35 m high and can be seen from various point around the city.
The Tank Tower; this is 48 m high, and is another of the city’s privileged viewpoints.
The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Cecilia; work started on this in 1893 and culminated in 1898. It is a reproduction of the Gothic style of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its most important features are its enormous stained glass windows, its central chandelier and its belltower with five bells.
The Port; apart from its economic importance, Mar del Plata port is a great leisure centre. In the immediate vicinity there are numerous beaches that are very busy in summer, while the artificial lakes formed by the breakwater are ideal for windsurfing, canoeing and entertainment such as giant water slides. There is a shopping centre nearby with shops selling all kinds of canned seafood and restaurants of all categories which likewise specialize in seafood. A separate spectacle is the sea lions that come in close to the wharves every evening at sunset, along with dozens of coastal ships and fishing vessels from the high seas.
Peralta Ramos Forest; this is a residential area covering some 400 hectares, and planted with eucalyptus, acacias, and cypress trees. It originally belonged to the family of the city’s founder, and today, with streets that fancifully come to an end amidst the woods, it is home to two tearooms, a high-class hotel with restaurant, a children’s play area, and leisure areas for riding bicycles or horses.
Los Troncos District; this owes its name to a chalet that was built there in 1938, and whose fence and main entrance door are made of quebracho and lapacho trunks brought from Salta. This area is the best exponent of the architectural richness of Mar del Plata: chalets surrounded by extensive parks which represent a never-ending variety of different European architectural styles. Los Troncos almost merges with Playa Grande, one of the first areas to be inhabited by aristocratic port families. It has retained its residential nature, and no construction of apartment buildings is allowed. Other more recently attractive are Santa Mónica, La Florida, Pinos de Anchorena and Parque Luro.
Villa Victoria; this is one of the most famous houses in Los Troncos. It used to belong to the writer Victoria Ocampo, and when she died she donated it to the city on the condition that it be converted into a cultural centre. Respecting the terms of her will, it is today a museum sponsored by the foundation that bearsher name, with a programme of cultural activities throughout the year. All the house’s original furniture, which was made to the instructions of the writer’s father in 1905, has been preserved. The whole house was prefabricated in wood and brought directly from Norway, it is the only house with these features in the country.
Mar del Plata is a city full of curiosity and beautiful spots worth exploring. Other places of interest that should be visited include a number of museums: the Natural Science Municipal History Museums, Mogotes Point Lighthouse, the Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum and the Man of the Port Museum.
The beaches
Mar del Plata has a coastline 47 km long. The most popular beaches are obviously the more central ones, Bristol and La Perla. But from Punta Iglesias northwards can be found a whole string of newer resorts which are reached from the inter-resort road that links Mar del Plata to the coastal towns and villages that extend in an unbroken line all the way to Las Toninas, south of Cabo Corrientes –the most westerly point in Argentina on the Atlantic- are to be found some of the most famous beaches anywhere on the country’s Atlantic Coast: Playa Chica, Playa Grande, the various beaches around the port, and the Mogotes Point complex. Until a few years ago Mogotes Point marked the end of the built-up area. But today, beyond the point are numerous resorts, some private, all much less busy than many others elsewhere, and with very good facilities. The nearest town to the south -45 km away- is Miramar. Practically the entire journey between the two towns is through a built-up area, along provincial road nº 11, and this is one of the most attractive drivers in the area. Barely 10 km along this road from the centre of Mar del Plata is the Chapadmalall holiday complex, where the president has his summer residence.
Places of Interest in the surrounding area
Avery attractive trip from Mar del Plata along provincial road 226 takes you to Los Padres hills and lake. The hills are part of the Tandilia system, and although not very high, are notable for the strange shapes created by erosion of the rocks. Los Padres has been developed as a residential town. It has pastry shops, arestaurant and 18-hole golf course, as well as a shopping centre and numerous places selling regional products. Its name recalls the Jesuit priests who once settled in the area.
Only four kilometres from the hills is the lake of the same name. This too is an important leisure centre, with two large pastry shops, wooded walks, and places where boats and horses can be hired. Two fishing clubs are also based on the lake, the Atlantic and the Fishing and Casting Club.
He lake covers an area of approximately 640 hectares, and the abundant wildlife both in it and on its shores has been well preserved.
On the same spot where the former Nuestra Señora del Pilar Reduction used to stand,a replica has been built which is fully in line with all the known historical data on the settlement. It was declared a Historical Site in 1950.
In the area immediately around Los Padreslake was to be found the ranch on which José Hernández spent part of is childhood and adolescence, and where he learnt the secrets of country life that would later on appear in his literature. In José Hernández Traditionalist Museum, which houses important collections of silverware, Creole handicrafts, and everyday objects of country life.
Warnings
Mar del Plata enjoys excellent communications with the rest of the country. Busses from all parts serve its Bus station –a beautiful railway station that has been remodelled to adapt it for us new use-.
It is connected to Buenos Aires by route nº 2 (dual carriageway). Route 226 links Mar del Plata with other inland cities of Buenos Aires province, and also leads to Balcarce, home of the Juan Manuel Fangio Automobile Museum; here many of the prizes and awards won by that giant of world motor racing. Juan Manuel Fangio, are on display, he was born in the town.
The airport is near the Parque Camet area, and daily flights connect it with Buenos Aires; in high season there are also direct links with Rosario, Córdoba and other major cities.
The city itself has 24-hour taxi and “remises” service, and an extensive bus network.
Mar del Plata is a city which can easily be visited on foot; distances are not excessive, and the only time that walking can be a hit hard is in streets that are somewhat hilly by nature. In any case. It is advisable to make some trips on foot, especially through Los Troncos and along the Avenida Costanera from la Rambla to Cabo Corrientes.
A number of other excursions are also possible. Boat trips are available from Dock B in the port Minibuses leave from Colón and San Martín Squares in the centre for balcarce and Los Padres Hills and lake. Trips can also be made by air, although costs are higher.
Mar del Plata has a bustling night life. Most pubs and discotheques where you can dance the night away; are concentrated in Avenida Constitución. In recent years the textile industry has made considerable advances, and Mar del Plata fabrics have become famous throughout the country for their quality and varied designs. Most businesses in this field are to be found in Juan B. Justo Avenue, and here wholesale as well as retail sales take place. This is one of the busiest streets in the city; where tourists and traders from all corners of the country make purchases.
Finally, don’t miss the famous Mar del Plata “alfajores” –cakes made of walnuts, almonds and honey- which are as well-known as its casino and its sea lions. They really are a Mar del Plata “trade-mark”, and although you can get them today almost anywhere in the country., eating them in Mar del Plata its own special charm.
