Need help choosing the right estancias near Buenos Aires? This list features 11 beautiful properties for a relaxing weekend escape!
One of my favourite ways to end a visit to Buenos Aires is by booking an estancia stay in the city’s outskirts. To me, this is just the perfect way to unwind after an action-packed time in the city.
Most estancias near Buenos Aires are located in Buenos Aires Province, and many of them are just a 1-3 hour drive away, making them fairly accessible to travellers. In fact, I usually take a bus or taxi because they’re not that far!
What I love most about staying at an estancia is slipping into the slow pace of life. I can watch the sunrise over the pampas, go horseback riding through the countryside, and enjoy traditional Argentine meals, all of this in a countryside setting.
Over the years, my husband Samuel and I have enjoyed many Buenos Aires estancias. We have visited estancias that are working cattle ranches and others that feel more like luxury hotels. We have gone to estancias that showcase gaucho culture and others that are all about polo. And we have done a mixture of day trips for what’s known as a Día de Campo and also overnight stays.
Suffice it to say, we love experiencing different types of estancias and we manage to visit a few every time we’re in Argentina. I’d go as far as saying that it’s one of our favourite ways to travel.
So today, I’ve created a list of some of the best estancias near Buenos Aires for you to consider! The idea is to give you a bit of inspiration and help you choose the right estancia for your stay. I’ve already experienced a handful of these myself, and a few others are still on the travel bucket list!
Beautiful Estancias Near Buenos Aires
Estancia Villa Maria
Best estancia for Tudor-style architecture
📍 Distance: 56 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Estancia Villa Maria is one of the easiest estancia getaways from Buenos Aires. It’s just a little over an hour from the city or around 40 minutes from Ezeiza International Airport, which is why I like recommending it as a way to end a visit to the city. Who doesn’t want to relax and unwind for a few days before catching a flight out?
That was precisely our strategy when we stayed at Estancia Villa Maria. We were wrapping up a big trip to Argentina, and Villa Maria gave us exactly what we needed: a quiet room, beautiful grounds, good food, and a place to rest before the long flight home.
The estancia itself has a very different feel from some of the more rustic ranches we have visited in Buenos Aires Province. This is not a place where you come to rough it or spend the day shadowing gauchos at work. Quite the opposite!
Villa Maria was designed by Alejandro Bustillo as a grand Tudor-Norman style manor. The house was originally built as a countryside retreat for the Pereda family, and it’s got that old-world Buenos Aires glamour as soon as you pull up to the property.
The overnight experience here is very comfortable. There are 16 rooms split between the main house and the Casa Francesa, an adults-only annex just a few steps away. We stayed in one of the suites in the main house, and it felt more like a small apartment than a hotel room, with a receiving room, a separate bedroom with a four-poster bed, and a huge bathroom.
Food was abundant! I feel like we spent half the time eating. All meals are included in the price of your stay, and as overnight guests we got lunch, merienda, dinner and breakfast.
Horse riding is another big part of any stay at a Buenos Aires estancia. Since we were travelling with our toddler, we chose the wagon ride instead of horseback riding, and we loved it. We rode through the tree-lined avenues of the estate in soft autumn light, and Aurelia was so relaxed that she fell asleep halfway through. Our ride was about 20 minutes long and I honestly would have been happy to go even longer.
Aside from that, there are plenty of way to fill your time at the estancia, including golf, tennis, croquet, billiards, board games, a swimming pool, and even polo experiences that can be arranged at an extra cost. But honestly, Villa Maria is also the kind of place where doing less is part of the appeal and we kind of leaned in that direction.
I’d say Estancia Villa Maria is best suited to couples, families looking for an easy countryside stay, or anyone who wants a more luxurious estancia experience without travelling too far from Buenos Aires.
Book your stay at Estancia Villa Maria.
Address: Avenida Pereda s/n, Máximo Paz, Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia El Ombú de Areco
Best working estancia for traditional gaucho culture
📍 Distance: 123 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 35 minutes
El Ombú de Areco is a working estancia set in the outskirts of San Antonio de Areco, the town known as the cradle of gaucho culture.
I first visited this estancia on their Día de Campo, where I got to experience a day in the countryside and learn more about traditional gaucho culture. It was honestly an epic day that included horse and wagon rides (we opted for the latter since I was pregnant!), a traditional Argentine BBQ, live folk music and dancing, a horse whispering demonstration and more.
My husband and I still rave about this experience years later and it’s why I love recommending this estancia as a gaucho day trip from Buenos Aires for those who are short on time.
El Ombú de Areco is also a unique offering, because it’s not just a tourist experience, but also a working ranch. The estancia has over 300 hectares, which are used for grazing cattle, including 350 heads of Aberdeen Angus livestock. They also grow a variety of crops like soy, corn, wheat and oats depending on the time of year.
The estancia has 11 guest rooms, including double, triple and quadruple rooms. They also have interconnecting rooms in case you’re visiting with a large family. The rooms have been lovingly renovated, featuring vintage furniture and they each have their own private bathroom.
Estancia El Ombú de Areco offers full board, which includes 4 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. That means there’s no reason to leave the estancia during your stay unless you want to explore the surrounding area.
Activities at the estancia include 2 daily horseback rides. Plus, guests can also enjoy bike rides, walks through the property, and the outdoor pool during the warmer months. Plus, this estancia’s architecture is simply divine!
My favourite part of the visit to El Ombú de Areco was their folklore dancing performance during lunch, and the fact that they managed to get so many people up and dancing after dessert. It was a really fun experience. That was followed by the Doma India, where we got to see the bond between a gaucho and his horse. I would highly recommend this estancia if you’re looking for a day trip that really showcases gaucho culture.
You can also check out this accommodations guide if you’re specifically looking for estancias in San Antonio de Areco and other unique stays.
Book your stay at Estancia El Ombú de Areco.
Address: Ruta 31 Cuartel VI, Villa Lía, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Tomasa
Best estancia for a family-run working cattle ranch
📍 Distance: 232 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 3 hours
Estancia La Tomasa is a working cattle ranch near Cacharí, about 3 hours southwest of Buenos Aires along Ruta Nacional 3. This is one of the more intimate estancia stays on this list, and what makes it so special is that you’re not just checking into a hotel, but rather you’re being welcomed into a family home.
La Tomasa has been in the same family for 7 generations. The property was purchased in 1885 by Thomas Gibson, a Scotsman, and today it is run by his great-great-granddaughter, Luisa Mackern. The estancia was originally a sheep farm and later became a cattle ranch, but since 2023, it has also opened its doors to guests who want a more authentic experience in the Argentine pampas.
We recently spent a weekend at Estancia La Tomasa and loved how personal the whole experience felt. The estancia has just 5 rooms, making this one of the smallest and most intimate properties we’ve stayed at. We were travelling with our toddler, and we were pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly the experience was. A crib was set up in our bedroom, we had a baby bathtub in our bathroom, and there were children’s books for our daughter to enjoy in the living room.
Because La Tomasa is a working ranch, the activities vary depending on the season and what’s happening on the farm. Guests may be able to see the gauchos at work moving cattle, branding, delivering calves or taking care of other daily ranch tasks. Just keep in mind that weekends will be quieter, so if you want to join the gauchos, you need to visit during the week.
During our visit, we toured the historic buildings, visited the organic vegetable garden, and enjoyed a horseback ride out to the lagoon. Since we were travelling with our toddler, Sam joined the ride while I followed later in the truck for merienda by the water. There was coffee, tea, mate, chocolate milk for the kids, and cake served picnic-style beside the lagoon.
If you want a warm, family-run estancia where you can experience real ranch life, eat home-cooked meals, sit by the fire, watch sunset over the pampas, and feel like you’ve been welcomed into someone’s home, Estancia La Tomasa fits the bill beautifully.
Book your stay at Estancia La Tomasa.
Address: Ruta Nacional 3, Km 232.5, Cacharí, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia Puesto Viejo
Best estancia for polo players and a giant labyrinth
📍 Distance: 76 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 4 minutes
Estancia Puesto Viejo is set on 220 hectares of land in Cañuelas 76 kilometres, or less than one hour, from Buenos Aires.
This was one of the first estancias in Buenos Aires we ever visited, and we chose it because it wasn’t too far from the city (we took a taxi the whole way there) and it was an affordable stay since we happened to visit during the shoulder season.
This particular estancia offers various types of accommodations to suit different budgets. They have a 10-bedroom hotel where all the rooms are named after the owner’s favourite polo horses. Our room was decorated with antique furniture, including a beautiful wooden armoire, a footboard bench, and a chandelier.
One of the unique draws to this particular estancia is the giant labyrinth, which is an especially attractive proposition if you’re visiting with kids! We had a hard time finding our way out of there and squeezed our way out through a hole in the bushes (evidently, we weren’t the only ones who got stuck!)
Aside from the hotel, Estancia Puesto Viejo also offers a glamping option. There’s a sector of the property where they have built wooden platforms that hold 21 geodomes. Guests can choose between double and triple domes. Just note that the geodomes won’t give you access to the swimming pool.
In terms of activities, we grabbed a couple of their free bikes and used them to explore the estancia grounds. Plus, we also signed up for a guided horseback ride, which was a bit short, but we got to see a bit more of the estancia.
Of course, if you’re into polo, you can book that for an additional cost. We didn’t partake, but we did watch other guests enjoy the sport!
Book your stay at Estancia Puesto Viejo.
Address: Ruta Provincial 6, Km 83, Cañuelas, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Candelaria
Best estancia for a French château feel
📍 Distance: 120 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Estancia La Candelaria is a 200-year-old French castle-style estancia set in Lobos 120 kilometres southwest of Buenos Aires.
While most estancias near Buenos Aires have a colonial look, this one will make you feel like you’ve been transported to France. Because yes, it looks like a castle that was dropped in the pampas!
The estancia is divided into two sectors: the chateau sector and the colonial sector.
The French-inspired chateau sector offers 3 different types of rooms, all decorated with period furniture: 6 Castle Classic rooms, 3 Castle Suites and 1 Castle Windmill.
Meanwhile, the colonial sector has more of a country feel. Here guests can choose between 10 Colonial Rooms and 2 Forest Bungalows. This sector is better suited for families or larger groups of friends.
Some of the daily activities guests can enjoy at Estancia La Candelaria include horse rides, bike rides, forest hikes, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and the outdoor swimming pool during the summer months.
Aside from this, the estancia also has different activities throughout the week like yoga, movie nights, empanada cooking classes, folklore shows and more.
There is a restaurant on the estancia grounds, 5º CHUKKER, where guests can try typical Argentine foods.
“Romantic, perfect and an absolute treasure in time. Thank you for keeping the history and the beauty of La Candelaria open with us to share. Highly recommend for those who want to get away and slow way down while enjoying a beautiful historical estancia! Special kudos to the chef – the food exceeded expectations and was the best food I had on my entire trip.”
Review via TripAdvisor.
Book your stay at Estancia La Candelaria.
Address: Ruta Nacional 205 Km 114,5, Lobos, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Bandada
Best estancia for bird watching
📍 Distance: 121 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Estancia La Bandada is located in San Miguel del Monte 122 kilometres from Buenos Aires.
The estancia offers accommodations in a 19th-century colonial-style house that has been renovated yet retains its traditional charm. There is a maximum capacity of 14 guests so it offers a private and tranquil setting.
There are 3 types of rooms to choose from: one standard double room, two suites, and two two-bedroom apartments. The rooms are all named after different types of birds that can be spotted on the estancia grounds. These include herons, tijeretas, hummingbirds, horneros and cardinals.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities at Estancia La Bandada like horseback riding, bird watching, cooking classes, bike riding, evening guitar sessions and more.
They also offer 1-hour polo lessons for visitors who may be interested in learning more about this sport. You just need to be able to ride a horse and they can teach you the rest!
“This is a beautiful property inside and out. Large comfortable rooms, wonderful grounds exceptional service. The staff was extremely friendly and eager to please. Agustina was very professional – she took the time to explain all about the property. She showed us around the organic garden, the riding area and told us all about the animals that live there. She made sure meals prepared were to our liking. The ranch is beautifully decorated be it the living room and dining area or the bedroom – simply gorgeous.” – Maria from Austria
Review via Booking.com
Book your stay at Estancia La Bandada.
Address: Ruta 41, km 120, San Miguel del Monte, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Bamba de Areco
Best estancia for a historic connection
📍 Distance: 124 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Estancia La Bamba de Areco is a highly acclaimed Relais & Chateaux property located just outside the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco.
The estancia dates from 1830, making it one of the oldest Argentinian colonial-style estancias in the area. One of the original post houses on the property actually formed part of the Camino Real or Royal Road, an old trade route that connected Buenos Aires with Alto Perú (modern-day Bolivia).
La Bamba de Areco was one of the first estancias to welcome visitors back in the 1980s. It has since been renovated and offers 11 rooms and suites. The decor features dark wooden floors and antique furnishings.
“Our girls trip took us to La Bamba on our recent trip to Argentina. It was such a unique experience — from the scenery to the horseback riding to the communal meals with people we otherwise would have never met! We definitely recommend this spot for a couple of nights to get out of Buenos Aires and enjoy a very slowed down (little wifi!), relaxing experience. Special shout out to Michaela, Segundo, Jo, and Eduardo for making our experience so special.” – Melissa from New York
Review via TripAdvisor
Book your stay at La Bamba de Areco.
Address: Ruta 31 Km 7.5, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Madrugada
Best estancia for a luxurious and private stay
📍 Distance: 126 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Another estancia to visit near Buenos Aires is La Madrugada. This is a rather exclusive property with only 3 suites that lead out to a garden, so it’s the ideal place to book with a group of friends or family.
The estancia offers a rural experience with a touch of luxury. The main farmhouse has been renovated to add modern comforts, however, the place still manages to retain its traditional charm.
Meals at Estancia La Madrugada consist of a three-course menu and outdoor barbecues. Ingredients are sourced directly from the organic garden, providing guests with a farm-to-table dining experience.
As far as activities go, Estancia La Madrugada offers horse riding, live guitar music by the campfire, and the opportunity to visit the nearby gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco – the town is only 5-kilometres away, so you can even cycle there using the free bikes they provide.
“My wife and I have been to La Madrugada twice now (one on August – winter, and once in the end of November – summer). Both times very different due to the season – but both incredible. This is a small estancia (max 3 bedrooms) so you really feel like you have the entire estancia (ranch) to yourself. All meals are included, food is great, nice wine selection. Entire staff is personalized and very accommodating! We have a 6 month old baby – and the entire staff could not be more helpful. In the winter they have a great space with a fire, very relaxing to play games or read. In the summer they have an enormous pool – plenty of space – beautiful setting. There is also the option to go horseback riding with a professional guide – again all personalized (riding offered at all levels). The estancia itself is an old traditional home that’s been renovated – keeping its old charm and decor but will all the needed modern amenities to stay comfortable (great shower, airconditioning, etc.) If you are looking for a place to relax out in the country side, quiet setting, personalized service – I could not recommend La Madrugada more.” – Philip
Review via Google Reviews
Book your stay at Estancia La Madrugada.
Address: Camino del Yameo, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia La Sofia
Best estancia to play polo
📍 Distance: 114 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Estancia La Sofia is a boutique hotel and polo ranch situated in Azcuénaga and it is a colonial-style ranch that offers six spacious en-suite rooms. Guests can choose from 2 Grand Suites, 2 Superior Suites, and 2 Standard Suites.
There are plenty of ways to keep busy at this estancia with lots of fun activities on offer. Guests can enjoy horseback riding through the pampas, birdwatching, the outdoor swimming pool, and cooking classes where you can learn to make empanadas, asado and mate.
Polo is a big part of life at this estancia. La Sofia Polo Club is part of the Argentine Polo Association and the club has two polo fields.
Whether you want to practice polo, learn to play, or find out more about a sport, the estancia can organize a special program for you. And if you don’t feel comfortable on a horse, of course, you can watch a polo game!
“Our stay was absolutely magical. The place is so charming and feels like a friend’s country house. The chef is incredible and you feel as if you have stumbled upon a wonderful part of Argentinian life. The horses are great to ride for all levels and we (both occasional riders) really enjoyed the polo lesson too. I was skeptical about learning polo since I didn’t think it would be rewarding as a beginner but it was so so much fun. If you are there during a polo match that’s a lovely experience and the pool is great too. A really peaceful oasis, with roaring fires in the evening when it is cold, and Al fresco dining when it is sunny. The hotel only sleeps a small number of guests so is truly boutique and we loved getting to know the other guests as well. Would love to revisit if I am back in Argentina.” – Flo
Review via Google Reviews
Book your stay at Estancia La Sofia.
Address: Cuartel VI, Azcuénaga, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia Las Marias
Best estancia for a glamping experience
📍 Distance: 65 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Estancia Las Marias falls into the glamping category, offering some rather unique accommodations! Guests can choose between sleeping in a grain silo or a geodome. Rooms can be arranged to fit a queen-sized bed or two single beds.
This setup is ideal for visitors who want to enjoy a self-catered holiday. Breakfast is served daily, however, lunch and dinner are up to you! The accommodations come with an electric kettle, an electric oven and a small fridge – you’ll want to plan for quick and easy meals, which leave more time for exploring.
On the premises, guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and sauna, visit the local farm animals (pigs, horses, goats and more!), and spend the evenings around the campfire.
“We had a great stay. I wanted to highlight the attention of Lucas and Ivan, very kind and respectful. In the place you are constantly surrounded by many animals. I also wanted to clarify that the breakfast is very complete, I am celiac and they had prepared a variety of options. The dome was properly equipped, with a stoker outside, which was illuminated for the night. Thank you so much! We had an excellent day.” – Angie
Review via Google Reviews
Book your stay at Estancia Las Marias.
Address: Marcos Paz, Buenos Aires Province
Estancia Don Pedro
Best estancia for families with children
📍 Distance: 96 kilometres | ⏳ Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Estancia Don Pedro sits in the locality of Solis 96 kilometres northwest of Buenos Aires.
Guests can choose from 4 different types of rooms: master suites, double suites, quadruple suites and quintuple suites.
This estancia offers complete room and board with 4 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner. Dinner consists of a 3-course fixed menu.
Estancia Don Pedro has a relaxed and family-friendly environment. It’s well-suited for stays with children as they have farm animals guests can visit and ample room to play and roam.
Pets are welcome at this estancia, though they must be on a leash and accompanied by their owners at all times. There are other dogs and farm animals at the estancia, not to mention guests and children, so that’s something to be mindful of.
“Excellent place, attention and delicious food and super original menu. We also really liked the tranquility of the place and the fact that it was more exclusive than other estancias.” – Agustina from Argentina
Review via Booking.com
Book your stay at Estancia Don Pedro.
Address: Ruta Nacional 8 Km 94, Solis, Buenos Aires Province
Choosing an estancia near Buenos Aires
Book an estancia for the end of your trip.
This is such a nice way to unwind after a busy itinerary in Buenos Aires. Two nights at an estancia is the perfect way to pamper yourself before hopping on a flight home. As a bonus, a lot of these Buenos Aires estancias are near Ezeiza International Airport. If this is your first estancia experience, I recommend staying overnight, because this gives you the full countryside experience.
Not all estancias are created equal.
You’ll hear this over and over again! We’ve done enough estancia stays across Argentina to attest to that. The estancia experience will vary from one establishment to the next. Some estancias only serve breakfast, while others provide four meals per day. Certain estancias include activities, while others charge an additional fee for things like horse riding or polo lessons. There are estancias geared towards couples and estancias better suited to accommodate families.
Choose an estancia based on your interests.
The best estancia in Buenos Aires is the one that suits your interests! Many Buenos Aires estancias have a focus, whether it be showcasing gaucho culture, horseback riding, or polo lessons. Choose one based on what you want to do. Meanwhile, if you venture further down to Patagonia, you can find estancias that specialize in fly fishing or game hunting. Estancias in Mendoza featuring wine tastings and vineyard visits. While estancias in Cordoba are a great introduction to gaucho culture in the sierras. So there’s something out there for everyone.
You can find estancias all over Argentina.
If you enjoy the estancia experience, seek them out on the rest of your travels across Argentina! You can find loads of estancias in Patagonia. One of our favourites is Estancia Tecka for fly fishing and unmatched service. Meanwhile, if you’re visiting El Calafate, Estancia Nibepo Aike is a fun estancia for a taste of ranch life. You can also find loads of estancias in Córdoba up in the sierras, Mendoza and the Iberá Wetlands. Or try something different like glamping across Patagonia!
Book a Día de Campo to visit for the day.
If an overnight stay at an estancia is not in your budget, you can consider visiting for the day. Many estancias near Buenos Aires offer a Día de Campo or ‘countryside day’ where you visit for the day, learn about gaucho culture and have an Argentine BBQ for lunch. This estancia day tour is one of the most popular day trips from Buenos Aires and it’s also highly rated!
GROUP TOURS – If you’d rather join a group tour to travel in Argentina, check out Gadventures.
CAR RENTAL – To explore Argentina beyond the cities, the best way to do so is by renting a car. Discover Cars offers rentals across the country.
BUS TICKETS – Bus travel is a great way to see Argentina. BusBud offers numerous routes.
TRAVEL INSURANCE – Don’t leave on your trip without booking travel insurance. You can get a quote on SafetyWing.
HOTELS – Booking.com offers accommodations to suit all budgets and travel styles.
TOURS – For a variety of tours and activities, have a look at Viator.