Nestled on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and close to Bariloche, here are all the things to do in Villa La Angostura in 3 days.
Villa La Angostura is a small town located about 80 kilometres from Bariloche on Lake Nahuel Huapi. It has been gaining tourists for several years now and has gradually become one of the essential places to visit in the Argentinean Patagonia.
Its beauty lies in the natural environment that surrounds it. Patagonian forests, the lake, rivers, high mountains and the charm of being a city not as crowded as its neighbour Bariloche.
In addition, the downtown area is small and preserves the traditional Patagonian architecture with materials made of local wood and stone.
So that you don’t miss anything, we have made a recommended itinerary of places to see in Villa La Angostura in 3 days. Let’s discover them.
Table of Contents
Summary – Itinerary for Villa La Angostura in 3 days:
- Day 1: Villa la Angostura downtown and Cerro Bayo
- Day 2: Arrayanes forest
- Day 3: Doing the 7 Lakes Route
Day 1: Villa la Angostura downtown and Cerro Bayo
One of the places to see in Villa La Angostura in 3 days is Cerro Bayo. Located a few kilometres from the city centre, it is Villa La Angostura’s ski centre and is open all year round.
In Cerro Bayo during the winter, besides skiing on the different slopes and taking lessons for beginners, you can go snow tubing and snowshoeing. In summer, there are hiking trails and different activities such as canopy, tubing and biking.
The climb to the base of the hill is 1,500 metres and can be done by chairlift or with a mountain guide during the summer. Whether you visit in summer or winter, the views from the hill to Lake Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding area are breathtaking.
After visiting Cerro Bayo in the morning, in the afternoon and evening it’s time to take a break and make your way to Villa La Angostura’s main street called Avenida Arrayanes, which is also part of Route 40.
On the avenue you will find all the shops with their typical Patagonian wooden architecture, places to rent ski clothes and supermarkets. But the best of the place are the restaurants with Patagonian delicacies such as lamb and the artisan chocolate shops where you can taste a delicious sweet. You cannot miss it!
📝 Travel tip: there are many artisan chocolate shops such as El Turista or Abuela Goye. For us the best ones are Rapa Nui and En el Bosque, they have a wide variety of chocolate and all of them are a real treat.
Day 2: Arrayanes forest
On the second day, nature is the main protagonist. An excursion you can’t miss if you visit Villa La Angostura in 3 days is the Arrayanes forest.
Located at the end of the Quetrihué peninsula, you have two options to get there: one is with a ferry excursion sailing across the Nahuel Huapi Lake, and the other is a 12-kilometre hike along the path that crosses the peninsula in the middle of the forest.
The Arrayanes forest is a magical place. This species present in the region, which is generally surrounded by other trees such as cypresses and Coihues, is characterised by its cinnamon colour and its thin and smooth trunks, which are cold to the touch. The whole walk through the Arrayanes forest is done with a guide through wooden walkways.
📝 Travel tip: We recommend you take the ferry to the Arrayanes forest and walk the 12 kilometres back along the trail. It’s worth doing the outward and return journeys differently.
On the way back from the trip to the Arrayanes Forest, you can visit the two bays: Brava and Mansa. In the former, the water of the lake has a little more movement (hence its name), while in Bahía Mansa, being more sheltered, it resembles a large natural swimming pool.
In both cases there are rocky beaches and you can even swim in summer, although the temperature of the lake water is always cold all year round.
If you still have time, you can take a trip to Puerto Manzano, another of Villa La Angostura’s peninsulas, where there are also beaches, campsites and many hotels in the middle of the Patagonian forest.
🔎 Check out the visit to the Arrayanes forest from Bariloche, which includes a boat trip past Victoria Island.
Day 3: Doing the 7 Lakes Route
One of the essential activities to do in Villa La Angostura in 3 days is the route of the 7 lakes. In fact, it is an excursion that will take you the whole day because, despite being only 100 kilometres of road, you will have to stop permanently along the way.
The beauty of the route lies in the surrounding environment. The road runs between seven beautiful Patagonian Seven Lakes, some smaller and some larger. The common denominator of each lake is the turquoise colour of the water and the high mountains of the foothills of the Andes in the background. A paradisiacal setting.
The Seven Lakes along the route are Lácar, Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Escondido, Correntoso and Espejo, each with its own viewpoint on the side of the road. In most cases, you can stop at the small lakeside beaches and enjoy the surroundings with a picnic.
The best way to do the 7 Lakes Route in Patagonia is to rent a car or hire a tour with transfers and guides. Public transport between the two main towns on the 7 Lakes Route, Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, is very scarce.
🔎 Check here the guide to drive the Seven Lakes Route.
Where to sleep in Villa La Angostura
Hotels in Villa La Angostura are scattered around Bahía Mansa and Bahía Brava, the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi on the way to the town of Bariloche and Puerto Manzano. In town, you’ll find everything from hostels and cabins to five-star accommodation with lake views and heated pools.
🏨 Check here where to sleep in Villa La Angostura and get your ideal accommodation.
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