Mar del Plata
Learn about Mar del Plata
A concise introduction to Mar del Plata, its geography, history and culture.
Introduction
About 400 km away from Buenos Aires, you’ll come to the shore city of Mar del Plata with 17 km of beautiful beaches. This is a large city with a population of 700,000 and with a lot to do through the year. It is Argentina’s second largest city after Buenos Aires. The city got its name which means “sea adjacent to the Río de la Plata.” Today, it is a major fishing port in this area and Argentina’s largest beach resort.
According to history, in the 1740s, the Spanish tried to set up a Jesuit order here, but the Indians attacked them, so this could not be accomplished. Then, in the 1850s, the Europeans came here. Much later, people saw Mar del Plata’s potential for a tourist destination in the early 20th century.
Being part of Argentina’s recreational coast, the main source of income here is tourism. To make this possible, this city is well-endowed with tourist infrastructure such as hotels of all grades, restaurants, theaters, casinos and other touristy offerings such as a sports center, an Olympic-type stadium, five golf courses, etc.
Take in Tango shows at the Teatro Colón, walk down Waikiki Beach and for the best ice cream in the world, go to Capurro Helado. You must visit the Museum of the Sea which houses over 30,000 sea shells. There’s also a lot of bird watching to do, exploring colonial style buildings and several museums, besides enjoying its superb night life.
According to history, in the 1740s, the Spanish tried to set up a Jesuit order here, but the Indians attacked them, so this could not be accomplished. Then, in the 1850s, the Europeans came here. Much later, people saw Mar del Plata’s potential for a tourist destination in the early 20th century.
Being part of Argentina’s recreational coast, the main source of income here is tourism. To make this possible, this city is well-endowed with tourist infrastructure such as hotels of all grades, restaurants, theaters, casinos and other touristy offerings such as a sports center, an Olympic-type stadium, five golf courses, etc.
Take in Tango shows at the Teatro Colón, walk down Waikiki Beach and for the best ice cream in the world, go to Capurro Helado. You must visit the Museum of the Sea which houses over 30,000 sea shells. There’s also a lot of bird watching to do, exploring colonial style buildings and several museums, besides enjoying its superb night life.