El Calafate is a small town in southern Patagonia best known as the gateway to the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier. Since the glacier is located about an hour outside of town, it's the main reason most travelers visit El Calafate, and trust me, it's absolutely worth it.

Be sure to check out my guide on Perito Moreno Glacier and the best ways to explore it.

But other than the glacier, what else is there to do in El Calafate? And how many days should you actually stay? That's exactly what I'll cover in this guide.

Top Things to Do in El Calafate

Explore the town

This little town is honestly so adorable. It has a laid-back, slightly hipster vibe with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and local artisan stores.

One of my favorite things about El Calafate was simply walking around and taking it all in. There are some beautiful local art pieces and handcrafted goods throughout town. While you're there, definitely grab some hot chocolate and try a few local chocolate treats.

Punta Walicho

Punta Walicho isn't one of the more well-known attractions in El Calafate. In fact, we only found out about it from someone we met on another tour.

Located just outside town, Punta Walicho is an archaeological site featuring cave paintings that date back more than 4,000 years. It's a fascinating place to visit and gives you a glimpse into the area's ancient history.

You can either visit with a guided tour or explore on your own using an audio headset. I personally recommend the guided tour because it's easier to learn more about the site and ask questions along the way.

Tickets are inexpensive, the visit only takes about an hour, and it's a unique experience that most visitors overlook. I would definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary.

Just be prepared for the wind, it can be very strong out there, so dress warmly!

Stargazing Tour

When I was researching things to do in El Calafate, a stargazing tour immediately caught my attention. I absolutely love anything related to the stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe, so this seemed right up my alley. Plus, the tour was led by an actual astronomer.

Unfortunately, our experience didn't quite go as planned.

Part of that was my fault. I didn't realize how late the tour would run, and we had an early wake-up call the next morning for our Perito Moreno Glacier hike.

The tour started around 7:30 PM, and after being picked up, we drove about 45 minutes to an hour outside of town. Once we arrived, we had dinner, which was actually very good, and met a lovely couple that we ended up chatting with throughout the evening.

After dinner, we headed outside for the stargazing portion of the tour. The problem was that the clouds just wouldn't cooperate. The guides kept waiting for openings in the sky, which made the night drag on quite a bit.

We did get to see a few planets and some Southern Hemisphere constellations, which was really cool. However, I was expecting a bit more detail when viewing the planets.

We didn't get back to town until around 2 AM.

At the time, I was honestly pretty frustrated because I'm someone who really needs sleep, especially before a day of hiking. That said, it wasn't the guides' fault, we simply got unlucky with the weather.

Because of that, I can't confidently recommend this tour based on my personal experience. However, I do think it could be fantastic under the right conditions.

If you're considering it, I'd suggest waiting until you're in town and booking based on the weather forecast. Also, I wouldn't schedule it the night before your Perito Moreno Glacier excursion if you're someone who values sleep as much as I do.

Ice Bar

There's also an ice bar in El Calafate, which seems like a pretty fitting experience considering you're visiting one of the world's most famous glaciers.

We skipped it because we'd already done an ice bar in Iceland, but if you've never experienced one before, I think it would be a fun activity to add to your trip that’s right in town.

How Many Nights Should You Stay in El Calafate?

I think 2 nights is perfect, which is exactly what we did.

One night feels a little rushed. If Perito Moreno Glacier is your main reason for visiting, you'd likely need to leave later in the day after your glacier excursion to reach your next destination.

It's definitely doable though. You could arrive in El Calafate in the afternoon, explore town, visit Punta Walicho, spend the night, then visit Perito Moreno Glacier the following day before continuing on to your next stop, most likely El Chaltén, which is about a two-hour drive away.

Two nights gives you enough time to enjoy the glacier, explore town, and not feel like you're constantly rushing.

Personally, I think three nights is more than you need unless you aren't planning to stay in El Chaltén.

Since accommodations in El Chaltén can be expensive, some travelers choose to stay in El Calafate and take day trips. However, if your budget allows, I highly recommend staying in El Chaltén, even if your accommodations are fairly basic. The hiking and scenery there are worth it.

Tips for Visiting El Calafate

Rent a Car if You're Continuing to El Chaltén

I definitely recommend renting a car, especially if El Chaltén is your next stop.

That said, if you're only staying in El Calafate, it's not absolutely necessary. Most tours, including Perito Moreno Glacier and many stargazing tours, offer transportation.

We rented a car because we knew we'd be driving to El Chaltén afterward.

Be Prepared for Cooler Weather

Even during Patagonia's summer months, temperatures can be surprisingly cool the more south you go.

I would expect daytime temperatures somewhere around 45–60°F, with 60°F being a particularly nice day. Wind can make it feel much colder, so packing layers is essential.

If you're doing the stargazing tour, bring even more warm clothing than you think you'll need.

What to Pack

I recommend bringing:

Hoodies and fleece layers
A rain jacket or windproof jacket
Jeans or hiking pants
Comfortable hiking shoes
A hat and gloves

Even in summer, you'll likely use all of it.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, the main reason to visit El Calafate is Perito Moreno Glacier.

The town itself is charming and absolutely worth exploring for a few hours, and I really enjoyed learning about the history of Punta Walicho. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to pack your schedule with activities here.

You don't need a ton of time in El Calafate, especially if you're heading to El Chaltén afterward.

That being said, it's still a destination that deserves a spot on any Patagonia itinerary. Even if you only spend a couple of days here, seeing Perito Moreno Glacier alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Things to Do in El Calafate (+ How Long to Stay)