A laid-back town known for its natural beauty, artisanal crafts and agriculture, El Bolson is located in the Andean Shire. It’s home to craft beer breweries and a bustling artisan fair, while its surrounding landscapes offer scenic hikes to waterfalls, mountains and fruit orchards.
Things to do in El Bolsón
Get a dose of the local culture by exploring the Feria Artesanal market. You can browse local vendors selling handmade textiles, leather goods and homemade jams while listening to live music, indulging in empanadas and milanesas or sampling local beers.
Budding geologists can visit the Museo de Piedras Patagonicas to see its fascinating collection of rocks and minerals. The geological museum hosts guided walks around their indoor-outdoor facility where you can see how minerals grow and how geodes are formed.
Known for its beer production, El Bolson boasts numerous microbreweries worth visiting. Cerveceria Otto Tipp is a local favourite, serving berry-infused ales and IPAs made with Patagonian water from their on-site well. If you want a bird’s-eye view of El Bolson and the valley below, hike to Cerro Amigo and stop at three viewpoints along the way. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset.
Looking for an outdoor adventure? Stretch your legs on a hike to Rio Azul to see clear mountain streams, diverse birdlife and lush forests dotted with blackberry bushes. If you want an adrenaline-pumping activity, sign up for a paragliding tour from Cerro Piltriquitron, which lets you soar at 1,150 metres high.
Getting around El Bolsón
The city centre of El Bolson is easily walkable, but you’ll need a bus or car to explore further afield. San Carlos de Bariloche Airport is 138 kilometres away and offers domestic and international flights.