Flight Destinations
Flights to Mar del Plata
Places in Argentina
Mar del Plata is one of Argentina’s top tourist destinations, especially for Argentines! The city is located on the Atlantic coast, about 250 miles south of the capital, Buenos Aires, and is actually the largest beach resort in the country.
Flights to Mar del Plata
Flights to Mar del Plata will arrive at the Astor Piazzolo International Airport (airport code: MDQ) just 4 miles from downtown. During the week, only TAM Linhas Aereas has flights to Mar del Plata from the UK, with connections in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. There are more options for weekend flights. Delta Airlines transfers in Atlanta and Buenos Aires, and Mexicana Airlines makes its connections in Mexico City and Buenos Aires. Virgin Atlantic, Continental and United also have 2-stop flights to Mar del Plata on the weekends.
Mar del Plata Tourist Attractions
First and foremost Mar del Plata is a beach resort city, and during its peak summer season the beaches are usually packed to the eyeballs. The city has all the amenities and facilities you would expect from a popular beach resort, with countless hotels and restaurants, and a good selection of entertainment and casinos; this really is a fun in the sun kind of destination!
Mar del Plata’s Beaches
The main beaches right by the centre of Mar del Plata are Punta Iglesia and Playa Grande, and being closest to the centre these are usually the busiest. The beaches themselves are very good if you can cope with the crowds, and unless you get here early, finding a spot can be difficult. For a more relaxed environment you can head a little way out of the centre of Mar del Plata and find some equally attractive though less crowded beaches, such as Playa Serena, and Waikiki Beach.
Hotel Provincial and Casino Central
Though there are numerous hotels it’s worth mentioning the Hotel Provincial as this is a major landmark of Mar del Plata. Situated right on the seafront this very grand, 5 star hotel was opened in 1950. Adjacent to the hotel, and also designed by the same architect, is the Casino Central. Opened in 1939 this is a popular attraction even if you’re not a gambler and certainly worth a visit. It was the largest casino in the world by floor space right up until 1990 when a new casino in Atlantic City outdid the Casino Central.
Mar del Plata Museum of the Sea
While there are many museums around the world focusing on sealife, the Museum of the Sea in Mar del Plata is unique for featuring a huge collection of sea shells that were collected from around the world. Also on display is an aquarium with various species, and the observation deck o n the third floor offers fabulous views of Mar del Plata.
Victorian Architecture
You may not expect to find Victorian architecture in a city in Argentina, but Mar del Plata actually has some very fine examples from this era. Many homes were built as summer homes for the wealthy who would come to Mar del Plata and spend the entire summer. A good example is Villa Victoria, built in 1851, which was the home of writer Victoria Ocampo.
When Should You Visit Mar del Plata?
If you’re coming to Mar del Plata for the beach you definitely need to visit in the peak summer months, from December to February for the warmest weather. The average high ranges between 24 and 26C so is a very comfortable temperature. Sightseeing can be enjoyed in spring and autumn too, when temperatures are mild. Winters are mild on average too.