Rosario is a port city, located in the province of Santa Fe, on the shore of the Parana River. Rosario is the third-most populated city in the country, with an estimated population of about 1,276,000 people. Rosario is one of the major exporters in Argentina, distributing goods like wheat, flower, corn, sugar, timber, and meat. It is accessible by the River Parana which is large enough for big ships to enter. Rosario also has a major railway station which transports goods to many parts of Argentina as well.
There are many different and interesting things to do in Rosario, Argentina. It is a culturally-rich city, with several museums and galleries worth visiting. One of the main tourist attractions is the neoclassical area of the city, which has many historical buildings to see. There is a big monument which honours the raising of the Argentinian flag during the War of Independence. Rosario is also the birthplace of a couple of famous soccer players, including Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, as well as to the legendary Che Guevara. Below is our Rosario travel guide with information on all the best things to do, places to go and what not to miss.
PARANA DELTA – This area of the river is 60 kilometres long and full of islands, marsh, and stream areas. This area is very rich in bird and animal life. The city sits up on the banks of this area of the river, and there are various boat tours that run to the group of islands. This is a great place to explore and see the wildlife.
COSTANERA ROSARIO– This a 15 kilometre stretch of waterfront which runs from the city’s south end to its north end. Although once an abandoned area with old, run-down warehouses and train tracks, it has since been redone and now it is one of the nicer places to enjoy in the city. At Costanera Rosario one can enjoy the birdlife, watch the various games of soccer being played or just enjoy the river view as the ships come in to dock at the port. The northern stretch of this waterfront is a great place for the beaches in the summer and the waterfront restaurants.
MONUMENTO NACIONAL DE LA BANDERA – The designer of the Argentinean flag, Manuel Belgrano, rests in a crypt below this monument, which is built in the same place as where the flag of Argentina was first raised. This is a very patriotic place, and part of Argentinean history.
MUSEO MUNICIPAL DE BELLAS ARTES – This museum has a display of contemporary art, as well as artwork from the 20th century from the Marco collection. There is another small collection of European works. It is located in Parque de la Independencia.
MUSEO DE LA CIUDAD – The museum itself has a great reconstructed 19th century pharmacy, as well as an exhibit in a former greenhouse. This building is also where you begin the explorations of Parque de la Independencia. There is a guide who can give you a tour through this beautiful park.
MUSEO DE LA MEMORIA – This building was formerly an army HQ, and also at one time the building where police held and tortured people during the Dirty War. The main theme of this museum is remembering the violence and crimes committed against these people, and showing the inhumanity of it all.
MUSEO DE LA MEMORIA – This building was formerly an army headquarters, and at one time the building where police held and tortured people during the Dirty War. The main theme of this museum is remembering the violence and crimes committed against these people and showing the inhumanity of it all.
MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORARIO DE ROSARIO – This building was one of those constructed in an effort to change the atmosphere of the waterfront. This beautiful building has a contemporary exhibit of art by young, local artists, which is spread over the eight floors of this building.
MUSEO HISTORICO PROVINCIAL – This museum mostly contains exhibits on the history of Argentina post-independence, and displays on indigenous cultures from all over Latin America.
*** WHAT NOT TO MISS ***
The new and improved waterfront is one of the nicer places to spend some time, with its beautiful beaches and nice grassy areas. The other great part of the city is where you can find most of the neoclassical buildings; the older area is a great place to go to enjoy the history and patriotism of the city.
There are all kinds of options for dining in Rosario. From the beach side bars and restaurants to the more beautiful restaurants in the city, Rosario has plenty of places to offer. There are also a couple of great vegetarian restaurants in the city as well. Make sure if you plan to eat at one of the nicer restaurants in town that you make a reservation, because they will fill up quickly. One thing to try here is the river fish, which is freshly caught from the Parana River. Another is dulce de leche, the famous Argentinean dessert – a delicious, smooth caramel.
If you fancy eating out, one favourite is Parrilla La Estancia (Avenida Carlos Pellegrini 1510), where you’ll find the classic Argentinean dishes. If you don’t fancy meat, there are plenty of other options to choose from here. For seafood, go to Escauriza Parrilla Restaurant (Bajada Escauriza y Paseo Ribereno), where you can sample the traditional grilled fish in an open wood fire. It’s got a nice river-side view, and good service. Another top restaurant for fish is La Marina (Calle 1 de Mayo 890), and there are also many Spanish dishes on offer. This place is great value for the quality of the food.
There is a vibrant nightlife in the city, and once the weekend comes just ask around for where the popular spot is for that night. There are also plenty of options for enjoying a glass of wine or a beer. There is a growing student population, and here you can find both the clubs for the younger crowd, as well as the nicer more relaxing places to enjoy a drink.
One of the most iconic venues is El Cairo (Calle Domingo F Sarmiento 1102), which has a great local atmosphere. Opened in 1943, it holds a place in the history of Rosario, and was frequented by many artists and bohemian clients back in the day. For somewhere more glamorous, go to Chinchibira (Calle Santiago 101) for tapas and cocktails. This is a sophisticated bar with a stylish décor, and the drinks are served in trendy glasses. If you fancy a beach-side venue, then don’t miss Nenina Cocktails (Avenida Eudoro Carrasco 4201). Relax and listen to great music with your friends, or bring your partner for a romantic date. Happy hour is 6 ‘til 9pm. For a big night out, head to Madame (Brown 3126) – this club is gigantic, and features many dance floors, a terrace and a variety of music.
To get your tango fix, check out Cultural Casa del Tango (Arturo Illia 1701), where you can eat dinner whilst enjoying a live performance. You can even find lessons here, and get more information on tango events around the city.
The average temperature over the course of the summer months of November to December is between 20 -24 degrees Celsius. In the winter months, the temperature drops a bit, averaging around 10 degrees Celsius. The rainy season is over the summer months of the year, and the dry season is over the winter months of the year.
There are daily flights available from Buenos Aires, which take less than an hour, as well as some flights to and from Brazil. There is also bus transportation available, with connections between almost every city in the country, as well as with Chile Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. From Buenos Aires to Rosario it costs $20 and takes 4 hours. The cheapest way to travel is by train, and there are trains that arrive into Rosario from Buenos Aires, which take 9 hours and cost $14-$18.
Rosario has a couple of options for lodging, but the main types you’ll find are hostels suited for backpackers and younger travelers. The more relaxed hostels are a better option for people who are staying for longer.
One place to stay is Majestic Hotel Rosario (San Lorenzo 980), a historical building which is has an antique exterior but a renovated interior. It is centrally located, and has comfortable rooms, and professional staff. A more budget-friendly option is La Casa de Arriba Hostel (Cordoba 2889 Planta Alta), where you can find small dorms and privates, and includes a tasty traditional breakfast. The hostel is well-equipped, with a terrace, BBQ, kitchen, computers, and even a PlayStation! Another superb place is Club del Rio (Avenida Eudoro Carrasco 3631), which is in the perfect river-side location, and has a great atmosphere. Stay here to relax and have fun with friends, and enjoy waking up to breakfast with a view in this special hostel.
Always be cautious and use common sense when wandering through the city, especially at night. Make sure to stay to the main areas of the city, and always be careful that the taxi you get into looks safe.
