One of my favorite day trips from Buenos Aires is the Tigre Delta. I love hopping on a local boat — the lancha colectivo— and sailing through the brown waterways to Tres Bocas. There, I slow down: walk the island paths, relax on a riverside terrace with some empanadas and a Quilmes beer, then back to Tigre city to stroll its river promenade and visit Tigre’s Museum of Art. It’s an easy day trip from Buenos Aires, an opportunity to enjoy island life and a complete different pace.
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Why Visit the Tigre Delta
The Tigre Delta is the second-largest river delta in South America — a maze of brown waterways, stilt houses, and backyard piers. And it’s just over an hour from Buenos Aires. Sure, it’s a tourist spot, but there’s still real island life here: kids going to school by boat, groceries dropped off at river docks, families grilling lunch on wooden decks. If you want a break from concrete and traffic, this is one of the easiest day trips from Buenos Aires.
How to Get to the Tigre Delta
Train is the easiest and most convenient option. Two lines connect Buenos Aires to Tigre: the direct Retiro–Tigre line, and a more scenic route that starts at Retiro, changes to the Tren de la Costa at Bartolomé Mitre station, and ends at Delta Station.
Our favorite combo: take the Tren de la Costa to Delta Station on the way out, then return on the faster direct train to Retiro from Tigre station. It’s a simple loop and you see both routes. We even have a blog dedicated to the Tren de la Costa — a journey that’s a destination in itself.
Mercado de Frutos — Tigre’s Weekend Artisanal Mecca
Just a few blocks from Delta Station is the Mercado de Frutos — Tigre’s old fruit market turned shopping hub. While it still serves as a market, it’s mostly local crafts, furniture, and river-themed souvenirs these days.
It can feel touristy but still worth a look, especially if you’re after a mate gourd or a wicker basket you didn’t know you needed. It’s busiest and liveliest on weekends.
Ride a Lancha Colectivo — The Local Boat in Tigre
Forget tourist tours — locals get around the Delta on the lancha colectivo, the river’s version of a bus. You buy your ticket at the lancha ticket office right next to the tourist office, then board at the public pier. You’ll ride alongside locals and tourists alike. The lancha’s open windows let in the river breeze and make it perfect for photography. From here you’ll see Tigre’s island life: sumptuous weekend getaways, humble islander homes, pricey yachts, grocery deliveries by boat — and even the Delta’s version of a school bus. All sharing the same river and breathing the same air.
Explore Tres Bocas: Tigre’s Island Walks and Riverside Café
Tres Bocas is a small hub of island walkways and hidden homes — perfect if you want to see the quieter side of the Delta. Take the paths and venture inland: you’ll cross narrow streams on colorful footbridges, pass small stilt houses, and wander through quiet gardens tucked between the trees. Last time, I ended up walking half the way alongside a friendly local dog — typical island company.
Once you’re done exploring, head back to the Sarmiento River and grab a table at a terrace restaurant. We recommend La Martita — delicious local food (I still think about their osso buco empanada), a cold beer, and a front-row seat to watch the boats go by.
Whether you’re staying right in the city or even if you prefer a more relaxing base in Tigre, you’ll find plenty of options on Booking.com. If you use our affiliate link below, we earn a small commission — it helps keep this site running, and we really appreciate your support. Your Genius discount will apply.
Explore Tigre City — Riverfront Walks and Architectural Finds
After your island excursion, you’ll disembark at the Terminal Fluvial. From there, cross the bridge over the Tigre River and you’ll find a quiet park by the water — perfect for a stroll. Keep walking toward the point where the Tigre and Luján Rivers meet and follow the Luján costanera (riverwalk). From here, you get one of the best views of Tigre’s grand English Tudor landmark: the Club de Regatas La Marina, built in 1927. As you walk along both rivers, you’ll see rowers gliding past — proof that this old rowing tradition is still very much alive.
Tigre’s Museum of Art — A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece
Keep walking along the Río Luján costanera and you’ll reach Tigre’s postcard-perfect centerpiece: the Museum of Art. This Beaux-Arts building built in 1912 was once a lavish social club for Argentina’s elite. By now you’re probably picturing Tigre in its golden years — back when Buenos Aires was one of the world’s wealthiest capitals and the upper class escaped here for weekends on the river. The marble details and ornate balconies still whisper that turn of the 20th century optimism.
Today it houses an impressive collection of art. Unfortunately, this itinerary won’t leave you time to see it properly — but that’s just your excuse to come back and slow down again in Tigre.
For the times you’d rather join a guided tour with like-minded travelers instead of going solo, Viator has great options — like the highly rated tours below. If you decide to book through our affiliate link, we earn a small commission that helps keep this site running, and we really appreciate your support.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy this blog and that it helps you plan a day trip to Tigre. We also have a video on this trip on our YouTube channel — give it a watch for a more visual look at this route (and don’t miss it if you, like me, love dogs!).
Jump into the comments with any questions, I’ve done this trip a couple of times and I promise to answer each of you. As always, happy travels!