Mar del Plata Downtown Tour I, Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Downtown Tour I (Self Guided), Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is a fascinating seaside province with plenty of historical buildings, imposing landmarks, stunning churches, and an unforgettable Latin atmosphere. The most outstanding attractions include Catedral de los Santos Pedro y Cecilia, Chateau Frontenac Hotel and Edificio Demetrio Eliades. Take the following tour to discover the most outstanding attractions in downtown Mar del Plata!
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Mar del Plata Downtown Tour I Map

Guide Name: Mar del Plata Downtown Tour I
Guide Location: Argentina » Mar del Plata (See other walking tours in Mar del Plata)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 10
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.8 Km or 3.6 Miles
Author: karenl
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Terminal de Micros (Bus Terminal)
  • Iglesia Stella Maris (Stella Maris Church)
  • Hotel Chateau Frontenac (Frontenac Castle Hotel)
  • Edificio Demetrio Eliades (Demetrio Eliades Building)
  • Hermitage Hotel
  • Palacio Cosmos (Cosmos Palace)
  • Palacio Eden (Eden Palace)
  • Basilica Cathedral of Saints Peter and Cecilia
  • Capilla de Santa Cecilia (Chapel of Saint Cecilia)
  • Havanna
1
Terminal de Micros (Bus Terminal)

1) Terminal de Micros (Bus Terminal) (must see)

Located downtown Mar del Plata, the Terminal de Micros building is of great interest to locals and tourists. Designed by architect J. Dormal, the edifice provides an imposing façade, especially the decorative elements, the clock tower, the arch and the two beautiful domes. The front of the edifice was repeatedly modified, and today it has a more modern and unusual look. Originally, the front designs of the building could be seen backwards but currently they are on Alberti Avenue, facing the center of the city. It features a central vestibule, shops, platforms, restaurant and different rooms for women.
2
Iglesia Stella Maris (Stella Maris Church)

2) Iglesia Stella Maris (Stella Maris Church) (must see)

The imposing Iglesia Stella Maris was built in 1908 and is interesting due to its beautiful façade and interior, designed by O. Basualdo. Located at the intersection of Vialmonte and Almirante Brown Streets, the chapel features a neo-gothic architectural style and unique ornaments. Originally, the temple was a school-church and here began worship in this country. At the top of the chapel, visitors can admire the beautiful sculpture which represents the patron saint, as well as the interior elements, especially the altar symbolizing the open sea on which Stella Maris floats. All the religious items found inside were donated by various people.
3
Hotel Chateau Frontenac (Frontenac Castle Hotel)

3) Hotel Chateau Frontenac (Frontenac Castle Hotel)

Situated just few blocks from the center of the city, the mansion is a copy of a hotel in Quebec and features Spanish Renaissance and French colonial architectural styles. Designed by the famous architect A. Bustillo, it is considered one of the most interesting attractions on the coast and known throughout the country. The luxurious building was remodeled twice. It contained 90 lounges and was an impressive five-star hotel. Today is not open, but visitors can still admire its exciting architecture.
4
Edificio Demetrio Eliades (Demetrio Eliades Building)

4) Edificio Demetrio Eliades (Demetrio Eliades Building) (must see)

Situated on the well-known Peralta Ramos Avenue, the Edificio Demetrio Eliades is the highest skyscraper in town and the second tallest in Argentina. Considered one of the most remarkable structures in the world, it was designed by J. Dompe, the same architect who created other important skyscrapers in Mar del Plata. Completed in 1969, it is also known as Havanna due to the logo of the Havanna factory placed above the building. The rooms on each floor overlook the beautiful city and the beaches.
5
Hermitage Hotel

5) Hermitage Hotel

Located in the center of the biggest tourist city in the entire country, the Hermitage Hotel is remarkable for its majestic and distinctive architecture. The facade features great golden friezes and Louis XV ornaments, and the main hall is decorated in a classical style. Inside you can admire old photographs of Mar del Plata which adorn the halls and a very beautifully decorated vestibule bar. The hotel is an imitation of the Rio's Copacabana Palace and in 2002, the owner added the old Torre Colon edifice to its hotel and restored it in the same style with the current building. Inaugurated in 1943, the hotel provides rooms and halls with comfortable antique furniture and other valuable historic pieces. The rooms offer picturesque views of the ocean and the city, and are located close to the airport and minutes from the famous shopping centers.
6
Palacio Cosmos (Cosmos Palace)

6) Palacio Cosmos (Cosmos Palace) (must see)

Founded in 1960, the Palacio Cosmos is one of the most remarkable buildings in Mar del Plata and a most important resource of the country. Designed by the popular architect of the most important buildings in Mar del Plata, J. Dompe, it is noteworthy for its beautiful style, straight lines and wonderful exterior views. The edifice is also known by locals as the Pepsi Building because of the company's logo placed above it for an extended period of time. Visitors can recognize it by its “L” shape, which gives the building uniqueness.
7
Palacio Eden (Eden Palace)

7) Palacio Eden (Eden Palace)

Located in front of Plaza Colon, the Palacio Eden was one of the first skyscrapers in the city and one of the most representative urban landscapes in the country. Dating back to 1958, the building features a lovely vestibule decorated with pottery and was designed by the architect J. A. Dompe in a classic style which characterized the town for a long period of time. The modern edifice faces the picturesque Rambla de Mar del Plata and the sea with Playa Bristol.
8
Basilica Cathedral of Saints Peter and Cecilia

8) Basilica Cathedral of Saints Peter and Cecilia

Situated in front of the well-known Plaza San Martin, the temple was established in 1905, but the foundation was laid in 1893 to honor Saint Peter, and is considered the third-largest church in the country. Designed by architect P. Benoit, the chapel was built in neo-gothic architectural style. The exciting exterior features chaotic lines in the center of the tower, numerous turrets, arches and columns, and wonderful stained glass windows which were brought from France. The church interior is known for its ceiling made of colored terracotta, the mosaic floor, the main chandelier and the Italian altar created the same year as the construction of the chapel upon which can be seen religious relics.
9
Capilla de Santa Cecilia (Chapel of Saint Cecilia)

9) Capilla de Santa Cecilia (Chapel of Saint Cecilia)

Dating back to 1873, the chapel is under the protection of Virgin Santa Cecilia and is the original foundation of Mar del Plata. Created by Francisco Beltrami, the church was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and it features the neoclassical architectural style. Visitors can also admire the bell tower, the two sculptures depicting guardian angels, the beautiful facades of stone and lime with triangular ornaments and simple lines. The chapel has also educational importance for the culture and history of the city due to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden, annexed to the chapel.
10
Havanna

10) Havanna (must see)

Havanna is a leading Argentine manufacturer of food products. The company also operates its own system of franchise coffee stores and exports its products to Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Israel, Mexico, Paraguay, Perú, Spain, United States and Venezuela.

The firm was founded in 1948 by Benjamín Sisterna, Demetrio Elíades and Luis Sbaraglini and began its activities as a producer of alfajores in the city of Mar del Plata. Sisterna was a baker. The first product he made was "Alfajores Santa Mónica", created along with his partner Sbaraglini. These alfajores were offered at some points of sale in Buenos Aires for a brief time.

The products of Confitería Havanna were made to the same formula used today. Following the success of the chocolate-flavoured alfajores, other varieties were added. For a long time Havanna's alfajores were chosen by the tourists who spent their vacations at the popular seaside resort and the Havanna brand became representative of the city and of Argentina as a national product.

One key to Havanna’s long presence in the market has been the opening of coffee stores (which sell not only different varieties of coffee, but also the classic and popular Havanna products like alfajores, lemon cookies, brownies, cakes and other chocolate and dulce de leche desserts). The concept was named "Café Havanna" and the business expanded successfully, with 230 points-of-sale throughout Argentina.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Walking Tours in Mar del Plata, Argentina

Create Your Own Walk in Mar del Plata

Create Your Own Walk in Mar del Plata

Creating your own self-guided walk in Mar del Plata is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mar del Plata Introduction Walking Tour

Mar del Plata Introduction Walking Tour

Known primarily for its stunning beaches and surf breaks, Mar del Plata is also an architecture-rich destination set on the Argentinean Atlantic coast. Some of the city's elegant late-19th-early-20th-century buildings now house museums, theaters, hotels and other attractions. If you have a taste for architecture, follow this walk and enjoy the alternate side of Mar del Plata resort!

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Mar Del Plata Shops

Mar Del Plata Shops

Shopping in Mar del Plata is mostly concentrated in the center which has various specialty stores and lovely boutiques from which to buy. Tourists can also visit some shopping malls and open markets where they will find numerous local items, interesting souvenirs and leather goods. Visitors can try to find everything they're looking for in an hour or spend days browsing the shopping areas....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Mar del Plata Downtown Tour II

Mar del Plata Downtown Tour II

Mar del Plata is a major town for cultural attractions for tourists. For those interested in art and culture, there are theaters which provide live music and great cultural performances, as well as a large number of museums with interesting artifacts on display. Take the following tour to learn more about the culture of Mar del Plata.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles