Italy is a stunning country that offers everything from great food to stunning beaches and mountains. Unfortunately, over the years it has become a super popular travel hotspot with some places struggling under the weight of overtourism. Luckily for those who want to experience a piece of Italy, there is a country 7,000 miles away where you can do that.
Argentina might not seem an obvious alternative to Italy, but millions of Italians settled there between the 1850s and the 1950s. Today, Argentina is widely regarded as the most Italian-influenced country in South America.
Between the mid-19th and 20th centuries, around 3.5 million Italians moved to Argentina.
Today, it is estimated that an incredible 62% of Argentines have Italian ancestry, making the country feel surprisingly familiar for anyone who loves Italy.
Another added bonus in favour of Argentina is that it has many fewer tourists.
In 2024, Italy attracted a record-breaking 65 million visitors, according to Tourist Italy. By contrast, Argentina welcomed only 6.2 million tourists in 2024, according to Latin News.
Many visitors who’ve made the journey said that many towns across Argentina feel distinctly Italian.
One of them is La Cumbrecita, located in Cordoba’s Sierras Grandes, which regularly surprises visitors with its European charm.
One traveller described La Cumbrecita as a “slice of Italy in the Andes,” adding: “It genuinely felt like stepping into a charming Italian village. The architecture, pedestrian streets, and atmosphere were uncanny. Absolutely beautiful and so unexpected.”
The Buenos Aires province also has towns like Coronel Suárez, Olavarría, and Tornquist, all well-known for their Italian-influenced architecture and culture.
One visitor exploring the Buenos Aires Province said: “The towns have a distinct look, almost as if you’ve been transported to a small town in rural Italy. It’s fascinating to see how deeply the European communities shaped the landscape.”
Another added: “Exploring the southern parts of Buenos Aires Province, specifically around Tornquist, was a real eye-opener.
“The towns here have strong Italian heritage, and that classing Argentine warmth with Italian design.”
But Argentina’s Italian connections don’t stop at architecture.
Many beloved Italian dishes, including pizza, pasta, and panettone (known locally as pan dulce), are deeply embedded in Argentine cuisine.
Even Argentina’s renowned wine industry owes much to early Italian settlers.
Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, once had an Italian-born population making up a quarter of its residents.
Even today, neighbourhoods like La Boca proudly display their Italian roots through colourful streets, markets, and authentic restaurants, as well as Boca Juniors FC, which is directly connected to Genoa FC.
Boca Juniors was founded on April 3, 1905 by Genoese immigrants and has always maintained a symbolic link to Genoa.
Their nickname ‘Los Xeneizes’ means ‘the Genoese’ in dialect and is one of many signs of the cultural crossover.
