Argentina’s Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz (complete name of the city) is situated in the central and eastern part of the Litoral district and blends well with the geological part of Argentina called the Pampas region and incorporated into the coastal part of the country.
The city of Santa Fe is like a stately home that gives every traveler a vision of Argentina’s political and cultural history from a local perspective.
If you walk near the Plaza 25 de Mayo, which is the historical and political heart of the city, you may also discover within its premises the old structures of the Ethnographic Museum and the San Francisco Convent.
Best time to visit Santa Fe ?
The city of Santa Fe and its weather is heavily influenced by the movement of the water around the Paraná River.
The ideal time to visit is during the warm or the summer months of October to April.
Since the city is surrounded by two huge rivers (Parana and Salado) the city is prone to experience flooding during the rainy months of October to March.
Avoid touring during the winter season (June – August) because there is a strong chance of chilly weather and heavy snowfall.
Best things to do in Santa Fe
These are my favorite things to do and beautiful places to visit on your next holiday to Santa Fe .
Suspended Bridge
The Suspended Bridge is highly regarded as an icon of Santa Fe.
It is very nice and the best thing to do is to go for a walk along the waterfront to appreciate it.
It is one of the must-see attractions in Santa Fe.
It is mandatory to take a photograph.
It is recommended to go in the evening to enjoy the sunset and also in winter to enjoy the cold winds.
If you stroll along this historic bridge it is imperative to eat a typical food by the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the bridge which lights up at night.
The Ingeniero Candioti Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Laguna Setúbal.
It was built in 1924 and it is one of the beautiful postcards of the capital of Santa Fe Province.
The bridge is the heart of the capital of Santa Fe.
It is worth touring the coast of the river and admire the city from this vantage point.
The best time to see this bridge is during the month of November; the city’s founding anniversary always make light shows on the bridge and fireworks in the background which never fails to amuse its captive audience.
My favorite stuff to do in Santa Fe
Convent of San Francisco
The Convent of San Francisco is a beautiful witness to the colonial era of Santa Fe.
This religious building is perfectly preserved and invites you to explore both the Church and courtyards which are very pleasant places that fills you with peace.
It is an impressive and well maintained Franciscan convent, especially the roof of the church where everything works in wood without using nails.
If you go on the right side of the chapel, you can find a beautiful image of Our Lady.
It also has a well – cared garden and a small but important historical museum.
The church has a large wooden door that looks striking for its size.
The convent is located between Plaza 25 de Mayo and Parque del Sur.
In the museum, you can find various objects on display and there is a room called “Los Room Constituent” with the representation of the personalities who participated in the foundation of the constituent congress for the formation of Argentina, in 1826.
The convent is not open to the public and a visit to the interior is not allowed.
The cloister is very well maintained and the fact there is still a Franciscan community living there gives rise to valuing the sacred human life and for which the place was built.
In the museum, you have a good idea of the city’s founding, with special emphasis on the local baroque pieces.
There is also an important exhibition on the last great flood of Santa Fe that left a gaping wound across the local community.
A place that proudly highlights the ancient and recent history, the Convent of San Francisco is indeed the living heart of Santa Fe.
Fun things to do in Santa Fe
Catedral Metropolitana Todos los Santos
The Catedral Metropolitana Todos los Santos is a cathedral that was built in colonial times with its thick walls and architecture that broadly reflect the design of that time.
It is located opposite the principal square in the capital of the province of Santa Fe city.
It is the main Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe de la Veracruz.
It is a classic colonial cathedral that stands opposite the main square of the city.It has all the ornamentation of other cathedrals in the country, but in its simplicity lies its natural beauty.
The Metropolitan Cathedral has a very important historical value and it is frequently visited by tourists and the religious devotees of Santa Fe.
It stands right across the acknowledged heart if the city; the Plaza 25 de Mayo.
The Metropolitan Cathedral not only possess a cherished value of the southern part of Santa Fe as it is part of the radius of churches that retain its great transcendental value for Catholic Christians.
Architecturally, this church retained its neo-shaped Italian classic, has restored its antique pipe organ, as well as valuable historical contributions that will surprise you.
You should visit it while you’re on tour of Santa Fe.
Popular Santa Fe tourist attractions
Cristaleria San Carlos S.A.
The Cristaleria San Carlos S.A.
is a traditional manufacturer of city crystals in Santa Fe.
Be sure to make a visit because it pays to know the factory and the process of creation of these handmade pieces that are exclusively done only herein Santa Fe.
It is highly recommended to make a tour of the glass-work and take something of course.
The beautiful pieces here are worth seeing and it makes you want to take everything to change the dishes from home.
You can find things and glasses that are instantly accessible and reasonably priced.
It is a factory of glass elements that many years ago was established in San Carlos, near Santa Fe city, is a must for those who do not know and for those who already know, there is always something that surprises in every visit.
They also make wine glasses, champagne, brandy, and etc.
The manufacturing methods are traditional and sill carried on from the last century which were brought by immigrant entrepreneurs who hail from Europe.
For school delegations there are guided tours where they show the entire process of glass making.
The most interesting part is that when something goes wrong,it is not pulled or thrown away, but gets recycled and used again.
While you’re here, you can buy souvenirs in the city and other handmade crafts derived from the glass industry.
If you love crystals, it is worth every minute of your visit.
What else to do in Santa Fe ?
El Museo Etnografico y Colonial Juan de Garay
A museum with articles of the ancient times of Santa Fe.
What is worth the visit is to see the house, the large rooms that are overlooking the park, and baggy walls.
This museum contains the history of the indigenous settlements in the region, with archaeological remains found in the entire area of Litoral, the coastal side of Santa Fe.
It has preserved the archaeological material excavated from the ruins of Old Santa Fe and other places and sites in the province and collections donated which are now permanently displayed.
It has a documentary archive of vital records and public documents from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century and specialized library for “Dr. Agustín Zapata Gollán”, who is acknowledged as the founder and one of the first settlers in Santa Fe.
It is very impressive, starting the architectural facade of an eclectic construction up inside where the elements and utensils of the colonial Santa Fe is exposed.It has interesting historical items, variety and quantity.
Many of them date back over 200 years.
There are good brochures and guides who can help enlighten you about the important role of this place in Santa Fe’s history.
Is Santa Fe worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
Santa Fe is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and adventours.
Make sure you visit the following stunning place:
Museo Provincial De Ciencias Naturales Florentino Ameghino
Possess historical museum with paintings of period furniture to enjoy and go back to the wonderful time of the colony and the nationalities that transited in and around Santa Fe.
There are also dishes and wooden sculptures made by the Indians who were studying in the Jesuit schools.
It is an amazing place where there is a varied collection of animals.
This museum requires more space and dissemination so that their treasures can reach a wider audience and more people will enjoy this attraction.
They have activities for children as well as brochures that will explain its theme and content.
It is a place to visit for all ages.
Young children living experience never to forget.
Teens learn and see all about the rare and common animals.
The status and conservation are very good and you will be impressed with the amount of animals on display.
It also has some plants and rocks.
Admission is free and the museum works hard to preserve the attraction.
Interesting to know here too was the career of the honoree: Florentino Ameghino, Argentine naturalist, paleontologist, zoologist and anthropologist.
There is also a crater on the moon named after him – Ameghino Crater.
It is a great attraction to easily learn animal names in Spanish.
Another interesting feature is the wide variety of stuffed animals and even fossil simulations and reconstructions of typical animals that are reminiscent of the movie Ice Age.
Museo Ferroviario Regional De Santa Fe
Shows the history of the zonal railways and trains in the city.
The old station has lots of information for the Club of Friends of Riel.
The Museum has interesting and intriguing data as a tunnel connecting the building is now the museum with the old railway station carrying flows in the halls railway material that has been gathered, railroading and elements of the past century are exhibited.
The Museum has interesting and intriguing data as a tunnel connecting the building that is now the museum with the old railway station carrying flows in the halls railway material that has been gathered, and where railroading and elements of the past century are exhibited.
If you’re interested to know more, ask for the books of the year 1893; it still has dimensional drawings of the railroad, maps, and old photographs.
It is a place that is truly worth a visit and attention while you’re in Santa Fe.
What else to see in Santa Fe ?
Plaza 25 de Mayo
The Plaza 25 de Mayo is the most prominent square in Santa Fe where you can find the Government House, the Cathedral, an important Jesuit school, other government and tourism agencies.
It is a normal place, but it also has the row of bars, diners, and cafes where you can enjoy a typical sweet treat or drink beer on tables placed along the street.
The only thing peculiar about the place is that at the center of the plaza is where you can find the crosses in memory of those killed by the flood of 2003 which makes it somewhat sad.
Still, it is a place that is rich in history and a panoramic view of Santa Fe.
It is surrounded by the famous landmarks and several old churches which are all just a few meters away from each other.
The square is very nice and as the name of the Villa says, it is full of different colored roses.
Thursday and Saturday is hailed as the craft fair day with excellent food stalls that offer the traditional cuisine of Santa Fe.
Popular places to visit in Santa Fe
Rosa Galisteo De Rodriguez Museum
The Rosa Galiseo De Rodriguez Museum is an amazing museum with an astonishing architecture of the early twentieth century that houses a major collection itself but unfortunately provides very little sample.
However, they offer important temporary exhibitions and people line up to see who their featured local artist is for the week.
It is located in the southern district of Santa Fe in a beautiful pink building which is a must see attraction for locals and tourists.
It has a wonderful art gallery and is considered as a source of pride for the city of Santa Fe.
Things to do in Santa Fe with kids
El Molino Fabrica Cultural
The El Molino Fabrica Cultural is a place that you need to visit, but first you must check and see the schedule of events on the website of the municipality.
There are cultural shows in very good level along with playground facilities and specialized staff who also acts as guides to explain every exhibit.
It is a space where children and parents enjoy their stay; it is full of educational games and practical instructions while watching them interact with games and recycled elements.
In this place the youth learn how to invent, create, and draw.
There is also a puppet theater, but the most interesting part is there is no admission fee and you can stay as long as you want.
Things to do around Santa Fe
Provincial History Museum
The Provincial History Museum is located in a colonial building with guided tours that serves to remind the history and learn everything you need to know about Santa Fe.
This museum is ideal for children and it is always useful to know about the history of the places you visit.
It has countless files that recreate the history of the province in very well kept and cared documents.
It is a perfect example of what can be done for an attraction with a limited budget.
It is obvious that there were a lot of effort and dedication to preserve the furniture, objects, clothes and weapons of the exciting era in the history of the city and the region.
The rest of the museum visit has fond memories from old combs, letters, period paintings, utensils, and etc.
Must see places in Santa Fe
Patio de la Cerveceria
It is mandatory to visit the plant or the Patio de la Cerveceria with a full explanation of the process of brewing and the history of it in Santa Fe.
The tour is free and is done within the 18 hours of its operation, but there is a quota of 20 people to quickly complete the tour, so it is advisable to be there 45 minutes to 1 hour before the opening time.
Bring long pants and closed shoes to do the full tour.
At the end they will give you bottles of beer Schneider and coupons to enjoy the rich, smooth taste of the beers made at the Patio Brewery which is located in front of the factory.
Most of the attractions in Santa Fe are free and can be covered in less than 1 hour (or a couple of hours if you like to read all the explanations and observe everything in detail).
Aside from being one of the highly urbanized cities of Argentina, this city has a rich social foundation which is clearly evident in its historical landmarks, architectural marvels, temples, and huge villas.
It is a must to visit one of the most established cities in Argentina, where almost 75 % of its area is comprised of streams, serene lakes, and wetlands.
