This calm lakeside town, 120 km from Buenos Aires, has a 19th-century cathedral and a large lagoon where locals fish and sail. The historic train station dates to 1865.
Just 123 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, Chascomús sits beside a large freshwater lagoon where locals and visitors fish for silverside, sail small boats, and practice windsurfing. You can walk past the 1862 Capilla de los Negros chapel, cycle the 30-kilometer path around the lagoon, or spend an afternoon at the Feria de Artesanos market buying crafts directly from local artisans. The town's original 1779 street grid leads you past buildings with distinctive non-chamfered corners to the restored 1875 Railway Station.
Transportation to Chascomús
You can catch regular trains from Buenos Aires' Constitución station to Chascomús, or take a bus from Retiro station. If driving, follow National Route 2 south for about two hours. Many Buenos Aires residents come here for weekend trips, thanks to the frequent transport connections.
Activities at the Lagoon
The Chascomús lagoon has several rental shops where you can get rowing boats, sailboats, or windsurfing equipment. Beginners often learn water sports here because of the calm waters and consistent winds. Fishing spots near the stream inlets attract anglers looking for silverside. The waterfront has marked swimming zones and grass areas with shade trees.
19th Century Architecture
The Capilla de los Negros from 1862 preserves the history of the local Afro-Argentine community, with its original wooden beams and religious artifacts still intact. The 1875 Railway Station building marks when trains first connected the town to Buenos Aires. As you walk through the center, look for the distinctive straight-edged corners and traditional Argentine provincial design elements in the buildings.
Exploring by Bike and Foot
Several bike rental shops in town can equip you for rides around the lagoon's perimeter or through the streets. Visit the Feria de Artesanos market on the main boulevard to meet local craftspeople and buy their work. The streets follow their original layout from 1779, when Chascomús began as a military fort.
Local Museums
At the Pampeano Museum, you can examine tools, documents, and household items that show how people lived in the region's past. President Raúl Alfonsín's former home on the main square maintains its early 20th-century interior. In the Casco's House, rooms decorated in different period styles show how provincial Argentine families lived through different eras.
