Luxury holidays in Villa La Angostura
In the panoply of Patagonian pueblos, Villa La Angostura remains an upmarket prospect. In the heart of the Argentinian Lake District, at the northern end of Nahuel Huapi Lake, this smart resort town spreads out across two main parts: the commercial centre of La Cruce on the highway, and ‘La Villa’ by the lakeshore. But while Villa La Angostura has plenty of high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants, it’s the surrounding scenery that really wows. From dramatic Andean peaks to volcanic beaches and crystalline waters – it’s a year-round jumping off point for all kinds of outdoor activities, from kayaking and cycling to walking and stand-up paddleboarding. Argentina’s oldest national park – Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi – is on the doorstep and Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes, with its 600-year-old arrayán trees, is a little way south, on the Quetrihué peninsula. For road trippers, there’s the chance to extend the drama by heading off on the Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Road), which connects Villa La Angostura with San Martín de los Andes via 100 kilometres of winding, waterside scenery.
When to go
Alfred Wainwright’s quip that 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’ has never been more keenly felt than in Patagonia. However, Villa La Angostura’s climate is milder than most, with average temperatures between 3-17 degrees. From July to September, a ski resort on Cerro Bayo has plentiful runs and off-piste trails.