by Ana O'Reilly

Created on: March 24, 2010

The city of Mar del Plata is located in eastern Argentina, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, about 250 miles of Buenos Aires.  Although it is an important fishing port and the seventh biggest city in the country, it is best known as a summer holiday destination.

The city was founded on February 10, 1874 by Patricio Peralta Ramos, a wealthy landowner. In 1877, Pedro Luro took over an existing salting house and had a pier and a flour mill built, which boosted the growth of this fledgling town. Towards the end of the 19th century, some members of the elite, well versed in European customs, considered that sea water had healing properties. They flocked to this budding resort in the recently built railway and the rest is history.

Mar del Plata also attracted immigrants, mainly Italian fishermen, seeking a better life. Soon, the port area and associated fishing industries thrived.

The tourism industry really took off in the 1920s and 1930s when the middle classes decided to spend their summer holidays in the city and hotels and other types of accommodation began to spring up.

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Mar del Plata is its beaches. The centrally located ones like La Perla or Bristol, are teeming with sun worshippers during the peak summer season. Playa Grande is more exclusive and traditional; it is where a select few originally played in the sun. The harbor divides Playa Grande from Punta Mogotes. Punta Mogotes is a huge complex which offers many amenities like tents and beach umbrellas for rent, tennis courts, restrooms, restaurants, shops and the like. Further south along the coast, beyond the lighthouse, the beaches are trendier and less crowded. They are the place to see and be seen.

There are many things to do and see in Mar del Plata all year round. The Peatonal San Martin is a pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops and is a very popular hangout. Juan B. Justo Avenue concentrates shops that sell sweaters and outerwear at decent prices. The aquarium is great fun for both the young and the young at heart. It is located close to the lighthouse, so it’s very easy to find.  A huge hit with the youngsters is a visit to the sea lions that lounge in the sun at Banquina de los Pescadores, the pier where local fishermen unload the day’s catch. The casino is another popular venue in the evenings.

Available accommodation ranges from five star hotels (Costa Galana, Sheraton) to apart-hotels (Torre de Manantiales) to humbler hostels to furnished apartments and homes. There is something for every budget.

Food in Mar del Plata is very good, especially fish and seafood. The area next to the port is brimming with restaurants that serve freshly caught fish.  Spanish food is also very good and very popular, as are the ubiquitous “parrillas,” steakhouses. With so many Italian immigrants, pasta and pizzas are also at the top of the food ranking in this city.

Mar del Plata is connected with other major cities via rail, planes and buses.

Mar del Plata is twinned with Biarritz, France; San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy; Bari, Italy and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Sources

http://www.mdp.com.ar

Pastoriza, Elisa et al, UN MAR DE MEMORIAS. HISTORIAS E IMÁGENES DE MAR DEL PLATA, Edhasa, 2009.

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