Day trip from Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Necochea and Quequen — Wild Beaches
For travelers based in Mar del Plata who want a different beach experience, Necochea and its twin city Quequen offer 70km of wild Atlantic beach, dramatic coastal cliffs, and the enormous Parque Miguel Lillo forest. The historic suspension bridge connecting the two cities is iconic.
Necochea and its twin city Quequén sit on the Atlantic coast approximately 130 km south of Mar del Plata along Route 88, a journey of about 1.5 to 2 hours by bus or car. Regular bus services from Mar del Plata bus terminal operated by El Rápido and La Estrella depart several times daily. The two cities face each other across the mouth of the Río Quequén Grande, connected by the Puente Colgante — a historic wire-rope suspension bridge from the 1920s, now pedestrian-only — and by a modern road bridge nearby.
Where Mar del Plata is dense, urban, and intensely developed, Necochea and Quequén offer a radically different coastal experience. The beach extends unbroken for roughly 70 km south of the river mouth, backed by high coastal dunes and intermittent cliffs, with almost no infrastructure beyond a few beach access points. The water is cold Atlantic; conditions are excellent for surf fishing, bodyboarding, and long uninterrupted walks. In summer the main beach fills with Argentine families, but walking south for just 1–2 km finds near-complete solitude on a wild coast.
The most distinctive natural feature is Parque Miguel Lillo, an urban forest of planted eucalyptus, pines, and native species covering approximately 600 hectares directly behind the main beach. The park contains walking and cycling trails, a small lake, picnic areas, and a campsite. Its position between beach and forest makes it ideal for a morning walk through the trees before spending an afternoon on the sand. The park is one of the largest coastal urban forests in Argentina.
On the Quequén side of the river, the working port handles grain exports from the surrounding agricultural zone. A walk along the breakwaters at the river mouth gives views of grain ships and returning fishing trawlers. The Faro de Quequén — a 55-metre lighthouse built in 1921, one of the tallest in Argentina — stands on the cliff above the port and is open for guided visits at scheduled times.
Lunch at the Yacht Club de Necochea on the south bank of the river offers fresh fish — corvina, cazón, and merluza — at tables with views of the suspension bridge. Several beach parrillas operate along the main strip in summer. The Necochea town center has standard Argentine dining options year-round.
Location
-38.5543, -58.7388 — View on map
Highlights
- Walk the endless Necochea long beach
- Explore Parque Miguel Lillo urban forest
- Cross the historic Puente Colgante suspension bridge
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Lunch at the Yacht Club restaurant on the river
Tips
- The coastal cliffs and dunes south of Necochea's main beach zone are dramatic and largely unvisited — walking 2 km south of the main access point reveals wild cliff scenery.
- Hire horses near the main beach access for a beach ride; several operators offer one-hour and two-hour circuits along the shoreline.
- The Puente Colgante suspension bridge is a strong photography subject at dawn or dusk when the light catches the cable structure and reflects on the river.
- Check bus return times from the Necochea terminal before departing Mar del Plata — last services back are typically early evening and easy to miss.
FAQ
How do visitors get from Mar del Plata to Necochea?
Direct bus services from Mar del Plata bus terminal operated by El Rápido and La Estrella cover the 130 km to Necochea in approximately two hours. By car, Route 88 south of Mar del Plata is the standard route, with a journey time of 1.5 to 2 hours.
What is the Puente Colgante?
The Puente Colgante is a wire-rope suspension bridge built in the 1920s connecting Necochea and Quequén across the Río Quequén Grande. It is now closed to vehicle traffic but open to pedestrians and cyclists and is classified as a heritage structure. The bridge offers excellent views of both cities and the river mouth.
What is the Faro de Quequén and can visitors enter it?
The Faro de Quequén (Quequén Lighthouse) is a historic lighthouse built in 1921 on the cliff above the working port on the Quequén side of the river. At 55 metres, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in Argentina. The lighthouse is open for guided visits at scheduled times; views from the top extend along the coastline in both directions.
Is Parque Miguel Lillo worth visiting in winter?
Yes. The park's planted forest — predominantly pine and eucalyptus — provides wind shelter and interesting birdwatching year-round. Winter visits are quiet and the walking trails through the trees are peaceful. Beach conditions in winter are unsuitable for swimming but fine for long coastal walks along the dune edge.
Are beach facilities at Necochea comparable to Mar del Plata?
Necochea's main beach zone has balnearios (beach clubs) with showers, changing rooms, and food stalls operating December–March. Outside summer, most facilities close. The beach is far less commercially developed than Mar del Plata — fewer buildings, less infrastructure — which is precisely the appeal for visitors seeking a wilder Atlantic coast experience.
Accessibility
The Necochea costanera and main beach access points are relatively flat and accessible. Parque Miguel Lillo has paved walking paths in several sections. The Puente Colgante pedestrian crossing has metal grating underfoot and may be challenging for wheelchair users; the road bridge nearby provides an accessible alternative crossing.
When to visit
December to March is peak beach season when the town is lively and all balnearios are open. September to November offers quieter exploration of the coastline, park trails, and port areas with mild temperatures. High summer weekends in January and Carnival see maximum crowds and peak accommodation prices.