Mendoza Travelers Recommend

Three days gives you enough time to really linger in Mendoza, sampling the wines, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and wandering the tree-lined streets and fountain-filled plazas that make this wine-country hub so captivating. Read on for tips about how to make the most of your three days in Mendoza.

Day 1: Wine, Wine, Wine

Wine is a star attraction in Mendoza, and by kicking off your trip with a day of wine tasting, you can identify some favorite bottles to enjoy throughout the remainder of your stay. Since the region’s wineries are diverse and often spread out, plan to dedicate an entire day to touring winemaking facilities and sampling wines, including Argentina’s famous malbec. Wine tasting here is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure; you can take a cycling tour to a few different wineries, pedaling through the picturesque vineyards between tastings, or you can leave the driving to someone else on the hop-on hop-off wine bus, with stops at nearly two dozen wineries. For the ultimate flexibility, opt for a private tour with your own car and driver to explore the wineries of the Uco Valley or Lujan de Cayo. Most tours include a picnic or multicourse tasting menu at one of the wineries for lunch, as well as transportation back to your Mendoza hotel in time for dinner.

Day 2: Andes Adventure

Besides producing excellent wines, the Mendoza region ranks among the world’s most spectacular wine regions, thanks to its position at the base of the Andes Mountains. Today’s your chance to take a day trip into this beautiful region near the Chilean border. If you’re in the mood for some relaxation, opt for a day trip to the Termas de Cacheuta spa in the heart of the Andes to unwind in the indoor and outdoor natural thermal spas and mud baths. Another popular day trip to the area takes visitors right up to the border with Chile to see the tallest peak in the Americas, Aconcagua, with a summit elevation of 22,841 feet (6,961 meters). Other options include fly fishing or white-water rafting on the Mendoza River or trekking through the Cordón del Plata.

Day 3: Mendoza City

Many visitors with shorter stays in Mendoza never get to enjoy the city itself, which is a shame. Start your last day off with a city sightseeing tour. Soak up the city’s appeal as you visit major landmarks such as Plaza Independencia; Cerro de la Gloria—the highest point in Mendoza—for its city views; General San Martin Park, one of the best urban green spaces in the country; and the Mundialista Stadium, site of the 1978 World Cup. In the afternoon, stop for coffee or a glass of wine at one of the alfresco cafés along Avenue Colón, and enjoy a siesta before heading out again for dinner. Remember, Argentines eat late. To wrap up your time in Mendoza, finish your night at one of the city’s milongas (tango bars) to dance the night away.

Just a short trip outside of Mendoza—Argentina’s wine capital known for its restaurants, shops, and historical sites—lie the towering peaks of the Andes mountains. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or simply wish to soak up the scenery, here are your options for tours to the Andes from Mendoza.

Full-Day Tours

You can explore a lot of the Andes in a single day. Sightseeing tours into the Andes often travel along Route 7, part of the Pan-American Highway, to the tallest mountain in the Americas: Aconcagua. Stops along the way might include the mountain towns of Potrerillos and Uspallata, Puente del Inca rock bridge, and the Huarpe ruins of Pichueta. Active travelers can spend the day trekking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.

Multi-Day Tours

Guided multi-day trips through the region allow travelers to experience the best Mendoza and the Andes have to offer. An itinerary might include the chance to visit sights, such as Horcones Lagoon, Mt. Aconcagua, and Puente del Inca; go wine tasting at a combination of industrial and boutique wineries; and explore the mountain scenery in a 4WD vehicle. For a true South American adventure, saddle up for a horseback riding journey across the Andes mountains from Mendoza to Santiago, Chile.

Things to Know

• Mt. Aconcagua in the Andes is located about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from Mendoza City.

• Choose between the value of a small-group tour and the flexibility of a private tour.

• Day trips to the Andes can last several hours, depending on the option chosen.

• Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off in Mendoza, as well as a traditional barbecue (asado) lunch.

• Don’t forget to bring sun protection; there’s not a lot of shade in the Andes.

With two days to spend in the region, you’ll get to experience the best of Mendoza’s two worlds: wine and outdoor adventure. Taste some of Argentina’s famous malbec wines right from the source, and soak up the sights of the magnificent Andes Mountains. Here are some tips for how to spend your 48 hours in Mendoza.

Day 1: Wine Country

**Morning:**The vast majority of visitors come to Mendoza for the wine, so kick off your trip with a wine-tasting tour through this beautiful region. Choose a bike tour to pedal down shady streets and through rolling vineyards from one tasting room to the next, or choose your own itinerary aboard the hop-on hop-off wine bus.

**Afternoon:**Most wine-tasting tours last the better part of a day and include a gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Options range from a casual picnic lunch in a vineyard to a 5-course tasting menu in a winery dining room. In the afternoon, visit an olive oil factory for a guided tasting.

**Night:**After a return to Mendoza (and perhaps an afternoon siesta), spend time exploring the city itself. Do some people watching in Plaza Independencia, or take in the views from Cerro de la Gloria, the city’s highest point, before ending your day with a late dinner.

Day 2: Andes Adventure

**Morning:**Get an early start this morning for a journey along the Pan-American Highway toward the Andes Mountains. Stop in the charming mountain towns of Potrerillos and Uspallata, or ride the ski lift at Penitentes Ski Resort for excellent mountain views.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, stop for lunch—a traditional Argentine asado—before continuing on to Aconcagua Provincial Park for views of the highest mountain in the Americas. Those who’d prefer some relaxation can spend their day at the Termas de Cacheuta thermal spa in the Andes Mountains instead.

**Night:**Trips into the Andes Mountain Range typically get back into Mendoza later in the evening, so you might want to have a relaxing dinner at your hotel before your next-day departure, or if you’re feeling energetic, head to one of Mendoza’s milongas (tango clubs) for an evening of wine and dancing.

Mendoza is the epicenter of Argentina’s world-renowned wine industry. Production here — which dates back to the Spanish conquistadors — has thrived thanks to the soil, climate, and altitude combining to create perfect winemaking conditions. Here’s what you need to know about what to drink and what to do while exploring Mendoza.

Must-Try Varietals

It’s really all about malbec in Mendoza. Even though the varietal is technically French, these robust, rich reds have put Argentina on the wine map. The most distinctive Argentinean white wine — and the only Argentinean grape — is torrontés, a white known for its floral aroma and dry finish produced in Mendoza, as well as in Salta and La Rioja.

Head to just about any restaurant or tasting room in the region, and in addition to malbec you’ll also find cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and riesling.

Must-Do Experiences

• Enjoy some fresh air and sunshine as you cycle from one winery to the next on a Mendoza biking wine tour.

• Take a day trip to Maipú from Mendoza for a day of guided wine tastings.

• Choose your own wine adventure aboard a hop-on hop-off wine bus.

• Explore the land of Malbec with a tasting tour of Luján de Cuyo.

• Sample organic wines in the less-visiting boutique wineries of the Uco Valley.

Best known for its surrounding wine region, Mendoza has a history dating back to its founding by Spanish colonists in the 16th century. Today, it offers a laid-back alternative to Buenos Aires and some of South America’s best gastronomy. If you only have one day to spend in Mendoza, here are some tips.

Morning: City Tour

While you could easily spend the entire day hopping from one winery to the next (and many tasting tours do take the entire day), it would be a shame to miss out on the hidden gems that make Mendoza special. Start your morning off with a sightseeing tour of this city at the base of the Andes Mountains. Take in the views from Cerro de la Gloria (the highest point in the city), explore General San Martin Park, and learn why Mendoza has so many trees and fountains while visiting its many picturesque plazas.

Afternoon: Wine Tasting

This afternoon is all about wine tasting, and options abound for how to get from place to place. Active travelers might opt for a bike tour of wine country, pedaling through picturesque vineyards to three different wineries to sample the region’s famous malbecs. The Mendoza hop-on hop-off wine bus allows visitors to choose their own tasting itinerary, with the option to visit two or four different wineries from a list of nearly two dozen. For even more flexibility, book a private tour with your own driver and guide to explore the Uco Valley at your own pace. Most tours include a gourmet winery lunch.

Night: Dinner and Tango

Mendocinos dine late, so you’ll have some time to unwind before heading into town for dinner at one of Mendoza’s many excellent restaurants or wine bars, followed by ice cream at a local heladería. While the nightlife here tends to be more subdued than in Buenos Aires, you can head to Plaza Pellegrini on weekends to watch—or join—the impromptu tango, or head to one of the city’s milongas (tango bars) for some dancing.