Salta Travelers Recommend

Salta is both a province in northwest Argentina and the largest city in that region, and on a 3-day trip, you’ll have time to get to know them both. Explore the city’s colonial architecture and bustling markets, then traveling into the countryside to sip wine and go trekking in the mountains. Here’s what to do with 3 days in Salta.

Day 1: Explore the City

On your first day, dive into Salta City and explore its culture and history. Start with a bus tour with a comprehensive itinerary that includes sights like Plaza 9 de Julio, the San Francisco Church and Convent, and bustling crafts markets. Later in the day, learn about Salta’s architecture on a walking tour that gives you insight into the area’s colonial architecture and takes you to other top landmarks, including the Cathedral of Salta, Casa de Uriburu, and the San Bernardo Convent. Afterward, if you want to learn more about the region’s history, head to the Historical Museum of the North, one of Argentina’s most important museums.

Finish the day with an evening of traditional music at a peña, or folk music club. Have a drink and a bite while you enjoy the music, and, if you like, you can learn a few steps of a traditional Argentine dance.

Day 2: All About Wine

Take a day trip to the Cafayate wine region to learn about the wines produced in the northwestern region of Argentina. Spend the day exploring the Calchaqui Valley with stops at wineries to learn about local winemaking techniques. Taste the region’s famous torrontés, meet the people behind the vineyards, and compare wines from several different wineries. Small-group tours and private tours (which can be tailored to your interests) both depart from Salta City. Traditional Argentine barbecue is a classic accompaniment to the region’s red wines. At the end of the day, relax with a barbecue feast while sampling a range of wines from Cafayate.

Day 3: The Great Outdoors

On your last day, take an adventurous day trip into the countryside. Salta is known for its natural beauty, and highlights include the salt flats at Salinas Grandes, the Puna de Atacama desert, and Purmamarca, or the seven-colored hill. Full-day tours can take you to the dramatic landscapes of Quebrada de Humahuaca, the giant cacti of Los Cardones National Park, or Bull Lagoon, which is known for its thriving flamingo population.

If you want to do more than go sightseeing, there are a variety of opportunities to get active in the countryside, including white water river rafting, zip lining, and mountain trekking. You could also opt to explore caves and underground rivers on a trip into the Lerma Valley before heading back to the city to enjoy an evening on Balcarce, a lively, bar-lined street where you toast to your adventures.

The city of Salta is both a cultural hub and the jumping-off point for exploring the province of the same name, known for its dramatic landscapes and destination wineries. Explore Salta’s history and markets before heading out into the countryside for river rafting, mountain biking, and wine tasting. Here are a few ways to spend 48 hours in Salta.

Day 1: Discover the City of Salta

Morning: Explore Salta on foot with a guided walking tour to see top landmarks including the city’s colonial architecture, Salta Cathedral, and the San Bernardo Convent. Learn about local history with an independent visit to the Historical Museum of the North.

Afternoon: Move beyond the city center of Salta with a sightseeing bus tour. As you ride, you’ll hear stories about popular landmarks including Casa de Uriburu and Plaza 9 de Julio. Most tours include time to browse for crafts at the vibrant artisan markets before visiting the monument dedicated to General Guemes, a figure associated with Argentine independence.

Night: Connect with local culture by spending an evening at a traditional peña or folk music club. Listen to classic songs on guitar and regional instruments and see dance performances over an evening that includes dining and drinking. You can even join your guide on the dance floor to learn a few steps of the traditional dances.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure and Wine at the Source

Morning: This morning, head outside the city to discover the natural beauty of the province of Salta with a day in the great outdoors. Adventurous travelers may want to go river rafting, ziplining, or mountain biking. Alternatively, see the dramatic scenery of Salta from the seat of a bike or along hiking trails.

Afternoon: Continue an exploration of Salta’s diverse landscapes with a visit to the salt flats, which resemble a desert made of salt. Travelers who are interested in wildlife may opt instead for a visit to Bull Lagoon for a nature-focused tour to see wild flamingos in their natural environment.

Night: Wrap up your time in Salta wine tasting at the source with a visit to the Calchaqui Valley. Learn about local winemaking methods, and sip malbec at top wineries in Cafayate. Argentine barbecue is a traditional accompaniment to the full-flavored red wines of the region.

A cultural hub in the northwest of Argentina, Salta is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and artisan crafts markets. Spend 24 hours in this city and see its colonial buildings, learn about Argentine independence, and listen to traditional folk music. Here’s how to spend one day in Salta.

Morning: Salta’s History and Heritage

Get an introduction to the architecture and culture of Salta with an informative sightseeing tour. Join a local guide for a walk that includes Salta’s colonial architecture and popular landmarks including the Cathedral of Salta and the San Bernardo Convent. Go shopping at the vibrant artisan markets, and explore beyond the city center with a visit to the village of San Lorenzo. Learn about the city’s past with a visit to the Historical Museum of the North.

Afternoon: Colonial Architecture and Convents

Maximize time in Salta with a bus tour that covers ground quickly. Travel by coach to see examples of colonial architecture such as Casa de Uriburu. Skip the hassle of driving and admire views of the city as your guide shares stories about the history and culture of this corner of Argentina. Discover significant landmarks including the 16th-century Plaza 9 de Julio, the convent of San Francisco, and a monument dedicated to General Guemes, an important figure in Argentine independence.

Night: An Evening of Music

Experience Argentine culture with a night spent listening to traditional music at a peña, or folk music club. Learn about the heritage of Salta while drinking, dining, and enjoying a performance of classic songs, during which musicians play guitars and regional instruments. Brave travelers may want to learn the basic steps of the traditional dance that accompanies the music; your local guide is there to direct you.

Mendoza might be Argentina’s most famous wine region, but the wild northwestern province of Salta produces some of South America’s unique wines. Here are some of the must-try varietals and tasting experiences in the Salta province.

Must-Try Varietals

The vineyards around Salta are among the highest in the world and the fertile soil and high-altitude microclimate of Cafayate create ideal conditions for growing and producing crisp, acidic varietals. Salta’s flagship wine is Torrontés, a white varietal nicknamed “the liar grape” for its sweet, floral aroma but surprisingly crisp, dry, citrus-like flavor. The region has some fine red wines too, including cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, and malbec, while recent years have seen a number of Tannat wines springing up. 

Must-Do Experiences

• See regional wonders, including Los Cardones National Park, Cachi, and the Quebrada de Escoipe (Escoipe Gorge) on a full-day tour, stopping for wine tastings along the way.

• Learn more about Argentine winemaking at Cafayate’s Museo de la Vid y del Vino (Museum of Vine and Wine).

• Sample malbec, cabernet, and Torrontés wines during a guided wine tasting at a boutique bodega.

• Meet the winemaker and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour at Domingo Hermanos, El Tránsito, or Vasija Secreta winery.