Salta is one of my favorite destinations in Argentina! This city, with its colonial architecture, charming streets, lively squares, and fascinating museums, is a joy to explore. But the surrounding area is just as captivating! From Salta, you can embark on unforgettable day trips to stunning mountains, picturesque villages, and expansive salt flats. The scenery is breathtaking, and whether you’re driving a rental car or on a guided tour, you’ll find yourself making countless stops to take in the views. This destination is a must for any Argentina travel itinerary.
Read on to find out why I fell in love with this northern Argentine gem. Discover the best things to do in Salta and get practical tips to make the most of your visit.
Continue Reading: Where to Stay in Salta and nearby Cafayate
Where is Salta in Argentina?
Salta is located in northwestern Argentina, in the Lerma Valley. This 16th-century city is the capital of the province of the same name. Nestled among mountains, Salta sits at an elevation of about 1,200 meters above sea level.
The region around Salta is packed with some of Argentina’s best attractions and tourist destinations. Nearby, you’ll find the beautiful wine region of Cafayate, about a three-hour drive south of the city. Cafayate is famous for its Torrontés wine and is dotted with vineyards and wineries offering tours and tastings. The route from Salta to Cafayate, known as the Quebrada de las Conchas, is a spectacular drive with impressive rock formations. Another popular destination is Cachi, a charming colonial village three hours west of Salta. There’s so much more to see in the area, like the Salinas Grandes salt flats and the Cerro de los Siete Colores in the nearby Jujuy province.
To include Salta in your Argentina travel plans, you can fly from Buenos Aires to Salta. After visiting Salta, you can continue your journey to the wine region of Mendoza or further south towards Patagonia.
What is Salta Known For
Salta is a favorite among travelers because of its colonial architecture, local culture, and stunning natural surroundings. There’s so much to see and do that you could spend an entire vacation just in Salta and its surroundings.
Salta is known for its colonial buildings. The Salta Cathedral, located on Plaza 9 de Julio, is a beautiful example of colonial architecture. The Basilica Menor San Francisco, with its impressive white pillars, is another iconic monument of the city.
Salta is also a hub for wine lovers. The nearby wine region of Cafayate, about a three-hour drive south of Salta, produces the famous Torrontés wine. Visitors can tour and taste at the vineyards and wineries in Cafayate.
Salta offers unique cultural experiences as well. The city is famous for its peñas, local bars where traditional music and dance are performed. These folk music evenings, often combined with local dishes and wine, are a must for visitors wanting to experience authentic Argentine culture. Popular peñas include La Casona del Molino and the venues along Calle Balcarce.
Another local delight is Salta’s culinary specialties. The city claims to have the best empanadas in Argentina, known as empanadas salteñas. These small, meat-filled pastries are traditionally baked in a clay oven and are a favorite snack for both locals and tourists.
Finally, Salta is a paradise for nature lovers. Surrounded by mountains, the area offers some of the most beautiful scenery and landscapes. The drive to Cafayate, for example, takes you through the picturesque Quebrada de las Conchas, known for its impressive rock formations like El Anfiteatro and La Garganta del Diablo. Nearby, you can also find the colorful Cerro de los Siete Colores and the vast Las Salinas salt flats. Additionally, the city is the starting point for the famous Tren a las Nubes, one of the highest railways in the world, offering a spectacular journey through stunning landscapes.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Salta?
The amount of time you need in Salta depends on what you want to see and do. For a short visit, three days are enough to explore the city. However, if you want to fully explore the surrounding area, a longer stay is recommended. We spent a week in Salta and highly recommend it. There’s so much to do and see in the city and the surrounding areas.
In two to three days, you can visit the main attractions in the city. Explore the historic center, the cathedral, the Basilica Menor San Francisco, and the Inca child mummies at the MAAM – Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña. Take a cable car ride to the top of Cerro San Bernardo for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
For a five-day stay, you can combine your city visit with one or two popular day trips. Visit the wine region of Cafayate via the scenic route through the Quebrada de las Conchas. Then, take a day trip to the impressive Salinas Grandes salt flats and the colorful village of Purmamarca, known for the Cerro de los Siete Colores.
A seven-day stay allows you to explore the broader region and incorporate some relaxation time. Take a road trip to the charming colonial village of Cachi via the breathtaking Cuesta del Obispo and Los Cardones National Park. You can also take a ride on the Tren a las Nubes, a unique train journey through the clouds to the high-altitude Viaducto La Polvorilla.
Salta Tourist Map
10 Best Things to Do in Salta
#1 The Colonial Architecture in Salta
With its charming streets and historic atmosphere, Salta is one of my favorite cities in Argentina. The ambiance is warm, and the architecture is stunning. Salta is renowned for its beautiful colonial architecture and historical sites throughout the city. It’s a quintessential colonial town with strong Spanish influences.
One of the most iconic spots in Salta is Plaza 9 de Julio, the city’s central square. Here, you’ll find the Salta Cathedral, an impressive 19th-century building that serves as an important religious and cultural center. On the same square is the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM), famous for displaying Inca mummies.
Another splendid example of Salta’s colonial architecture is the 16th-century Basilica Menor San Francisco. This church features a striking white and red facade and boasts the tallest bell tower in South America, making it a national historic monument.
The Convento San Bernardo is also worth a visit. This former monastery and hospital dates back to the 17th century and is known for its large, hand-carved wooden door crafted by indigenous artisans. Although the building itself is not open to tourists, it’s worth a stroll to admire its exterior.
#2 Museo Arqueologia de Alta Montaña (MAAM)
On Plaza 9 de Julio, you’ll find Salta’s most important museum, the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM). Even if you’re not typically a museum-goer, I highly recommend visiting this one. The museum offers an impressive exhibit on child sacrifices and Inca culture.
It tells the story of the child mummies discovered in the Andes. In Inca culture, human sacrifices to the gods were an important ritual. Children from noble families were chosen for these sacrifices. After extensive ceremonies, they were taken to high mountain sacred sites, where they were either killed or buried alive to honor the gods. The child mummies displayed in the museum are particularly striking.
Due to the unique high-altitude conditions, the bodies of three children are perfectly preserved. The MAAM exhibits the mummies of a 15-year-old girl and a 6- or 7-year-old boy and girl. These children, known as the “Children of Llullaillaco,” were discovered in 1999 on the summit of the Llullaillaco volcano, on the border of Argentina and Chile. The high altitude and cold conditions ensured that their bodies, clothing, and offerings remained perfectly preserved.
The museum also displays ceremonial items, textiles, and gold ornaments buried during the same ritual. These artifacts provide insight into the religious practices and daily life of the Incas. Visitors also learn about the techniques archaeologists used to preserve and display these findings.
#3 The Salinas Grandes, Argentina’s Largest Salt Flats
Close to the Bolivian border, Argentina offers a glimpse of the famous salt flats found in its neighboring country. North of Salta, in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, lie the Salinas Grandes.
These expansive salt flats are a spectacular sight. Located at an altitude of 3,450 meters above sea level, the salt flats cover an area of 212 square kilometers, offering a breathtaking white landscape that contrasts with the bright blue sky. The salt flats were formed by volcanic activity and centuries of rain and evaporation cycles, leaving behind a thick salt crust. In many places, this crust is half a meter thick!
Thanks to the perfectly flat, white salt layer extending to the horizon, this is a popular spot for perspective photos. During the dry season, from May to December, the salt flats are perfect for creative photography. In the rainy season, from January to March, a thin layer of water covers the flats, creating a mirror-like effect that reflects the sky. Be sure to bring sunglasses, as the white salt can be dazzling on sunny days.
The salt flats are about 66 kilometers from the picturesque village of Purmamarca, known for the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). You can reach Salinas Grandes via the RN 52, which runs through the salt flats. Many visitors opt for a day tour, but you can also drive to the salt flats yourself. These tours often combine a visit to Purmamarca with the salt flats.
#4 Purmamarca & Cerro de los Siete Colores
North of Salta lies the charming mountain village of Purmamarca. It’s famous for its local market and its colorful mountains, known as the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). The multicolored mountain is located on the edge of the village and displays a unique palette of colors due to sediment layers with various minerals formed over millions of years. The colors range from deep reds to earthy browns and vibrant greens.
In Purmamarca, there are several viewpoints for the Cerro de los Siete Colores. The Paseo de los Colorados, a three-kilometer walking route, offers stunning views of the hill and the surrounding area. The best times to visit the Cerro de los Siete Colores are in the morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is most favorable, and the colors are most vivid.
Purmamarca itself is a delightful place to visit. With a history dating back to the 16th century, it’s a historic village with a cozy atmosphere. The village attracts many tourists with its picturesque streets, artisanal markets, and the historic Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima.
The village is easily accessible from Salta, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. As a result, it’s often visited as part of a day excursion combined with the Salinas Grandes. During the day, the village is bustling with day-trippers from Salta. However, in the morning, you can experience a more authentic and peaceful atmosphere, which is highly recommended.
We chose to book two-day tours from Salta to this region but decided not to return to Salta in between. Instead, we booked a night in Purmamarca and arranged to be picked up there for the second day’s excursion. This way, we could explore the village at our leisure and enjoy the morning market without other tourists.
#5 The Río Grande Gorge
Along the Río Grande in the province of Jujuy, you’ll find a series of picturesque villages worth visiting. The Río Grande has carved an impressive gorge through the mountains. Alongside the river runs a road that passes through these charming mountain villages. Purmamarca, with its colorful mountains, is one of the first villages you’ll encounter. But continue driving through the mountains, past cactus fields and rocks, to visit the other villages as well.
Purmamarca is famous for the Cerro de los Siete Colores, a hill with a unique palette of colors due to sediment layers with various minerals. The popular village boasts picturesque streets, a lively market, and the historic Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima.
Tilcara is one of the liveliest villages along the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The village is known for the Pucará de Tilcara, a well-preserved pre-Inca fortress. It also offers an archaeological museum where you can see Inca artifacts and mummies. Tilcara has a vibrant main street with artisanal markets, bars, and restaurants featuring live music and traditional dances.
About five kilometers further lies the quieter village of Maimará. It’s known for the “Paleta del Pintor” (Painter’s Palette), a mountain slope with a beautiful color palette. You can hike to a religious monument here with a stunning view over the valley.
Uquía is a small village known for its historic church, Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula. This church features paintings of angels created by indigenous artists in the 17th century. Uquía lies slightly further north along the route and offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere.
The largest village in the region is Humahuaca, located further north along the Río Grande. This village has a charming center with a white church, a cabildo (town hall) with a clock tower, and many archaeological ruins in the surrounding area. Humahuaca is also known for its carnival celebrations, featuring music, dancing, and colorful masks.
These villages are all easily accessible by car or bus from Salta or Jujuy. The route along the Quebrada de Humahuaca offers spectacular landscapes, making it a perfect road trip for a day.
#6 The Wine Village of Cafayate
Cafayate, nestled in the Calchaquí Valley in northwest Argentina, is a charming village renowned for its wine production and stunning landscapes. About a three-hour drive south of Salta, Cafayate is easily accessible by car or bus. While you can visit Cafayate on a day trip from Salta, staying overnight in Cafayate is highly recommended to truly experience this delightful place.
What sets Cafayate apart is its production of Torrontés wine, a fragrant white wine unique to Argentina. The vineyards here are situated at around 1,700 meters above sea level, which contributes to the grapes’ rich flavors and vibrant colors.
Founded in the mid-19th century as a mission post, Cafayate has since become a magnet for winemakers, thanks to its ideal grape-growing conditions. The village exudes a colonial charm, with a central square hosting a daily craft market where you can find local products like woven goods, ceramics, and jewelry.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings at various bodegas, most of which are within walking distance of the village center. Popular choices include Bodega Nanni, Bodega Domingo Hermanos, and El Porvenir de Cafayate. Besides wine tastings, you can visit the Museo de la Vid y el Vino to learn about the history of winemaking in the region. To complete your wine experience, consider staying at a vineyard like Grace Cafayete.
For active travelers, the area around Cafayate offers great hiking and biking opportunities. A popular trail is the Camino de los Siete Cascadas, which leads you past seven beautiful waterfalls.
#7 Quebrada de Cafayate
The Quebrada de Cafayate, also known as the Quebrada de las Conchas, is a stunning gorge in the Calchaquí Valley of northwest Argentina. This may be the most breathtaking landscape in the country. Carved by the Río de las Conchas, the gorge stretches about 60 kilometers between Cafayate and Salta and is known for its colorful and unique rock formations.
The gorge’s standout features include the remarkable Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) and El Anfiteatro (The Amphitheater). These rock formations, sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion, display a spectrum of colors from red, pink, and brown to even blue hues. These colors come from the various minerals in the rocks, like copper and iron.
Exploring the Quebrada de Cafayate by car is ideal, offering the flexibility to stop at various points to soak in the views. The route along National Highway 68, which runs through the gorge, provides numerous viewpoints and parking areas at key attractions. Organized tours from Salta to Cafayate also travel through this gorge, making multiple stops along the way.
Tip: An alternative route is the Quebrada de las Flechas. This beautiful route through a gorge is especially popular with motorcyclists and promises equally spectacular landscapes.
#8 Colonial Village of Cachi & Cuesta del Obispo
The colonial village of Cachi is a charming destination known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and stunning natural surroundings. Located about 157 kilometers west of Salta, Cachi is accessible via the spectacular Cuesta del Obispo, a winding mountain road famed for its breathtaking views and geological formations.
Cachi itself is a picturesque village with whitewashed buildings and narrow streets. A key landmark is the Iglesia San José de Cachi, an 18th-century church. Opposite the church is the Pío Pablo Díaz Museum, which showcases a collection of indigenous ceramics and textiles. Cachi also offers stunning views from the northern viewpoint near the village cemetery.
The route to Cachi, Cuesta del Obispo, begins in Chicoana. The road winds through the Quebrada de Escoipe, also known as the Valle Encantado. This 1928 road climbs to the top of Piedra del Molino at 3,457 meters above sea level. Here, you’ll find a small chapel, Capilla San Rafael, and the historic millstone that gives the area its name. The road offers numerous panoramic views and is dotted with stalls selling local crafts and products.
Los Cardones National Park, a nature reserve full of giant cacti, is nearby and provides a great opportunity to explore the region’s flora and fauna. The Recta Tin Tin, a straight 19-kilometer road, runs through the park and was originally an Inca route. The park is a beautiful place for hiking and enjoying the surreal landscape.
Tip: Further west lies Tolar Grande. It’s quite a drive (7 hours from Salta to Tolar Grande), so it’s advisable to stay for one or two nights. The journey offers spectacular landscapes, such as the El Desierto del Diablo desert and the Cono de Arita volcano.
#9 Teleférico San Bernardo & Cerro San Bernardo Viewpoint
The Teleférico San Bernardo is a popular tourist attraction in Salta, offering a ride to the top of Cerro San Bernardo. The cable car provides spectacular views over the city of Salta and the Lerma Valley. The ride begins in Parque San Martín and lasts about ten minutes, covering a distance of just over a kilometer and overcoming a height difference of 284 meters.
At the top of Cerro San Bernardo, you’ll find various viewpoints offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding valley. It’s an ideal spot for beautiful photos and simply enjoying the scenery. The summit offers facilities such as a restaurant, a craft market, an ecological walking trail, and an outdoor gym.
#10 Tren a las Nubes
The Tren a las Nubes, or “Train to the Clouds”, is one of the most iconic experiences in Salta. This train ride takes you on a breathtaking journey through the Andes, reaching heights of up to 4,220 meters, making it one of the highest train routes in the world.
The history of the Tren a las Nubes begins in the 1920s when it was designed by American engineer Richard Maury. The original goal was to connect Argentina with northern Chile through the Andes, creating an important trade route. However, the construction of the railway was a massive challenge and wasn’t completed until 1948. Today, the line functions primarily as a tourist attraction.
The journey usually starts in San Antonio de los Cobres, a town you can reach by bus from Salta. The train departs from this point and travels through the rugged highlands of the Puna de Atacama, passing colorful mountains and barren landscapes. A highlight of the trip is crossing the La Polvorilla Viaduct, an impressive structure that stands 64 meters high and 224 meters long.
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