Are you wondering “is Salta Argentina worth visiting?” Are you looking for what to do in Salta? You are in the right place! I know all the unmissable things to do in Salta, Argentina, and I am ready to share what I know.
I visited Salta, Argentina, during my first trip to the country and fell in love with it. This easily qualifies as one of my favorite provinces in the country.
Blessed with a pleasant climate throughout the year and home to the second largest wine-producing region in the country (the first is Mendoza), it is so beautiful that it’s been nicknamed Salta la Linda (Salta the beautiful).
Salta is lesser known compared to other places in Argentina. Due to the lack of the large influx of European immigrants that occurred in the rest of the country, Salta and the rest of the north of Argentina have managed to retain a very indigenous character both in terms of looks and traditions.
One thing you will immediately notice once you arrive in Salta is that it’s very different from the rest of Argentina. Here, you’ll be able to experience the culture of the Andes and of the Quechua and try food that is different from the typical Argentine flavors.
Are you curious to find out more? Continue reading: I will highlight the best things to do in Salta, Argentina, and share information to help you plan your trip based on my personal experience there.
The Best Things To Do In Salta, Argentina
Hang out in Plaza 9 de Julio
Salta was founded in 1582 and has since retained its colonial charm. The best place to get a proper idea of the colonial past is the main square, Plaza 9 de Julio. It is surrounded by lovely small cafés and cobbled streets and hosts the beautiful Cathedral—possibly the most famous landmark in town with its bring pink color.
The Cathedral was built between 1856 and 1882 after the previous one was destroyed in an earthquake. It hosts various religious relics in a small adjacent museum, where the ashes of revolutionary war hero Martin Miguel de Güemes are housed, plus a small museum of religious relics.
Go on a city tour
If you’re wondering what to do in Salta, Argentina, the safest bet is to learn your way around the city itself.
One of the first things you should do when you get to a new place is to explore everything you can on foot. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city, maybe learn a little more about the culture and history, and find some hidden gems.
Salta is a very easy place to explore on your own, but you can also join one of the Salta Free Walking Tours. Just remember that while they are free, it is expected to tip. But this is a great way to wander around with a guide and learn a lot about the city and region.
Visit the local museums
The Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana (MAAM) is the most interesting museum in town. It is dedicated to Andean culture, and you’ll find plenty of Inca artifacts.
The highlight of this anthropology museum is the mummies of three Inca children that were found by scientists in 1999 at the summit of Llullaillaco Volcano, at 6,700 meters (21,981 feet) above sea level and well buried in the snow. It is believed that they had been drugged and then used as human sacrifices to the gods around 1490.
The freezing conditions helped preserve the bodies of the children to the point that things such as their hair, their clothes, and even their internal organs were preserved. The mummies are kept in airtight glass cases, and only one at a time is shown to the public in an effort to ensure their preservation.
Make sure to always check official websites before planning a visit to stay up-to-date with the opening hours.
Another interesting museum is located in the Cabildo, the City Hall in Plaza 9 de Julio. The museum has an exhibit of documents and various artifacts about Salta’s role in Argentina’s independence.
If you don’t want to visit the museum, make sure to at least peep in to admire the building, a beautiful example of colonial architecture with a nice central courtyard and colorful plants.
Finally, the Museo Pajcha Arte Etnico is a very interesting place to admire pre-Colombian art and Andean culture.
It’s a bit out of the center of town—keep in mind it is a private collection with limited access hours. If you visit, chances are you’ll get the owner and curator to guide you around, making the visit all the more interesting.
Enjoy the view from Cerro San Bernardo
One of the nicest things to do in Salta, Argentina, is go all the way to Cerro San Bernardo to take in the incredible views.
There is a funicular (cable car) that goes all the way to the top—it’s located about 1 km (less than a mile) from Plaza 9 de Julio. You can also walk the stairs. Make sure to go on a sunny day for a fantastic experience or at sunset.
There are various food vendors at the top, and you can even get a beer and explore the small market.
Ride the Tren a las Nubes
Train travel isn’t exactly a thing in Argentina. The distances are too long, and it’s difficult to do maintenance work on the rails. There are a few places in the country where trains are used for tourist purposes. One is Tierra del Fuego, the other is near Salta and that’s the Tren a las Nubes.
The Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) runs from April to December. It is quite expensive, but the views along the ride are absolutely fantastic so this really is one of the unmissable things to do in Salta.
The train goes into the Lerma Valley all the way to the Quebrada del Toro, through San Antonio de los Cobres, known for being one of the highest villages in Argentina. It then goes along La Polvorilla Viaduct, at 4,220 meters (13,845 feet) above sea level.
The tour normally departs very early from Salta and returns quite late. Make sure to triple-check if the train is actually going, as, at times, you’ll end up sitting on a bus for a big part of the ride.
You can also book a tour of Tren a las Nubes in advance. I recommend this Train to the Clouds Experience. The activity includes a local guide, breakfast, snacks, and drinks. Again, make sure to triple-check that the train is running before planning anything.
Explore the Quebrada de Humahuaca
A road trip along the Quebrada de Humahuaca is one of the best things to do in Salta, Argentina. Words can hardly describe the unique landscape, the lovely small villages, and the breathtaking views along the way.
Among the places to visit in the Quebrada de Humahuaca are Purmamarca, which is tiny but has a lovely souvenir market and is right at the foothill of the beautiful Cierro los Siete Colores, and Maimara, at the foothills of La Paleta del Pintor, a gorgeous colorful mountain.
Tilcara is one of the largest towns in the area and is famous for its Pucara, a former Inca settlement that has been practically entirely reconstructed. If you happen to visit Ticara during the carnival, make sure to join in the celebrations, as they are a lot of fun. Humahuaca, which is 3,000 meters (9,942.5 feet) above sea level, is the largest town in the region.
Give yourself plenty of time to explore the quebrada and its villages—you need at least three full days. Alternatively, there are some good guided day or 2-day trips from Salta, Argentina.
If you’d like to join a guided tour of Humahuaca, I recommend this Full-Day Tour to Humahuaca from Salta. You’ll stop at Purmamarca with the Cerro de los Siete Colores, Humahuaca town, Tilcara town, and tour Las Ruinas Inaicac del Pucara de Tilcara.
If you want to also visit Salinas Grandes, I recommend this Full-Day Trip to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca. You’ll first stop at the village of Purmamarca, spend time in the village square, go to Cerro de Siete Colores, and visit the famous Salinas Grandes.
Check out my post 15 Amazing National Parks In Argentina for more of what to expect when you travel to Argentina.
Visit Salinas Grandes
Salinas Grandes are a small version of the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia. They are the largest salt flats in Argentina, and many consider them one of Argentina’s natural wonders.
There’s no question that visiting Salinas Grandes is what to do in Salta. They are only a few hours’ drive from Salta, and they are so picturesque it’s worth the drive.
It is an incredible place, with stunning light and incredibly photogenic. You can go directly there from Salta or add it to your Quebrada de Humahuaca itinerary. Most tours to Salinas Grandes include Quebrada de Humahuaca, as it’s just too convenient. I definitely recommend visiting both in one day.
I recommend this Full-Day Trip to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca tour from Salta. It’s a great full-day experience that stops at both Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes. You have plenty of time for both and roundtrip transportation.
Explore Cafayate wine region
Not far from Salta is the second-biggest wine region of Argentina. Cafayate—that’s the name of the town and of the region—produces various wines, including Malbec and Torrentés.
There are several wineries you can visit in the Quebrada de Cafayate. You can either drive from Salta, go on a day trip, or even spend a couple of days in the region for full enjoyment.
I recommend this From Salta: Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting. It’s a very popular, wine-centric tour that includes transportation from Salta, a bilingual guide, and entrance to a great winery.
Are you visiting Mendoza? Check out my posts: A Guide To The Most Fun Things To Do In Mendoza, Argentina, and Fantastic Wineries In Mendoza.
Full-day adventure with ziplining and rafting
If you’re wondering what to do in Salta Argentina to get the heart racing, I recommend this action-packed, full-day zipline and river rafting tour from Salta.
The activity is only available from May to July because of weather and conditions. So, if you’re here during these months and want a real thrill, this is definitely something to consider.
You’ll go rafting down Class II and Class III rapids (perfect for beginners, too) on the Juramento River. Afterward, you’ll go on a fun canopy zipline tour through the forests (you might even spot some native condors and parrots).
This is a really great way to enjoy the nature around Salta with endless excitement and heart-pumping moments. This isn’t for the faint of heart, though, so just keep that in mind.
I recommend this River Rafting and Zipline Tour. It also includes a delicious BBQ lunch, water and juice, all rafting and canopy equipment, guides, and transportation. Just remember that it’s only available from May to July.
Go horseback riding
One of the best Salta Argentina things to do is go horseback riding, believe it or not. The beautiful environment and backdrops around Salta make it a very ideal spot to slowly trot along with a horse.
It’s the perfect afternoon for those familiar with riding, but it’s also perfect for beginners. Many farms and ranches take care of their horses and have well-trained, gentle horses for all experience levels.
You can enjoy the great scenery in a very unique way, making it a great family or group activity. Most people don’t come to Argentina to ride horses, but it’s something different.
I recommend this Salta: Horseback Riding in the Mountains activity. The tour includes transportation from centrally-located hotels in Salta, all riding equipment, and several hours of walking through the beautiful landscapes of Salta.
Go to a peña
If you turn on the radio when in Salta, Argentina, you’ll notice that the music is different. Salteños listen to a lot of folk music, and one of the most fun things is attending a peña (folk concert) where you can also watch dance performances.
Peñas are usually very lively and vibrant events. You’ll see a lot of dancing, great music featuring drums, guitars, and violins, and, of course, a lot of laughing and smiling. In general, it’s such a fun atmosphere and a great way to experience a small piece of Argentinian culture.
There are several peñas in Salta and a couple right outside town.
Go shopping
Salta is a nice place for shopping, whether you are looking for local specialties at a food market or souvenirs. My favorite market in town is Mercado Municipal San Miguel. It’s a large indoor market with all sorts of food stalls, with plenty of chances to grab something to eat and souvenirs. Besides, it is a nice place to spot a bit of local action.
If you are just looking for souvenirs, the Mercado Artesanal is located in the center of Salta in a restored colonial millhouse. There, you’ll find plenty of Andean-style items such as hats, scarves, ponchos, and whatnot.
Visit Cachi
The village of Cachi is simply gorgeous, and it’d be a pity to miss it: it really is what to see in Salta if you are craving a rural experience. It’s a very well-preserved colonial village where you’ll get a good fix for history and colonial architecture.
You can get there driving along the Cuesta del Obispo, a winding road from where you’ll get breathtaking views. It’s a short drive from Salta and definitely worth the visit if you have the time while traveling in Argentina.
There are also several day trips from Salta to Cachi, which will coordinate transportation and planning for you.
I recommend this Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi from Salta. The tour is so much more than a simple trip to Cachi. You’ll also enjoy an incredibly scenic drive, driving along the windy road called Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Road), stopping at viewpoints, and getting a great view of El Valle Encantado (The Enchanted Valley). It includes a guide, transportation, national park fees, and plenty of time to explore Cachi.
Hike around Parque Nacional los Cardones
Los Cardones National Park is just outside Salta town on the foothills of the Andes region. It’s a really beautiful area with many different hiking trails.
The park has 14 named mountains, a desert-like landscape littered with cacti, and deep ravines. You can hike Valle Encantado for a more challenging afternoon or stick to something easier.
Chorro de Lesser, Ojo de Condor, and Rio San Lorenzo are other popular routes. There are a handful of marked trails, but there are many that aren’t well-marked or maintained.
For this reason, you might want to get a guide if you’re planning to be a little adventurous. Besides, I don’t recommend hiking alone in general, especially while traveling.
If you’re looking for more of a sightseeing activity in Los Cardones National Park, I recommend this Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour. The tour includes sightseeing at the national park, as well as a visit to Cachi town.
Try the local cuisine
You’ll find lots of regional food in Salta. Make sure to try locro, a stew of meat, corn, and potatoes; humitas, husks filled with corn and cheese; and tamales, aka steamed leaves filled with meat, potatoes, and corn flour.
They are very popular street foods, but you can also find them in family-run restaurants or at the Mercado San Miguel.
When in Salta, make sure to eat at El Viejo Jack. It is a very unpretentious parrilla that serves very good food at more than reasonable prices.
If you fancy Argentine-style pizza, go to La Colonial. It’s as local as it gets. You’ll find a good selection of small restaurants and fancier ones in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. El Churqui, in Purmamarca, serves typical regional dishes, including llama and the popular humitas.
There’s so much great food in Argentina, so make sure to read my Delicious Argentina Food To Try guide before your trip for more inspiration.
Eat empanadas
While we’re talking about food, we need to talk about Argentinian empanadas.
Rumor has it that Salta is where empanadas were invented. I can’t swear to this, but for some reason, this is the first place where I tried them. And to be honest, while I’ve had so many empanadas during my many trips to Argentina, I have yet to find one that is as good as those I have had in Salta.
Make sure to get your fill of these light pastries stuffed with meat and onion, spinach and ricotta, or even ham and cheese.
Practical Salta Travel Guide
Where to stay and eat in Salta and its province
There are plenty of excellent places to stay in Salta and in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, as well as several good restaurants. Here are a few recommendations for you:
- MG Design Hotel Boutique is a fantastic boutique hotel just outside the center of Salta. It has cozy, comfortable rooms and beautiful designs. Each day, they serve a different and always delicious breakfast.
- Accueillant Hostel is an excellent option for Salta if you are on a smaller budget. They have both dormitory rooms and private rooms.
- Solar de la Plaza is a stylish hotel in the center of Salta. It has beautiful rooms and a rooftop pool.
- Posada de Luz is easily the best hotel in Tilcara, built in adobe and with a gorgeous garden. Make sure you book in advance, as rooms tend to sell out fast.
- Giramundo Hostel is a nice hostel in the heart of Humahuaca, with dorms as well as private rooms. The atmosphere is more social, though there’s plenty of space if you want some peace and quiet, as well.
How to get to Salta
Salta is well connected to the rest of the country thanks to a good web of buses and flights. It takes around 20 hours by bus from Buenos Aires and just about the same amount of time from Mendoza.
Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport is about 11 km (less than 7 miles) from the center of Salta and has regular direct flights to Buenos Aires and other cities in Argentina. To get from the airport to the city, you can opt for a cab or a private transfer.
Traveling to Buenos Aires? Make sure to read my posts 25 Unmissable Things To Do In Buenos Aires and A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Buenos Aires.
How to move around Salta
Salta City is easy to move around, and I recommend walking everywhere. However, if you plan to leave the city (which you totally should!), your best bet is to rent a car.
Alternatively, you can opt to join one of the many guided tours that regularly depart from the city. This can be a little more expensive, but not always. When the tours include all transportation costs, snacks or drinks, and entrance fees, it can be the better option. Especially if you want to avoid the headache of planning everything yourself.
If you decide to rent a car, I recommend Discover Cars. It’s a great tool where you can check car rental prices, compare across different countries, and even book the car online.
When to visit Salta
The best time to visit Salta is at the end of summer and in the fall when you’ll have better chances of clear skies and warm days. June to August (Argentine winter) is also good: this is when Patagonia is covered in snow, and it can get very cold in other parts of the country.
Whenever you go, make sure to check the weather forecast and pack for Argentina accordingly. The weather can be drastically different in different regions, seasons, and times, and it’s always best to be prepared.
Other useful information
As for any other trip, make sure to get good insurance when exploring Salta, Argentina, and the rest of the country.
Check out my post, Why You Need A Good Travel Insurance, for more information before your trip to Salta, Argentina.
I always recommend HeyMondo for travel insurance.
Further Readings
Are you planning a trip to Argentina? Make sure to read my posts
- A Guide To The Greatest Things To Do In Argentina
- A Flash Pack’s Argentina Itinerary
- Top 13 Things To Do In Rosario Argentina
- The Best Argentine Movies
- A Guide To Renting A Car In Argentina
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My wife is from Salta and she is there right now, I didn’t know about Salinas Grandes must be beautiful place to go and take amazing pictures.
I want to taste that nice empanadas!!
Thank you for all this information.
David
You should go!!