Overview
The handsome colonial capital of Argentina’s northwest, "Salta la Linda" is the base for some of the country’s most cinematic landscapes — red-rock canyons, multicoloured mountains, high-altitude vineyards and the salt flats of the puna. The food and folklore here feel closer to the Andes than to Buenos Aires.
Top things to do
Plaza 9 de Julio
A palm-filled colonial square framed by the pink cathedral and arcaded cafés.
Cerro San Bernardo
A cable car rises to a hilltop garden with the whole valley spread below.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
A UNESCO valley of striped, multicoloured mountains and adobe villages north of the city.
Cafayate wine route
Drive south through the dramatic Quebrada de las Conchas to high-altitude Torrontés vineyards.
Hill of Seven Colours at Purmamarca
A day-trip north to the rainbow mountains and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes.
Peña folklore night
Eat empanadas and locro while live Andean folk musicians play in a traditional peña.
3-day sample itinerary
- 1
City & cable car
Colonial centre, the MAAM museum and Cerro San Bernardo.
- 2
Cafayate
Quebrada de las Conchas and Torrontés tasting.
- 3
Humahuaca
Purmamarca, the coloured hills and the salt flats.