Cafayate is a quiet town located in the province of Salta in the north of Argentina. It is well known for its vineyards where the torrontés grape is grown, as well as its excellent wineries and wines. It is a cosy and charming town that is isolated from the rest of the urban centres of the area, giving it a very original and authentic atmosphere. Located in the Calchaquíes Valleys, discover all there is to see in Cafayate, the ideal destination to enjoy Argentina’s wine tradition.
Things to do in Cafayate Argentina
1. Cafayate Central Square
The Plaza 20 de Febrero is one of the most iconic places in Cafayate and the meeting point for visitors and locals, especially at night. It is very well kept, surrounded by a large number of trees as well as restaurants, bars and shops that make this one of the most popular places in the city.
2. Museum of Vine and Wine
In the northwest of the Province of Salta, in the town of Cafayate, is one of the newest museums in the region: the Museum of the Vine and Wine. This museum provides the Calchaquí Valleys with a first class tourist attraction, which is part of the Wine Route circuit. It offers a dynamic and interactive exhibition on the history and characteristics of the vineyards in the Calchaquí Valleys and its high altitude wines. It is a “living” space, full of visual and audio stimuli. Its interactive and entertaining exhibits allow visitors of all ages to gain culture and education.
- Its opening hours are from Tuesday to Sunday and national holidays, from 9 am to 6 pm.
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3. Parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
This is one of the most important monuments in Cafayate and one of the essential visits in the city. The temple is a mixture of different architectural styles, which was the fashion when it was built. Colonial, Renaissance and even Arab styles are represented in it. Its architect was the Catalan Pedro Coll. It is 45 m long and 21 m wide. It has five naves and a small transept. The vaults are groin vaults with lunettes in the central naves and barrel vaults with transverse arches on the sides.
4. Cafayate Municipal Handicrafts Market
The Municipal Artisan Market of Cafayate is located in front of the 20 de Febrero Square, on Güemes Avenue. It houses several local artisans. Cafayate is well known for the quality of its handicrafts and in several other places in the centre it is also possible to get your hands on the best of Cafayate’s craft products. The Mercado Artesanal offers tourists all kinds of local products such as weavings, pottery, ceramics, basketry and products made of leather, wood, metal and silver.
- The opening hours are from 9:00 to 22:30 from Monday to Sunday.
5. Bodega Nanni
Located in the heart of downtown Cafayate, Bodega Nanni boasts a rich family history producing certified organic wines. The winery was founded in 1897 by Italian immigrants and today is still run by their descendants. The grapes come from their century-old San José de Chimpa estate, ten kilometres east of Cafayate. Since 1996 the winery has held the Full Organic certification, the production uses natural processes with special care for the environment and soils.
- Opening hours from Monday to Sunday from 9:30 to 19:00.
6. Bodega Vasija Secreta
The Casa Córdova y Murga, located at the very entrance of the town of Cafayate, has the oldest winery in the valley. Its dates back to the first half of the last century and throughout its history it has been the traditional wine of the people of Salta, thanks to the quality of its products as well as the artisan feel of its production.
7. Quebrada de las Conchas
It is located within the Calchaquí Valleys, very close to the town of Cafayate. It is 90 kilometres southwest of the City of Salta, and includes part of the Departments of La Viña, Guachipas and also Cafayate. The colourful mountainous landscape makes this a favourite place to visit among travellers.
Certainly one of the most imposing landscapes in the entire province, running along Route 68 between Salta capital and Cafayate. The most spectacular stretch is from Cafayate to the town of Alemania, some 80 kilometres in total.
8. Amphitheatre
Located on the same route as the Quebrada de las Conchas, this is a semi-enclosed formation with almost perfect acoustics, where you may even come across a live violin or flute concert. Along the corridor that takes you there, there are several craft stalls where you can also buy souvenirs of your trip.
What to do near Cafayate Argentina?
1. San Carlos
Located 25 kilometres north of Cafayate, San Carlos is one of the oldest settlements in the north of the country. It is also known as “the town of the five names” since it was founded five different times. Today it has the name given to it by the Jesuits in 1641. It’s an ideal town to visit in a little less than half a day. It has a lovely, quiet main square with its church, as well as wineries that can be visited.
2. Quebrada de las Flechas
One of the most marvellous and beautiful stretches of landscape in the Calchaquí Valleys is found on the National Route Nº 40, starting at Angastaco and ending approximately at the 4,380th kilometre of the route.
These formations date back to 15 to 20 million years ago, when mountains were formed, causing the sedimentary plates in the ground to break and begin to rise, their ends pointing skyward. Later, wind erosion sharpened them, giving them the appearance they have today, resembling blades or arrowheads side by side.
3. City of Salta
Capital of the province of the same name, Salta is one of the most peaceful and beautiful cities in Argentina. The city of Salta is 1187 metres above sea level in the Lerma Valley, at the foot of the San Bernardo Hill. The Archaeology Museum, the Güemes Museum and the 9 de Julio Square are the city’s must-sees.
4. Yacochuya
Located only 8 kilometres away from Cafayate, Yacochuya is 2,035 metres above sea level. It is an exceptional and unique corner of one of the highest wine regions in the world. The Etchart family has been in the wine business since 1850 and nowadays the winery, with a production capacity of 90 thousand litres, uses the latest of modern technology.
What to do in Cafayate Argentina in one day?
- Cafayate Central Square
- Museum of Vine and Wine
- Parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
- Cafayate Municipal Handicrafts Market
- Bodega Nanni
- Quebrada de las Conchas
What to do in Cafayate Argentina in two days?
Day 1:
- Cafayate Central Square
- Museum of Vine and Wine
- Parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
- Cafayate Municipal Handicrafts Market
- Bodega Nanni
Day 2:
- Quebrada de las Conchas
- Amphitheatre
- Bodega Vasija Secreta
- San Carlos
How to get to Cafayate Argentina?
The closest airport to Cafayate is General Martin Miguel de Güemes International Airport in Salta City. One of the best ways to get there is to rent a car from the city of Salta. To get to Cafayate from Salta you have to drive 183 km along Route 68.
You can also get a Flechabus, a bus that travels from Salta to Cafayate approximately 12 times a day, which takes around 3hours 45min.
Where to eat in Cafayate Argentina?
- Aires Caseros is an Argentinian cuisine restaurant with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. With a price range of 30-50€, this restaurant has great customer service and top quality products.
- Jose Balcarce is a fusion restaurant serving traditional Argentinean cuisine, with prices ranging between 9€ – 17€. It also has vegetarian and vegan options.
- La Casona del Molino is a Latin and Argentinian cuisine restaurant that offers a unique atmosphere. It has a pleasant terrace and a price range of 30-50 €.
Where to stay in Cafayate Argentina?
- Altalaluna Hotel Boutique & Spa is a 4-star hotel in an exclusive colonial-style mansion. This hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with magnificent panoramic views as well as a restaurant serving regional recipes. Located 14 km from Cafayate and 25 km from the ancient ruins of Quilmes, it is surrounded by a unique natural environment. The price range is around 140€ per night for two people.
- Grace Cafayate is a 4-star hotel in Cafayate, surrounded by beautiful vineyards with panoramic views of the Andes. Grace Cafayate features a spa, a gourmet à la carte restaurant and wine bar, a poolside bar and also a garden. The property is 2.7 km from Cafayate’s vineyards and prices start from €160 per night for two people.
- Villa Vicuña Wine & Boutique Hotel is also a 4-star hotel with typical rustic Argentinean décor. It is just 200 metres from the Museo de la Vid y el Vino de Cafayate. Set around a cobbled courtyard, this hotel has spacious, well-equipped rooms at 100€ per night for two people.
- CALCHAQUÍ 5 is a 3-star accommodation located 600 metres from Bodega Nanni Winery. This flat has 2 bedrooms, a terrace, a seating area and a bathroom. The price per night is around 80€ for the whole flat.
Tips for your trip to Cafayate Argentina
- During the months of March to September, dress warmly at night, as temperatures drop considerably.
- June and July are the coldest months of the year with an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.
- Travel insurance is recommended.
- Book excursions through travel agencies or accommodations, and rent cars that are licensed and authorised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
- The heaviest rainfall of the year is between December and February.
How to organise your trip to Cafayate Argentina?
Register or download the App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cafayate
The closest airport to Cafayate is General Martin Miguel de Güemes International Airport in Salta City. One of the best ways to get there is to rent a car in the city of Salta.
In Cafayate the wineries and landscapes are some of the most iconic places, that is why it is best to move around by car to be able to visit each of the city’s points of interest freely.
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