The capital of the province of the same name, Mendoza is one of the main tourist destinations in Argentina. Whether it’s the capital itself, or the many things to do around Mendoza, it’s a destination well worth visiting.
It is a very dynamic city, offering a wide variety of landscapes and a great wine tradition. Mendoza is also the perfect starting point to discover the province’s important natural attractions.
Must-see places in Mendoza
1. Plaza Independencia
The central point of the city of Mendoza is the Plaza Independencia, which has games for children, lots of trees and an artisans’ fair that operates on weekends. It also has a coat of arms with the Mendoza sign that is illuminated at night.
The Paseo Sarmiento starts from the Plaza Independencia, a three-block pedestrian street with a large number of shops and restaurants with terraces for dining or having a drink in the open air.
2. General San Martín Park
The General San Martin Park is the oldest of the city, at 123 years old. It also acts as Mendoza’s main green lung. It is 307 hectares designed by the French landscape architect Carlos Thays, with beautiful gates, monuments and gardens for you to spend the day.
The park is also home to some of the city’s iconic buildings, such as the Frank Romero Day Greek Theatre, where the National Grape Harvest Festival is held, as well as the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium and the National University of Cuyo, among others.
3. Cerro de la Gloria
One of the essential things to do in Mendoza is to climb the Cerro de la Gloria. Located behind the San Martin Park, the hill can be accessed either by car on a paved road, by bike or on foot through the trails.
At the top of the hill there is a parador, a car park and the impressive National Monument to the Army of the Andes. It is a symbol of Mendoza City dedicated to the liberation of the people carried out by General San Martin. Besides admiring the great monument, the Cerro de la Gloria has spectacular views of San Martin Park and the city of Mendoza.
4. Plaza Pedro del Castillo
In the historical area, the Pedro del Castillo Square is the oldest square in the city and the place where Mendoza was founded. In the central part of the square the monument to Pedro del Castillo stands, the founder of the city.
Next to the square is the museum of the Foundational Area, a centre that tells the story of the founding of the city in 1561. Through objects, artefacts, photographs and models, it tells the evolution of Mendoza’s capital through the centuries, especially before and after the earthquake of 1861.
5. Civic Park
Surrounded by public and government buildings such as the Palace of Justice and the Government House of Mendoza, the Civic Park occupies a block with a large fountain in the centre.
In the Civic Park there is the Andes Army Flag Memorial, an underground room with free access that exhibits the remains of the original flag of the liberating army and clothing used by the troops. You can’t take pictures inside.
6. Inca Bridge
Puente del Inca is a unique place and UNESCO a World Heritage Site. The Monument consists of a Natural Bridge over the Cuevas River at an altitude of 2,700 metres. Located in the northwest of the province, this bridge is suspended 27 metres above the river. In winter, ice stalactites hang from it. It also has a curious shape and a wide range of colours that vary between shades of orange, yellow and ochre.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do in Mendoza and surroundings?
1. Cacheuta Hot Springs
There are thermal springs all over the province. One of the most important and oldest is Hotel & Spa Termas Cacheuta, 164 kilometres away from Mendoza City and very close to the Potrerillos Dam. In the middle of a mountainous environment, the complex has pools that range between 35°C and 50°C. The waters come from snowmelt; they infiltrate at great depths and then collide with the granite rock of Cacheuta to return to the surface.
2. Bodega Chandon
South of Mendoza city there are many wineries to visit, with wine tastings and the possibility to buy. The Chandon Winery is located in the town of Agrelo and also has a guided tour including tasting some of the varieties of sparkling wines.
During the tour you can visit the vineyards, the factory and the cellar. They also tell you the story of how sparkling wine was invented and the complex production process, according to the traditional method.
3. Bodega Salentein
Bodega Salentein is one of the stars of the Uco Valley. In fact, it was one of the first wineries to open in this area of Mendoza, which has grown a lot in recent years. It produces 2 million litres of high quality wine per year and offers different tours to visit its winery and have lunch at the Espacio Killka restaurant.
What to do in Mendoza in two days?
Day 1:
- Plaza Independencia
- General San Martín Park
- Cerro de la Gloria
- Plaza Pedro del Castillo
- Civic Park
Day 2:
- Cacheuta Hot Springs
- Inca Bridge
What to do in Mendoza in three days?
During your third day in the city, we recommend making one of the most typical excursions of the area, a visit to one of its wineries. Here are some of the most popular options for you to choose your favourite:
- Bodega Chandon
- Bodega Salentein
Where to eat in Mendoza?
- Bodega Lagarde is a restaurant and wine bar that serves Argentinian and Italian cuisine. This restaurant also has a unique setting, surrounded by the winery’s own vines where some of the tables are located. With a price range of 26 € – 52 €, Bodega Lagarde also serves vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Casa El Enemigo is an Argentinean restaurant, also located among vineyards and grapevines. This restaurant has fantastic customer service and offers vegetarian options and an excellent and wide range of wines. It has a price range of 40-50€.
- Restaurante Bodega Renacer is a wine bar serving traditional Argentinean cuisine and recipes. With a price range of 31 € – 39 €, this establishment serves high quality products accompanied by beautiful scenery.
- Azafrán is a wine bar restaurant serving Latin and Argentinian food with a price range of 26 € – 60 €. This restaurant offers a wide range of wines as well as vegetarian options.
Where to stay in Mendoza?
- Estancia Mendoza is a hotel-winery located in the town of Vista Flores and offers a stay with 8 large rooms. Surrounded by a natural environment, in the accommodation you can taste some of the winery’s best labels and it also has a restaurant. The price per night is around 250€ for two people.
- Guest House Entre Vinedos is located 2.2 km from Carmine Granata Winery and offers accommodation in a private estate in Chacras de Coria. Free WiFi and private parking are available on site.
- Club Tapiz is located in Chacras de Coira on the outskirts of the city. This hotel is in a Renaissance villa from the 1890s, surrounded by 4 hectares of vineyards and olive groves. For a price of €150 per night for two people, Club Tapiz serves fresh, home-grown organic produce.
- Located in the heart of the capital, the NH Mendoza Cordillera is a four-star hotel with a price of 92€ per night for two people. This hotel is located just 100 metres from Independencia Square. In addition to its spacious and well-equipped rooms, the hotel features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
How to organise what to see in Mendoza Argentina?
Sign up 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 Mendoza Travel
As one of the most important cities in the country, Mendoza has many local and international connections with Chile. There are frequent buses to different destinations and direct flights from Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima and other cities in Argentina.
Mendoza is a city that is easy to get around on foot. However, taxis and buses are also available, as well as the option of renting a private car to get around the city more easily.
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