Capital of the province of the same name, Salta is one of the most peaceful and beautiful cities in Argentina. The city is 1187 metres above sea level in the Lerma Valley, at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo. The province is known for its beautiful landscapes, as well as the lively streets of the capital, its good atmosphere, bars and restaurants. Discover all the things to do in Salta and its surroundings, and fall in love with the landscapes and corners of the Northwest of Argentina.
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Things to do in the city of Salta Argentina
1. Museum of High Mountain Archaeology
The main function of the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology is to safeguard the archaeological find called Los Niños del Llullaillaco (The Children of Llullaillaco). To safeguard this legacy, the museum has a state-of-the-art cryopreservation system, which also facilitates its study and dissemination. Through the heritage it preserves, it aims to protect ancestral culture, reinforcing the identity of the native peoples.
- Its opening times are from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 19:00. The entrance fee is $400 for general admission, $300 for nationals/Argentinians and $150 for retirees, students and children under 12 years old.
2. Plaza 9 de julio
It is Salta’s main square, named in commemoration of Argentina’s Independence Day, and is where the city was founded. The most beautiful thing about this square is that it is very well preserved and retains its colonial style.
In the area surrounding this square you will see the city’s most important colonial buildings, such as the Cabildo, the Cathedral and the MAAM. Of course, there are also nice places to eat or have an ice cream, and more than 250 trees that provide a comforting shade on the hottest days.
3. Güemes Museum
The house has ten rooms covering the milestones of General Martín Miguel de Güemes’ life and the wars for independence. In the rooms, patios and galleries, the public can go back to the first years of Güemes’ life, meet his relatives, admire the remarkable performance of the then young Martín Miguel in the defence against the English invasions, the gaucho war, his work as governor of Salta and the ambush that ended his life, among other historical events.
- It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00.
4. The Train to the Clouds
This vertiginous feat of engineering leaves from Salta and after travelling 216 kilometres, passing over more than sixty bridges, tunnels, viaducts, curves and zigzags, it reaches its goal near the Chilean border at the monumental Viaducto de la Polvorilla, which reaches a height of 64 metres. The legendary railway, a landmark of Argentinean tourism, starts its journey at an altitude of 1,200 metres, reaching over 4,500 metres in some sections without the aid of racks, with the only traction being the locomotive. It departs from Salta on Thursdays and Saturdays from April to November.
- The fare for the Train to the Clouds depends on the date and can be viewed at the time of booking. Customer sales hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
5. The Cathedral Basilica of Salta
The Cathedral Basilica of Salta is the Sanctuary of the Lord and the Virgin of the Miracle. It has colonial architecture with its characteristic pink and cream façade.
The building we see now is from the 19th century, and was built on top of the previous one that was destroyed in an earthquake. It has been declared a National Historic Monument and is a must-see even if you are not religious.
6. The Salta Cable Car
Another must-see in Salta is the cable car that takes you to the top of the San Bernardo hill, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the city of Salta.
In addition, in the area of the cable car complex, you can do different activities or simply rest on a bench and admire the lush vegetation. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
- Its opening times are from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00.
7. Salta Crafts Market
This was the first handicraft market in Argentina, and has been in operation since 1968 in an old colonial mansion, built in the middle of the 18th century. In the market you can find a rich variety of craft products such as basketry, weavings, pottery, fine silver, wrought iron and leather works, musical instruments, the finest quality foodstuffs and typical wines of the region.
- The opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 21.30 and admission is free.
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 the province of Salta Argentina?
1. The Devil’s Desert
From San Antonio de los Cobres to Tolar Grande, the road borders the Salar del Diablo for 1.3 km and ends after the “Siete Curvas” in the Desierto del Diablo (Devil’s Desert). It is an area that stands out for its endless reddish sedimentary formations that create an incredible landscape.
2. Quebrada de las Conchas
It is located within the Calchaquí Valleys, very close to the locality of Cafayate. It is 90 kilometres southwest of the City of Salta, and includes part of the Departments of La Viña, Guachipas and Cafayate. The colourful landscape of its mountains makes this place a favourites among tourists.
3. Quebrada de las Flechas
One of the most marvellous and beautiful landscapes in the Calchaquí Valleys is found on the National Route Nº 40, starting at Angastaco and ending at approximately the 4,380th kilometre of the same 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, then rise, and their ends to point to the sky. Later, wind erosion sharpened them, giving them the appearance they have today, resembling blades or arrowheads side by side.
What to do in Salta in 2 days?
Day 1:
- Museum of High Mountain Archaeology
- Plaza 9 de julio
- Güemes Museum
- The Train to the Clouds
- The Cathedral Basilica of Salta
- Salta Cable Car
- Craft Market of Salta
Day 2:
- Quebrada de las Conchas
- Quebrada de las Flechas
What to do in Salta in 3 days?
On your third day in Salta, don’t miss the Desierto del Diablo, a breathtaking landscape in the northwest of the country, made up of a myriad of reddish sedimentary formations that create an incredible sight.
How to get to Salta Argentina?
One of the fastest and most common ways to get to Salta is by plane, at the Martin Miguel de Güemes International Airport, located 9 kilometres from the city centre. There are frequent flights to the main Argentinean cities as well as to international destinations. There are also numerous bus companies that go to Salta. The trip from Buenos Aires takes approximately 20 hours.
You can also get there by private or rented car. If you are travelling from Buenos Aires, there are two options: Route 9, which leaves from the Panamericana and continues along this route to Tucumán. Then you have to go in the direction of Rosario de la Frontera, Metán and finally Salta. It is approximately 1800 kilometres. Alternatively, take Route 34, which leaves from Buenos Aires, passing through Rosario, Rafaela, Fernández, La Banda, Tucumán and finally, Salta. This option is a little shorter than the previous one, as it covers approximately 1650 kilometres.
Where to eat in Salta Argentina?
Argentine cuisine in general has incredible strong flavours. But if you travel to Salta, you can’t miss the famous empanadas salteñas, as it is said that empanadas from the northwest of Argentina are truly special. You should also try recipes such as humita, locro and tamales. The original ingredients such as llama meat or quinoa have been re-popularised and are part of the menu of many restaurants.
- Aires Caseros is an Argentinian cuisine restaurant with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. With a price range of €30-50, this restaurant enjoys great customer service and top quality products.
- Jose Balcarce is a fusion restaurant serving traditional Argentinian cuisine with prices ranging from €9 – €17. It also has vegetarian and vegan options.
- La Casona del Molino is a Latin and Argentinian cuisine restaurant that provides a unique atmosphere. It has a lovely terrace and prices ranging from €30-€50.
Where to stay in Salta Argentina?
In Salta, the best area to stay is the historic centre, which is where you will find the best hotels in the city and the best atmosphere to enjoy a sightseeing tour. In the centre you will find the historical, financial and commercial part of the city.
- Alejandro 1º Hotel is a five-star hotel in a huge building overlooking Belgrano Square. The hotel has a restaurant, wine cellar and a piano bar where cocktails are served. It is 300 metres from Salta’s central square and costs around €100 per night for two people.
- Villa Vicuña Hotel Boutique is a beautiful hotel located 250 metres from the city’s cathedral and the historic centre. It has an outdoor swimming pool as well as beautiful outdoor facilities to enjoy the surroundings. It is the ideal hotel for couples and prices start from around €90 per night for two people.
- Sheraton Salta Hotel is a five-star hotel with panoramic views of the Lerma Valley, located in the Monumento district, 10 blocks from centre. It has spacious rooms, a heated swimming pool and a restaurant. The price per night is around €110 for two people.
Tips for your trip to Salta Argentina
- During the months of March to September, you must 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 accommodation, and rent cars that are licensed and authorised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
How to organise what to see in Salta Argentina?
Sign up or download the app to discover all of 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 Salta
Salta can be reached by plane or bus from cities such as Jujuy, Tucumán, Córdoba, Buenos Aires. You can also rent a car in the main cities of Argentina, or go to Salta in your own car.
You can get around Salta by public transport, as local bus services are frequent and efficient, as well as by taxi or private car. Salta’s roads are well paved and there are few traffic problems.
The best months to enjoy good weather in Salta are March, April, May, June, August, September, October and November.
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