The colorful landscapes between valleys and ravines, the small towns lost in the mountains, the folklore and the typical flavors make
Salta
the great jewel of northern Argentina.
Its natural charm, the friendliness of the locals and its strong ancestral imprint crowned this province as “
the pretty one
.”
The possibilities in Salta seem to be endless.
There are alternatives for all types of travelers.
Below,
7 must-sees
, between classics and others not so much, for a trip between empanadas, wines, music and unbeatable postcards.
1. Historical tour
Located 1,100 meters above sea level, the capital of the province was founded in 1582 and still preserves the
colonial style.
In a short walk through the center, bordering the Plaza 9 de Julio, you can see some of its
most emblematic buildings
: Cathedral Basilica of Salta, the Cabildo (current Northern Historical Museum) and the Convent of San Bernardo.
The San Francisco Church, National Historical Monument.
Photo EFE / Cezaro de Luca.
A must-see is the
Minor Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
, which was declared a National Historical Monument for its imposing architectural beauty.
Another obligatory stop for those visiting the area is the
Museum of High Mountain Archeology
(MAAM).
Among its collection, the Llullaillaco children stand out, three
mummies
that are surprising for their great state of conservation, and that were found in 1996 near the top of the Llullaillaco volcano, at more than 6,700 meters of altitude.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last entry is at 6:30 p.m.
2. Cerro San Bernardo
The
best views
of the city are at the top of this hill.
It has a height of 1,471 meters above sea level and rises 284 meters above the city.
Cable car ascent to Cerro San Bernardo.
The alternatives to climb are several.
For those who like to exercise, there is a
staircase
that starts from the Güemes monument.
There is also a path to ascend by
vehicle
.
But the most popular option is the
cable car
.
A little more than a kilometer from the main square, in San Martín Park, is the initial station.
It offers an unmissable view of the entire city.
At the top, in addition to viewpoints, there is also a confectionery.
3. Balcarce Walk
Balcarce Street, from Belgrano Avenue to the old train station, becomes pedestrian every night and attracts numerous visitors who want to experience a night of pure
folklore
and typical flavors.
The restaurants and bars stand out for the
live
music and dance shows they offer.
See this post on Instagram
A shared post from La Vieja Estación |
Peña (@laviejaestacionensalta)
The menu has options for all tastes, but it is recommended to try
regional dishes
such as empanadas, humitas, tamales, among others.
On the other hand, another of the most popular clubs in the city is
La Casona del Molino
, but it is not located in this sector.
It is in another area of the city, at Luis Burela 1, and reservations are recommended.
4. Wine route
The highest
wine route in the world
is located in the Calchaquíes Valleys.
Through National Route N°68 and the famous National Route N°40 you can taste the different varieties offered by Salta wineries.
The emblematic strain of the region?
Torrontés
, but there is also Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat, Bonarda, Syrah, Barbera and Tempranillo.
Piattelli Winery, in Cafayate.
Photo Piattelli Wine Resort.
Some of the towns that are crossed by this production are: Molinos, San Carlos, Seclantás and Cachi.
Cafayate
also stands out,
where the Vine and Wine Museum and the renowned Piattelli winery are located.
In addition to this product, the region offers amazing landscapes such as the Quebrada de las Flechas and the Quebrada de las Conchas.
5. Cachi
As mentioned above, it is part of the Wine Route and many tourists choose this town to stay a few nights or at least
go for the day
.
This is Cachi: cobblestone streets and white houses.
Located 163 km from the capital of the province, this town has a
special charm
.
It is on the banks of the Calchaquí River and just over 2,400 meters above sea level.
With the cobblestone streets and the white houses with stone bases and adobe walls, they form the
typical postcard
.
Around the main square, there is the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum and a 19th century neo-Gothic church, which is a National Historical Monument.
Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum.
Nevado
de Cachi
, the highest mountain in the region (6,380 meters), attracts hundreds of mountaineering fans.
Before reaching this small town, tourists traveling from the city of Salta must stop at the
Los Cardones National Park
.
The route winds between amancay flowers and cardones.
There are specimens between 250 and 300 years old.
6. Iruya
It is a small town that hangs from the mountain, at 2,780 meters high.
A place for adventurers looking to get off the massive tourist trails.
Iruya is nestled in the mountains, isolated from large cities.
Photo Shutterstock.
There are two classic mountain hikes among visitors.
One is towards the
Mirador de la Cruz
and the other, towards the
Mirador del Cóndor
.
They are on opposite sides of the town and offer amazing panoramic views.
For those who are not just passing through this town, a visit to
San Isidro
, a small town 8 km further up the mountain, is unmissable.
In the rainy season (December to March) it can only be accessed on foot or on horseback.
The excursion is full day.
Important
: Iruya belongs to the province of Salta, but access is through Jujuy.
7. Train to the Clouds
A classic of destiny.
It is the third
highest train in the world
.
During the route, 4,200 meters of altitude are reached.
The train route reaches 4,200 meters above sea level.
Photo Min. of Culture of Salta.
The train departs from
San Antonio de los Cobres
to the La Polvorilla Viaduct, but the ticket includes transportation to and from the city of Salta.
Some of the
attractions
on the itinerary are: San Antonio de los Cobres craft market, Andean Regional Museum of San Antonio de los Cobres, the church of San Antonio de Padua and the llamas of Paseo Anatolio, among others.
It is necessary to buy tickets in
advance
(trenalasnubes.com.ar).