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Found in Northwestern Argentina is both the City and province of Salta. It is one of the most beautiful and unique parts of Argentina. Here you’ll find the 7 Colored Mountain, Salt Flats, and the Train in the Clouds. All of these things and more make Salta worth visiting.
There are so many things to consider when deciding to visit Salta. Many people go to the city of Salta and make it their starting spot for the rest of their journey to the province. I’m sure when you visit you’ll see why it is nicknamed Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful).
All The Reasons to Visit Salta: The City & Province
Incredible Excursions
There are two great ways to explore Salta and its surrounding areas. Of course, you will want to see everything that Salta has to offer, especially the unique landscapes. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility when visiting Salta. Making the city your base point and taking excursions around so you don’t have to drive is a great reason why Salta is worth visiting.
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Argentina!
Purmamarca & The Salinas Grandes Salt Flats
One of the most popular things to see in Salta is Purmamarca and the Salinas Grandes. Jujuy is a tiny province that shares a northern border with Salta. There you’ll spend the day in the town of Purmamarca.
This town is so gorgeous and really close to the Salt Flats. They are similar to the Bolivian Salt Flats but slightly smaller. In Purmamarca there is a permanent artisan market in the main square. There you’ll be surrounded by the beautiful rainbow mountains.
This is a great day trip from Salta City. You split your time exploring Purmamarca and then touring the Salt Flats. This tour here will take you around to both of these places so you don’t need to rent a car.
Cafayate & The Quebrada de las Conchas
Cafayate is three hours south of the city of Salta. It is an excellent place to go for wine tastings. A great way to enjoy the local Malbec. Winery tours are not the only things to see in Cafayate. Grown at high altitudes, Salta’s signature varietal is Torrontés, a refreshing white wine.
The Quebrada de las Conchas are some of the most striking natural attractions in Argentina. These gorgeous and colorful rock formations will simply take your breath away. If you are an avid hiker or want to see the Quebrada de las Conchas up close this is an amazing hiking tour. It takes about half a day. If hiking isn’t your speed this air-conditioned tour will take you to some of the most breathtaking views. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Cachi & the Cuesta del Obispo
Heading west from Salta is Cachi. This is one of the most beautiful towns in all of Salta- some say Argentina. This colonial town is about three hours from the city of Salta. Luckily for us, the drive is just as beautiful as the destination!
The drive from Salta to Cachi weaves along Ruta 33. Along the way, you’ll see Escoipe Gorge and Cuesta del Obispo. This is one of the most popular scenic drives in Argentina. After Cuesta del Obispo you’ll drive through Recta Tin Tin and onto Los Cardones National Park.
If this doing the drive yourself with all the switchbacks isn’t your speed then I’d highly suggest looking into a day trip to Cachi.
Don’t feel like planning your own trip? Here is a fully planned 6-day trip to Salta
Ride the Tren de las Nubes
I will start by saying this is by far the most popular excursion in Salta. It is definitely one of the most famous things about Salta. A long day trip can include riding the Tren De Las Nubes also known as The Train in the Clouds.
It is important to know that going on the Tren de las Nubes makes it through the clouds because it is at high elevation. It may cause altitude sickness if you are not used to it.
To get to the train ride you start with a long bus ride to San Antonio de los Cobres then you will transfer to the train. The bus ride has scheduled photo stops along the way, therefore, you will spend a long time on the bus.
Once aboard the train, it will take about an hour to reach Viaducto La Polvorilla. This is the iconic viaduct and massive bridge that comes to mind when you think of El Tren De Las Nubes. The views are incredibly beautiful, additionally, you’ll get to see an area that is hard to see any other way.
Visit Many Museums
Museo Arqueológico de Alta Montaña (MAAM)– Mitre 77, Salta – Tel: +54 (387) 437 0499
The main claim to fame of this museum is the three mummified corpses of children. It is estimated that the children lived 500 years ago when Salta was occupied by the Incas. The corpses were discovered in March 1999 at the summit of Llullaillaco Volcano and are permanently displayed together with their possessions. This showcases the child sacrifices that occurred at that time. The museum is well worth the visit especially to gain an understanding of the culture before heading out to the smaller towns within the province.
Museo Historico del Norte, Caseros 549, Plaza 9 de Julio – Tel: +54 (387) 421-5340
Housed inside the oldest and best-preserved town hall (or cabildo) you’ll find the Museo Historico del Norte. The artifacts provide a fascinating and thorough input into the cultural influences that have shaped Salta’s character.
Museo Historico Jose Evaristo Uriburu, Caseros 179, Salta – Tel: +54 (387)421-5340
To learn more about Argentina’s political life and discover more about the colonial Spanish way of life, head over to this museum. You’ll get an insight into Uriburu Family life. Two prominent presidents and generals of Argentine history. You’ll find furniture and costumes of their daily life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Museo Provincial de Bella Artes- La Florida 20, Salta – Tel: 0387-4214714
This new museum houses a wide variety of contemporary, baroque, Latin America, Potosi, and Cuzquena 18th-century art. There are also pieces depicting 19th-century daily life. These are collected works from numerous artists. Just one of the many museums that make Salta worth visiting.
Tasty Local Foods
I am very partial to Argentine Cuisine, it is what I grew up eating. Each region of Argentina has its own unique flair and twist on the traditional cuisine. You’ll find lots of local game, herbs, and traditions used for the regional cuisines.
The northern Andean region has a unique food culture that truly rivals that of Buenos Aires. Therefore you cannot leave Salta without trying some of the food. A must have is empanadas salteñas, locro, tamales, and humitas. Locro is a hearty corn and meat stew. Humita is a corn mixture. You can even find empanadas that are filled with humitas.
Another thing to note is that you can find a variety of different types of game to try in Salta as well. You may find beef, lamb, goat, pork, chicken, and hen. Less commonly, but still there you may find llama and alpaca. Those two are far more popular in the smaller towns and communities throughout the province.
Explore the City of Salta
The capital city of Salta within the province of Salta (confusing right?) has so much to offer! If you don’t feel up to exploring the area you can see so much within the city which makes it another great reason why it’s worth it to visit Salta.
Luckily the city is on the smaller side which means that it is super walkable. Additionally, most of the attractions can be found around Plaza 9 de Julio, the city square. Since it is a smaller city you can absolutely visit and see everything in one day. However, I would argue that by going so quickly you don’t get to enjoy everything as much. I think 2-3 days allows you to slow down and enjoy the city.
Cabildo
Other than hitting up the many museums, one of the best and oldest buildings in Argentina is the Cabildo. This is the original city hall for Salta. Inside you’ll find another museum with plenty of historical artifacts. The architecture is impressive as well. Inside there are beautiful patios with overflowing flowers.
Cathedral of Salta
Continuing your adventure in Plaza 9 de Julio, you’ll find the Cathedral of Salta. This church has been standing impressively here since the 16th century. The Cathedral offers free guided tours although they are exclusively in Spanish. You can still enjoy the Cathedral without the tour. The tours are only held in the afternoons on certain days (these days change so confirm before going).
Iglesia San Francisco
The most iconic church in all of Salta. This is the church you see on all the brochures of the area. It is impossible not to stop by and stare at the stunning church.
Visit a Peña Folklorica
One of our favorite things to do when we visit new places is seeing the local and traditional dances and foods. We enjoy going to a show and dancing. The traditional dance in Salta is Peñas. Stay up like a local and enjoy lots of dancing, music, and nonstop food! It will be completely different from the tango in Buenos Aires.
To find some of the best Peñas head over to Balcarce Street. It is about two blocks between Alsina and Ameghino. This is the heart of the Peña nightlife. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. This unique, traditional dance makes Salta worth visiting.
Some of the best ones to check out are La Vieja Estacion, Los Cardones, and Nora Julia.
La Casona del Molino
This is the best Peña in town. Now it is not structured in the typical show and dance situation. To get that you should stick to Balcarce. Here the musicians sing and jam late into the night and the locals who know the songs join in. The musicians are sitting at tables in each room and on the patio. It is SO popular that you need a reservation or you might not get lucky enough to stay.
Explore the Yungas
Salta isn’t only food, small cities, and the Andes Mountains, but there is also the jungle called Yungas. Yungas make Salta worth visiting for all adrenaline junkies. This Andean forest allows people to go mountain biking, ride 4x4s, or go for a hike.
This transitional forest is home to over 200 birds and over 80 different mammals. To continue preserving this important ecosystem the locals have developed many sustainable farming methods in the area. These communities extend to traditional handicrafts, hunting, and even lumber extracting.
Head for the Colorful Mountains
One of the most distinctive features of Salta is its other-worldly landscapes. The most impressive being the multi-colored mountains. The most famous is the 7-colored Mountain in Quedrada de Humanhuaca.
Head Up to Cerro San Bernardo
San Bernardo Funicular is located about 1 km from the Plaza 9 de Julio. You can take the funicular or walk up the steps to the top of the Cerro. We took the funicular up to the top and then walked down the step. It took about 30 minutes to walk down the stairs.
The views at the top of San Bernardo are incredible for another reason why Salta. If you time your visit for sunset you can see the whole area in that beautiful golden hour! Additionally, at the top, there is a cafe, a market, restrooms, and even a playground.
Hike to Gargantia Del Diablo
Obviously visiting Humanhuaca is a big reason why Salta is worth visiting. One of the coolest and slightly less touristy things to do here is to hike up to Garganta del Diablo. While many people may take on this hike from Humahuaca, if you can make it to Tilcara you’ll have an even more authentic time.
Either way, the waterfall is absolutely breathtaking. Garganta Del Diablo or “the Devil’s Throat” along with the famous pre-Inca ruins of Pucara de Tilcara is worth a visit. Hiking from the center of town which is about 15 minutes from the ruins gives you plenty of stops for photos.
Enjoy Outdoor Sports
There are so many outdoor activities to do throughout Salta. Given how many different ecosystems and landscapes you can find in Salta, you can expect to get lots of outdoor time. One of the most popular excursions is to go fly fishing. The rivers at the bottom of the mountains offer great options for Golden Dorado fishing. Along the trek, you may encounter lots of other animals.
Hiking is also popular in this area. Since you’ll be in the mountains and near waterfalls, Salta is perfect for hikers of all levels. Salta is an excellent place that is worth visiting for all hikers. If you are into horseback riding (like the gauchos) there are many horseback riding tours and opportunities throughout Salta.
Marvel at the Quebrada de Humahuaca
Going on a road trip along the Quebrada de Humanhuaca is one of the coolest things to do in Salta. The landscape is truly one of the most unique in the world, you’ll also see lovely villages and breathtaking views. Of course, the most popular place to visit in Humahuaca is Purmamarca. This town is at the foothills of Cierro los Siete Colores. Another great town is Maimara which is at the foothills of La Paleta del Pintor.
Finally, the must-visit town is Tilcara. It is famous for its Pucara, a former Inca settlement. During the carnival at Tilcara, you’ll experience such a fun party throughout the whole town. Make sure you participate! Humahuaca is the largest town in the area. Give yourself at least 2-3 days to fully explore all the different towns in the area as well as enough time to enjoy the beautiful colorful mountains.
FAQs: Visiting Salta
How To Get From Buenos Aires to Salta?
There are several ways to get from Buenos Aires to Salta. The fastest and most common way would be to fly from Buenos Aires to Salta. It is about a 3-hour flight. There are also two buses that will take you to Salta, but they are each over 20 hours. Finally, you could drive to Salta, but it would take about 15 hours. So I would not recommend driving.
How to Get Around Salta?
To get around the city of Salta, you can walk nearly the whole city super easily. Now to go through the province you will need to either purchase tour bus tickets for each excursion or you will need to rent a car. The roads in this area can be a little rough however since it isn’t Buenos Aires the driving is far less aggressive which makes it easier to drive.
Where To Base Yourself in Salta?
My recommendation would be to base yourself out of the city of Salta. This is the capital of the province and where you’ll find the most hotels.
How Long to Visit For?
There are so many wonderful things to do in Salta. It truly depends on if you’re planning to stay in the capital city or travel throughout the province. If you are traveling around I would recommend a minimum of 6-7 days. This gives you plenty of time to explore the city and head to all the top excursions. Check out our 2 week itinerary in Argentina to get a good picture of how long to visit.
When to visit Salta?
Salta can get REALLY hot in summer and fairly cold in winter. The best time would be late spring or early fall. This gives you great weather to enjoy the great outdoors of Salta, avoid rain, and get to see everything you want.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Salta
Salta is such a unique place to visit. Between the colorful mountains and the cool salt flats, there is truly so much to do! Additionally, there is so much history and unique culture to experience in Salta. All these things truly make Salta in Argentina worth visiting. There is no other place in the world that is like Salta.
