Top 10 things to do in Salta

Top 10 things to do in Salta

Argentina’s most ‘Andean’ of cities, Salta is the gateway to the northwest of this amazing country.

The city itself is a bustling hub full of commerce and history, surrounded by mighty Andean peaks, arid puna and crazy, coloured rock formations.

Here are 10 great things to do in Salta, in no particular order.

1 – Casa Moderna

Located at Espana 674, just off the main Plaza 9 de Junio, old Salta meets new Salta in this bodega/deli/bar.

An enormous room filled to the brim with wines, cheeses and delicacies from around the world, it’s also a great place to try the famous empanadas of Salta.

Service can be slow, but it’s worth it, as you step back in time.

2 – Maam museum

There are a lot of museums in Salta, but this is probably the best.

Trace the history of the region through its artifacts, including pottery, silver and the famous child mummies, offerings to the Gods.

Open: Tues-Sun, 11.00-19.30.

http://www.maam.gob.ar/

3 – Mercado San Miguel

At Av. San Martín 678, this is a sprawling, bustling indoor market.

Get everything from fruit and veg to a motorbike, plus some of the best meat in town for your parilla (BBQ).

Stocks mainly local goods for local people rather than souvenirs, (see below), and well worth an hour.

4 – Artisanal market

A lovely place to shop, stroll and browse artisanal products of Argentina.

Salta retains much of its indigenous roots and can feel ‘different’ and more Andean than the much more ‘European’ cities of Argentina.

Come here, to San Martín 2555, to shop and pick up some Andean products to take home.

5 – Train of the clouds (tren a las nubes)

Travel through the clouds and over high viaducts through spectacular scenery on one of the best train journeys in the world.

You get driven out to the journey’s start at Viaducto La Polvorilla (4,220m) and wind you way back, slowly, to Salta (1,187m).

Tuesdays and Saturdays

Train of the clouds

6 – Teleferico San Bernardo

For views over the city and beyond, take the Teleferico San Bernardo.

It’s about USD 6pp up and down, and on clear days you can see for many miles and have a beautiful panorama to enjoy.

From 10.00-19.00

http://www.telefericosanbernardo.com/

7 – Fili ice-creams

1920s beautiful building and best place to try Argentina’s famous dulce de luche ice cream.

Dulce de leche is made with sugar and condensed milk, so it’s for the very sweet-toothed, although this lovely ice-cream parlour features up to 20 different flavours, so most can find something they like.

Fili, Gral. Guemes 297, 4400 Salta

8 – La Casona del Molino

More food, more empandas and live music to boot.

Frequented by locals and tourists, it’s well worth a visit at nighttime as the guitars come out.

Luis Burela 1, Salta, Argentina

https://www.facebook.com/lacasonadelmolino/

9 – Quebrada San Lorenzo

Just 15 minutes out of Salta is a verdant and lush sub-tropical climate waiting for you to trek, bike or horse ride through. (Or quad bike, or spa etc etc).

Take the San Lorenzo bus from Salta city centre to the last stop at San Lorenzo car park, or drive, and hike by yourselves or go on an organised tour.

A great way to see the countryside, just minutes from the centre.

San Lorenzo

10 – Guemes monument and Convent of the Carmelitas

Two great places to visit, just outside the main plaza, and within 100m of each other.

The Guemes monument, at the foot of Cerro San Bernardo, towers at 25m and was built to commemorate one of Argentina’s most important independence and civil war military figures.

If you walk 100m from the monument, down Caseros and towards the 9 de Julio Plaza, you will come across the Convent de las Carmelitas.

Open for visits Mon-Sat, 0900-noon and 16.00-18.00, this convent is one of the city’s oldest buildings and has a beautiful wooden entrance.

Contact us for more.