Salta - Tourism Capital of Northern Argentina
Fine Spanish Colonial Architecture & the Gateway to Andean Culture
Oct 21, 2008
Salta is known as Salta La Linda (the Fair) for its well preserved architecture and beautiful setting in La Lerma valley. This atmospheric city has great tourist facilities including good quality restaurants and artesan craft markets. In the evening the penas (traditional folk venues) are lively spots while the pretty and leafy Plaza 9 de Julio is a great place to relax while people watching over a coffee.
The city is also the gateway to the province's spectacular nature and landscape attractions as well as some charming villages like Humahuaca, Tilcara, Purmamarca and tiny Iruya nestled at the foot of a towering rock formation.
Salta's Attractions
- Architecture - a self guided walking tour of Salta’s cobblestone streets will take in all the main buildings in a day. On the main Plaza 9 de Julio is the Cathedral (1882), the Cabildo (old city hall) built early 17th century and Hotel Salta (1930’s). The most impressive building is the ornate ox-blood red San Francisco Church built in the late 1600’s. Another notable building is San Bernardo Convent (16th century). Occupied by the Carmelite nuns visitors cannot enter but can admire the building and the carved18th-century algarrobo door.
- High Mountain Archaeology Museum displays items from the Inca culture recovered from The High Mountain Sanctuary on the Llullaillaco Volcano (6739 m) in the Andes. The bodies of 3 children, sacrificed to Inca deities, are on display. Their state of preservation is remarkable.
- Cable car up to San Bernardo hill. As well as strolling around the gardens the views can be enjoyed while having a drink from the restaurant patio.
- Traditional cuisine like empanadas, locro and humitas, as well as dishes made with llama meat, quinoa, trout and pejerrey.
- An evening of traditional folk music at one of the peñas in Balcarce Street.
Tours From Salta
- Train to the Clouds is a comfortable ride to 4,200 m above sea level through the Quebrada del Toro gorge. Originally built to service the borax mines the route traverses La Polvorilla viaduct high in the altiplano. The exhilarating 15 hour round trip travels across 29 bridges, through 21 tunnels, over 13 viaducts, 2 loops of 360º as well as 2 switchbacks. The train is run by Veloz..
- Calchaquies Valley tours visit Northern Argentina’s wine region. The vineyards in these beautiful valleys are among the worlds highest. Day tours from Salta visit Cardones National Park a forest of protected cardon cacti and stop for lunch at the village of Cafayate.
- While the Quebrada del Humahuaca gorge is famous for its hills of 7 colours the landscape of the entire valley is stunning. Most day tours from Salta do a return trip to the village of Humahuaca, 125 km north of Salta.
Getting to Salta
Regular flights from Buenos Aires land at El Aybal airport 9 km from the city. Salta is accessible by road through National Route 51 which connects Salta to Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Tucumán, Jujuy. Regular long distance buses service this route.
Accommodation
There is no shortage of accommodation or choice in Salta, be it camping, backpackers, estancias or 5 star hotels.
When to Visit Northern Argentina
The best time is the Spring, winter and autumn months (April to November) when there is less rain. It is best to avoid the crowded holiday periods of January, Easter and July when accommodation and transport can be booked up.
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