//
City in Salta Province, Argentina
Photo: papajuan74, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Salta is the capital of the province of Salta, up in the mountains in northern Argentina. Salta is typically visited as a launching point for the nature and small towns in the region, but has its own charms and sights worth seeing too.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
on Plaza 9 de Julio
The old town hall of 1783 with its beautiful colonnaded exterior is one of the colonial buildings which helps make the main plaza one of the finest in Argentina. It is now one of three buildings housing the Museo Histórico del Norte. The capitulary room with its linked timber chairs where the Governor's advisors sat has had an outsized place in Argentinian history. Other exhibits showcase the history of the region from prehistoric times to the mid-20th century. Spanish text only.
San Bernardo Hill
1,458 m above sea level (258 m above the city) hill. From Parque San Martin, a cable car goes to the summit, offering spectacular views of the city and its surroundings. At the summit there is a second cable car to Aladelta but it is of little interest. A popular option is to take the cable car to the summit and walk down, alternatively you can walk up and down taking the 1,070 steps leaving from the statue of Güemes a little bit north of the cable car station. Taxis are also an option. From the hill the view of the city is excellent but the bonus is the landscaping which has made it a tranquil setting. A vast water feature has been built with many interesting features. A meal or a beer is available at the top at reasonable rates. This a great mini-escape from the city when it is clear, especially on a hot day as it is shady and cool. The last car to the summit is 19:00 and the last return is 19:30 so best to get up there by say 17:30 to allow a couple of hours before returning.
Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña
Exhibits the discovery of the three Inca "Llullaillaco Children" found frozen at the peak of Mount Llullaillaco. Many museums are interesting but few have the impact of this one. The museum is small and its focus is the three children "given to the mountain" by the Inca. One leaves the museum wondering how a society could develop such belief systems, and whether the mummified bodies should be on display at all.
Beautiful 1796 red and ivory Basilica with a remarkable tower.
Offers a very interesting insight into various indigenous cultures, which have flourished throughout the centuries in this part of Argentina.
A fantastic museum in Salta and definitely worth a look.It is called "Pajcha" and is a collection of traditional art, textiles, icons and jewelry from all over South and Central America. It is fascinating. The enthusiasm is palpable and fantastic learning from a knowledgeable source. They know everything because they had personally collected everything in the museum. Permanently closed.
Wonderful small house-museum that is a tribute to Velarde (1895-1965), who was a lawyer and banker, but more important a Bohemian patron of arts, especially tango, when it was still not accepted by society in Salta. The guide does a great job of presenting the colorful tales. She only speaks Spanish, but if you do not understand Spanish, she will just ask one of the other guests to translate to English.
This is the house where President Uriburu was born and lived as a child. Jose Uriburu was president for only a few years but had a distinguished career both before and after his presidency as a jurist, diplomat and senator.
The museum is small and does not take long to visit. It is presented as a home with household items and furnishings of the Uriburu family.
This museum is one of the three Museums of the North.
This museum is in the same building as the tourist information centre but is accessed by Peotonal Florida rather than Caseros. The museum presents a history of Salta with an emphasis on cultural heritage. There are many interactive displays which are fun although the best bit might well be the section dedicated to the music of Salta. You could spend hours listening to all manner of music from classical to Salta's modern rock bands.
Train to the clouds
As the name tells, it is a day trip by train up in the mountains to La Povorilla at 4,220 m over the sea level. Book by phone (0800-888-NUBES), online, or a couple of days before at any city excursion office. The trip takes a whole day, leaving Salta at 07:15 and returning between 23:00 and 00:00. The dining car on the train and the bar car are a bit expensive but you are allowed to bring your own food. A breakfast and afternoon snack is included. Coca leaf tea helps prevent altitude sickness and coca leaves are provided by the train staff. There are nurses on board and oxygen for those who suffer ill effects from the altitude. The trip is long and the seats are somewhat cramped for leg space but generally the services and staff are excellent. The experience is fantastic as the scenery is rugged and variable with a feast for the eyes at every turn. The engineering of the track was a masterpiece in its day and continues to impress decades later.
Go very local with this hidden gem for empanadas. A very traditional small, simple restaurant, that offers the best empanadas in Salta. You should call in advance to order the food (before 21:00) since they cook a limited number of empanadas.
They serve very nice pastas and sauces. Good value for the price.
Traditional Salteñan food in a very nicely restored old house which also contains a small museum of local artifacts.
The restaurant is in an old building with lots of exposed brick and an open kitchen. The meat and wine are top-shelf. Excellent service and a Spanish ambiance.
The cheesy sign above the entrance should come down, this place is well above the standard of that nasty sign. The only thing missing is the view of rolling greens hills from the windows, as you are served this wonderful Argentinian food. Two flavorful Saltinian empanadas, a litre of Salta's finest beer, a basket full of fresh bread, tin full of olive oil, a slightly overdone veal steak, gorgeous green salad.
Serves champagne while you choose from the menu. Inexpensive yet elegant dining with excellent steaks and wines.
Incredible food, low prices, and friendly service. Portions are huge: main (meat) courses are designed to shared. Try the picaña, you won't be sorry.
Delicious ice cream, sorbet, and other frozen treats.
Americano breakfast with coffee, scrambled eggs with cheese, toasts, croissants, ham, juice and fruit salad; or a 3-course menu of the day plus a soft drink . Open everyday, good service. Their Wifi is faster than your hostel's.
This is really a wine bar but it has light meals as well. If you go there for a meal you will probably drink more than you eat but it will be fun. One of the options available is a light tasting meal with three wines chosen by the owner (who is a wine maker) and it's great.
This is an old style bakery, everything made on the premises with tables for lunch. The limonade is home made and great.
Aires Caseros offers a share plate of the local dishes. A great introduction to North Andean food e.g. tamale, baked cheese dishes and pumpkin stew served in the pumpkin shell. But it might spoil you a bit because the local food is not always as interesting as this. The price is reasonable for a place so close to the plaza.
This eating spot calls itself Restaurant in its big triangular sign but otherwise is unnamed. It's a cafe for the locals and has marvellous empanadas home made by the staff in the eating area. The piquante sauce is the best.
This place is really a restaurant but they don't mind if you sit in the back garden on a sunny day and drink a couple of bottles of wine (which is good).
Upbeat hostel and by the entertainment zone. Complete breakfast included in all categories, and infusion drinks.
Nice, helpful staff with free Internet and a basic breakfast. Cosy backgarden and a friendly atmosphere will welcome you right next to Parque San Martín, close to the centre and the bus terminal.
Down the block from the central market and four blocks from the central square. One of the best values in town. Speedy Wi-Fi (only reaches to the 2nd floor), friendly staff, strong hot showers. Many rooms have balconies, all have cable TV. Breakfast is simple and small, but brought to the room.
Hotel with outdoor pool and buffet breakfast.
Offers hostel accommodation as well as B&B. Very friendly, many amenities including travel desk. Free Internet.
Popular backpackers spot and a good place to meet fellow travellers. It has all the usually services and there is a weekly barbeque and a bar. Wi-Fi and a computer for Internet. Small breakfast included.
Fantastic hostel that punches above its weight in cleanliness and ambience.
One of Salta's most traditional hotels. The best option for travellers looking for a pleasant stay at a good price. Breakfast and Wi-Fi included.
Simple and clean.
The hotel's exterior is not exciting but is still a real hotel with a 24 hour desk, friendly reception and housekeeping staff and light breakfast provided. The rooms can offer plenty of space and can be made up according to guests' requests within minutes.
Good looking foyer, water feature and courtyard. Breakfast supplied is excellent and includes scrambled eggs if you wish. Caters mainly to international tourists. Some of the rooms only have internal windows so check when you are booking.
This is a hotel in one of the Salta's fashionable two storey homes. Every effort has been made to preserve the interior. The small kitchen/dining room has coffee and is available if you wish to prepare your own breakfast. This is a charming spot that looks if anything even better than the photos on the booking sites.
Each Sunday the main nightclubbing street, Balcarce, is closed to traffic all day for a very good arts and crafts fair featuring the work of local artists and craftsmen of all types.
A very small craft shop a little away from the main tourist area but the prices are significantly lower than the prices you will pay around Plaza 9 de Julio. Hand crafted leather and knives as well as leather goods.
fairly large supermarket close to the main plaza
By bus
There are connections to all major cities in Argentina. The bus station is just one block from Parque San Martín, or 8 blocks from the main plaza.
By rail
While intercity trains are slowly making a comeback in Argentina, they have not reached Salta yet.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Salta · International · SLA
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Salta and Argentina.
InspirationTen places with real character and room to breathe, from Ohrid's lakeside churches to Argentina's high-altitude vineyards.
7 min read
ItinerariesAt a length of 5,224 km (3,246 mi), and stretching the whole mainland part of the country, the Ruta Nacional 40 is the longest national highway of Argentina and a popular travel itinerary.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesIf you find yourself in Buenos Aires and want to do some overland travel in South America, why not make your way north, through northern Argentina and Bolivia all the way to the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsGolf is a well-established sport in Argentina. It has more than 300 courses according to Asociación Argentina de Golf the governing body.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.