Resting in the heart of Lerma Valley, Salta combines Spanish colonial architecture with rich Quechan culture. Exceptional museums and folk music halls fill its elegant streets, while wineries and vivid red-rock peaks and salt flats await just outside of town.

Things to do

Visit the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM), one of Argentina's most prominent museums. The MAAM is dedicated to preserving the Inca Culture and its largest drawcard is an informative exhibit focusing on the mummified children discovered at the imposing peak of Llullaillaco in 1999.

Find an authentic alpaca wool poncho at the Mercado Artesanal where local vendors sell traditional ceramics, leather goods, ironwork and textiles. Afterwards, head to Plaza Nine De Julio to admire the neoclassical facade and extravagant gold, green and blue interior of Catedral Basílica de Salta.

Take a day trip to Cafayate, a burgeoning wine region with rustic appeal. Treat yourself to a meal of grilled meats at Piattelli Winery, followed by a cellar door tour and tastings at Bodega El Esteco. Set against the dramatic Andes Mountains, this Spanish colonial bodega is considered the cradle of winemaking in Cafayate.

Discover the wild sandstone landscapes of the Calchaqui Valley and Quebrada de las Conchas. Often compared to the Grand Canyon, the striated red-rock formations have been sculpted over millions of years. Notable landmarks include the Devil’s Throat, Amphitheatre and Castles.

Getting around

Martin Miguel de Guemes International Airport is five kilometres away and has rental cars and buses available. Salta can be reached by bus from most major cities in Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu and La Quiaca. Salta’s city centre is easily explored on foot.