Northwest Argentina attractions

The San Francisco Church in Salta, Argentina, dates to the early 1600s. The church showcases architectural flourishes across time, from the clock tower to the Baroque-style facade. A small museum with an art collection and an on-site library featuring rare manuscripts also draw visitors. Come at sunset to see this National Historic Monument light up.

One of the oldest buildings in Salta, Argentina, the San Bernardo Convent is an active religious site and National Historic Monument. Previously, it was a church and hospital, but today, it's a convent and closed to the public. Visitors come to admire the striking building and to buy crafts from the nuns—though the nuns sell on a sporadic schedule.

The beating heart of Salta, the Cultural Center of the Americas hosts a diverse and ever-changing mixture of exhibitions, live theater performances, concerts, and conferences. Originally a youth club, the building was renovated and reopened in 1987 as the cultural center you see today, housed in an early 20th-century neo-Baroque building.

Located amid the vineyards and cacti-dotted ravines of the Calchaquí Valley, the Quilmes Ruins are a collection of ancient walls and fortifications perched on a hillside. The ruins are the remains of Argentina’s largest pre-Columbian settlement, which dates back to AD 75 and once housed 5,000 people.

To the native Mapuche of Argentina’s Andes, the name Huechulafquen means “long lake” or “lake at the end.” It’s an apt title for this azure wonder that stretches for 19 miles (30 kilometers) and is officially the largest of the 24 lakes in Lanin National Park. Next to the lake, on the northern shore, the conical, snow-capped Lanin Volcano rises 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) into the sky.

The capital city of Jujuy province in Argentina is surrounded by mountains and located near the southern end of Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge. Visit San Salvador de Jujuy, founded by Spaniards in 1593, to experience the heritage of its culturally indigenous population, see eye-catching architecture, and soak up Argentine history.

Train to the Clouds, one of the world's highest railways, takes you on a scenic 269-mile (434-kilometer) journey with views of colorful rock formations. The train ascendes 13,842 feet (4,220 meters), passing through 21 tunnels and crossing 29 bridges and 13 viaducts. The climax comes as La Polvorilla viaduct spans a massive desert canyon.

Just outside of Salta, San Lorenzo is a mountain suburb that’s home to some of the region’s best hiking spots. In addition to serving as the gateway to the flora-rich Quebrada de San Lorenzo cloud forest, the town is home to an abundance of opulent villas and a couple of attractive colonial churches.

One of the oldest wineries in Cafayate, Vasija Secreta Winery (Bodega Vasija Secreta) is a popular Salta destination for learning about wine. Visit the vineyard to learn about the high-altitude microclimate of Cafayate and its aromatic wines. Head to this winery for a guided tasting and to explore the small on-site museum that includes winemaking artifacts from the last century.

When it comes to wine-producing regions in Argentina, Mendoza hogs the limelight. But the small town of Cafayate in the northern desert province of Salta is one of the country’s prime spots for vinophiles. It’s home to the Museo de la Vid y el Vino, dedicated entirely to vines and wines. Sleek multimedia displays take you through the history and production process of each.

The Acsibi Caves (Cuevas de Acsibi were formed thousands of years ago and are notable for the vivid red hue of their sandstone rock formations. Located in Calchaquíes Valley, the caves are famous for the light that filters through the gaps in their ceiling, which creates an abstract vision of shape and shadow.

Sweeping red-rock ravines, winding mountain roads, and cacti-dotted plains make up the landscapes of the Calchaqui Valley. Stretching between the Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca provinces, in the foothills of the Andes; the scenic region is dotted with photo-worthy natural wonders, high-altitude vineyards, and ancient ruins.

A family-owned winery known for its high-altitude wines, Bodega Domingo Hermanos is a destination for tasting the many flavors of Salta. Founded in the 1960s, this bodega offers tours of its production facilities and an introduction to the traditional winemaking methods in this corner of Argentina. Experiences range from tours and tastings to joining harvest activities (a seasonal offering).

One of the most centrally located wineries in Cafayate, Bodega El Transito is a family-owned winery offering tours and tastings. Popular with visitors who don’t have a car or are short on time, this boutique winery provides quick and convenient tours and guided tastings. During a visit to this charming winery in Cafayate, sample malbec, cabernet sauvignon, torrontés, and other blends of these grapes.

With its striking red-and-white facade that looks out over Plaza Independencia, the Museo Casa Padilla is one of San Miguel de Tucumán’s most notable 19th-century buildings. Inside, visitors can both admire a traditional colonial home and browse an impressive collection of European and Asian paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and antique furnishings.

Plaza Independencia is San Miguel de Tucumán’s most important public square. It was named in celebration of Argentina’s declaration of independence, which took place at the Congress of Tucumán on July 9, 1816. Today, it remains a hub of activity and serves as a prime meeting point in the heart of downtown Tucumán.

Running for some 715 miles (1,150 kilometers) from its source in Salta, the Salado River (Rio Juramento) is famous for its Class III rapids, which offer a medium level of intensity that’s ideal for white-water rafting and kayaking.