Itineraries for Your Trip to Mendoza
3 Days in Mendoza for First Timers
By the time I made it to Mendoza, I’d spent a good few months immersed in the frenetic energy of Buenos Aires, so I was well overdue for some rest and relaxation with my mum, who had flown from Portugal to visit me in South America.
Separated from Chile by the snow-capped Andes mountain range, Mendoza showcases a different side to Argentina with its rolling vineyards and altogether calmer atmosphere. And there was nobody better to introduce us to that culture than our host, a local winemaker born and raised in the viniculture hot spot. Three days in Mendoza showed us that there’s more to the Argentine wine capital than malbec—here’s how to spend 72 hours there.
If you only have time for one thing, make it wine touring in the Uco Valley.
Mendoza experiences snowy winters and scorching summers, so time your visit to Mendoza, Argentina for spring (September–November).
If you’re looking for wineries and boutique hotels, you’ll find the highest concentration in the grape-growing Lujan de Cuyo district of Mendoza, so head straight here to see why the region is known as Argentina’s wine capital. Sit back and relax on a sightseeing tour by car or cycle between wine tastings on a bike tour.
Then, end your first day with a bang as you admire the vineyards and snow-dusted mountains from above during a scenic helicopter flight. Take off around sunset to experience golden hour above the clouds.
While Mendoza might be most famous for its food and drinks, it's also a hot spot for outdoor activities, so dedicate your second day to getting out in nature. Explore Aconcagua Provincial Park, reigned over by the colossal Aconcagua Mountain, on a hiking tour that maintains your energy levels with a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch.
Back in the city center, reward yourself for a day of activity with a 3-course meal accompanied by wine pairings and a tango show before walking off dinner with a stroll around the leafy Plaza Independencia, which looks lovely when illuminated.
Now that you’ve seen the countryside, your third morning is for ticking off some must-see Mendoza attractions in the historic center. Enjoy empanadas by the lake in General San Martin Park and capture photos of the grandiose Hill of Glory (Cerro de la Gloria).
Consult any list of the best things to do in Mendoza for first timers and you’re sure to see horseback riding somewhere. On your final evening, go where cars can’t on a sunset horse riding tour complete with a traditional Argentine asado.
