About Salta & Northwest Argentina
The northwest corner of Argentina is the country's most visually dramatic and culturally rich region — and its most overlooked by international travellers who fly straight to Buenos Aires or Patagonia. Salta city is a beautifully preserved colonial capital with a vibrant food and wine scene. The surrounding landscape is extraordinary: the seven-coloured mountain of Cerro de los 7 Colores at Purmamarca, the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, the world's highest vineyards in the Cafayate wine valley producing Argentina's finest Torrontés, and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. This is Argentina's indigenous heartland, where Andean culture is vivid and largely untouched by mass tourism.
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Top Attractions in Salta & Northwest Argentina
The seven-coloured mountain rising behind the village of Purmamarca is the most photographed landscape in Northwest Argentina — …
The 155km gorge running through the Jujuy Andes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary geological and cultural significa…
The Calchaquí Valleys around Cafayate produce Argentina's finest Torrontés — a crisp, floral white wine grown at 1,700m altitu…
One of the highest railway lines in the world, climbing from Salta city (1,187m) to La Polvorilla viaduct (4,220m) through 29 brid…
Best Neighbourhoods in Salta & Northwest Argentina
Beautifully preserved colonial centre with the finest hotels in Northwest Argentina. Walking distance from the MAAM museum, the cathedral, and the best restaurants. The natural base for all regional explorations.
The best village to overnight in the Quebrada — more facilities than Purmamarca, excellent guesthouses, and the Pucará ruins above the town. The dawn and dusk light in the Quebrada without day-trippers is extraordinary.
The picturesque wine town 3h south of Salta — a small colonial plaza surrounded by bodegas and excellent restaurants. The local Torrontés wine and views of the surrounding vineyard landscape reward an overnight stay.
The village at the base of the seven-colour mountain. Very few accommodation options (book ahead) but the magical dawn light on the mountain before tour buses arrive justifies staying overnight here.
Best Time to Visit Salta & Northwest Argentina
The dry Andean winter brings clear skies, vivid mountain colours, and perfect conditions for road tripping thr…
Spring brings wildflowers to the Andean valleys and the landscape is at its most colourful. Salta city hosts i…
Afternoon thunderstorms are common. The landscape becomes dramatically green and lush. The Quebrada's colours …
Northwest Argentina's carnival is more indigenous and Andean in character than the Buenos Aires or Gualeguaych…
Top Tours in Salta & Northwest Argentina
SightseeingSightseeingBest Hotels in Salta & Northwest Argentina
LuxuryDesign Suites Salta
The finest hotel in northwest Argentina — a contemporary design hotel in the heart of Salta city w...
BoutiqueLa Casa de Barro, Tilcara
The most atmospheric place to stay in the Quebrada de Humahuaca — a beautifully crafted adobe (mud...