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What to see in Salta and Jujuy + 5-day itinerary
If you are planning a trip to northern Argentina, you are probably wondering What to see in Salta and JujuyThese two provinces form one of the most interesting regions in the country thanks to their otherworldly landscapes, towns steeped in tradition, unique cuisine, and more affordable prices than in other tourist areas.
The best thing is that they are two regions easy to explore on your own, whether by rental car or public transport. We'll tell you about the must-see places and suggest a 5-day itinerary through Salta and Jujuy.
- What to see in Salta and Jujuy: must-see places
- Map with the best places to see in Salta and Jujuy
- City of Salta, the capital of northern Argentina
- Cafayate and its vineyards
- Quebrada de las Conchas | One of the best places to visit in Salta and Jujuy
- Quebrada of the Flechas
- Cachi and Los Cardones National Park
- La Polvorilla Viaduct
- Salinas Grandes
- Purmamarca and the Hill of the 7 Colors
- Acara
- Gorge of the Young Ladies
- Hornocal | The most popular mountain to visit in Salta and Jujuy
- Iruya | The most beautiful town to see in Salta and Jujuy
- Sacred City of Quilmes
- Other interesting places to see in Salta and Jujuy
- Salta and Jujuy Itinerary in 5 Days
What to see in Salta and Jujuy: essential places
Salta is the most important city in Northwest Argentina, a region that is gaining popularity among tourists, which doesn't surprise us. Salta is the first stop on any route through the Salta and Jujuy regions, and it's the place you should visit if you want to explore the area.
Map with the best places to see in Salta and Jujuy
So that you can locatecar For all the places to see in Salta and Jujuy that we're going to talk about, we've included a map with all of them categorized.
City of Salta, the capital of northern Argentina
The city of Salta is the capital of the province of the same name and is the usual gateway to begin a tour of Salta and Jujuy.
It's worth dedicatingcarI'll do at least half a day. a free tour to explore its historic center and dine in one of its famous bars. We have a Complete guide on what to see in Salta that you should read before traveling, but as a summary these are the places you can't miss:
- July 9 Square
- Cathedral Basilica of Salta
- Cabildo
- Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM)
- Iglesia de San Francisco
- Folklore clubs
- San Miguel Municipal Market
Cafayate and its vineyards
Cafayate is a small town surrounded by vineyards known for being one of the largest wine producers in Argentina. Its specialty is high-altitude wines, particularly Torrontés wine, a local variety with a very special flavor.
In Cafayate you can walk through its quiet streets, visit one of its wineries and try typical products such as cheeses, empanadas, and of course, wines. Cafayate is also a relaxed town, ideal for an overnight stay. You can read much more in our guide about What to do in Cafayate.
Quebrada de las Conchas | One of the best places to visit in Salta and Jujuy
La carThe road that connects Salta with Cafayate crosses the Quebrada de las Conchas, for us one of the best landscapes to see in Salta and Jujuy. It is a long canyon full of reddish rock formations eroded by wind and water for thousands of years, creating spectacular and curious figures and shapes. The route can be done by car or by organized excursion from Salta.
There are so many interesting stops and places to visit that You're going to need dedicationcarmidday to explore the Quebrada de las Conchas. If you want to know the best stops, we recommend reading our guide on what to see in the Quebrada de las Conchas.
Quebrada of the Flechas
In the famous 40 Route Between Cafayate and Cachi, lies the Quebrada de las Flechas, a unique landscape that we haven't seen anywhere else. Here you can see large rock formations that rise at sharp angles like blades or arrows pointing to the sky.
La carA gravel road winds between these formations, making the drive enjoyable as well. There are several viewpoints where you can appreciate the magnitude of the landscapeThis stretch of Route 40 is considered one of the most beautiful in northwestern Argentina, and although it's unpaved, it can be traveled by any vehicle if driven slowly and with caution.
Cachi and Los Cardones National Park
In the Calchaquí Valley is Cachi, one of the most picturesque villages What to see in the province of Salta. It stands out for its cobblestone streets, traditional white houses, and the Church of San José, built with a thatched roof. carDon. It is a quiet place, ideal for a leisurely stroll and enjoying the hospitality of Jujuy and Salta.
To get to Cachi you travel along the carRetera 40, since it crosses the Los Cardones National Park where giant cacti abound. carThe road is not paved and it is more convenient to do it with a 4x4 or a high car, we could not get to Cachi because it was closed that week.
La Polvorilla Viaduct
El La Polvorilla Viaduct It is one of the most impressive buildings in northern Argentina and a very symbolic place in the province of Salta. It is located more than 4.200 meters, near the small town of San Antonio de los Cobres, and is part of the route of the famous Train to the Clouds.
The viaduct is 64 meters high, and was built in the 1930s as part of the railway line crossed the AndesNowadays, you can visit it on the Train to the Clouds itself or by car, but it's quite remote, and for us, if you're not going to take the Train to the Clouds, it's not really worth a visit.
Salinas Grandes
Salinas Grandes is an immense white desert on the border between the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. With an area of 212 km², it is the third largest salt flat from South America and one of the best places to see in Salta and Jujuy.
The contrast between the intense blue sky and the bright white salt plain creates a very photogenic landscape, perfect for playing with perspective. Entrance to the Salinas is free., although there are local guides in the area who offer tours of the interior of the salt flat. Most trails are closed to the public, but we found This access open and we were able to enter freely and drive on the salt without a guide.
Due to their proximity, easy access, and beauty, the Salinas Grandes are a must-see on any itinerary through Salta and Jujuy.
Purmamarca and the Hill of the 7 Colors
This picturesque Andean town in the province of Jujuy is another of the best stops on an itinerary through Salta and Jujuy. It is one of the most touristic in the region thanks to the crafts market and several food stalls surrounding the town's central plaza.
In the upper part of the town, which you can easily access on foot, there is a not very long path known as Cerro de los Colorados with great views of the entire area and the Cerro de los 7 ColoresIf you're short on time or find it difficult to walk long distances at such a high altitude, you could go to the El Porito viewpoint, which is easier to access and requires a fee.
Acara
AcarA is another of the region's most popular tourist towns, with a more cultural and youthful atmosphere, featuring bars, cafes, and live music in many restaurants. It's a perfect place to spend the night on one of the days of your Salta and Jujuy itinerary. We stayed in AcarMystic.
The most emblematic place is a pre-Inca fortress called PucarTil's ácara, is located on the outskirts of the town. Another popular place is the Devil's throat, a canyon with a small waterfall that can be reached on foot.
Gorge of the Young Ladies
The Quebrada de las Señoritas is a ravine that stands out for its reddish colors that seem taken from Mars. The trail begins behind the small town of Uquía and To enter the ravine you must hire a local guideThere's a short tour that costs about €4 per person and a long tour that costs about €8.
During the walk you enter between deep red rock formations and narrow canyons carved by water and wind. We took the short route, which is easy and doesn't require much physical effort. During the tour your guide will tell you stories and legends. locals, we loved both the place and the explanations.
Hornocal | The most popular mountain to visit in Salta and Jujuy
If you're planning an itinerary through Salta and Jujuy, you've probably heard of Hornocal, also known as the mountain of 14 colors. It's located more than 4.300 meters, which makes the experience even more special and sometimes literally takes your breath away. To reach the best viewpoint, you have to follow a very simple downhill path, although the return climb is quite tiring due to the altitude.
Its multi-colored appearance is due to the composition of different minerals which have been folded and eroded to form a zigzag of reddish, green, yellow, and gray hues. To get there, you have to travel along a well-maintained gravel road that takes less than an hour by car.
We'll tell you much more about Rainbow Mountain in our guide on how to visit Hornocal independently.
Iruya | The most beautiful town to see in Salta and Jujuy
The small village of Iruya is hidden in a valley surrounded by mountains, and getting there from Humahuaca requires traveling about 50 km. cargravel road.
The town seems paused in time, its streets are cobbled and the adobe houses. The village church is white and colonial in style. Iruya is also a starting point for mountain hikes in the area.
Sacred City of Quilmes
The Sacred City of Quilmes actually belongs to Tucumán but It is right next to the Salta border So we decided to take advantage of the proximity to the town of Cafayate to visit it for a morning. If you have enough time, we recommend adding this stop to your 5-day Salta and Jujuy itinerary.
This is the ruins of an ancient Diaguita city, a pre-Inca village, considered one of the best preserved in Argentina. The Quilmes lived here, an indigenous people who resisted the Inca conquest for centuries, and later the Spanish. They were finally defeated and forced to march on foot 1300 km to Buenos Aires, and the few who survived founded a new town.
La Entrance to the archaeological site costs about €10 per person and includes access to a small museum. Inside you can wander freely among stone walls, agricultural terraces and viewpoints, all surrounded by a desert landscape full of carenormous gifts.
Other interesting places to see in Salta and Jujuy
So far, we've mentioned the most popular sites that are usually visited on most itineraries through Salta or Jujuy, but if you have more days or want to add more stops to your route, you could visit some of these less touristy places:
- San Salvador de JujuyThis small city is the capital of the province of Jujuy.
- Pozuelo Lagoon: A lagoon where hundreds of flamingos live.
- MaimaraSmall town next to Tilcarto .
- Inca Cave: Short trail to visit caves with cave paintings.
- Lagoa Esmeralda: Small lagoon on the outskirts of Salta.
Salta and Jujuy Itinerary in 5 days
Now that you know which are the best places, we leave you the 5-day itinerary through Salta and Jujuy that we would do. A time that seems p to usperfect for getting to know the region during your vacation, but if you have more days you can take advantage of exploring everything more calmly or add some other places; in fact, we were there for a week.
🚗 The itinerary through Salar and Jujuy that we propose is focused on renting a car to explore it independently and sleep in different places, although it can also be done with tours, without a doubt the best way is in your own vehicle.
Day 1 touring Salta and Jujuy
On the first day you can take advantage of get to know the city of Salta It's likely your entry point into the region. Don't forget to go to dinner at one of the folk clubs to enjoy starting your days in northwestern Argentina with traditional food and regional dances.
Recommended accommodation in Salta: La Casona Inn
Day 2
Rent a car or book a tour to explore the Quebrada de las Conchas towards CafayateIf you make all the stops we recommend in our guide to Quebrada de las Conchas, it will take between 5 and 6 hours.
Spend the afternoon visiting some of the Cafayate wineries such as Vasija Secreta or Finca las Nubes to try their Torrontés wine. You can also go cheese tasting at Cabras del Cafayate.
Recommended accommodation in Cafayate: Chadel BuenaVid
Day 3 in Salta and Jujuy
Early in the morning, return to Salta via the Quebrada de las Conchas. From there, head to Purmamarca and then visit the Salinas Grandes.
An alternative to the route on the third day is to drive from Cafayate towards Salta via the carretera 40 passing through the Quebrada of the Flechas and the town of Cachi. carThe road is gravel and progress is very slow, so you should start the route very early.
Recommended accommodation in Purmamarca: The Inn of the Calandria
Day 4
The 5-day itinerary through Salta and Jujuy continues towards Tilcara, passing first through the scenic village of Maimara where you can stop to stroll through its peaceful streets. Once in TilcarYou can do the path to Devil's Throat where there is a waterfall to cool offcarse. You can also visit the ruins of PucarTil's ácarAnd in the afternoon/evening, have a drink in its bars and cafes and have dinner with a typical dish.
Recommended accommodation in Tilcara: Tierra Andina Hostel
Day 5 of the itinerary through Salta and Jujuy
We'll conclude this 5-day Salta and Jujuy itinerary by visiting some of the sites that impressed us the most. Start by heading to the famous Hornocal or mountain of 14 colors which is accessed from the town of Humahuaca. Then, if you feel like driving, you can visit Iruya, otherwise, start the return journey towards Salta by taking a stop to visit the Quebrada de las Señoritas.
Thank you for reading, we hope this guide on What to see in Salta and Jujuy that helps you plancar your trip. We have more articles with Practical information about northwest Argentina, so feel free to continue exploring the guides of ArgentinaWe also encourage you to follow us on Instagram to gossip about our routes. Have a good trip and enjoy this unique region!
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