Go to content 
What to do in Cafayate in one day | Best places and wineries
Northwest Argentina surprised us with delicious food otherworldly rock formations and charming towns. Among them, Cafayate stands out as the wine-producing heart of the region, a destination that combines nature, culture, and good wine. If you're wondering What to do in CafayateHere you'll find the perfect guide to make the most of your visit.
In this article we tell you how to get there from Salta by traveling along the Quebrada de las Conchas, What to see in one day in Cafayate and where to stay if you decide to stay overnight. Something we definitely recommend!
How to get to to Cafayate | Argentina
Most travelers arrive in Cafayate from Salta capital, located about 190 km north. You can reach Salta from many different places in Argentina by long-distance bus or with a flight from Buenos Aires.
The journey to Cafayate takes about 3 hours, although will become 6 hours Because there are so many incredible places to stop at. I dare say that the carThe road that separates Salta from Cafayate, National Route 68, better known as the Quebrada de las Conchas, is one of the most beautiful in the world. A gorge with reddish landscapes and rock formations that look like they're from another planet.
⚠️✈️ Don't forget to travel with good insurance. For your vacation, we recommend the Heymondo travel insurance, has the best value for money on the market in 2026. And it's not just our opinion, you can take a look at what They think about Heymondo other travelers. Thanks to being our reader, you get a minimum discount of 5%.
There are several ways to get to Cafayate from Salta:
- En rental carThis is the best option if you want to explore northwest Argentina at your own pace. We rented a car in Salta for 7 days to explore the entire region, and it cost us around €300.
- By busThere are regular services between Salta and Cafayate, with no scheduled stops in between, so to visit the Quebrada, it's usually best to book a tour. Another option for travelers on a budget is hitchhiking.
What to do in Cafayate in one day
Many people visit Cafayate in a single day during a route through Salta and Jujuy, but in my opinion the ideal is spend at least one nightThis way you don't accumulate so many hours of carYou can explore everything in a single day and calmly enjoy all that the town and its surroundings have to offer. Here's what we would do:
Tomorrow: Tour the Quebrada de las Conchas
The day begins in the National Route 68, which crosses the impressive Quebrada de las Conchas. Formations such as the Amphitheater, the Devil's throat or the gorge's viewpoints make this trail one of the most beautiful in the world. We've provided all the information and our favorite stops in our guide to what to see in Quebrada de las Conchas.
Midday: Arrival in Cafayate and lunch at a winery
Upon arrival, it is best to go directly to a winery to eat and taste the wines of the area. Cafayate is the wine-growing heart of northwestern Argentina and produces grape varieties such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and, most notably, Torrontés, unique to Argentina (we loved it!). Many wineries have beautiful restaurants overlooking the vineyards. I can't think of a better way to discover what to do in Cafayate.
These are three of the most recommended wineriesWe opted for Finca las Nubes, but I'm sure all three are a good choice.
- El Esteco WineryOne of Cafayate's most traditional restaurants, founded in 1892. Featuring colonial architecture and manicured gardens, the restaurant offers a menu, complete dishes, tastings, or just a glass of wine.
- Las Nubes EstateA winery located on a hilltop overlooking the valley, a few kilometers from downtown Cafayate. It has a rustic terrace overlooking the vineyards where you can order a snack or a full meal.
- Piattelli VineyardsOne of the most beautiful in the region, with a spectacular restaurant and terrace, as well as paired tastings.
The glasses of wine are very well priced, but the restaurants are not cheap, if you prefer a better priced option you can eat daily menu in Cafayate restaurants which cost between 6-10 euros and visit the winery before or after eating.
Afternoon: Suri Caves
One of the most special experiences to do in Cafayate It was the visit to the Suri Caves, located a few kilometers from the city center. You can reach it by hiking through the mountains, among cacti and a beautiful landscape. We went around sunset and thought it was a great choice.
The visit is managed by a local community and is always done with a guide who accompanies you along the trail and He tells you the story of the cave paintings preserved on the cave walls. There's no fixed price: you pay at will, as a direct contribution to the community. Our guide was Mariana, and we learned a lot about the area's indigenous communities, what their life was like in the past and what it is like today.
Night: Main square and folklore clubs
To end the day, a good idea before dinner is to take a walk along the Cafayate Artisan Market, right in front of the square. There, shops sell textiles, ceramics, and many other unusual crafts, ideal for gossiping or taking advantage of the opportunity to pick up a souvenir. It's also a good place to try typical products such as nougat alfajores with walnutsa very sweet white carTypical of the area. We bought a couple and saved them for dessert.
At dusk, the main square comes alive with bars and restaurants where guitars and live music are a must. Dining there is a must in Cafayate. We went to The House of Empanadas, a popular spot with an interior courtyard that often hosts live concerts. Around the square, you'll find many other restaurants (known as peñas) advertising their dinner menus and the daily show. Folklore is very much alive in the region.
You can take advantage of trying the wine ice creamWe didn't make it, but they sell ice cream with a white or red wine base, quite curious, isn't it?
Next morning: Secret Vessel and cheese tasting
If you decide to spend the night in Cafayate, the next morning is ideal for continuing to enjoy the town before continuing your route.
An essential stop to make in Cafayate is the Secret Vessel Cellar, the oldest in the region, founded in 1857. It is located at the entrance of the town and offers free tours approximately every hour, between 9:00 a.m. and 17:30 p.m. During the tour, they'll explain the winemaking process, and you'll be able to taste two of their wines completely free at the end.
Another highly recommended experience is to visit the Cafayate goats, where to make a small artisanal cheese tasting paired with a glass. When we went it cost 5 euros, no reservation is required, you can order upon arrival. It's a different plan, in a rural setting, and the cheeses were DELICIOUS. It reminded us a lot of some of the tastings we did in the South African Wine Route.
With these recommended visits What to do in Cafayate I think you'll leave with a very good taste in your mouth from its culture and cuisine. From here, you can head back to Salta or continue exploring more places in northwestern Argentina.
Where to stay in Cafayate
La accommodation offer It's quite varied, from boutique hotels in the middle of vineyards to simple options near the square. These three we recommend are the most reserved and best rated.
| Iraola Hotel Boutique | Colonial style, delicious breakfast, pool and incredible surroundings | 130-195 € | 9,6/10 ⭐ | See more |
| Chadel BuenaVid Cafayate | Well-kept rooms, surrounded by vineyards | 79-125 € | 9,5/10 ⭐ | See more |
| Felisa Hospital | Affordable option in a local, centrally located home | 14-25 € | 9,1/10 ⭐ | See more |
What to do in Cafayate if you have more time
As we like to travel calmly and get off the beaten track, we stayed a couple of nights in Cafayate with the intention of get to know other nearby placesOur two favorites were the following; if you have time, don't hesitate to add them to your itinerary through northwest Argentina.
Ruins of Quilmes
An hour's drive south, already in the province of Tucumán, are the ruins of one of the largest pre-Hispanic cities in ArgentinaThey were the center of the Diaguita-Calchaquí culture and tell an epic story. The Quilmes resisted the Inca and Spanish invasions for more than 120 years, until they were finally exiled and forced to walk more than 1.300 km to present-day Quilmes, Buenos Aires.
Today you can see the ruins of a city that once housed some 6.000 inhabitants, and within the same grounds, you can visit the museum that tells all the history and interesting facts.
Quebrada of the Flechas
Heading towards Cachi, Route 40 crosses an amazing landscape: kilometers of pointed rock formations that look like spears stuck in the ground. Although the carThe road isn't in the best condition and can be tiring, but it's impressive. If it hasn't rained recently, you can continue north to Cachi to rejoin the rest of your itinerary without having to backtrack.
Thank you for reading, we hope this guide on What to do in Cafayate 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!
Start preparing your trip to Argentina
These are Our favorite websites for organizing tripsPlus, if you use our links, you support all content about Argentina at no extra cost to you.
