Argentina

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Salta

Colonial city at the foot of the Andes

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Salta Plan a trip around Argentina

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Currency: ARS
Time zone: UTC-3
Country: Argentina

Photo: Kevin Jones, CC BY 2.0

Salta is the capital of Argentina's northern Salta Province, a colonial city at 1,200 m in the Lerma Valley known for its well-preserved plaza, high-altitude archaeology museum and mild weather year-round. Most visitors use it as a base for the surrounding mountains, vineyards and small towns.

Largest cities

Buenos Aires
Córdoba
Rosario
Mendoza
La Plata

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Argentina
Capital: Buenos Aires
City population: 594,772
Population of Argentina: 47.3M
Country area: 2,780,400 km²
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS) · 1 USD ≈ 1,516 ARS
Time zone: UTC-3
Calling code: +54
Drives on the: Left
Elevation: 1,185 m
Plugs: C / I · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911 · 100 (fire) · 107 (ambulance)
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	26°	24°	21°	18°	17°	17°	20°	24°	25°	26°	26°
Low	16°	16°	15°	12°	8°	5°	4°	5°	9°	11°	14°	16°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$32
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$80
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$195

Plan a trip to Salta

Top things to do

Free
Plaza 9 de Julio and the Cabildo
Walk the arcaded main square ringed by the cathedral, the Cabildo and the Museum of Contemporary Art, then step into the Cabildo's historical museum; exhibits are in Spanish only.
- Half day
- Centro (Plaza 9 de Julio and surroundings)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $12
MAAM Museum of High Altitude Archaeology
See the frozen Inca child mummies recovered from Mount Llullaillaco and the objects buried with them; guided tours run at 12:00 and 18:00 and the museum is closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Centro (Plaza 9 de Julio and surroundings)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Iglesia San Francisco and the pedestrian streets
Visit the red-and-ivory 1796 basilica at Caseros and Córdoba, then browse the three pedestrian streets Alberdi, Florida and Caseros; dress modestly if you go inside during a service.
- Half day
- Centro (Plaza 9 de Julio and surroundings)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $18
Cerro San Bernardo cable car
Ride the cable car from Parque San Martín to the 1,458 m summit for views over the city and valley, or walk down the 1,070 steps; the last car up is at 19:00 and the last return at 19:30.
- Half day
- San Bernardo Hill and Parque San Martín
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $3
Explore Salta Museum Complex
Interactive displays on Salta's history and a large section devoted to local music, entered from Peatonal Florida next to the tourist information office; open Tuesday to Sunday.
- Half day
- Centro (Plaza 9 de Julio and surroundings)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
Free
Balcarce Street in the evening
The three blocks nearest the train station fill with restaurants, pubs and cafés with live music most nights; arrive after 21:00 when locals eat and book ahead at weekends.
- Half day
- Balcarce Street nightlife area
- Good in the evening
≈ $45
Day trip to Cafayate and the wine valleys
Head south through the Quebrada de las Conchas rock formations to the Cafayate wine region for tastings of Torrontés and Malbec; buses take about 4 hours each way, so a guided tour is easier.
- Full day
- Centro (Plaza 9 de Julio and surroundings)
- Good for kids
≈ $35
San Lorenzo and the western hills
Spend the day in the leafy hill town of San Lorenzo west of the city, with horse riding and walking in the surrounding hills; bring sun protection and water as shade is limited.
- Full day
- San Lorenzo and the western hills
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many visitors, including British citizens, can enter Argentina visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, but rules depend on nationality and some nationalities pay a reciprocity fee on arrival at Ezeiza. Passports must be valid for the planned stay, and immigration no longer stamps passports, so contact the Argentine Migration Office if you need proof of entry or exit. Check the official Argentine migration site or your nearest Argentine consulate before travelling.

Official website

From the airport

Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (SLA) sits about 5 km south of the centre; a metered taxi takes roughly 15–20 minutes, and bus 8A runs to the downtown bus terminal but needs a SAETA card. Long-distance buses from Buenos Aires (about 19 hours), Tucumán (4 hours) and Cafayate (4 hours) arrive at the bus station near Parque San Martín.

Getting around

The centre is walkable, with taxis, remises and SAETA city buses for longer trips; buses require a rechargeable SAETA card, and SUBE cards do not work here.

Local tips

Summer (December–March) brings almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, so plan outdoor sights for the morning and carry a light rain jacket.
Winter nights are cold and frost is common from June to August; bring a warm layer even though days stay mild.
Many museums and small shops close for a midday break and some shut on Mondays, so check opening hours before setting out.
Carry small cash for buses, cafés and markets; agree taxi fares or insist on the meter, and use only licensed taxis or apps after dark.