Things to Do in Salta

Los Cardones National Park is located in the central part of the Salta Province, and it occupies approximately 160,000 acres. It was established in 1996 to protect the high elevation vegetation located in the colorful sierras and dry gorges of this area. The cardones are column-like cactus plants that thrive in high altitudes and are found throughout the national park, which is where the park got its name. The area also boasts small forests of the leguminous Churqui. Many animals live in the national park, including more than 100 species of birds.

Three different environments are represented in the park. They include the mountainous area of the sierras, the piedmont and low lands, and the basin. Fossils from many extinct animals, including dinosaur tracks, have been found in the park. Other attractions in the park include pre-Inca cave art.

San Antonio de los Cobres, 104 miles (168 km) west of Salta, got its start as a mining town, thanks to the copper-rich mountains that surround it. The mining industry has faded, and today, the town’s livelihood comes mainly from the tourist industry, as it’s a stop on the famous Tren a las Nubes (Train of the Clouds).

The 16-hour train ride arguably northern Argentina’s most popular attraction—pulls to a stop along the way in San Antonio de los Cobres, allowing passengers to disembark and breathe in the thin high-altitude air or shop for souvenirs at the small artisanal market at the side of the tracks. At 12,385 feet (3,775 m) above sea level, it’s one of the country’s highest towns.

Toro Gorge (Quebrada del Toro) is a gorge northwest of Salta, Argentina. It is along the famous narrow-gauge railway, Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) that runs between Salta and San Antonio de los Cobres, a small mining town at the top of the gorge. The gorge is surrounded by dense forest, imposing rock formations, and colorful varieties of cactus that make for some awe-inspiring scenery. The gorge is named after the nearby river, Rio Toro, which is a calm trickle most of the year. But in the spring its waters are often raging.

The train's path, as well as the path that tour buses take, runs through the Valle de Lerma and climbs to higher elevations, eventually reaching Toro Gorge (Quebrada del Toro) and San Antonio de los Cobres at an elevation of 12,300 feet. Along the way, visitors can see the ruins of a pre-Inca village called Santa Rosa de Tastil, as well as several bridges and viaducts.

The Historical Museum of the North in Salta, Argentina is one of the most important museums in the country. The building was once the town hall building and is a true example of colonial architecture. The original building dated back to 1626, but its structure did not hold up, and new construction began in the late 1700s. The building was remodeled and renovated in 1945, and the museum opened in 1949. It is a National Historic Landmark.

Centuries of Argentinean and South American historical treasures are housed here, including items from the indigenous culture and the colonial period. The rooms are arranged throughout two floors in chronological order starting with the pre-Hispanic era. Displays include art, furniture, artifacts, documents and transportation. A changing of the guard ceremony with gauchos takes place at noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in front of the building.

The Cathedral of Salta was declared a National Historical Monument on July 14, 1941. The current church is actually the fourth church built in its location in Salta, Argentina. It was completed in the late 1800s by Italian architects Soldati, Giorgi and Righetti. The towers and the facade were designed in an Italian style with Corinthian columns, balustrades and cornices. The two towers and the central body of the church emerge on top of the balustrades. The building has a nave and a cross vault, above which there is a dome with a lantern.

Inside the church is an image of Christ on the crucifix. Legend has it that this image saved the town from being destroyed by an earthquake on Sept. 16, 1692. The priest José Carrión had a revelation that taking this image of Christ out on a procession would end the earthquake. From that day on, the Fiesta del Milagro (Festival of the Miracle) has taken place every second week of September.

San Bernardo Hill(Cerro San Bernardo) is a mountain that overlooks Salta, Argentina located east of the city center. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city, including La Merced, San Francisco and San Alfonso Churches and the Cathedral of Salta. You'll also be able to see Plaza 9 de Julio and the Cabildo (Town Hall) as well as the roads to Cafayate and Campo Quijano. San Bernardo Hill is also a religious place that attracts pilgrims on the first Sunday of every May. There are 14 stations of the Way of the Cross on the hill.

The summit can be reached by cable car, driving, or on foot. The footpath up the hill involves climbing 1,070 steps, which takes about 30 minutes. There is a restaurant at the top of the hill serving food and beverages and a shop selling handicrafts.

Part of the ancient network of Incan trails running through northern Argentina, Tin Tin Straight Line (Recta de Tin Tin) is a super-straight stretch of road that extends for about 11 miles (18 km) along a seemingly perfectly flat plateau dotted with giant cardón cacti.

Some historians believe that the straight line was created by indigenous populations, which will seem like an incredible feat when you see just how long and straight it really is The road—now paved—passes through Los Cardones National Park, created in 1996 to protect the forest of cacti that covers the high-altitude plateau.

San Bernardo Convent, built in the 16th century, is one of the oldest buildings in Salta, Argentina and was declared a National Historical Monument in 1941. It was originally built when San Bernardo was chosen as the patron saint of the city, and it was used as the city's main church while the Salta Cathedral was being built. Aside from the church, it also operated a hospital on and off for about 200 years, but by the mid-1800s, hospital operations ceased and it became a convent.

Over the centuries, San Bernardo Convent has been reconstructed and renovated several times, both for aesthetic reasons and as a result of an earthquake. The door dates from 1762 and was carved from carob tree wood by aboriginals. It once belonged to the Bernardo de la Cámara family and is considered a treasured piece of colonial art in Salta.

The San Francisco Church and Monastery in Salta, Argentina was originally built in the early 1600s, but it has been reconstructed and remodeled several times. In 1870, architect Luis Giorgi constructed a tall tower on the front of the church, and at 174 feet (53 meters) tall, it is the highest tower of its kind in South America. In 1909, a clock was added to the tower. In 1915 marble floors were installed and the church was set up to start receiving electricity. It has a long, narrow nave that is ornately decorated. The church's facade designed in a Baroque style and is distinct in its red and yellow color scheme.

The church has an important library where old books are kept, including rare and priceless antique editions. Several pieces of valuable art can also be found in the church and in its small museum. The San Francisco Church was declared a National Historical Monument on July 14, 1941.

The capital city of Jujuy province in Argentina is surrounded by mountains and located near the southern end of Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge. Visit San Salvador de Jujuy, founded by Spaniards in 1593, to experience the heritage of its culturally indigenous population, see eye-catching architecture, and soak up Argentine history.

Some 150 years ago, European immigrants discovered the excellent high altitude wine growing conditions of Salta. In 1857 a pair of Spanish families joined forces to found La Banda Winery, the oldest winery in the Calchaquí Valley.

The name has since changed to Vasija Secreta Winery(Bodega Vasija Secreta), and today visitors can learn about wine production — both traditional and modern — in the winery’s small museum. Vasija Secreta also organizes wine tastings; as with many wineries in this part of Argentina, Vasija Secreta Winery is known for its Torrontés, but also produces notable Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.

Located amid the vineyards and cacti-dotted ravines of the Calchaquí Valley, the Quilmes Ruins are a collection of ancient walls and fortifications perched on a hillside. The ruins are the remains of Argentina’s largest pre-Columbian settlement, which dates back to AD 75 and once housed 5,000 people.

The Cultural Center of the Americas is a building and organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting cultural events in Salta, Argentina. Events held here include concerts, art exhibits, educational workshops, and cultural, social and business groups. The building was designed by renowned architect and engineer Arturo Prins, and it was built in a French Neo-Baroque style in the early 1900s. Its original intent was to house the 20th of February Club, but the building was expropriated by Ricardo Durán, the governor of Salta at the time. It was a government building for about 40 years after that.

In 1987 the building underwent renovations and became the cultural center it is today. Artists from around the world come here to present their work in art shows, musicians perform here, political and economic conventions are held here, and many other organizations use the cultural center as an entertainment venue.

Bodega Domingo Hermanos began producing wines in the 1960s, taking advantage of the high-altitude conditions of Salta. Today, the winery has a tank capacity of 1.6 million gallons (6 million

liters). The altitude — about 5,500 feet (1,700 meters) — creates excellent conditions for growing Torrontés grapes, a varietal for which Bodega Domingo Hermanos is famous.

Tours of the production facilities give visitors an insight into a more traditional method of wine making, and the table wines available for purchase at the bodega are among the best in the

region.