Ultimate Guide to Cafayate: North Argentina’s Wine Region
This guide will show you what to do in Cafayate, and where to find all the best wineries around town.
Finding out there were dozens of vineyards in Cafayate was a big surprise to me. Before going to Cafayate Argentina, I honestly had no idea that it was one of Argentina’s greatest wine regions.
Cafayate, in the province of Salta, is well known for its wine, bodegas, and vineyards. Bodegas are scattered around the town center, and vineyards exist just a short walk outside of town, while others require a slightly higher-than-average taxi ride. Some require reservations, while others are walk-in, and have several free tours and samplings throughout the day.
I’ve now been to Cafayate twice. The first time I went was in June 2022. I spent several days visiting wineries, and bodegas, and doing several taste tests. I went back again in November 2024 and made sure to hit up the wineries that I missed the first time around, as well as a few repeats.
In this blog post, I will suggest all the best wineries to visit, as well as where to stay, and when to visit Cafayate.
Where is Cafayate?
Cafayate is in the northern Argentine province of Salta, three hours south of its capital city with the same name- Salta. It is a beautiful drive by both car and bus, especially if you get the front seat on the bus. There is a direct bus between Salta and Cafayate.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to the North of Argentina
How Many Days in Cafayate
I spent one week in Cafayate the first time I went, as I enjoyed the small town feel and proximity to nature. For my second visit, I stayed for just 3 days, but I was still able to visit a number of wineries and bodegas.
You’ll want to dedicate at least one full day, potentially two, to visiting the bodegas and wineries in and around Cafayate. Give yourself another day or two to see the nature. You can see all the stops along the highway between Salta and Cafayate in Quebrada de las Conchas easily in one day.
If you like hiking, then spend another day at the Camino de los Siete Cascadas.
How many days you stay depends on what you want to do in Cafayate, from wine tastings to wine tours, and exploring nature.
When to visit Cafayate
My first time in Cafayate was in June 2022, the middle of winter. Most of the vineyards were dead and the scenery was duller. It was still beautiful, but less colorful.
I was shocked by what I saw the second time I went to Cafayate in November of 2024. It was mid-spring, the sun was out, and there was green everywhere I looked. The vineyards were in full force. It was an amazing sight.
If you have a choice, I suggest visiting in the spring or summer (October – February). The fall and winter (April – August) are still beautiful, but visiting in the spring simply felt magical. The two photos below were taken at the same place but at different times of the year.
Vineyards in Cafayate
There are many things to do in Cafayate, but a Cafayate winery tour is the most popular. There are several bodegas and vineyards in Cafayate. This town is such a hidden gem, as Mendoza gets all the credit for being the wine region. If you come to Cafayate, you must partake in the ruta del vino and visit as many wineries as you can.
If you’re traveling throughout the north of Argentina, Cafayate should be high on your list.
Vineyards in Cafayate: Piatelli Vineyards
This is easily the most well-known bodega and vineyard in the area. It’s where everyone told me to go for wine when I mentioned heading to Cafayate. Because of its popularity, a reservation is required.
To make a reservation, simply email them at reservas@piattelli.com.ar.
Piatelli Vineyards offers a variety of wine taste tests and other activities. See below for the various options including picnics, horseback riding, tours, lunch, etc. as well as timetables. You can check them out here on their website.
The pdf listed below is from November 2024.
Piatelli Tours
The most common option is to do a wine tour, a taste test, and a table reservation (all in advance) for lunch. The tour lasts about 30 minutes, starting at the vineyard just outside. You’re then taken to three different rooms, shown charts about the process, and get an explanation about the giant metal wine barrels (and wooden ones in the basement), before going to the testing room.
I have done this tour now 3 times!
Piatelli Tastings
The testing consists of several wines (white, rose, and red) from the province of Salta, and then compared with those from the vineyard in Mendoza. You can select which types of wines you would like to sample, in order from least to most expensive: RESERVE, GRAND RESERVE, and ICON WINES.
The sampling portion lasts about 20 minutes, while the guide discusses the variations of the grapes, mouth feel, etc. The tour/tasting reservation must be made in advance. I have done the tour in both English and Spanish. When I did the English tour, it was mixed with Spanish. The guide spoke first in Spanish, then turned his attention to the English speakers.
Dining at Piatelli
The restaurant has a beautiful indoor dining area, as well as an outdoor patio. When I was here in winter, I was lucky it was a sunny day and I ate outside. In the spring, the views of the vineyard were incredible but there were also a lot of flies so we ate inside. The reservation to eat must be made in advance.
There are several dining options including a 3-course, or 5-course meal, as well as individual items on the menu.
Note: be cautious that you are making your dining reservation for the bodega, and not the hotel, which is just next door.
Getting to Piatelli Vineyards
If you walk here from the center of town, it may take up to an hour or slightly more. It is a 12-minute drive from the center of town.
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Vineyards in Cafayate: Cabras de Cafayate
While this is not a traditional wine bodega, it’s worth a stop while you’re in Cafayate. This is a goat farm that specializes in goat cheese. The degustacion (tasting) gives a mix of both goat and cow cheeses.
The owner of this goat farm is also the owner of the winery Domingo Hermanos, so you’ll get a glass of white or red wine along with your cheese plate (about $5).
After tasting all the cheeses, take a stroll over to see the goats just around the corner. There are also several cats roaming around, hoping for scraps of cheese passed down. If you’re unlucky enough, one will scratch you and draw blood while begging for cheese, as I found out firsthand.
You do not need to make a reservation.
Getting to Cabras de Cafayate
This is about a 40-minute walk from town, but just a 5-10 minute taxi ride.
Vineyards in Cafayate: Vasija Secreta
This is the oldest bodega and vineyard in Cafayate and sits just across the road from the bus terminal, right outside of town. The bodega is just off the main street. There is a massive field of grape vines with the mountains of Salta as a backdrop, just behind the bodega.
It is easy to walk in for a free tour, which happens intermittently throughout the day. The free tour includes a short visit throughout the bodega followed by a small tasting of one white and one red wine.
There are more experiences available on their website, including tours of the bodega, the vineyard, and the museum, at varying price points. Make a reservation online if you want to have a specific experience.
You do not need to make a reservation to visit this location and do a simple tasting.
Vineyards in Cafayate: El Esteco
This bodega is just across the street from the Vasija Secreta, but down a long dirt road. You get the sense you are walking back in time as you near the bodega, surrounded by 1000 acres of vineyard.
There are several types of experiences at this bodega and vineyard that do require a reservation, such as guided tours, nighttime tastings, horseback riding through the vineyard, etc. The majority of these activities are conducted only in Spanish unfortunately.
You do not need to make a reservation to stop in for a visit and a tasting.
This bodega has a great front room where you can do self-conducted wine tastings. There is a cabinet with 8 different types of wines (red, white, & rose), and with a special card you get from the reception, you can select which wine and the quantity you would like to try. Once you are satisfied, take the card up to the reception and pay the total consumption.
Vineyards in Cafayate: Finca Las Nubes
Getting to this bodega and vineyard will require a car or a taxi ride, as it is a bit outside of town, on the way to the Siete Cascadas. There is no public transport that goes here. The view from the bodega is incredible, as you’ll look out over the vineyards, with the mountains in the background.
You need to make a reservation to visit this bodega and vineyard to do the wine tasting and guided visits. The guided visits are in Spanish only and cost about $10 per person, including the tasting. There are 6 tour times per day: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 14, 15:30, and 17:00.
Without a reservation, you are welcome to visit the winery, walk through its vineyards, and have lunch in the grassy dining area. This is one of my favorite wineries in town. It has beautiful views, is small and simple, and has a delicious lunch menu.
I came in both winter and spring, and I can guarantee you that the spring views are much better!
Bodegas en Cafayate
There are several bodegas right in the center of the town, easy to walk to, and do not require reservations. All waiting for you to try them out. Here are a few great ones:
Headed to Salta soon? Make sure to read this ULTIMATE GUIDE to the northern provinces.
See Nature in the Cafayate Area
While Cafayate is known for wine, it also has some of the most incredible nature surrounding it.
What to See between Cafayate and Salta
The area between Salta and Cafayate is called La Quebrada de las Conchas. This is one of the most stunning drives in Argentina. If you decide to rent a car, or if you hire a taxi, here are a few of the stops to make in La Quebrada de las Conchas. You will find incredible views and amazing rock formations.
- Tres Cruces
- Las Ventanas
- Anfiteatro
- La Garganta del Diablo
- Los Medanos (sand dunes)
- Los Colorados
- El Obelisco
- Yesera
- La Casa de los Loros
- El Fraile
Go hiking outside of Cafayate
One of the best places to go hiking outside Cafayate is the Camino de los Siete Cascadas (Seven Waterfalls). The trail is not well marked, and pretty wild, and you have to use both hands to pull yourself up and over several boulders, but so worth it.
There are local guides available if you prefer to go with someone who knows the area and trails well.
The trailhead to the Siete Cascadas is just 20 minutes outside of town. If you don’t have a car, you can hire a taxi. The drivers here know the area well and will be able to bring you to the trailhead.
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Excursions in Cafayate
If you don’t have a lot of time to explore Cafayate on your own, you always have the option to join group trips. Several trips with GetYourGuide and Viator will take you to Cafayate and the surrounding area.
From Salta: Cafayate and Quebrada de las Conchas
This is a 12-hour tour that leaves Salta Capital and stops at several of the incredible rock formations on the way to Cafayate. In Cafayate, you’ll have the chance to visit wineries and do wine tastings. Transportation, a bilingual guide, and hotel pick-up are included. Food, drinks, and tips are not included. This is an excellent tour for the price.
Half-Day Wine Road Premium Tour From Cafayate
This is a 6-hour day that begins and ends in the town of Cafayate. You will visit multiple bodegas and vineyards outside of Cafayate and learn about the wine-making process. The price includes a bilingual guide, transportation, lunch, drinks, and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience in Cafayate, Salta
This is a 2-day trip dedicated exclusively to appreciating wine. This tour is catered to luxury travelers. You will stop at wineries, learn about the wine-making process, and speak to winemakers.
You’ll also have the chance to see the amazing views of the surrounding area. The price includes a bilingual guide, private transportation with AC, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and visits to the swanky Bodega San Pedro de Yacochuya, Piatelli Vineyards, and Experiencia Colome.
Where to Eat in Cafayate
If you’re visiting the Cafayate wineries, chances are you’ll have lunch options available there. Many of the wineries, like Finca las Nubes and Piatelli Vineyards offer wine tasting, tours, and lunch packages.
If you’re looking for a place to eat in the center of Cafayate, the main plaza is full of options. Here are a few of my favorites.
Black Tote Parrilla
Escape the tourist center and head over to this super local parrilla restaurant. We had the best service in all of Argentina here. There is live music and it is super busy, but the waiters hustle around and make sure you’re always fed.
AMPI
You can get great local food options here including empanadas, locro, and tamales. They also have good cheese and meat platters. They offer local wines and great craft beer options.
Nuevo Restaurante
Nuevo Restaurante on Google Maps
The food here was delicious with many local options. The prices are also affordable. They also have some vegetarian options.
Bierhaus Cafayate
Bierhaus Cafayate on Google Maps
Even though Cafayate Argentina is known for its wine, you can also find decent craft beer options. The Bierhaus Cafayate was a fun place to hang out in the evenings and have a pint and a snack.
Doña Argentina Espacio Cultural
Doña Argentina Espacio Cultural on Google Maps
While you’re in the north of Argentina, visiting a peña is an absolute must. You can eat and drink all the local traditional foods and wines while listening to the amazing sounds of folclórico music. Peñas create an atmosphere of community as the singers often interact with the whole audience.
This place opens at 8 pm but the music starts at 10 pm. It gets very crowded and full on the weekends.
Getting Around Cafayate
Cafayate is a small town with big wine dreams. There are four main ways to get around Cafayate.
Walk
The easiest thing to do is walk around in Cafayate. The bus station is 15 minutes from the center of town. There are several bodegas right in the center of town. While some of the wineries require a car to reach them, several of them can easily be reached by foot, such as Vasija Secreta and El Esteco.
Bike
One popular activity in Cafayate Salta is to rent a bicycle and ride to the wineries. There are a few places in town to rent a bicycle. I suggest asking your accommodations if they rent bikes or if they recommend one place over the other. One of the bike rental shops is at the start of town, not far from the bus station, called Bike rental Cafayate. Another shop, just a few blocks away is the RuralBikeCafayate.
Taxi
If you plan to go to some of the wineries a bit further out like Piatelli Vineyards or Finca Las Nubes, you’ll probably want to get a taxi. They are easy to find around town, especially in the main plaza. The taxi prices are very reasonable.
Rent a Car
The first time I went to Cafayate, I mostly walked and used taxis. The second time we rented a car, and it was a whole new experience. We had so much more freedom to move around as we pleased. I highly suggest this option. We rented our car from RentalCars.com as I have always had a good experience with them.
Getting to Cafayate
Bus (ruta de Salta a Cafayate)
Several bus companies drive the route from Salta to Cafayate. Go to the Salta terminal to check all the schedules with each company to see which fits your needs best. However, you can check online with BusBud first to get a general idea.
I went with FlechaBus, which was a double-decker bus. Try to sit in the first-row seat on the upper floor which provides you with incredible views of the journey. I highly recommend this.
The bus terminal in Cafayate is just outside of town, but easily walkable. It took me 15 minutes to walk from the terminal to my guest house in the center of town.
Salta to Cafayate bus
The timetable for the FlechaBus buses from Salta Capital to Cafayate is as follows: 6:50 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, 5 pm, 7:30 pm, 9 pm.
PRICE: Equivalent to 4 USD
TIME: 3 hours
Cafayate to Salta bus
The bus terminal is just outside of town, and easily reached by foot from any guest house in the center. The timetable for the buses from Cafayate to Salta Capital are as follows: 4 am, 8:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm.
PRICE: Equivalent to 4 USD
TIME: 3 hours
Rent a Car
If you want a little more freedom to see this incredible area, I highly recommend renting a car. My friend and I rented a car the second time I went to Cafayate and it allowed us to drive around the Quebrada de las Conchas and see all of the incredible rock formations. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without a car.
We rented our car in San Miguel de Tucumán and did a big road trip around the north. If you’re not planning to visit Tucumán, the best place to rent a car would be in Salta.
Where to stay in Cafayate
Hospedaje Los Cardones
Breakfast is included. There is wifi in the main area but it’s not great in the room. The rooms were clean, and comfortable, with good lighting. I enjoyed staying here for the week. The location was fantastic. It was a 2-minute walk from the main plaza and a 15-minute walk from the bus station.
Click HERE to see availability and book this fantastic Bnb in Cafayate
Hotel Asturias
I stayed in this beautiful old hotel in the center of Cafayate on my second visit. I loved it so much. It was one of my favorite places to stay during the entire trip. There is a lovely swimming pool and an amazing breakfast buffet. The rooms were big and spacious.
Book your stay NOW at the beautiful Hotel Asturias
Piatelli Resort
Stay at the beautiful and luxurious Piatelli Resort which is in the center of the vineyards. I came here for a wine tour, tasting, and lunch and it was incredible. I would have loved to stay at this resort for a few nights.
Click HERE to book the most famous resort in Cafayate
Vineyards in Cafayate Final Thoughts
I was very pleasantly surprised by Cafayate. I heard it was nice, but had no idea what to expect. The town of Cafayate is small, cozy, and pleasant. It is easy to walk around town and find several restaurants and of course several other bodegas and vineyards in Cafayate.
Cafayate is not only a place for wine. There is a lot of nature around. If you rent a car, you should take advantage of all the amazing places Cafayate has to offer. A visit to Cafayate is well worth your time.
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