How to Spend One Day in Salta Argentina
If you only have one day in Salta, Argentina, read this post and I’ll show you how to maximize your time, eat the best food, and see the most important attractions.
I was always curious about the north of Argentina, and I was not disappointed when I finally went! While I chose to stay one week in Salta the first time I went, it’s possible to hit the highlights in just one day. Here I’ll lay out a general itinerary for spending one day in “Salta La Linda.”
This Salta Argentina itinerary can work for any day except Sunday when the city essentially shuts down and all you can hear are crickets.
The first time I went to Salta was in June 2022 and it was cold and grey. There weren’t a lot of people on the streets. The second time I went was in November of 2024, and spring was in full force. It was hot and everything was green.
What is Salta Argentina Like?
The population of Salta is 618,375, which is several times smaller than Buenos Aires. Salta Capital oscillates between feeling like a big city and a small town. Many buildings outside of the center are old and several are crumbling, and are generally not higher than two stories tall. This gives Salta a more “quaint” feeling.
The buildings in the center of the city are well taken care of while maintaining that old Spanish colonial feel. The main plaza is vibrant and full of restaurants, cafes, and orange trees.
However, when viewing the city from atop the giant hill, reachable by cable car, you can’t help but notice how sprawling it all feels, as white buildings spread off into the distance.
Where is Salta Located?
Salta is the capital city of the Salta Province. Salta is one of the most northern provinces of Argentina, along with Jujuy and Tucumán. The Salta province makes the shape of a U, with the capital city of Salta in its center, near the border with Jujuy.
The northeastern border of the Salta province touches Paraguay and Bolivia, while the western edge borders Chile.
These northwest provinces of Argentina are worth a visit if you love desert, hiking, mountains, wine, nature, and good food.
Map of Salta and Jujuy
If you look at the map below, you can see Jujuy outlined in blue and Salta outlined in purple. The capital city of Salta is in the center, with a yellow star.
Spend a Day in Salta
There are many things to do in Salta, even though this capital city is not so big. Because it is not big, it is easy to see the majority of the Salta attractions all in one day. This Salta itinerary will provide you with the best way to see everything and have a great time along the way.
You will soon know what to see in Salta, as well as what to eat, and where to stay.
9 am: Breakfast and Stroll in Salta
To spend one day in Salta, Argentina, start at the peatonal (foot traffic) area of the city on Calle Florida and Calle Alberdi. On Google Maps, these are the thinner streets in the center of the yellow area to the south of Plaza 9 de Julio.
You can find several traditional cafes in this area, offering the “desayuno” (breakfast) menu. They will have chalkboards out front announcing the day’s promos.
A common desayuno promo would be cafe con leche (or tea, or a submarino – warm milk with chocolate mixed in) with a choice of media lunas (croissants) or tortilla (like a dried layered bread), for approximately 3 USD. You can also choose to add a tostada (toasted ham/cheese sandwich) for a slightly higher price.
Post-Breakfast Stroll
Once you finish breakfast, take a stroll through the peatonal streets, which are bustling with people going about their business. You’ll find street buskers, folks selling you socks, and small kiosks selling popcorn, cotton candy, and garrapiñadas (candied peanuts- they’re delicious).
10:30 am: Plaza 9 de Julio in Salta Capital
The 9th of July is Argentina’s Independence Day, and they love a good excuse to name something after it. This plaza marks the center of the city and is surrounded on all 4 sides by the Cabildo, the Basilica, and several restaurants and cafes with outdoor patios.
The plaza itself is reminiscent of Cordoba Capital‘s Plaza San Martin, with Salta’s hero in the center, Juan Antonio de Arenales. He was a Spanish/Argentine soldier who assisted in the independence of Argentina. The plaza is scattered with benches, fountains, palm trees, and orange trees that remind me of Seville, Spain.
Enjoy a coffee at one of these cafe patios, or just take a lap around the plaza to appreciate its beauty. Expect these cafes to be slightly higher priced than the rest of the city, due to their prime location.
The Basilica of Salta
The Basilica is free to enter but closes to the public at noon, so I suggest heading there first to wander this magnificent building and admire its architecture.
Salta’s Cabildo
Once you finish up at the Basilica, head across the plaza to the Cabildo. All major cities in Argentina have a cabildo, and generally, they are all very similar. Cabildos are free museums for each city, telling the history of the city, the history of the construction of the building, antique findings from the past, and several religious paintings and icons.
The cabildo of Salta once served as the government building under Spanish rule. The cabildo has a second story where you can take in the plaza and its marvelous flora.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
This is a free museum on the northeast corner of the plaza. There are rotating exhibits of contemporary art.
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12 pm: Lunch in Salta
If you really want to perfectly spend one day in Salta, Argentina, you need to eat as much local food as possible. I think the northern provinces of Argentina have the best food in the whole country. There are several great options to have a delicious lunch in Salta.
Mercado Municial San Miguel
This was a popular place in 2022. But in 2024 the center of the market was under construction and getting renovated. I’m not sure when it will finish, so I will leave the information here in case it gets done soon. As of November 2024, there are still several market stalls on each end of the market building, as well as all around the perimeter of the building.
Inside this market, you could find the standard market fare: spices, veggies, fish, slaughtered animals being cut up, sweaters, knick-knacks, and the best part- a food court.
Inside the food court (currently under construction), you can find several different restaurants, each with their own colored tables marking their territory. I sat at the turquoise-colored tables because I liked the girl working there. She was the first person who approached me when I entered and explained the various food items.
I was looking for typical foods of the region, and I found exactly that here! I got one tamale con carne picante (with spicy meat), and one humita dulce (sweet corn).
The humita is very much like a tamale in texture, though slightly smoother. It is shaved corn mash, whereas a tamale is made from corn flour. The humita has two options- dulce (sweet) or salado (salty). I went for the sweet one and was not disappointed. I wanted something to contrast with my spicy tamale, and I made the right choice!
Don’t forget to add the aji picante (red spicy sauce) to your savory foods. It will take your meal from a 9 to a 10!
Restaurante Fai
This local restaurant is just a block from the San Miguel Market. It had the best tamales and humitas that I have had in the entire country. It is very local. Don’t expect to see any other foreigners here, and do expect to speak Spanish only. The owners are very kind and friendly.
1 pm: Parque San Martin
Just about 8 blocks down the street from the market, you’ll find San Martin Park. At the end of the park, to the right, there is a souvenir market. On the left, you’ll see the Teléferico.
Feria de artesanías Parque San Martín
Take a stroll through this local market. It’s bigger than it looks, and it’s full of items such as alpaca sweaters, mate cups, and other touristy items.
Teleférico San Bernardo
Once you tire of the market, head across the street to the Teleférico (cable car). As of 2024, the price for one way is $8 and roundtrip is $15 for foreigners. However, there is a walking path to the top if you prefer exercise.
You can choose to walk or take the cable car either way. I opted for the ride up, and the walk down. I chose this option both times I was in Salta. The trail going up is very challenging, but going down it is manageable. It is made of stone steps the entire way.
If you want to walk, the stairs begin at the Monument General Martin Miguel de Guemes, which is a 15-minute walk from the Teleférico station in Parque San Martin. If you decide to follow the steps down, the path begins near the waterfalls. Then just keep following the signs for ‘decenso.’
Regardless of how you go, you’ll eventually reach the Cerro San Bernardo, where you’ll be treated to an amazing view of the city, and several Instagram-worthy moments.
At the cerro (hilltop) you can find a restaurant, a cafe, a wine truck, and a few shops. There are also a few artificial waterfalls around, and, of course, the city sign “SALTA” to prove you were there!
If you choose to go in the evening, the last cable car ride is at 7:30 pm. You will be treated to a great sunset at the top of the hill. The second time I was in Salta, we had a coffee at the peak in the evening and it was very peaceful. If you have a car, you can drive up and have dinner at the beautiful restaurant called El Baqueano – Cocina Autóctona Contemporanea.
3:30 pm: Light Snack
Depending on how much time you spend on the cerro, you may have a little time to make it over to La Ollita (La Rioja 111) for the best empanadas of your life. They close at 4 pm (and re-open at 8 pm), so if you want to make it, plan accordingly!
This is a very local place and it feels like you’re walking into someone’s private home, but fear not. Follow the ‘entrada‘ signs! The food is cheap, fresh, and fast.
5-7 pm: Merienda in Salta
Argentines love their afternoon ‘merienda,’ or snack. This can consist of anything from media lunas and cafe con leche, to tostadas, or a beer.
Hotel Brizo offers a merienda buffet from 5 pm – 7 pm on their rooftop terrace. For $14/person, you can get coffee, tea, juice, and several pastries and fruit. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the merienda price, but beer is available for purchase. When you arrive, you need to tell the front desk so they can show you to the correct elevator.
While this is a hotel, I have heard horror stories about staying here. Therefore, I can recommend the rooftop buffet, but I cannot recommend staying here while in Salta.
9 pm: Dinner and Peña in Salta, Argentina
In Argentina, they can’t get enough of a late dinner, and in Salta, they love a good peña as well, which is essentially a restaurant with live folkloric music. The most famous peña in Salta is a place called La Casona del Molino (Cnel, Luis Burela 1, A4400 Salta).
It’s a bit outside of the center, and therefore more authentic and less touristy. The place is huge and has several rooms, including outdoor patio sections. In each room, there is someone playing folkloric guitar.
In many cases, people clap along while they consume their sangria and empanadas. I absolutely recommend coming here to feel the vibe of Salta. I also recommend making a reservation so you’re not stuck sitting outside in the winter, or inside in the summer (Reservations: 0387 434-2835). You may also get stuck waiting in line for a table to open up.
Day Trips from Salta
There are several great day trips from the capital city of Salta, from just 20 minutes away to several hours away. The choice is yours. Here are a few great day trip options:
- Drive to the Dique Las Cienegas to have lunch by the lake
- Spend a day in Villa San Lorenzo
- Drive the scenic route to Cafayate
- Drive to the Salinas Grandes
- Hike around the Cerro de los 7 Colores
Tours from Salta
Many people use Salta as a jumping-off point to visit the other natural wonders of the region including Purmamarca and El Cerro de los Siete Colores, Salinas Grandes, wine tasting in Cafayate, Serranías del Hornocal, and Uquia. Here are a few great tours you can take from Salta:
Is Salta, Argentina worth visiting?
Yes, Salta is worth visiting. It’s also the perfect place to start out if you’re planning a trip through northern Argentina. It’s not a massive city like Buenos Aires, but it is still a city where you can get things done like go to the bank, the Western Union, get your nails done, etc.
You can see almost everything in one day in Salta, but there are also a ton of great day trips from here. It’s interesting to see the changing lifestyles, climates, and cultures in all of the major cities of Argentina. Salta is a window into the desert life of Argentina.
Buenos Aires and Patagonia have a strong European influence, but Salta is influenced more by the indigenous roots of the area. This is made apparent by the food, the music, and the people.
When to visit Salta, Argentina?
I have visited Salta multiple times. The first few times I visited were in May and June of 2022. The weather at this time was a bit chilly, with a few scattered sunny days. On the sunny days, I only needed a light jacket. But there were several days when I needed to wear a beanie and heavier jacket.
Most recently I visited in November of 2024. It was hot, humid, and very green. There was a nice energy about the city, with lots of people hanging out in parks drinking mate, and taking walks.
I think the best times to visit Salta Argentina are the shoulder seasons of the fall (March & April) and spring (October & November).
The winter months (July & August) are cold, but there will also be the least amount of tourism, making prices lower and accommodation easier to get.
The summer months (December & January) will be very hot, and I do not recommend coming at this time. You should also keep in mind that carnival is celebrated heavily in Salta and Jujuy, and the population in the northern cities grows massively for a few days during this time (February).
Is Salta safe?
Yes, Salta is safe. I never felt worried or scared while in Salta. I walked alone at night as a solo female traveler and never had a single issue. Prices are lower in Salta than in other regions as well, so your money goes a bit further.
Where to Stay in Salta
You can find plenty of sleeping options in Salta, from youth hostels to nicer hotels.
Hostal Trotamundos
This hostel includes breakfast, and you can use the kitchen to cook. There was always hot water. The staff is friendly.
Click HERE to stay in the BEST hostel in Salta
Gran Hotel Presidente
Breakfast is included, it’s in the city center, and there is an indoor swimming pool.
Click HERE to stay in a FANTASTIC location in Salta
Luxor Hotel Salta
Breakfast included, in the city center, an outdoor swimming pool.Book NOW to stay in the Luxor Hotel
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Final Thoughts on How to Spend a Day in Salta
Salta is a truly magical place and a nice change from the chaos of Buenos Aires. I suggest staying at least 3 days to really get a feel of the city. However, as I’ve shown you here, you can also see a lot with just one day in Salta.
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