Salta In 24 Hours
Quick answer: Salta in 24 hours is very doable: a well-planned day lets you see the main square, the cathedral, two excellent museums, historic convents, Parque San Martín and the cable car up San Bernardo Hill, finishing with dinner at a folk-music peña. Salta City is the capital of Salta province in Northern Argentina, and its Spanish colonial imprints, narrow streets of single-storey houses and mountain backdrop give it a unique charm.
Here is an hour-by-hour itinerary to make the most of one day in Salta.
Morning: Plaza 9 de Julio and the Historic Centre
09:30 AM – Plaza 9 de Julio
Start your day at Plaza 9 de Julio, the main square of Salta. At its centre stands a monument to General Juan Antonio Alvarez, who fought in the renowned Battle of Salta in 1813, surrounded by 14 muses representing the 14 provinces that existed at the time.
10:00 AM – Cathedral Basilica
Right opposite the square is the Cathedral Basilica, often described as one of the most beautiful churches in Argentina. Its main attraction is the Italian-style façade, and inside you will find paintings of angels, archangels and cherubs.
10:20 AM – Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña
Walk to the renowned High Mountain Archaeology Museum, known for exhibiting the mummies of three Inca children found at the top of Llullaillaco Volcano.
- Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm
- Entry: 100 pesos (USD 7) for visitors over 12
11:30 AM – El Cabildo Museum
Head to El Cabildo, a well-preserved museum opposite the Cathedral Basilica. It is housed in a colonial-style building constructed by the Spanish in 1717 and displays pictures, portraits and other valuable pieces such as furniture.
- Open: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
- Entry: 20 pesos (USD 1.5)
12:30 PM – Lunch
Stop at one of the restaurants or cafés in the arcade by the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña for lunch.
Afternoon: Convents, Parks and San Bernardo Hill
02:00 PM – Basilica and Convent of San Francisco
Head to Córdoba Street to visit the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, one of the foremost examples of the city’s architectural and historical heritage. Its library holds about 40,000 valuable antique books.
03:00 PM – San Bernardo Convent
Stroll along Caseros Street to San Bernardo Convent, one of the oldest buildings in Salta. It was originally built as a hermitage for St. Bernardo, Salta’s first patron saint. The columns holding the lintel carry two arches joined in the centre by a carving of leaves and a panel with Christ’s initials.
03:30 PM – Parque San Martín
Make your way to Parque San Martín and wander along paths lined with ancient trees.
05:00 PM – Cable Car to San Bernardo Hill
Take the cable car from Parque San Martín to the top of San Bernardo Hill. The eight-minute ride offers a panoramic view of Salta City and the Lerma Valley.
- Cost: 75 pesos (USD 5) return per person
- Hours: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Evening: Dinner at a Peña
07:00 PM – Zona De La Balcarce
Wind up your day with an authentic taste of Salta at one of the peñas in Zona De La Balcarce. Peñas are restaurants that play live folk music and serve traditional food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24 hours enough in Salta?
Yes. A well-planned day gives you ample time to explore the city’s main attractions.
What is the most famous museum in Salta?
The Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, which displays the mummies of three Inca children found on Llullaillaco Volcano.
How much is the San Bernardo Hill cable car?
A return trip costs 75 pesos (USD 5) per person; it runs from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
What is a peña?
A restaurant with live folk music and traditional food; Zona De La Balcarce has several.
Conclusion
From colonial plazas and Inca history to sweeping views from San Bernardo Hill and folk music at night, Salta packs a lot into a single day. Follow this itinerary and you will leave with a real feel for the city.
Amazing how much you can do in just 24 hours!
This sounds like a great experience and Salta was an unknown commodity for me till now. Haven’t read many posts on this place in particular and Argentina in general.
I’ve never been in South America, I would love to see Argentina for sure, and this article and photos just made me wan to go now! 🙂
This is a very thorough guide! The Cathedral looks to be well worth a visit. Thanks for sharing!
A day in Salta is surely not enough, but you made good use of every hour! Traditional food and live music is always a good way to end a day.
The ride on the cable car from Parque San Martín sounds cool. Great guide!
This looks like a quaint Argentinian town. Would love to explore it. I haven’t made it down to South America and Argentina is on the top of my list!
Was just stumbling across other Argentina blogs and was bit sad we decided to not go to Argentina. We are heading to Bolivia instead of it, so def will take noes for our next Argentina trip!
I love visiting cathedrals! This is a part of the world I’m really keen to visit but just haven’t had the chance yet. Thanks for the guide!