Salta is an enviable mix of graceful colonial architecture, gracious and amiable people, rich history and national pride.
The city was initially conceived as a load transfer point between the competing ports of Callao near Lima in Peru and Buenos Aires in Argentina. A Spanish settler Hernando de Lerma founded Salta on April 16, 1582. Prior to its colonization by the Spanish, shepherds and hunters lived here for centuries under the vast empire of the Incas, ruling from the distant territory of Lake Titicaca and Cuzco in present-day Peru.
Despite the Spanish influence, Salta has a unique blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures, as seen in its architecture. The people of Salta tend to be more traditional and conservative than those in the rest of Argentina. Therefore, the city is so different from most cities in Argentina.
Salta is located at the foothills of the snowy Andes in the heart of Argentina's incredibly diverse northwest corner. To the west are high arid plains and Salta’s famous salt flats – Las Salinas Grandes. This is a land of sparse vegetation, small huts and tiny communities with only a few inhabitants.
To the east, in the Gran Chaco region, we can observe a different situation: here, the ground is far more fertile, and the air is always humid. In the same place are the El Rey National Park and the Yungas Jungle –home to South America’s largest wildcat.
Those who like to see the city’s panorama can take the cable car to the majestic San Bernardo Hill. At the top is an observation deck and several craft shops where you can buy souvenirs. You can get either on foot, admiring the beautiful views, or by descending cable car in the opposite direction.
In Salta, you can also visit one of the highest railroads in the world, reaching a height of 4,200 meters and passing through jagged mountain passes and valley edges, offering incredibly breathtaking views!
And if you want to taste the most delicious empanadas in all of Argentina, then most of the residents will recommend empanadas in Salta. They are called salteñas here and differ in that they are usually baked without adding fat or oil. Typical fillings include carne suave or picante. A beef version is typically cooked with beef, red pepper, green onion, potato, and egg.
The city’s main sights are concentrated on Plaza 9 de Julio or within walking distance from it. Therefore, the city is easy to explore on foot. However, you should be careful on the roads since local drivers are unwilling to look out for pedestrians. It is better to walk along Peatonal Florida, Salta’s pedestrian-only street, like a smaller version of Calle Florida in Buenos Aires, where most of the city's shops are located.
You can easily get to Salta from Buenos Aires with regular flights.
The city was initially conceived as a load transfer point between the competing ports of Callao near Lima in Peru and Buenos Aires in Argentina. A Spanish settler Hernando de Lerma founded Salta on April 16, 1582. Prior to its colonization by the Spanish, shepherds and hunters lived here for centuries under the vast empire of the Incas, ruling from the distant territory of Lake Titicaca and Cuzco in present-day Peru.
Despite the Spanish influence, Salta has a unique blend of Spanish and indigenous cultures, as seen in its architecture. The people of Salta tend to be more traditional and conservative than those in the rest of Argentina. Therefore, the city is so different from most cities in Argentina.
Salta is located at the foothills of the snowy Andes in the heart of Argentina's incredibly diverse northwest corner. To the west are high arid plains and Salta’s famous salt flats – Las Salinas Grandes. This is a land of sparse vegetation, small huts and tiny communities with only a few inhabitants.
To the east, in the Gran Chaco region, we can observe a different situation: here, the ground is far more fertile, and the air is always humid. In the same place are the El Rey National Park and the Yungas Jungle –home to South America’s largest wildcat.
Those who like to see the city’s panorama can take the cable car to the majestic San Bernardo Hill. At the top is an observation deck and several craft shops where you can buy souvenirs. You can get either on foot, admiring the beautiful views, or by descending cable car in the opposite direction.
In Salta, you can also visit one of the highest railroads in the world, reaching a height of 4,200 meters and passing through jagged mountain passes and valley edges, offering incredibly breathtaking views!
And if you want to taste the most delicious empanadas in all of Argentina, then most of the residents will recommend empanadas in Salta. They are called salteñas here and differ in that they are usually baked without adding fat or oil. Typical fillings include carne suave or picante. A beef version is typically cooked with beef, red pepper, green onion, potato, and egg.
The city’s main sights are concentrated on Plaza 9 de Julio or within walking distance from it. Therefore, the city is easy to explore on foot. However, you should be careful on the roads since local drivers are unwilling to look out for pedestrians. It is better to walk along Peatonal Florida, Salta’s pedestrian-only street, like a smaller version of Calle Florida in Buenos Aires, where most of the city's shops are located.
You can easily get to Salta from Buenos Aires with regular flights.