Welcome to Argentina: Salta

Salta is a city in northwestern Argentina and the capital city of the eponymous province, situated at the foothills of the Andes mountains.

The city is located in the Lerma Valley, 1,152 meters above sea level. The weather is warm and dry, with annual averages of 756 mm of rainfall and an average temperature of 16.4 °C (20.4 °C in summer, 10.8 °C in winter). January and February are the months with greatest rainfall. During the spring, Salta is occasionally plagued by severe, week long dust storms.

Nicknamed Salta la Linda ("Salta the Beautiful"), it is a tourist destination in part due to its architectural attractions, such as the 18th century Cabildo, the Cathedral, and the Plaza 9 de Julio city park. It has also a number of museums, including the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, which houses the bodies of 3 Inca children found frozen at the summit of Mount Llullaillaco. Salta is also the starting point of the "Train to the Clouds" (Tren a las nubes), and on the way to red-soiled Cafayate, as well as to other nearby tourist destinations.

Salta principal square

Cafayate

The town is an important tourist centre for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and because of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area. It was founded in 1840 by Manuel, Fernando de Aramburu at the site of a mission. In 1863 the Cafayate Departament was created, of which Cafayate is the capital.

Cafayate´s Church

Wine yard and winery

Wines

The wine production is most important in the Valles Calchaquíes, followed by Tafi del Valle. The wines produced in the region benefit from the low-humidity mild weather of the valleys that receive an average of less than 250 mm per year. The most characteristic type of wine cultivated in the area is Torrontés. Most wine-cellars around the town host free guided tours.