Salta

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes in Argentina’s far northwest, Salta offers a richly rewarding alternative to the country’s better-known south. Expect colonial towns, red-rock valleys, colourful highland villages, and vast salt flats – all served with warm hospitality and some of the best food and wine in the country.

The city of Salta is charming and unhurried, with grand churches, lively markets, and museums that bring the region’s layered history to life. Beyond the city, the landscape opens up into some of South America’s most striking terrain – from the cactus-dotted gorges of the Calchaquí Valleys to the shimmering salt pans and rainbow hills further north. The vineyards around Cafayate also offer a more low-key, intimate wine experience than Mendoza, with excellent high-altitude reds and welcoming, family-run bodegas.

This is a fantastic destination for independent travellers who enjoy the freedom of a road trip, love dramatic scenery, and are drawn to places with cultural depth and local character. Whether you’re hiking in the hills, driving through remote villages, or simply lingering over a long lunch in a sun-drenched plaza, Salta delivers an authentic and quietly captivating side of Argentina.