Right at the foot of the majestic Andes mountains lies Argentina’s capital of wine – Mendoza. Considered a must-visit destination in the country, this city is so much more than just its perfectly aligned fields of grapes!
Yes, you can’t miss one or too many glasses of world-class Malbec when in town, but bear fear or better, wine fear is real and thankfully Mendoza has many other amazing activities to help cure your hangover.
Let’s break them down!
Best Things to Do in Mendoza
1. Mount Aconcagua
Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere! Standing at an impressive 6,961 meters (Everest stands just a bit higher at 8,849 m), this colossal mountain attracts adventures, climbers, and nature enthusiasts from around the globe.
The Aconcagua Park, where the Mount is located, hosts a number of viewpoints and moderate hikes for all fitness levels. You can read all about it in our complete guide here.
The road trip to Aconcagua ranks as one of the most breathtaking we have ever done! The road winds through the heart of the colossal Andes mountains and you feel like a small little human driving your small insignificant little car next to it. So freaking beautiful!
From Mendoza, reaching the park will take you about three hours. Along the way, you will be tempted to pause at numerous scenic spots like Lake Potrerillos and the Uspallata Valley – do it.
Tip: we recommend renting a car and driving to the park on your own as the guided tours here can feel rushed. Enjoy the freedom and stop at Uspallata Valley and head to Casita Suiza for breakfast!
2. Lake Potrerillos
Just about an hour away from the city, on the same road that takes you to Aconcagua is Lake Potrerillos. This man-made reservoir was constructed in the early 1990s and primarily designed to aid irrigation and hydroelectric power production.
Nowadays, the lake is a very popular destination among locals and it’s where they go during the spring and summer months to swim, kayak, and enjoy a day by the water.
Hot tip: Instead of taking Route 7, visit the lake through the Cacheuta Spa route (R82). This way you’ll get the best view of the lake coming out of the Cacheuta tunnel.
3. Rafting on the Mendoza River
What better way to cure your hungover than with a drop of adrenaline?! The Mendoza River, fed by the melting snows of the Andes, provides the most scenic backdrop to an action-packed day. The most common activity here is rafting!
Rafting tours are usually half-day excursions, like this one. You will start with a safety briefing and some basic paddling instructions before hitting the water. The experience is a combination of intense bursts of padding through the rapids and peaceful floats to admire the scenery.
4. Wine-Tasting Tours
As mentioned before, you can’t miss one or too many glasses of world-class wine when in town. But why?! Because Mendoza is renowned worldwide for its exceptional wines, particularly its Malbecs, which have placed Argentina on the global wine map.
The region’s unique climate, with hot sunny days and cool nights, creates the perfect conditions for growing grapes. Because of it, 800+ vineyards have established themselves in the region, and choosing where to go can be quite a tricky little task!
Wine-tasting tours in Mendoza can vary widely. They range from half-day tours focusing on a single vineyard to multi-day excursions that visit several wineries across different regions such as Luján de Cuyo, Valle de Uco, and Maipú.
These might include walking through the vineyards, participating in the harvest, or even blending your own wine under the guidance of expert winemakers. Gourmet meals prepared by top chefs are also an option in many of the wineries.
If you want to go deep into the best options, read our complete guide here. For a quick rundown, here are the two best ways to visit the wineries:
🚌 Take the Bus Vitivinícola Tour: choose between 15 pre-made itineraries which include up to 5 wineries in a full-day guided tour, hop on a bus, and don’t worry about a single thing other than tasting fine wines.
Note: the bus ticket varies depending on the itinerary, but you can expect it to be something around 25-35 euros per person. The fare does not include the wineries’ rates for guided visits and wine tasting. Find all of the information about this tour here.
🚕 By taxi, Uber, or Private Tour: the wineries are usually located at least 30 minutes driving away from the city center, so if you’re not taking a guided tour, arranging a taxi/uber or booking a private tour might be your best option.
5. Cerro de La Gloria
Cerro de la Gloria is a must-visit in Mendoza, offering not only breathtaking views of the city and the Andes but also a fascinating slice of history.
At the top, you’ll find the impressive monument dedicated to General San Martín and his Army of the Andes, the heroes who played a crucial role in the liberation of Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule.
In 1817, San Martín led his troops across the Andes mountain, a feat that was considered nearly impossible at the time. He meticulously and strategically planned the crossing, and the 4,000 soldiers successfully reached Chile with minimal losses after a 21-day trek.
Fun fact: we were told by a guide that San Martín calculated all the times of the day when the mountains would shadow his planned path. This way they would never be under scorching sun. Pretty amazing, huh?!
The monument at the top of Cerro de la Gloria, tells this story.
You can reach the top of the hill by hiking for around 50 minutes to 1 hour or simply getting an Uber up top, which is what we did. Given how hot it is here during summer, that’s what we’d recommend doing too.
Hot tip: have a sit and enjoy some fresh juice at the small restaurant Arboleda Mirador a la Gloria.
6. Parque General San Martín
Parque General San Martín is the largest park in Mendoza and also a centerpiece of local life. A quick visit and you’ll see all kinds of people practicing sports, sitting around chatting, having an ice cream or simply sunbathing on the grass. It’s lovely.
And it’s huge! The park covers over 400 hectares, which makes it impossible to see it all in one day. Even Cerro de la Gloria is located here.
Besides the hill, make sure to also stroll around the park and see the main fountain, the lake, and the rose garden (especially beautiful in spring).
7. Horseback Riding in the Countryside
A very unique and authentic way to experience the region’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage!
Horseback riding in Mendoza is deeply rooted in the local Gaucho culture. Gauchos are the famed horsemen of Argentina, known for their skills in managing the vast cattle ranches of the pampas.
Riding through the countryside, you will get a taste of this traditional lifestyle, which remains a proud and integral part of Argentine identity. Many tours even include a visit to a working estancia (ranch), where you can see Gauchos in action and learn about their daily lives.
Fun fact: when Gauchos butcher cattle, nothing goes to waste. That’s how the Argentine Parrillada came to be: a barbecue with a cow’s not-so-prime parts.
8. Explore the Historic Center
Mendoza City brims with history, art, and culture. Let’s break down what the city has to offer:
🌳 Plaza Independencia: the beating heart of Mendoza’s historic center. During the day, it’s bustling with artists, vendors, and street performers, and by night, it lights up creating a perfect setting for an evening stroll or a relaxing sit-down by the fountains.
Hot tip: the city’s contemporary art museum is also located at this park, make sure to pay a visit!
☕ Pasaje San Martín: a historic passage that offers a peek into the old-world charm of Mendoza with its array of shops and cafes.
⛪ Basílica de San Francisco: Constructed in the 19th century, this basilica is a prime example of colonial-style architecture. But this one is not just a place of worship but also a symbol of Mendoza’s resilience. It has withstood several earthquakes over the centuries, including the devastating one of 1861, which reshaped much of the city.
🏛️ Museo del Área Fundacional: Located at the site of Mendoza’s original foundation, this museum showcases artifacts from the city’s early days and tells the story of its remarkable recovery from the devastating 1861 earthquake.
Some other nice places to visit in the city include Plaza España with its colorful tiles, Mercado Central (Central Market) for artisan products, and Arístides Villanueva Street for trendy shops, restaurants, and bars.
Mendoza Travel Tips
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Mendoza depends on what you’re looking to experience. The city’s Mediterranean-like climate, with warm, sunny days and cool nights, ensures that any time of year is ideal for a visit.
That being said, spring and autumn are usually considered the best seasons for wine tourism. During the summer months, temperatures often reach up to 35°C.
June to August is a great time for skiing and snowboarding in the Andes. The city’s attractions are less crowded, making it a peaceful time to visit.
If you want a unique cultural experience, visit in March for the grape harvest festival called Vendimia. This is one of the most important and famous wine festivals in the world, attracting visitors from all over the globe.
How to get to Mendoza
As a travel hub, Mendoza is well-connected by air and road with major Argentine cities and neighboring countries, making it easily accessible for tourists.
✈️ By Air: You can fly directly from Buenos Aires or Santiago del Chile to Mendoza International Airport. In Argentina, the most common airlines are Aerolineas Argentinas and the low-cost Fly Bondy.
🚌 By Bus: You can also reach Mendoza from both Buenos Aires and Santiago del Chile by bus. Buses from Buenos Aires generally take about 13 to 16 hours, while from Santiago take only 6 to 8 hours. You can find tickets online here.
Hot tip: We recommend getting online bus tickets via Bookaway in Argentina. If you can’t find a route online, we recommend booking the tickets directly at the bus station, also called “Terminal Autobuses” or just “Terminal” in Spanish.
Where to Stay in Mendoza
As a general rule of thumb, the closer you are to Plaza Independencia, the better located you are and the easier it will be to walk between the city’s main attractions, restaurants, and bars. If you prefer a more secluded stay, then the wine country has some pretty amazing accommodations.
Out of the city, the best luxurious option is the Cavas Wine Lodge, with its private cabins located right in the middle of the vineyards.
Hot tip: Airbnbs in Argentina are also super cheap and convenient, especially if you’re a digital nomad and need more structure than just a hotel room. You can find really good places starting at 25 euros a night.
Where to Eat in Mendoza
Argentine cuisine is often celebrated for its exceptional asado (barbecue), but in reality, their food is a blend of indigenous, Spanish, and Italian influences. It also features delicious empanadas, pasta, pizza, and the sweet flavor of dulce de leche in desserts.
In Mendoza, the best streets to find a place to eat are Sarmiento Street, Arístides Villanueva Street, and Paseo Alameda.
Here’s a breakdown of our favorite restaurants in Mendoza:
🥟 Anna Bistró: the best sorrentinos we had in all of Argentina! Sorrentinos are a type of stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli but typically larger and rounder, and traditional from Argentina.
🐮 El Asadito: for a wide range of perfectly grilled meats. Their Chorizo beef and provoleta (grilled provolone cheese) are to die for and we heard great things about their traditional Parillada.
🍕 Bigalia: on the other side of the road from El Asadito, Bigalia offers some great traditional Napolitan pizzas. We highly recommend the Burrata & Prosciutto flavor.
Hot Tip: Nightlife in Mendoza, like many places in Argentina, starts and ends late. Dinner often begins around 8 PM or later, and clubs don’t get going until well past midnight.
Where to Go Next?
San Rafael
Located just about three hours south of Mendoza city, San Rafael is very popular among locals but has yet to be discovered by international travelers. A stunning canyon, a salt flat, and dunes are just some of the attractions and activities that make it a fantastic addition to any trip to Argentina’s famous wine region.
Read more: Discover San Rafael, Mendoza: The Ultimate Top 10 Things to Do
Malargüe
Now, if you’re willing to explore a really under-the-radar spectacular location in the Mendoza province, Malargüe is where you should go next. This remote area offers a unique set of adventure tourism, including the Payunia Reserve, a vast volcanic field with over 800 volcanic cones.
Read here: The Ultimate Guide to Malargüe – Argentina’s Real Hidden Gem
