Discover Salta: History, Views and Cuisine

Salta can be discovered in different ways: through its historic buildings and museums, views across the city, and regional dishes. When choosing a holiday apartment for your stay, you can consider which aspects of the city you want to focus on—its history, city panoramas or culinary traditions.

Discover Salta through its history

At the Museo Güemes, a tour of ten rooms featuring scenographic and audiovisual elements introduces the history of General Martín Miguel de Güemes and the struggle for emancipation. The building itself brings together several layers of history: towards the end of the 18th century, it housed the royal treasury of the Intendancy of Salta del Tucumán; Güemes also lived there with his family. Visitors looking to explore history not only through individual objects but also through the use of a building will find both aspects brought together here.

Another place associated with Güemes is the Casona Histórica de Finca Castañares. The building dates from the early 18th century. On 18 June 1813, it housed General Belgrano’s troops; the Battle of Salta was planned there. The Casona de Castañares offers a historical and cultural tour through five rooms. Exhibits include objects, paintings, models, uniforms, replicas, photographs and philatelic displays; audiovisual projections complement the tour. Casona Finca Castañares is located in the northern, increasingly urbanised part of Salta and is part of the Belgrano Route, as well as the city’s museums and historical monuments.

The Museo de la Ciudad focuses on something different: its exhibition on Salta’s history features 18th- and 19th-century furniture, clothing, photographs, accessories and everyday objects from that period. Together, the three places offer different ways to explore the past—through a historical figure, a building associated with military history and objects from everyday life.

Cityscapes and special experiences

The Catedral Basílica de Salta houses the images of the Lord and Virgin of the Miracle, the city’s patron saints. The Museo San Francisco also combines history with a distinctive way of presenting it: it offers an audiovisual 3D-mapping show about the history of the Franciscan Order, as well as an evening tour of the oldest part of the San Francisco monastery. Visitors who want to experience different ways of presenting history during their stay can consider these activities alongside the museum tours.

The cable cars offer a different perspective on the city and its surroundings. The Teleférico San Bernardo takes visitors to the summit on a ten-minute ride, with views of Salta and the surrounding area. The Teleférico Ala Delta connects the summit of Cerro San Bernardo with Cerro Ala Delta. Its panoramic route extends for more than a kilometre above Salta and the surrounding hills. The scenic ride and the historical tours appeal to different interests; when choosing your accommodation, you can consider which part of the city visit matters most to you.

Regional cuisine and music

Salta’s culinary identity is shaped by traditional and inherited products, regional cuisine and the culinary heritage of immigrants. At the “Cómo hacer tu propia humita” cooking workshop, participants learn to prepare the filling for this traditional Salta dish using typical ingredients. Experiencia Patio San Francisco serves regional food and wines from the valleys in the historic courtyard of Iglesia San Francisco. This gives you a chance to experience local cuisine both as a dish to taste and as a culinary tradition.

Traditional folk peñas with live music on Calle Balcarce are part of Salta’s musical scene. If you want to include regional music and food in your trip, alongside museums and viewpoints, these offer further ideas to consider when choosing where to stay in the city. Salta is connected to the rest of the country and the world via Gral. Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport. Which of these aspects appeals to you most may help you decide whether to choose your holiday apartment as a base for cultural discoveries, city views or culinary experiences.

For the main travel overview: Departamento Capital.