The province of Salta has a mild climate and the charms indicated to be one of the most visited by tourists throughout the year.
To its natural beauties, which can be seen in the different regions it houses, the diversity of its inhabitants is added, which dazzles those who come there for their traditions and customs, some secular.
The Salta Capital city is ideal to stay in it and enjoy it from the moment we leave the hotel and start walking.
Museums, churches, historical buildings, squares with their cafés and various walks allow us to see the colonial influence, which can be seen in the architecture and in one of the most protected historic centers of Argentina.
Here without doubt, the past is preserved.
To the west, the Andes Mountain Range and the Puna, with its incredible La Polvorilla viaduct and the Tren de las Nubes. In the south, the Calchaquíes Valleys. To the north, the Chaco Salteño, whose endless greens resemble it to the very missionary jungle.
Unique in landscapes, each unique place adds its culinary excellence that manifests itself in flavors, colors and aromas typical of this region of the world. Here the “cumin” is gold and such is the kindness of the people of Salta that locros, tamales and empanadas have part of this beautiful treasure.
From the city of Salta to the rest of the province, the options are paradisiacal: nearby destinations such as Cachi and Cafayate, or farther away, such as the Salinas Grandes and the road to them, are excursions already known worldwide, and with sufficient merits to extend the tourist’s stay for several more days.
Train of the clouds
A full-day journey to get to know this area of the Argentine Northwest that, despite its intense life, is little frequented. Reconditioned wagons and excellent service make us enjoy this experience.
Climb the mountain by train from 1,187 meters from the city of Salta to a height of 4,200 meters above sea level. In La Polvorilla and knowing every inch of the way, this trip was for us a strongly coveted challenge.
Salta counts on this service again. We had the possibility of traveling by train on one of the highest branches of the world.
Salta at night
Salta, “la Linda”, lights up when night comes. Each tour renews its charm when the moon rises. The main square, its cafes, Balcarce street and the magic of the casino. The night invites.
By day, 9 de Julio Square is beautiful wherever you look at it. At night it becomes unique, wonderful. Sitting down to drink in the small cafes that surround it is a must stop. Unforgivable not to do it.
Located between the streets Caseros, Zuviría, Spain and Miter, the 9 de Julio square was the site that Hernando Lerma chose to found the city in 1582.
This cobbled square was born as a square of arms, and was the place where military formations were made at that time and the edicts of the King of Spain were read, and where, of course, the first popular festivities were held.
In 1871 it was decided to light it to kerosene, and later the first benches were placed for the elderly and to encourage the reading of local newspapers.
Only in 1920, Salta began to receive the first details of national independence. A fountain of clear French style was inaugurated in the center of the square and is still intact and gleaming today.
In 1992 the square was restored respecting its original style and the huge number of trees that exist on its surface.
The Cathedral and the Cabildo Histórico are two of the pearls that surround it. The Cathedral Church has an altar built in gold, and inside its sanctuary can be seen images of the Lord and the Virgin of the Miracle, tutelary patrons of the city since 1692.
At night, its classic Italian style architecture with its two symmetrical towers and its striking dome make it one of the most beautiful works that our country has.
Giving the place an air of fairy tale that is not repeated in any other provincial capital that our country has. Not even in the multifaceted and beautiful Buenos Aires.
Salta cuisine
The northern cuisine finds in Salta very good proposals that combine noble and ancestral raw materials typical with the best techniques of European and international cuisine.
Empanadas, humita, locro, huaschalocro and tamales are the traditional foods of the Northwest of the country, but in each region, in each restaurant, in each house they have a particular preparation.
More paprika, more fat, less spicy, with potato or sweet potato; each chef puts his personal touch even with the same elements.
As tourists, we always choose to know the gastronomic offerings that are authentic of the place. That is why our concern is to locate those sites where local preparations are offered.
In Salta it was easy to know where we could give ourselves that pleasure. With just consulting our hotel or those who received us, the answer arrived.
Of course, everyone has an affinity for one place or another; the recipes come from the original inhabitants but today they are prepared according to a wider palate and may have some differences.
The empanadas are a quick exit when the rides overlap and the time is scarce.
In Salta they stand out for their homemade dough, its filling based on lean meat, with added potatoes, chives and seasonings, all cooked in pella grease.
With more time, we ate carbonada, humita, several different locros and tamales, in which the corn and the beef and pork meats are repeated but in different combinations. Original raw materials such as llama meat, api or quinoa have been revalued and are part of the zonal menu.
To kill two birds with one stone, we are dedicated to touring the folkloric rocks.
For the good music, the formidable performers and the best dancers we add the good regional cuisine and, of course, the generous Salteño wines that accompany the well set table.
On the outskirts of the city, it is possible to observe that some food houses cook in a clay oven installed in the patio. Inside, food is prepared to the embers, with time, with dedication, and everything that is offered later seems even richer.
But not everything regional tastes salty. There are also desserts and sweet snacks that deserve to be tried. We bought capias, empanadillas, candied walnuts and we even had a coffee with a portion of real pasta stuffed with cayote candy, which when we received it on the table, seemed like a simple sponge cake. It was necessary to try it to notice the Salta style.
Go to see our Tour to Iguazu Falls and Salta of 4 days and 3 nights. For more information contact us.
“Wherever you go, do what you see,” is the advice of those who, for loving trips and destinies, always savor the specialties “of the house”.
