Where to Stay in Salta – A Guide to “The Beautiful”
Salta is the seventh most populated city in Argentina and one of the most important centers in the north of the southern country.
It is the capital of the homonymous province, located in the Lerma Valley, west of the Andes mountain range.
Salta is one of the most visited cities in northern Argentina, largely because of its cultural heritage, its proximity to several natural sites and to the Chilean and Bolivian borders.
Salta is located at 1187 masl, very close to the source of the Salado River, and is crossed by the Arenales and Arias rivers.
Salta was founded in 1582 with the aim of establishing an intermediate city between Lima and Buenos Aires, two of the most important cities of the Spanish colonies in South America.
Its strategic location and its proximity to other large centers of colonial power such as Potosí, in what is now Bolivia, made Salta a prosperous city throughout its history.
Broadly speaking, the city is divided into three areas, the central one, which includes the historic center and the picturesque area of Cerro San Bernardo, the southern area, on the other side of the Arias River, and the northern zone, connected to the center of the city through the Bicentenario and Reyes Católicos avenues.
The Martin Miguel de Güemes International Airport is the main air access point of the province. This terminal offers direct daily connections with the main Argentine cities and frequent flights to cities in Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia.
Salta also has a very varied cultural offer and nightlife, driven largely by its large university population.
Among its most important cultural attractions include the High Mountain Archeology Museum with its collection of pre-Hispanic mummies, the Cathedral, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Some other must-see places in Salta include the “tren a las nubes” (train to the clouds) and the San Bernardo cable car.
The public transport in Greater Salta is made up of urban buses.
As for the best areas to stay in Salta, being close to most of the attractions of the city, the best area is, without a doubt, Salta’s City Center (See accommodation in Salta’s City Center).
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Salta, Argentina.
The best areas to stay in Salta, Argentina
1. Our favorite area: Salta’s City Center
Salta’s City Center is, as its name suggests, the heart of the city.
It is the historic, financial and commercial center of Salta.
It was here where the city originated in 1582, and where the oldest buildings of Salta are found, including the Cabildo, the Main Church, the Minor Basilica of San Francisco, the House of Culture, the Convent of San Bernardo, among many others.
The Alberdi, Florida and Caseros pedestrian streets are some of the main commercial arteries of the city.
Balcarce Street, located between the Central Railway Station and Entre Ríos Avenue, is currently the center of nightlife with countless renowned clubs, restaurants and bars.
The City Center also has the widest variety of accommodation in Salta, with hotels of all categories and styles.
Being close to the attractions, nightlife, and shopping, Salta’s City Center is the best area to stay in Salta.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Salta:
- Historic buildings
- Best area for nightlife
- Heart of the city
- Wide variety of accommodation
- Galleries and museums
- Best area for sightseeing
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Casa Real Hotel
Casa Real Hotel offers an indoor pool and spacious rooms with panoramic views of Salta and the surrounding mountains. Free WiFi access is available and a daily breakfast is served.
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Budget
Plaza Hotel
The Plaza is located in the picturesque main square of the city of Salta, just 50 meters from the Museum of Contemporary Art. The hotel has a nice decoration with typical details of the region and offers rooms with Wi-Fi.
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Luxury
Alejandro 1º Hotel
Alejandro 1 occupies a huge building located 300 meters from the main square of Salta. It offers views of Belgrano Square and features an indoor pool, gym, 2 restaurants and elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi.
2. Portezuelo
This small neighborhood to the east of the city center has a bohemian and quiet vibe, which makes it an excellent area to stay in Salta.
Its main point of interest is the Monument to Martin Miguel de Güemes, which is 25 meters high and is located at the end of Paseo Güemes, at the foot of Cerro San Bernardo. It was built at the exact point where the general fell for the first time from his horse while riding.
The other tourist attraction of this lively area is the San Bernardo cable car, which runs a kilometer to arrive at the viewpoint at the top of Cerro San Bernardo, from where you can see spectacular views of Salta and the Lerma Valley.
Portezuelo is very close to the city center, so access to the historic attractions of the city can be done on foot in less than 15 minutes.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Salta, Argentina:
- ohemian area
- Luxury hotels
- San Bernardo cable car
3. North of the City Center
The northern area is one of the favorite districts of the middle-upper and upper classes of Salta. It includes the neighborhoods of Tres Cerritos, Parque General Belgrano, El Huaico, Universitario, February 20, San Martín, Villa Luján, San Cayetano and La Loma.
It extends from the City Center to La Caldera river and hosts exclusive neighborhoods and some points of interest and important infrastructures of the city such as the National University of Salta, the Aeroclub and many important sports fields.
Despite being a highly sought after area of Salta, the north is also the university area par excellence, which gives the area a youthful atmosphere.
The 20 de Febrero neighborhood is the most central area of the district, linked to Salta’s City Center by its checkered streets. This area is articulated around the square on February 20 and, from there, it is possible to walk to any point of the City Center in 20 minutes or less.
For the most peripheral neighborhoods of the north, it is necessary to use public transport or taxi.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Salta, Argentina:
- Excellent infrastructure
- Accommodation of all kinds
- University area
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|ES| Mejores zonas donde alojarse en Salta, Argentina
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