Your packing list for Mendoza should contain the following: hiking boots, swim suit, sunscreen, fishing rod, winter coat, dinner attire, bottle opener, empty stomach, open mind. And that’s just for your carry-on.
Mendoza’s year-round sunshine makes it a four-season destination, but most people visit from October through April when the wine season is in full swing and wineries open their doors for tours and tastings. The grape harvest kicks off in February, and the first week of March is devoted to the National Harvest Festival (Vendimia), the city’s biggest event with parades, parties, and a fireworks finale. Prefer ski slopes to vineyards? Mendoza’s ski season runs July through September.
Walking among the attractions is easy in Mendoza’s compact center, while taxis are an affordable option for short hops. You’ll need transport to explore the surrounding wine region, and the most scenic way to explore is by renting a bike and cycling through the vineyards. Alternatively, tour buses and group tours will whisk you on a wine-tasting tour of the Maipu Valley or Luján de Cuyo regions, eliminating the need for a designated driver.
Vineyards and bodegas (as wineries are called here) aren’t the only fruits of the city’s harvest—Mendoza is also the epicenter of Argentina’s lesser-known olive oil industry. Head to Familia Zuccardi in the Maipu Valley, where you can tour the olive groves, sample the unique Arauco olives, and pick up a bottle or two to take home. Olive oil tastings are also on offer at the family-run Olivicola Maguay, along with a range of olive oil cosmetics.
Mendoza is one of Argentina’s most visited cities and lies at the heart of the country’s largest wine-producing region. Mendoza is world-famous for its Malbec wines, and visitors come to cycle around the vineyards, enjoy wine tasting tours, or go hiking in the Andes Mountains.
...MoreThe most popular thing to do in Mendoza is take a wine tasting tour, hopping between vineyards and wineries. After sampling the region’s world-famous malbecs, you can also visit the renowned Cacheuta thermal spa or hike to the summit of Mount Aconcagua, Argentina’s highest mountain.
...MoreA minimum of two or three days in Mendoza gives you time to explore the city and surrounding vineyards. Plan a full-day wine tasting tour, a day hiking or horseback riding in the Andes Mountains, and then spend the rest of your time sightseeing and relaxing at the Cacheuta thermal spa.
...MoreWine-tasting tours are the most popular activity in Mendoza, and the most scenic way to explore the vineyards is by bike. Other fun activities include hiking around Mount Aconcagua, whitewater rafting along the Mendoza River, horseback riding in the Andes, or paragliding from Cerro Arco.
...MoreFew visit Mendoza without tasting its famous malbec wines—a wine tasting tour should be top of your to-do list. Don’t miss a bike ride through the vineyards, the views from Mount Aconcagua, Argentina’s highest mountain, and a visit to the Cacheuta thermal spa.
...MoreYes. Mendoza is generally a safe city for both locals and travelers. However, as in all cities, caution is still advised—keep an eye on your belongings, watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas, and stick to busy, well-lit areas at night.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 27 |
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Number of Tours | 234 |
Number of Reviews | 3,674 |
Currency | ARS |
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