The main square
Shade and cafés.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · miroab — CC BY-SA 2.0 · miroab — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jlla00 — Public domain
Cafayate is a quiet town in the Calchaquí valleys of southwest Salta province, founded in 1840 and crossed by the famous National Route 40. Dry, colourful mountains surround it, while orchards and vineyards cover the valley floor in green, under clear skies most days of the year. Its heart is a broad, shaded square ringed by simple colonial-style houses, cafés and shops selling local crafts. The best part of the visit is the road from Salta through the Quebrada de las Conchas, the red gorge with its famous rock formations, and from Cafayate you can continue south on Route 40 or north through the valley villages to Cachi. The town is about 190 kilometres from Salta, roughly three and a half hours' drive with stops in the gorge, so ideally stay at least a night.
Shade and cafés.
Quebrada de las Conchas.
Made locally.
Calchaquí valleys, southwest Salta province, on National Route 40
About 190 km, roughly three and a half hours via the Quebrada de las Conchas; ideally stay a night.