Sightseeing in Salta - Argentina

April 16th, 2016

Salta is the capital of the homonymous region in northwestern Argentina and is the main base for numerous tourist itineraries. The city hosts many churches, several important museums and has a pleasant colonial style architecture. A visit including the MAAM museum (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology) takes half a day, but if you want to visit more museums, it is good to plan more time.

Salta is a city with approximately 620,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the homonymous Salta region in northwestern Argentina. Easily reachable from Buenos Aires with several daily flights, Salta is also the main entry point for tours to northern Argentina and Puna de Atacama.

Salta is one of the South American cities with the largest number of colonial-style buildings and is worth at least a half-day to visit. In these photos, the main cathedral of Salta dating back to the second half of the 19th century, dedicated to Our Lord and to the Virgin of the Miracle.

Photo of 9th July square in Salta, the main square in the city center.

Salta is a city with mainly low buildings, many in old colonial style.

High Mountain Archaeological Museum (MAAM) in Salta

This building in the center of Salta houses the High Mountain Archaeological Museum (MAAM), which collects finds dating to various ages, including three mummies found on top a nearby volcano at over 6000 meters. Unfortunately it's strictly forbidden to take pictures inside, so I can't show you what to expect from this museum.

Salta hosts numerous churches, this is the convent and basilica of St. Francis, originally dating to the seventeenth century and repeatedly restored or modified over the centuries. It is currently declared National Historic Heritage building.